Cool Kids Anxiety Program

Limited places are available in the Year 5/6 program beginning Week 3 of Term 2.
Get your application in asap.

Expressions of interest for Terms 3 & 4 also being accepted for children in Years 3/4 & 5/6.

Following the interest received in our pilot online Cool Kids program for term two, Catholic Care Canberra & Goulburn will offer places in three more groups that will be run during terms three & four. This is only available to students enrolled in regional Catholic Education schools and their parents. We welcome applications from students from years 3-4 and 5-6. The program will be run after school hours with the child and parent logging in from home or another private and quiet location. One parent is required at each session, and two are welcome.

The following information explains what the Cool Kids program involves and who may find the program helpful.

About the Cool Kids Program

Cool Kids is a structured program that teaches children and their parents how to manage a child’s anxiety better. The program is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), involves the participation of children and parents, and focuses on teaching practical skills. Topics covered in the program include:

• Learning about anxiety
• Learning to think realistically
• Parenting an anxious child
• Facing fears using stepladders and
• Learning coping skills such as relaxation or problem solving.

Macquarie University developed the Cool Kids program over the past 25 years, has been translated into several languages and is used in clinics, schools and hospitals worldwide. The program has undergone continual scientific evaluation and development to include the latest understanding of anxiety and its treatment. Current results indicate that most young people who complete the program show significant improvement. Following treatment, there are marked increases in school attendance, confidence, number of friends and involvement in extra-curricular activities and decreases in worry, shyness, fear and family distress.

How is the Cool Kids Program Delivered?

Cool Kids sessions will be run online by a clinical counsellor accredited to deliver the program.

The group program runs over ten weeks. Groups will include eight students and their parent/s.

Between sessions, children will be asked to practice skills at home and at school and parental encouragement is a proven contributor to success.

Would my child benefit from Cool Kids?

The Cool Kids program is offered to children whose main struggle is anxiety. Cool Kids covers a broad range of fears and worries, including:

Social fears: Kids who are shy and worry about what others think of them. They avoid social situations, performing and often have difficulty making friends.

Specific fears: Fears of particular objects or situations like dogs, heights or water. The fear is so bad that they avoid situations where they might come across that fear.

Generalised anxiety: These kids are worriers. They worry about many different areas, including schoolwork, competition, family, and anything new. They ask for reassurance and may feel sick, get headaches or have trouble sleeping.

Separation fears: Kids who worry that something bad will happen when separated from mum or dad. They often refuse to separate e.g. won’t go to school, sleepover at friends’ houses, or be left at home with a sitter.

Cool Kids is not suitable for children whose main problem is low mood, aggression, hyperactivity, oppositional behaviour or if they are autistic.

What else is involved?

You will be asked to complete a brief assessment for your child to participate in Cool Kids. This will gather information about the concerns that you have for your child and will also include questionnaires for you and your child about thoughts, feelings and behaviour. The assessment will be used to determine if your child is likely to find Cool Kids beneficial. Additionally, after the program is complete, you will be asked to complete the same assessment a second time so that we can track your child’s progress.

How to nominate your child

If, after reading this information, you would like your child to be considered for the program, please complete and return the attached Cool Kids Expression of Interest Form. 

What Should I do if I Have Questions?

If you would like to discuss Cool Kids or whether your child may benefit from the program, please email Cool Kids facilitator Donna Spillman at donna.spillman@catholiccare.cg.org.au