The treatment described in this Therapist Guide is specifically designed for adolescents with panic disorder and agoraphobia. Panic disorder often first appears in adolescence, making effective treatment for this age group a priority. Left untreated, panic disorder can severely impair an adolescent's development and functioning. It can put an adolescent at risk for depression and have consequences into adulthood. The program was developed at the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders at Boston University and targets patients ages 12-17. It is comprised of 12 sessions to be delivered over an 11-week period. Adolescents learn about the nature of panic and anxiety and how to challenge their panic thoughts. Exposure sessions help them face their fears and stop avoiding situations that cause heightened anxiety. An adaptation chapter addresses how to modify the program for intensive (8 day) treatment, as well as how to tailor the treatment to different ages. Each session includes an optional parent component and an appendix provides handouts for parents. The corresponding workbook is specifically designed for adolescent use, with easy to understand explanations and teen-friendly forms. "Clinicians who work with adolescents will benefit substantially from this book. Both seasoned and junior level clinicians in the mental health fields as well as graduate students will profit the most. This guide takes the reader step-by-step through the program and principles of treatment. . .This book is well-balanced, unbiased, and gives clinicians a solid box of tools. As with all the books in this series, there is a systematic implementation of the program. Finally, we have a book that focuses on the treatment needs of adolescents with panic disorder that is grounded in empirical research."--Doody's Health Sciences Review, a 4-star review!
Donna B. Pincus is Associate Professor and the Director of Research for the Child and Adolescent Fear and Anxiety Treatment Program at the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders at Boston University. Jill T. Ehrenreich is Associate Professor, Child Division at University of Miami.
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