Using a structured treatment, Friends for life, in Norwegian outpatient clinics. Results from a pilot study

Abstract

CBT treatment programmes for children and adolescents with anxiety disorders are promising as indicated by efficacy research. Replicating this research in ordinary clinical care is crucial in order to establish the validity of these results and disseminate empirically based treatments to practitioners. This paper presents the first experiences of using a structured programme, the Friends for Life manual, in ordinary clinical care in Norway targeting anxiety problems in children aged between 7 and 12 years. The effects of the treatment are presented as multiple single-case studies. Clinical meaningful change is considered from two perspectives; diagnostic change and changes in self-report measures. At a statistical significance level the treatment effect can be characterized as modest. Independent of the symptom reduction, the children, families and therapist are in the main satisfied with the structured approach indicating the acceptability of the programme.