Brief,High Intensity Interventions with Children and Adolescents with Anxiety Disorders: Introductory Comments

In this series of brief papers, high intensity (HI) cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) interventions are reviewed for use with the anxiety disorders in youth. HI CBT approaches are defined as those that deliver the treatment in fewer sessions or in a reduced period of time when compared to standard CBT interventions (delivered in 12 – 20 sessions). Support for HI CBT interventions is examined for specific phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. To date, these interventions appear promising and to produce effects similar to those obtained with standard CBT interventions. Still more research is needed to determine if they are more cost-effective, when they might be used in contrast to standard CBT interventions, and if they can be enhanced to surpass the effects obtained with standard CBT interventions.