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Supported interventions: Parent and carer led support

What is parent and carer led support?

Parent and carer led cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a structured approach to treating childhood anxiety where parents, not therapists, take the lead in delivering CBT techniques to their child. A trained practitioner guides and supports the parents, but the day-to-day work happens at home with the parent as the ‘’coach’’.

The MindMate support team practitioners utilise the book ‘Helping your child with fears and worries’ written by Cathy Creswell to help and support parents in understanding childhood fears and worries, maintenance factors and develop step by step strategies for overcoming these.

The aim is to support parents and carers in feeling confident in being able to help their child overcome their anxieties, fears and worries.

Supporting information

Children, especially under 12 years old, are more likely to open up, practice new skills, and feel safe with their parents or carers than with a therapist.
Primary caregivers are a constant presence and can provide real-time support and guidance throughout the day, not just during weekly therapy sessions.
Research has shown that parent or carer led CBT is as effective as therapist led CBT for mild to moderate difficulties including generalised anxiety and separation anxiety.

Attend 8 sessions either online or face-to-face with one of the MindMate support team practitioners
Read the ‘helping your child with fears and worries’ book as they progress through the sessions
Complete tasks outside of sessions which will include doing work with the child, setting challenges and creating a step by step approach to overcoming fears and worries