Should your child/teen be screened for anxiety?

In April 2022, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended all children ages 8 to 18 be screened for anxiety.

In the absence of clear guidelines for the use of existing screening measures, this website provides basic information on screening for parents and clinicians. You’ll also find valuable info for parents, teachers, physicians, and mental health professionals on risk factors associated with anxiety disorders, how anxiety problems develop, and evidence-based strategies to help kids conquer anxiety problems.

Learn How To Screen Your Child

Anxiety disorders are the most common psychological problems children face and, fortunately, the most treatable.

Information About Anxiety in Children

How to Screen a Child for Anxiety Disorders

Use our resources to learn to properly screen for anxiety.

What is Anxiety?

Learn what anxiety is and the different ways it can show up. Find out when it becomes a disorder.

How Common Are Anxiety Disorders?

Learn how prevalent anxiety is in children and teens, and why it should be identified early.

Risk Factors

Did you know the most common risk factor is family history? Learn about other important factors.

Next Steps

How do you follow up if your child has an anxiety disorder? The most effective treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy.

Resources

Use these resources to learn about anxiety in children and teens.

Meet
Dr. Bridget Walker

Dr. Bridget Flynn Walker, PhD, is a well-known expert on child and adolescent anxiety disorders. She is the author of two bestselling books on child and adolescent anxiety disorders: Anxiety Relief for Kids (2017) and Social Anxiety Relief for Teens (2021). Dr. Walker practices cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the most effective treatment modality for all anxiety disorders.

Social Anxiety Relief for Teens

A simple, five-step program to overcome the social anxiety standing between you and a  happier, more confident life Social Anxiety Relief for Teens offers a simple, five-step cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program to help you stop your fears and worries from getting the best of you. You’ll learn to recognize your triggers and identify the unhelpful behaviors you use to try to cope with or avoid them now. Then you’ll discover ways to slowly and gently challenge yourself to face anxiety-inducing situations, until you gradually increase your comfort levels. Finally, you’ll develop the skills you need to build on your progress and work toward mastering your anxiety.

Get The Book

Anxiety Relief for Kids

On-the-Spot Strategies to Help Your Child Overcome Worry, Panic, and Avoidance If you have a child with anxiety, you need quick, in-the-moment solutions you can easily use now to help your child face their fears and worries. Written by a psychologist and expert in childhood anxiety, this easy-to-use guide offers proven-effective cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure skills you can use at home, in social settings, or anywhere anxiety takes hold.