What is “The Coping Cat” Program?

The Coping Cat Program, developed by Philip C. Kendall, Ph.D., is an evidence-based cognitive behavioral treatment used to treat Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Separation Anxiety Disorder, and Social Phobia in youth ages 7 and older.

Children meet with the therapist individually on a weekly basis. Parents also attend separate parent sessions at different times during the course of treatment. The therapist, child, and parent collaborate in therapy to help the child develop mastery over their anxiety.

The basic goals of treatment are to help children learn to recognize when they are anxious, to talk about their nervous thoughts and feelings, and to learn skills to cope with anxiety, rather than escaping or avoiding anxiety-provoking situations.

What are the skills taught in the Coping Cat program?

Children who participate in the Coping Cat Program learn how to:

• Identify and label their anxious feelings

• Use relaxation techniques to calm anxious arousal

• Identify their anxious thoughts and develop coping thoughts that are more adaptive

• Use appropriate problem solving skills

• Self-monitor their coping efforts to become more and more effective in managing anxiety

• Practice coping with anxiety-provoking situations in a step-like manner

Individual Coping Cat Treatment:

Treatment sessions are generally held weekly. Parents are involved as collaborators in treatment.

Individual Coping Cat Treatment:

The Coping Cat program is also conducted in group format. Groups meet weekly with children of similar ages.

Most of the CUCARD clinicians were trained over four or more years by Philip C. Kendall, PhD, at Temple University. Our staff members are experts in the delivery of this treatment program, which we are very proud to offer to children and adolescents with separation anxiety, social anxiety, and generalized anxiety disorders.

Our staff members are licensed clinical psychologists, doctoral-level clinicians, and advanced psychology externs who work under the supervision of our expert faculty. Our patients can expect to receive state-of-the art, expert therapeutic services.