Exploring Feelings Cognitive Behavior Therapy to Manage Anxiety

The Cognitive Behaviour Therapy program Exploring Feelings was designed to be highly structured, interesting and successful in encouraging the cognitive control of emotions. The child participating in the program has a workbook for the six two-hour sessions that includes activities and information to explore the specific feelings of being happy, relaxed, anxious or angry.

There are sections in the workbook to record individual comments and responses to questions. At the end of each session, a project is explained to the child, which is to be completed before the next session. At the start of the next session the project is discussed with the person implementing the program, which can be a professional or parent. A metaphor was created of the child being an astronaut or scientist exploring a new planet, as children with Asperger syndrome are often interested in exploration of the physical world, science and science fiction. The Exploring Feelings program is designed to explore the mental world from a scientific perspective.

There are two Exploring Feelings programs, one is designed to explore and manage anxiety, the other to explore and manage anger.

Exploring Feelings Cognitive Behavior Therapy to Manage Anxiety - Winner of a 2008 Teachers' Choice Award! Anxiety can be debilitating for anyone, but it can be especially confusing for a child. Learning about emotions helps children recognise connections between thinking and feeling, and helps them identify the physiological effects of anxiety on the body (sweating, increased heart rate, crying, etc.). This book provides a guide for caregivers and then the workbook section allows children to identify situations that make them anxious and learn how to perceive the situation differently.

Now also available Exploring Feelings - Anxiety Training Manual, A Guide for Group Leaders, to accompany Exploring Feelings Cognitive Behavior Therapy to Manage Anxiety.