Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Children and Adolescents

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has demonstrated efficacy in treating a number of disorders in children and adolescents. This chapter provides a detailed description of CBT models and associated techniques most commonly used with youth, including psychoeducation, relaxation training, cognitive restructuring, problem-solving, behavioral exposure, and organizational skills training. We review assessment tools, strategies, and instruments for use with children and adolescents, and discuss the role of parents in treatment. Throughout, developmental adaptions of CBT techniques and their use with children across a broad age range are emphasized. We also review empirical support for the use of CBT with youth and provide a case example to illustrate relevant clinical applications and common challenges.