Pediatric Anxiety Epidemic: A New Approach to Treatment | Kathryn Boger | TEDxWalthamED

There’s an anxiety epidemic, and increasing numbers of kids are struggling to learn, connect, and thrive. These kids are falling off the developmental curve, and their anxiety is causing them to experiencing losses in relation to their academics, social life, and extracurriculars. While traditional interventions help some, many continue to suffer. We need to think outside the box about how to tackle this problem. One solution is to increase the “dose” of outpatient treatment by delivering it in an intensive format. The goal of this innovative approach is to increase treatment momentum in order to minimize losses and maximize re-engagement in life.

Kathryn Boger is a child and adolescent clinical psychologist, specializing in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety, mood, and substance use disorders. She has had extensive training and experience in the delivery of empirically-supported treatments in both outpatient and residential levels of care. Kathryn helped to develop and is the program director for the McLean Anxiety Mastery Program (MAMP). MAMP is an outpatient, group-based program that is recognized as a regional leader in providing empirically-supported intensive treatment for children and adolescents, aged 7-19, with anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive disorders. Kathryn conceptualized this program with a colleague in order to address the need for intensive, empirically-supported treatments for this age group and to help develop a continuum of care between weekly outpatient therapy and residential levels of care. Her goal is to provide an increased “dosage” of treatment to help kids who are struggling with debilitating anxiety learn to manage their symptoms and regain control of their lives more quickly. Kathryn will be talking about the treatment of pediatric anxiety in her TEDx talk.

[klmyles]

My son suffers from chronic anxiety - it's nice to know he isn't alone but it's even better to start learning what I can do for him.

[melissamum]

Great video. The key is *gradual* increase of exposure. Dont throw them in the deep end.

[sportsmankiev]

I would love to see these statistics alongside the socioeconomic conditions of families. Our treatment systems are so expensive! Also, which treatments and HOW LONG treatments covered are determined by insurance companies. In discussing how so many of our children are not getting the treatment necessary or “effective treatment”, I think the conversation must include our care/health systems and expenses! The system itself prevents many from the care they need...

[martaarangoecheverri]

Congratulation Kathryn, You're doing a great job with this child problem!

[teambeining]

My daughter withdrew in second grade and had her first panic attack in third. It has been awful trying to “raise” her around her mental health issues. It is a whole different ballgame, and completely draining. People don’t realize how common/significant it is in children.

[jjharvathh]

Actually it is not only children, it is adults too that have an anxiety epidemic...looking at historical psychological test data (can not remember the study) it was obvious that people were much less stressed and anxious decades ago, compared to today. Have been wondering why...we have more stuff now....so should be happier.

[staceyfarris_lmhc]

This sounds promising but is it affordable and available to the majority of children? If it’s not now, will it be? That’s the problem I’ve found - any treatment that has any real value is almost never financially feasible or geographically accessible.

[auroraolds]

Why isn’t anyone talking about the mic going through her cheek, or am I loosing it?

[kellyf.]

Wtf that opening gave me a panic attack. 😮

[MichaelODoherty]

Hi, enjoyed the talk xc § There is no reason why children cant fully recover, the key is to release the energy blockage once you do that combined with CBT and the right nutrition its done. Michael

[romanr]

I get results MUCH faster by focusing first on the initial psychotrauma whenever possible. The consequences often get resolved on their own. And I use principles behind EFT, Sedona Method, some NLP techniques, etc. I want to underscore the word "principles", not bogus explanations (as are provided, for example, by EFT and EMDR practioners). The cornerstone is also exposure, but I first use exposure in one's mind, and then in real world once that is done, if needed.

[brainyway]

The lecture was too negative until min 12. I barely could handle it because i am focused on positive psychology. So exposure is the conclussion. Lets study about it.

[pedinurse]

This happened to us in the State Fair, thought I would die, I found my child but it took about 45 min

[hollyjollyxmas]

I found the most important and poignant part of this to be when she talked about meeting Kim at the family car and doing the meetings there until she was ready to go inside. Every other therapist or therapy session I’ve experienced would have told me to drag my severely anxious and debilitated nephew kicking and screaming into the clinic.

[GabrielleCenter]

I have GAD 3 times a day and during bedtime. My body gets numb all the time.

[lizhall]

Where can I get this kind of treatment for my 8 year old son?

[bibousisi]

Hi! Nice video you have there! On a separate note; have you started communicating with " Vidadsmedia Child Anxiety Treatment " (google the exact phrase)? My step brother had some transactions with them and was impressed by their awesome treatment when the Anxiety issue was completely remedied !

[crater]

Hi hi! Nice video you have there! On a separate note; have you thought about " Vidadsmedia Child Anxiety Treatment " (try googling it)? My sisters boss had some dealings with them and was impressed by their great treatment when the Anxiety issue was completely treated !