This month I am featuring Freeing Your Child from Anxiety by Tamar E. Chansky, Ph.D. There is a revised and updated version published in 2014 which you should try to get if you can, but I found a free audiobook copy at my library of the older version and I would not consider it outdated.
Chansky is a psychologist and does a great job of describing anxiety and many more specific disorders that fall under the anxiety umbrella (ex: separation anxiety, social anxiety, selective mutism, panic disorder, tic disorder, trichotillomania, specific phobias, etc.)
More importantly, beyond describing what anxiety is, she explains how to treat it best using cognitive behavioral strategies that you can teach to your child at home or work on with the help of a professional. Chansky recommends the CBT-based “Coping Cat” program for use in therapy which I have used extensively and successfully with many clients.
This is a really straightforward resource that is jam-packed with helpful information if you suspect that your child might be struggling with some sort of anxiety. Importantly, the information that she shares can be used with young children and teenagers. You can even use the techniques on yourself! Anxiety is a popular buzzword these days and it can be hard to distinguish professional content from fluff. This book is a great place to start.
