Anxiety disorders constitute the most commonly diagnosed problem in children and adolescents (Prout & Brown, 2007). Young children often develop fears or phobias of imaginary objects, animals, the dark, and heights. Adolescents frequently develop fears of death, criticism, failure, and the fear of the unknown. Many of the interventions used for child and adolescent phobias focus on behavioral techniques such as desensitization, imagery, and social skills training. Consider fear of the dark, for example, and the techniques used by some parents like leaving on a nightlight and sitting with the child until he or she falls asleep. External factors such as the environment, culture, society, family, and contemporary media also can influence the development and persistence of a phobia. How might you as a clinician help parents or guardians intervene?

For this Discussion, select a common child or adolescent phobia and consider the external factors that may contribute to its development and persistence.

With these thoughts in mind:

By Day 3

Post a brief description of a common child or adolescent fear or phobia other than fear of the dark. Then, explain at least three contemporary factors (environment, culture, society, family, or media) that may contribute to the development and persistence of the phobia, and explain how. Finally, explain one way you might help the parents/guardians support their child or adolescent to overcome the fear or phobia, and explain how. Be specific.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the week’s resources.

Required Readings

Williams, A. (2018, October 8). How do smartphones affect childhood psychology? Psych Central. Retrieved from https://psychcentral.com/lib/how-do-smartphones-affect-childhood-psychology/

Burnham, J. J. (2009). Contemporary fears of children and adolescents: Coping and resiliency in the 21st century. Journal of Counseling and Development, 87(1), 28–35.

As you review this article, consider the new fears in children and adolescents that have developed in the 21st century. Focus on the types of interventions that might be used for treatment.

Flatt, N., & King, N. (2008). Building the case for brief psychointerventions in the treatment of specific phobias in children and adolescents. Behaviour Change, 25(4), 191–200.

As you review this article, consider the types of phobias evident in children and adolescents. Focus on the types of treatment available for these types of phobias.

Liberman, L. C., & Öst, L. G. (2016). The relation between fears and anxiety in children with specific phobia and parental fears and anxiety. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25(2), 598-606.

Kane, E. J., Braunstein, K., Ollendick, T. H., & Muris, P. (2015). Relations of anxiety sensitivity, control beliefs, and maternal over- control to fears in clinic-referred children with specific phobia. Journal of child and family studies, 24(7), 2127-2134.

Document: DSM-5 Bridge Document: Fears and Phobias (PDF)
Use this document to guide you through the definitions of fears and phobias for this week’s Discussion.

Document: Child and Adolescent Counseling Cases: Fears and Phobias (PDF)
Use these case studies to support this week’s Assignment. Focus on one specific case study for your Assignment.

Document: Treatment Plan Guidelines: Fears and Phobias (PDF)
Use this document to guide you as you prepare your treatment plan for this week’s Assignment. Focus on how you might prepare a treatment plan for fears and phobias.