Treatment for Specific Phobias in Children

This study will compare the effectiveness of three treatments in reducing symptoms of phobia in children and adolescents.

Children with specific phobias may experience academic, social, and personal distress, as well as interference in day-to-day activities. One-Session Treatment has been found a rapid and effective treatment for adults with phobic disorders. However, its utility in the treatment of childhood phobia has not been examined. Participants are randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: a one-session treatment group, an education/support group, and a waitlist control group. The one-session treatment group is directly exposed to a phobia object or situation during a 3-hour treatment session. In the education/support group, children are given information about fear and phobias and are taught how to deal with them through workbook activities. Children who participate in the one-session treatment group or the education/support group are assessed 1 week post-treatment and again after 6 months. Participants with improved symptoms have a 1-year follow-up. Participants with phobias that persist at 6 months are encouraged to participate in alternative treatment. Waitlist control participants are assessed pre-treatment and 1 month post-treatment. Those who continue to have phobias at the 1-month assessment are randomly assigned to 1 of the 2 active treatments.

Inclusion Criteria: Primary diagnosis of specific phobia disorder Exclusion Criteria: Mental retardation Developmental disabilities Suicide threat