Cool Kids Anxiety Program

The Cool Kids program was developed by Macquarie University in 1993 based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Over the past 25 years, it has been translated into several languages and is used in clinics, schools and hospitals worldwide.

The program has undergone continual scientific evaluation and development to include the latest understanding of anxiety and its treatment.

We run two versions of the program:

• Cool Kids for children aged seven to 12 years
• Cool Little Kids for children aged three to six years.

Cool Kids Anxiety Program

This 10-week program helps parents of children aged seven to 12 years to better manage anxiety. It involves the participation of children and parents, and focuses on teaching practical skills. The program covers topics including:

• learning about feelings and anxiety
• learning to think more realistically
• parenting an anxious child
• fighting fear by facing fear
• coping skills, such as building social confidence and problem-solving.

Most young people who complete the program show significant improvement in fields like increased school attendance, academic achievement, confidence, number of friends and involvement in extra-curricular activities, as well as decreases in worry, shyness, fear and family distress.

The Cool Kids Anxiety Program is delivered face-to-face in weekly small group sessions, with a maximum of 10 children. We can run multiple programs at a time depending on interest, and try to ensure children are grouped with others of a similar age.

Parents will also be invited to attend three parent sessions. Between sessions, children will be asked to practice skills at home and at school.

Cool Little Kids Anxiety Program

The Cool Little Kids Anxiety Prevention Program (Cool Little Kids) is a six-week program designed for parents/carers of children aged three to six years who may be shy, withdrawn or inhibited.

Cool Little Kids helps parents/carers develop skills and exercises to reduce excessive anxiety in their child or children and increase their confidence.

Cool Little Kids is evidence-based and has provided excellent results in Australia for over 10 years.

Parents and carers have found it helpful for improving young children’s fear and anxiety in a range of situations, including:

• saying hello / goodbye
• separating from parents (e.g. at preschool)
• playing with unfamiliar people (e.g. playdates, parties)
• trying new activities (e.g. swimming lessons)
• going to sleep.

CRCS employees Dechen Choden and Molly Havyatt are accredited by Macquarie University’s Centre for Emotional Health to use the Cool Kids Anxiety Program. The intellectual property rights, including copyright, in the Program are owned by Macquarie University. Macquarie University does not endorse any particular provider of the program and their other services.

Capital Region Community Services runs Cool Kids through the Bungee program, which is supported by the ACT Health Directorate.