Online tool that empowers parents to treat child anxiety could expand access to child mental health services

Published in The Lancet Psychiatry, the findings suggest this parent-led online CBT model could allow health services to treat more families, at lower cost, and reducing potential barriers to access for families. This could have major implications for expanding access to much-needed mental health treatment for children. While cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment, few children can access it due to high demands on mental health services. If implemented widely, this could substantially expand access to effective anxiety treatment. Co-author Dr Vanessa Raymont, Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist and Director of Research and Development at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: 'Children’s mental health services across the country are strained, and waiting lists keep growing.