Parent Self-Help Program

Last Updated (Friday, 23 April 2010 14:50)

Parent Self-Help Program
Parents can now participate in a self-help program aiming to increase confidence and ability in parenting anxious children.

Parents will learn strategies to help manage anxiety in children. They will also be provided with information resources about the causes and types of anxiety disorders, what maintains anxiety, why anxiety disorders must be treated, treatment options, common co-occurring conditions, book lists, website resources, and more.

How does it work?
The program consists of four group meetings that run weekly over a four week period.

You will receive an Information Manual that explains how to implement various strategies to help reduce anxiety levels in your child, regardless of whether your child is at school, home, or in a public place. During the four week period, you will be encouraged to try strategies and then provide feedback to the group on issues such as how your child reacted to the strategies, what other family members thought, what happened the next time your child was anxious, and overall what strategies worked, or didn't work, for you.

Parents are not expected to read the entire Information Manual in one sitting. However, they are encouraged to read enough to try out various strategies contained in the Manual between the weekly meetings.

Interested in facilitating a Small Steps Parent Self-Help Program?
We welcome volunteers with relevant education and/or experience to reach out to parents struggling with helping their anxious children.

• training in group facilitation by the Health Education Officer, Small Steps
• must be able to commit for a consecutive four week period
• committed to the philosophy of treatment as outlined in the self-help manual, as well as being familiar and comfortable with strategies contained within
• venues can be located by yourself or held at our premises. We will reimburse you for any reasonable expenses incurred.

Applicants will need to demonstrate a thorough practical and theoretical knowledge of anxiety and anxiety management in children. Those who have parented an anxious child are encouraged to apply.

Why Facilitate a Small Steps Parents Self-Help Program?

• are interested in making one of the toughest jobs, i.e. parenting, easier on parents
• would like to further develop your skills in group facilitation
• have had personal experience of anxiety and want to see fewer children grow up with disabling anxiety disorders
• wish to implement the program in a language other than English

To obtain further information or discuss your interest in Small Steps, please contact our Health Education Officer This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it on (02) 9339 6088.