Parent-Augmented Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Treat Children With Specific Phobias

Participants receiving OST will attend one extended treatment session, lasting up to 3 hours in duration. During this session, the child will be taught a number of cognitive and behavioral skills to deal effectively with the feared situation or object. The child will also be exposed to the feared situation or object in a highly structured, safe, and controlled manner.

Family-enhanced OST (augmented OST) involves the parents of affected children and provides the parents with strategies to assist their children in overcoming phobias. Participants receiving augmented OST will attend the same type of extended treatment session, but, in addition, their parent or guardian will attend a 3-hour session.