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Treatment Overview of an Intensive Group Outpatient Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Youth Anxiety Disorders and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Abstract:

Evidence-based outpatient treatment protocols for anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder have been demonstrated to be helpful for about half of children; however, a significant portion of treatment-seeking youth remain symptomatic and with impaired functioning. Innovations in the delivery of cognitive-behavioral treatments may allow for enhanced effectiveness. This article describes the design and implementation of an intensive, group-based cognitive-behavioral therapy program with a focus on exposure and response prevention for youth (ages 7–19) with anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The multicomponent treatment involves psychoeducational groups, graduated in vivo exposure, family sessions, parent guidance groups, and psychopharmacologic consultation. Youth participate in treatment 4 times per week (3 group days and 1 family treatment day), for 2½ to 3 hr per day, for at least 4 weeks. In this article we provide preliminary outcomes and describe plans for evaluating the treatment more comprehensively.