WeHeartCBT: cognitive behavioural therapy based resources

It can be overwhelming as a parent when your child struggles with anxiety and/or low mood. Many parents report worrying about whether they are doing the right things and often describe feeling lost and 'stuck'.

These guides set out information about different mental health difficulties and provide a step-by-step guide to putting strategies in place with your child to help them feel better.

It is advised that you spend at least one week on each session for that particular mental health difficulty so that you have enough time to put the strategies in place without rushing or feeling overwhelmed.

It's important to go at your child's pace and you might want to make adaptations depending on what you know about your child. Remember, you're the expert on your child!

Managing your child's worries: a 3 session guide for parents

Children and young people who worry a lot often feel anxious, upset, distressed and scared about lots of different things. You might notice they struggle to sleep due to overthinking or get easily upset by different things. These children sometimes get labelled as 'worriers' or as 'sensitive' and it can be difficult, as a parent, to know how to help.

Use this 3 session guide if your child struggles with worries.

Managing your child's worries: a 3 session guide for parents (all sessions) (pdf)

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Supporting your child with low mood: a 3 session guide

Children and young people who are struggling with low mood often become very withdrawn and isolated. You might notice they have stopped doing a lot of the things they used to enjoy and don't seem to be getting much enjoyment from life. They might seem to be easily irritated and just want to spend time alone. As a parent, it can be difficult know what to do when your child is feeling low and many parents/families report feeling helpless and overwhelmed. Material in these booklets is based on a brief Behavioural Activation approach by Pass and Reynolds (2018), University of Reading.

Use these guides if your child struggles with low mood.

Supporting your child with with low mood: a 3 session guide (all sessions) (pdf)

Download

WeHeartCBT

Resources for Parents

Managing your child's worries: a 3 session guide for parents

Supporting your child with low mood: a 3 session guide

Managing your child's fears: a 3 session guide

Understanding your child's mental health