Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Anxious Children

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Anxious Children (MBCT-C) aims to help children ages 9–12 manage anxiety and enhance social-emotional resiliency through mindfulness practices. MBCT-C is designed to teach children how to become aware of, and relate in a different, healthier way, to thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations.

Therapists instruct children in the basics of mindfulness and age-appropriate mindfulness practices such as body scan (i.e., directing attention to each part of the body), breathing exercises, sensory activities (e.g., focusing on the five senses), mindful movement (e.g., intentional stretching, walking, or yoga), and meditation. Children learn how to use mindfulness to better manage emotions and make more skillful behavioral choices. Children complete home-based mindfulness practices to integrate mindfulness into daily life.

After each session, therapists provide parents with written session summaries, handouts, and worksheets for children to complete mindfulness practices at home in between sessions. Parents are encouraged to participate in these home-based practices with their child. Parents can attend two optional parent-only sessions to learn how to assist their children with these practices.

MBCT-C does not currently meet criteria to receive a rating because no studies of the program achieved a rating of moderate or high on design and execution.

Date Research Evidence Last Reviewed: Mar 2022

Sources

The program or service description, target population, and program or service delivery and implementation information were informed by the following sources: the program or service manual, the program or service developer’s website, and the California Evidence Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare.

This information does not necessarily represent the views of the program or service developers. For more information on how this program or service was reviewed, visit the download the Handbook of Standards and Procedures, Version 1.0

Target Population

MBCT-C is designed to treat children ages 9–12 with anxiety symptoms.

Program or Service Delivery and Implementation

Dosage

MBCT-C is typically delivered over 12 weeks and can be delivered in a group or individual setting. In a group setting, therapists lead 90-minute sessions once per week. Group sessions include 6–8 children. In an individual setting, therapists meet one-on-one with children for 45–60 minutes once per week. In both settings, children complete 15 minutes of mindfulness practice at home each day. Parents can attend two optional parent-only sessions, including a 2-hour orientation session, to learn how to assist their children with the home-based mindfulness practices.

Location/Delivery Setting

Recommended Locations/Delivery Settings

MBCT-C can be delivered in a clinic, school, or community-based setting.

Education, Certifications and Training

Therapists should have an advanced degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or other mental health field. It is recommended that therapists have experience with cognitive-behavioral therapy and a consistent personal mindfulness practice. Therapists must complete at least a half-day MBCT-C training.

Program or Service Documentation

Book/Manual/Available documentation used for review

Semple, R. J., & Lee, J. (2011). Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Anxious Children: A manual for treating childhood anxiety. New Harbinger Publications.

Available languages

MBCT-C manuals are available in English, French, German, and Italian.

Other supporting materials

Introduction to MBCT-C

For More Information

Website: www.randyesemple.com

Email: MBCTforChildren@gmail.com

Note: The details on Dosage; Location; Education, Certifications, and Training; Other Supporting Materials; and For More Information sections above are provided to website users for informational purposes only. This information is not exhaustive and may be subject to change.

Extent of Evidence

Results of Search and Review	Number of Studies Identified and Reviewed for Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Anxious Children
Identified in Search	11
Eligible for Review	4
Rated High	0
Rated Moderate	0
Rated Low	4
Reviewed Only for Risk of Harm	0

Studies Reviewed

Sometimes study results are reported in more than one document, or a single document reports results from multiple studies. Studies are identified below by their Prevention Services Clearinghouse study identification numbers. To receive a rating of supported or well-supported, the favorable evidence for a program or service must have been obtained from research conducted in a usual care or practice setting.

Studies Rated Low

Study 11494

Faraji, M., Talepasand, S., & Boogar, I. (2019). Effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for child on bullying behaviors among children. International Archives of Health Sciences, 6(1), 52-57. https://doi.org/10.4103/iahs.iahs_54_18

This study received a low rating because it did not meet design confound standards.
Study 11492

Esmaeilian, N., Dehghani, M., Dehghani, Z., & Lee, J. (2018). Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy enhances emotional resiliency in children with divorced parents. Mindfulness, 9(4), 1052-1062. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-017-0840-9

This study received a low rating because it did not meet design confound standards.
Study 11482

Dehghani, F., Amiri, S., Molavi, H., & Neshat-Doost, H. T. (2014). Effectiveness of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy on female elementary students with generalized anxiety disorder. International Journal of Psychology and Behavioral Research, 3(3), 159-165.

This study received a low rating because it did not meet design confound standards.
Study 11614

Semple, R. J., Lee, J., Rosa, D., & Miller, L. F. (2010). A randomized trial of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for children: Promoting mindful attention to enhance social-emotional resiliency in children. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 19(2), 218-229. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-009-9301-y

Lee, J., Semple, R. J., Rosa, D., & Miller, L. (2008). Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for children: Results of a pilot study. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 22(1), 15-28. https://doi.org/10.1891/0889.8391.22.1.15

This study received a low rating because it did not meet design confound standards.

Studies Not Eligible for Review

Study 11431

Abedini, S., Habibi, M., Abedini, N., Achenbach, T. M., & Semple, R. J. (2021). A randomized clinical trial of a modified Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for children hospitalized with cancer. Mindfulness, 12(1), 141-151. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01506-3

This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).

Study 11435

Alampay, L. P., Galvez Tan, L. J. T., Tuliao, A. P., Baranek, P., Ofreneo, M. A., Lopez, G. D., Fernandez, K. G., Rockman, P., Villasanta, A., Angangco, T., Freedman, M. L., Cerswell, L., & Guintu, V. (2020). A pilot randomized controlled trial of a mindfulness program for Filipino children. Mindfulness, 11(2), 303-316. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-019-01124-8

This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).

Study 11468

Cotton, S., Kraemer, K. M., Sears, R. W., Strawn, J. R., Wasson, R. S., McCune, N., Welge, J., Blom, T. J., Durling, M., & Delbello, M. P. (2020). Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for children and adolescents with anxiety disorders at-risk for bipolar disorder: A psychoeducation waitlist controlled pilot trial. Early Intervention in Psychiatry, 14(2), 211-219. https://doi.org/10.1111/eip.12848