Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Adolescents With Anxiety Disorders

Within the context of a research and teaching clinic at the Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, 70 adolescents aged 13-17 with a primary anxiety disorder as assessed by the ADIS C/P will be randomly allocated to either a 3 month wait-list control condition or a treatment condition.

The treatment consists of an internet-based self-help program for adolescents with anxiety disorders called 'Chilled Out', based on material from the well-established manualised group-treatment Cool Kids Program: Adolescent version. It consists of 8 CBT-inspired modules of approximately 30 minutes each distributed over a 14-week period. The program is interactive using a combination of different media (text, audio, illustrations, cartoons, and videos) to deliver psychoeducation and CBT-inspired techniques, activities and exercises for adolescents to manage their anxiety. In addition, the adolescent will receive a limited amount of therapist support calls.

Participants (youth and parents) are assessed with semi-structured diagnostic interviews and self-report measures before treatment, after 14 weeks (post treatment) and 3 months after treatment (follow-up).

Participants are assessed at pre, post and 3-month follow up.

Inclusion criteria

• a primary diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, specific phobia, obsessive compulsive disorder or panic disorder
• age between 13 and 17 years
• ability to read and write in Danish
• direct access to a home computer and internet

Exclusion criteria

• high degree of comorbid depression (CSR above 5 as measured with ADIS-IV)
• substance abuse
• current self-harm or suicidal ideation
• pervasive developmental disorder
• learning disorder
• intellectual disability
• psychotic symptoms

All participants are asked not to make changes to their medication status during the course of the trial