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Paper: online tool empowers parents to treat child anxiety

New research from the University of Oxford has revealed that an online programme that empowers parents to apply Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) principles in their child’s day-to-day lives is just as effective as traditional talking therapies for child anxiety problems.

A paper in The Lancet Psychiatry also found the Co-Cat trial substantially reduced the amount of therapist time required, making support more accessible for many families. The approach provides parents online tools and some therapist guidance to help children overcome problems with anxiety.

The trial recruited more than 400 children aged 5 to 12 in England and Northern Ireland, including 95 in Berkshire and Oxfordshire.

Read more on the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust website.