General Anxiety Supports

If your client is diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, it is very likely that they will require therapy.  Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is the most widely used therapy for for anxiety and its disorders. However, a therapist may use/incorporate several different therapeutic techniques to increases client responses in treatment.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT addresses negative thinking patters and distortions but also addresses the must important ingredient that feeds anxiety, avoidance and safety behaviours (i.e., subtle avoidance strategies such as avoiding eye contact).

Cognitive part of CBT examines how negative thoughts, or cognitions, contribute to anxiety.

Behaviour part of CBT examines how you behave and react in situations that trigger anxiety.

Both cognitive and behavioural elements are integral elements to client success.

Additional strategies that may support your client with anxiety may include: 

  • Your clients parents may wish to consider visiting their family doctor or paediatrician to discuss medical management options for anxiety. 
  • Allow your client to have some dedicated worry time to work through his/her thoughts
  • It will be important to explain what anxiety is. In understanding what anxiety is and how it can sometimes show up in unhelpful ways may leave your client with a sense of empowerment to conquer their fears. Refer to this handout that explains anxiety to children/adolescents
  • Anxiety is a process that stems from the mind but quickly becomes physical. Anxiety can also be reduced by changing the physical state. Your client may benefit from incorporating some of these strategies into their daily life:
    • Practice mindful breathing. Breathe normally and count how many seconds it takes to completely exhale.
    • Keep breathing and see for how many seconds you can extend your exhale.
    • Repeat until your exhale is as long as it can possibly be.
    • If you feel like you cannot catch your breath (for non-exercise related reasons), try holding one nostril closed and breathing in.
      • Then close the other nostril and exhale. Continue switching nostrils until your breathing has calmed down.
    • Try playing the “5 Things Game”. Sit comfortably where ever you are and think of five things you can feel, hear, see, smell, and taste.
      • This can be done at any point throughout the day (on the bus, in class, before bed etc.). 
    • Consider engaging in regular exercise, particularly mindfulness-based exercise such as yoga.
  • Encourage your client to engage in purposeful journaling.
    • Anxious adolescents have a tendency to journal primarily about negative events. It is okay to do this, as journaling is a good outlet.
    • However, ensure that the journal entry is balanced: for every negative topic, include at least one positive.
    • In addition, encourage your client to question the thoughts and feelings that he writes in his journal.
      • Good questions to ask include:
        • “Why do I feel that way?”,
        • “What is the evidence for and against that fear?”
        • “Is that the most likely thing that could happen, or is that the worst-case scenario?” 
  • Evaluate your client’s diet. Some food and drinks contain substances that stimulate the system, which will contribute to agitation and anxiety. Common substances include:
    • Caffeine which is found in coffee, tea, pop (usually colas), and chocolate.
    • Caffeine is also found in wake-up pills and some pain relievers and diet pills.
    • Nicotine is a powerful stimulant found in cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacc

The 3C’s For Anxiety

Encourage your client to try the 3Cs:

The 3C’S

1. Catch your thoughts: Identify an anxious or catastrophic thought (e.g., I am stupid).

2. Collect evidence: Think of evidence that supports or negates the thought. Remember:
feelings are not facts. Focus on facts (Supporting evidence: I struggled with that last
assignment; Negating evidence: I’ve done well at everything else).

3. Challenge your thoughts: Have a debate with yourself. Did the evidence support that
thought?