Riding The Wave: Workbook
Riding The Wave comes in two volumes. This page is for the Workbook. Click here to access the Therapist Guide.
Mastery of Anxiety and Panic for Adolescents: Riding the Wave is a comprehensive cognitive-behavioral program designed specifically for adolescents aged 12–17 with panic disorder (PD) or panic disorder with agoraphobia (PDA). Adapted from the adult-focused Panic Control Treatment (PCT), it integrates psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, interoceptive exposure, and situational exposure to address the core features of panic, including avoidance behaviors and misinterpretations of bodily sensations. The program includes a Therapist Guide and Client Workbook, complemented by an optional parental component that equips caregivers with strategies to support their adolescents, fostering a collaborative treatment approach. Flexible and adaptable, it can be delivered in 11 weekly sessions or an intensive 8-day format, making it suitable for various clinical settings. Empirical evidence demonstrates significant reductions in panic severity, anxiety sensitivity, and depressive symptoms, with adolescents also reporting enhanced confidence, academic achievement, and interpersonal relationships. Part of the highly regarded Treatments That Work™ series, this program provides clinicians with a structured, evidence-based framework for effectively addressing panic and related anxiety disorders in young people.
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- English (GB)
- English (US)
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Introduction & Theoretical Background
Panic disorder (PD), with or without agoraphobia (PDA), often emerges during adolescence, marking a critical period for early intervention. Research indicates that up to 5% of adolescents meet diagnostic criteria for PD, with an even greater number experiencing subthreshold symptoms (Macaulay & Kleinknecht, 1989; King et al., 1996). Adolescents with PD frequently report debilitating symptoms, including palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, and chest pain, which can lead to significant avoidance of everyday activities such as attending school, visiting public places, or engaging in social interactions (Diler et al., 2004; Kearney et al., 1997). Avoidance behaviors often exacerbate functional impairments, contributing to feelings of isolation and decreased academic performance. Additionally, PD is commonly associated with comorbid conditions such as major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and separation anxiety, further amplifying its impact on psychosocial functioning and quality of life (Essau et al., 1999). Without effective treatment, PD can persist into adulthood,
Therapist Guidance
Each Treatments That Work® title is published in multiple volumes:
- Clients use the Workbooks, which contain elements of psychoeducation, skills development, self-assessment quizzes, homework exercises, and record forms.
- Therapists use the Therapist Guides, which contain step-by-step instructions for teaching clients’ skills, overcoming common difficulties.
Although written for the client, the exercises in the Workbook are intended to be carried out under the supervision of a mental health professional. The authors suggest that the most effective implementation of these exercises requires an understanding of the principles underlying the different procedures, and that mental health professionals should be familiar with the Mastery Of Anxiety And Panic For Adolescents: Riding The Wave: Therapist Guide as well as this Workbook.
Therapists with an active subscription to a Psychology Tools ‘Complete’ plan are licensed to use Treatments That Work® titles, and to download and share chapters with their clients.
References And Further Reading
- Barlow, D. H., Craske, M. G., Cerney, J. A., & Klosko, J. S. (1989). Behavioral treatment of panic disorder. Behavior Therapy, 20, 261–282.
- Barlow, D. H., & Seidner, A. L. (1983). Treatment of adolescent agoraphobics: Effects on parent-adolescent relations. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 21, 519–526.
- Craske, M. G., & Barlow, D. H. (2006). Mastery of your anxiety and panic: Therapist guide (4th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
- Diler, R. S., Birmaher, B., & Brent, D. A. (2004). Phenomenology of panic disorder in youth. Depression and Anxiety, 20, 39–43.
- Essau, C. A., Conradt, J., & Petermann, F. (1999). Prevalence, comorbidity, and psychosocial impairment of somatoform disorders in adolescents. Health & Medicine, 4, 169–180.
- Hoffman, E. C., & Mattis, S. G. (2000). A developmental adaptation of panic control treatment for panic disorder in adolescence. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 7, 253–261.
- Kearney, C. A., Albano, A. M., Eisen, A. R., Allan, W. D., & Barlow, D. H. (1997).