Anxious Minds, Brave Hearts: What Really Helps Kids and Teens Feel Better?
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health challenges facing children and adolescents today. Whether its fear of social situations, excessive worry, or difficulty separating from caregivers, these struggles are very real—and can impact everything from social, to educational, to physiological factors.
The big question is: what kind of therapy actually works best for young people with anxiety? With many different options out there, its not always clear which path to take. But recent research comparing over 100 clinical trials has shed some much-needed light on the topic.
What Types of Therapy Help with Anxiety?
There are many approaches to therapy for anxiety, but not all are equally effective. The most promising results come from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)—a structured, goal-oriented form of therapy that helps individuals identify and challenge anxious thoughts, and gradually face the situations they fear.
Among all the therapies studied, group-based CBT showed to be the most effective. It significantly reduced anxiety symptoms and improved functioning not just during treatment, but also after it ended. It was shown that group settings may provide additional benefits through peer interaction, shared experiences, and social support.
Other therapies, such as behavioral therapy (BT)—which focuses on exposure to feared situations without the cognitive restructuring component—also showed positive results, though typically not as strong as full CBT.
Does Parental Involvement Make a Difference?
Parental involvement is often thought to be essential in treating childhood anxiety. However, the research found that group CBT without direct parental involvement often had better outcomes than therapy that included parents. This doesn’t mean parents aren’t important—rather, it highlights that some children may benefit from navigating their anxiety independently, especially when surrounded by supportive peers in a structured setting.
Age Matters—But Not as Much as You Might Think
Older children and adolescents (typically aged 13 and up) seemed to benefit slightly more from CBT than younger children. This could be due to cognitive maturity, which makes it easier to engage with CBT techniques such as thought challenging and structured problem-solving. That said, younger children still saw meaningful improvements, especially when therapy was adapted to their developmental level.
What About Online or Self-Help Therapies?
In-person therapy isnt always accessible. Fortunately, internet-assisted CBT and bibliotherapy (therapy using guided self-help books) were also found to be effective when compared to doing nothing. These approaches are especially helpful when access to traditional therapy is limited by cost, location, or waitlists. While generally not as effective as face-to-face therapy, it is still a step in the right direction.
Takeaway: What This Means for Parents and Caregivers
If youre wondering what kind of therapy is best for a child or teen with anxiety, heres what the evidence suggests:
Group CBT is currently the most effective option, especially for older children and teens.
CBT in any form—whether individual or self-guided—tends to outperform other therapies in reducing anxiety symptoms and improving daily functioning.
Parental involvement may not always enhance outcomes, particularly in group-based therapy formats.
Online and book-based therapies can still provide valuable support, particularly when more traditional options arent accessible.
The key message? Anxiety in children and adolescents is treatable—and with the right approach, young people can build the tools they need to manage anxiety and thrive. Whether it’s through group sessions, self-help resources, or structured individual therapy, what matters most is finding the right fit for the child and their unique needs.
Alecsandra Usachov-Goncharuk