Guidance for the Telehealth Delivery of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Disorders in Youth

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent psychiatric disorder in youth. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been found efficacious for the treatment of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. However, fewer than 20% of youth receive services for anxiety-related problems due to lack of availability and access to services. One potential solution to overcome the barriers to effective and equitable care for anxiety disorders in youth may be the delivery of CBT via telehealth. In this chapter, we review CBT for anxiety disorders in youth, the evidence base for telehealth delivery of CBT for anxiety disorders and offer guidelines on delivering CBT for anxiety via telehealth. We conclude with a case study illustrating the points discussed.