This research-supported treatment group helps children learn effective ways to deal with anxiety and stress. The skills training and practice exercises taught in this group will assist school-age children in the following:

• Recognizing anxious feelings and physical reactions to anxiety
• Clarifying thoughts and feelings in anxious situations
• Developing plans for effective coping
• Evaluating performance and giving self-reinforcement

The cognitive-behavioral treatment used in this group is the Coping Cat program, one of the most evidence-based tools to address unwanted/distressing anxiety in youth. During the group youth will learn about the cognitive, behavioral, and affective features of anxiety, develop and learn a plan to cope with their anxiety (the “FEAR plan”), and are then given opportunities to practice their new skills in several anxiety-provoking situations. Participant youth learn their own cues for when they are becoming anxious, as well as how to use these cues to initiate the implementation of coping skills.

The group meets at the Maine Township Town Hall and is open to children in grades 3-5. The fee for the entire 10-week group is only $40 for residents and $120 for non-residents (space permitting) and includes a workbook for participants and a parent companion guide. Parents are also encouraged to attend two separate parent meetings (held during week one and again halfway through the group) to learn about what will be covered during the group and how they can provide additional support to their child.

upcoming dates and Online registration

For more information, please contact Erin Callahan at ecallahan@mainetown.com or 224-257-4861.

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