A guide for Parents, Guidance Counselors, and Mental Health Professionals

This section of the Web site, which is dedicated to serving children and adolescents, was made possible by the generous support of the Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation.

Cognitive Therapy (CT) has been scientifically demonstrated in hundreds of clinical studies to be an effective treatment for a variety of mental and behavioral health disorders for adults, older adults, children, and adolescents. Below is a list of disorders for which CT has been demonstrated to be effective for children and adolescents.


  • Depression (among adolescents and depressive symptoms among children)
  • Anxiety disorders
    • Separation anxiety
    • Avoidant disorder
    • Overanxious disorder
    • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
    • Phobias
    • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Conduct disorder (oppositional-defiant disorder)
  • Distress due to medical procedures (e.g., cancer)
  • Recurrent abdominal pain
  • Physical complaints not explained by a medical condition (Somatoform disorders)
  • Chronic pain


 

Books & Research Articles

Friedberg, R. D., Mason, C., & Fidaleo, R. A. (1992). Switching channels. Odessa: Psychological Assessment Resources.

Seligman, M. E. P. (1995). The optimistic child: Proven program to safeguard children from depression & build lifelong resilience. New York: Houghton Mifflin.

Treatment and Assessment

Barkley, R. A., Edwards, G. H., & Robin, A. L. (1999). Defiant teens: A clinician’s manual for assessment and family intervention. New York: Guilford.

Bloomquist, M. L., & Schnell, S. V. (2002). Helping children with aggression and conduct problems: Best practices for intervention. New York: Guilford.

Chorpita, B. F. (2007). Modular cognitive-behavioral therapy for childhood anxiety disorders. New York: Guilford.

Dattilio, F. M. (1997). Family therapy. In Leahy, R. L. (Ed.). Practicing cognitive therapy: A guide to interventions p. 409-450. New York: Jason Aronson.

Deblinger, E., & Heflin, A. H. (1996). Treating sexually abused children and their nonoffending parents: A cognitive behavioral approach.Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Dudley, C. D. (1997). Treating depressed children: A therapeutic manual of cognitive behavioral interventions. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications.

Epstein, N. E., Schlesinger, S. E., & Dryden, W. (Eds.). (1988). Cognitive-behavioral therapy with families. New York: Brunner-Mazel.

Friedberg, R. D., & Crosby, L. E. (2001). Therapeutic exercises for children: Professional guide. Sarasota, FL: Professional Resource Press.

Friedberg, R. D., Friedberg, B. A., & Friedberg, R. J. (2001). Therapeutic exercises for children: Guided self-discovery using cognitive-behavioral techniques. Sarasota, FL: Professional Resource Press.

Friedberg, R. D., & McClure, J. M. (2002). Clinical practice of cognitive therapy with children and adolescents: The nuts and bolts. New York: Guilford.

Ginsburg, G. S., Siqueland, L., Masia-Warner, C., & Hedtke, K. A. (2004). Anxiety disorders in children: Family matters. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 11, 28-43.

Graham, P. (1998). Cognitive-behaviour therapy for children and families. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Kazdin, A. E., & Weisz, J. R. (Eds.) (2003). Evidence-based psychotherapies for children and adolescents. New York: Guilford.

Kearney, C. A. (2001). School refusal behavior in youth: A functional approach to assessment and treatment. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Kearney, C. A. (2005). Social anxiety and social phobia in youth: Characteristics, assessment, and psychological treatment. New York: Springer.

Keat, D. (1990). Child multimodal therapy. New Jersey: Ablex Publishing Corporation.

Kendall, P. C. (Ed.) (2000). Child & adolescent therapy: Cognitive-behavioral procedures. 2nd Ed. New York: Guilford.

Kendall, P. C., Chansky, T. E., Kane, M. T., Kim, R. S., Kortlander, E., Ronan, K. R., Sessa, F. M., & Siqueland, L. (1992). Anxiety disorders in youth: Cognitive behavioral interventions. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Knell, S. M. (1993). Cognitive behavioral play therapy. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson.

Kuehn, B. M. (2007). Cognitive-behavioral therapy shows promise for children with mental illness. Journal of the American Medical Association, 297(5), 453-455.

March, J. S., & Mülle, K. (undated) How I ran OCD off my land!: A guide to cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy for children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Durham: Duke University Medical Center.

March, J. S., & Mulle, K. (1998).OCD in children and adolescents: A cognitive-behavioral treatment manual. New York: Guilford.

Mattick, S. G., & Ollendick, T. H. (2002). Panic disorder and anxiety in adolescents. Malden, MA: Blackwell.

Rapee, R., Wignall, A., Hudson, J., & Schniering, C. (2000). Treating anxious children and adolescents: An evidence-based approach. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.

Reinecke, M. A., Dattilio, F. M., & Freeman, A. (Eds.) (1996). Cognitive therapy with children and adolescents. New York: Guilford.

Riley, D. (1997). The defiant child: A parent’s guide to oppositional defiant disorder. Dallas: Taylor Publishing.

Ronen, T. (1997). Cognitive developmental therapy with children. New York: John Wiley & Sons.

Seligman, M. P., Reivich, K., Jaycox, L., & Gillham, J. (1995). The optimistic child. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Schwebel, A., & Fine, M.(1994). Understanding and helping families: A cognitive-behavioral approach. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Stallard, P.(2002). Think good—feel good: A cognitive behaviour therapy workbook for children and young people. Sussex: John Wiley & Sons, LTD.

Tanguay, P. (2001). Nonverbal learning disabilities at home: A parent’s guide. Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Temple, S. (1997). Brief therapy for adolescent depression. Sarasota, Florida: Professional Resource Press.

Wilkes, T. C. R., Belsher, G., Rush, A. J., & Frank, E. (1994). Cognitive therapy for depressed adolescents. New York: Guilford.

Professional Books – Research

Morris, T. L., & March, J. S. (2004). Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. 2nd Ed. New York: Guilford.

Ollendick, T. H., & March, J. S. (2004). Phobic and anxiety disorders in children and adolescents: A clinician’s guide to effective psychosocial and pharmacological interventions. New York: Oxford.

Silverman, W. K., & Treffers, P. D. A. (2001). Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents: Research, assessment, and intervention. New York: Cambridge.

Vasey, M. W., & Dadds, M. R. (2001). The developmental psychopathology of anxiety. New York: Oxford.

School-Based Cognitive Therapy References

Allen, J. S., & Christner, R. W. (2003). The process and structure of cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) in the school setting. Insight, 24 (1), 4-9.

Christner, R. W., & Allen, J. S. (2003). Introduction to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in the schools. Insight, 23 (3), 12-14.

Friedberg, R. D., & McClure, J. M. (2002). Clinical practice of cognitive therapy with children and adolescents: The nuts and bolts. New York: Guilford Press.

Ghafoori, B., & Tracz, S. M. (2001). Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Reducing Classroom Disruptive Behaviors: A Meta-Analysis. ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED457182.

Mennuti, R., & Christner, R. W. (2007). A conceptual framework for school-based cognitive-behavior therapy. International Encyclopedia of Cognitive Behavior Therapy. New York: Kluwer.

Mennuti, R., Christner, R. W., & Freeman, A. (2007). Cognitive Behavioral Interventions in Educational Settings. New York: Routledge Publishing.

Reinecke, M. A. Dattilio, F. M., & Freeman, A. (2003). Cognitive therapy with children and adolescents: A casebook for clinical practice 2nd Ed. New York: Guilford Press.

U.S. Department of Education. (2001). Twenty-third annual report to Congress on the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Washington DC: Author.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (1999). Mental health: A report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: Author.

CBT for Learning and Intellectual Disabilities

Kroese, B. (1977). Cognitive-behaviour therapy for people with learning disabilities. London: Routledge.

Radnitz, C. (2000). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for persons with disabilities. London: Jacob Aronson.

Nezu, C. M., Nezu, A. M., Rothenberg, J. L., DelliCarpini, L., & Groag, I. (1992). Psychopathology in persons with mental retardation: Clinical guidelines for assessment and treatment. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 19(2), 227-239.

CBT for Aspergers

Winner, M. G. (2003). Thinking about you, thinking about me philosophy and strategies for facilitating the development of perspective taking for students with social cognitive deficits. London: Jessica Kingsley.

Dr. Tony Atwood in Australia has written and lectured extensively on this topic. Dr. Tony Atwood.

Selective Mutism

Bergman, R. L., Piacentini, J., & McCracken, J. (2002). Prevalence and description of selective mutism in a school-based sample. Journal of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 41, 938-946.

Cunningham, C. (2005). Helping your child with selective mutism. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

McHolm, A. (2007). Selective mutism for parents. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

Sadock, B. J. (2004). Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry, 8th Ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

Consumer Books

Crist, J. J. (2004). What to do when you’re scared and worried: A guide for kids. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit.

Eisen, A. R., & Engler, L. B. (2006). Helping your child with separation anxiety: A step-by-step guide for parents. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

Faber, A., & Mazlish, E. (2001). How to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk. London: Piccadilly Press.

Fitzgibbons, L., & Pedrick, C. (2003). Helping your child with OCD. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

Foa, E. B., & Andrews, L. W. (2006). If your adolescent has an anxiety disorder: An essential resource for parents. New York: Oxford.

Last, C. G. (2006). Help for worried kids: How your child can conquer anxiety and fear. New York: Guilford.

Manassis, K. (1996). Keys to parenting your anxious child. Woodbury, NY: Arons Educational Series.

McHolm, A. E., Cunningham, C. E., & Vanier, M. K. (2005). Helping your child with selective mutism: Practical steps to overcome a fear of speaking. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

Rapee, R. M., Spence, S. H., Cobham, V., & Wignall, A. (2000). Helping your anxious child: A step-by-step guide for parents. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

Wagner, A. P. (2000). What to do when your child had obsessive-compulsive disorder: Strategies and solutions. Rochester, NY: Lighthouse Press.

Wagner, A. P. (2002). Worried no more: Help and hope for anxious children. Rochester, NY: Lighthouse Press.

Waltz, M. (2000). Obsessive compulsive disorder: Help for children and adolescents. Sebastopol, CA: O’Reilly and Associates.


Depression and Anxiety

Butler, A. C., Chapman, J. E., Forman, E. M., & Beck, A. T. (2006). The empirical status of cognitive-behavioral therapy: A review of meta-analyses. Clinical Psychology Review, 26(1), 17-31.

March, J. S., Silva, S., Petrycki, S., Curry, J., Wells, K., Fairbank, J., Burns, B., Domino, M., & McNulty, S. (2007). The treatment for adolescents with depression study (TADS): Long-term effectiveness and safety outcomes. Archives of General Psychiatry, 64, 1132-1143.

Reinecke, M. A., Ryan, N. E., DuBois, D. L. (1998). Cognitive-behavioral therapy of depression and depressive symptoms during adolescence: A review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 37(1), 26-34.

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Cohen, J. A., Deblinger E., Mannarino A. P., & Steer, R. (2004). A multi-site randomized controlled trial for multiply traumatized children with sexual abuse-related PTSD. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 43, 393-402.

Deblinger E., Stauffer L. B., Steer R. A. (2001). Comparative efficacies of supportive and cognitive behavioral group therapies for young children who have been sexually abused and their non-offending mothers. Child Maltreatment, 6, 332-343.

For a discussion on further outcome studies, as well as additional mental health concerns such as Separation Anxiety, Phobias, Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, Distress Due to Medical Procedures, and those listed above, please see the following two articles.

Butler, A. C., Chapman, J. E., Forman, E. M., & Beck, A. T. (2006). The empirical status of cognitive-behavioral therapy: A review of meta-analyses. Clinical Psychology Review, 26(1), 17-31.

Chambless, D. L., & Ollendick, T. H. (2001). Empirically supported psychological interventions: Controversies and evidence. Annual Review of Psychology, 52, 685-716.


Materials for Use in Therapy

Kendall, P. (1994). Coping Cat; Coping Cat notebook; Stop and think workbook (2nd ed). Ardmore, PA: Workbook Publishing.

Kendall, P., Kane, M., Howard, B., & Siqueland, L. (2006). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxious children: Therapist manual. Ardmore, PA: Workbook Publishing.

Flannery-Schroeder, E., & Kendall, P. (1996). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxious children: Therapist manual for group treatment. Ardmore, PA: Workbook Publishing.

Kendall, P. (1992). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for impulsive children: Therapist manual. Ardmore, PA: Workbook Publishing.

Stark, K., & Kendall, P. (1996). Taking action: A workbook for overcoming depression. Ardmore, PA: Workbook Publishing.

Stark, K., & Kendall, P. (1996). Treating depressed children: Therapist manual for “taking action.” Ardmore, PA: Workbook Publishing.