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Friends for Youth
Group Intervention for Anxiety
Paula Barrett,
Hayley Lowry-Webster and
Cynthia Turner
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Materials Needed
Required Supplies Group Leader Manual
Student Manual (ideally, for each student in
group)
Optional supplies
Chalkboard /Dry erase board
Crayons, Markers, Color pencils
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Rationale of the FRIENDS
Program
FRIENDS will help children to learn important skills and
techniques to cope with and manage anxiety.
The word FRIEND will help them to remember each newskill taught
throughout the program.
Children will discover different ways to be a friend to
themselves and to others.
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FRIENDS
F How am I Feeling? R Relax and Feel Good
I Inner Thoughts
E Explore Plans
N Nice Work, Reward Yourself!
D Dont forget to Practice!
S Stay Calm
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Theoretical Principles Behind
The FRIENDS Program FRIENDS is based on a theoretical model that
addresses
three processes:
Cognitive (mind) relates to inner thoughts we haveabout
ourselves, others and situations.
Physiological (body) relates to physical reactions our
bodies feel when we feel worried, nervous or afraid.
Learning (behavior) relates to the acquisition of new
skills to cope and manage anxiety.
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Developing Cognitive,
Physiological, & Learning Skills
Cognitive exercises encourage the use of positive self-talk
and self-reward. Children learn coping strategies and to
change unhelpful negative thoughts.
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Developing Cognitive,
Physiological, & Learning Skills
Physiological exercises involve identifying an awareness of
body clues (butterflies in the stomach or sweaty palms) and
practicing relaxation and deep breathing.
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Developing Cognitive,
Physiological, & Learning Skills
Learning involves a six step problem-solving process,
exposure to fear-provoking experiences, in which children
learn to break down a feared situation into manageable
steps, and the establishment of reward systems.
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Design of FRIENDS Program
Participants Designed for children aged 12-16.
Size
Small groups (up to 12) are recommended whena single group
leader is available.
When used in the classroom setting it is
important to have a high ratio of group leaders
toparticipants.
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Design of FRIENDS Program
Environment There should always be enough chairs for all
participants.
Arranging chairs in a circle can help facilitate asense of
membership and participation.
Groups should be held in an interruption-free
and confidential setting
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Design of FRIENDS Program
Program Structure There are 10 sessions in the Program, however
it may
take more than one meeting to complete a session.
Sessions should be scheduled at least once a week
There are four parent sessions that can be incorporated
into the Program
Booster sessions are encouraged to review central
components and gains. Booster sessions arerecommended one month
and three months after the
program is complete.
