Coping Cat is a manualized cognitive‑behavioral therapy (CBT) program specifically designed to treat anxiety disorders in children ages 7 to 13. Developed by clinical psychologist Philip C. Kendall and colleagues in the 1990s, the program targets a range of anxiety presentations, including separation anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias.
Structure and Content
The standard Coping Cat protocol consists of 16 individual sessions, typically delivered once a week, each lasting about 45–60 minutes. Core components include:
- Psychoeducation about anxiety and its physiological, cognitive, and behavioral aspects.
- Skill training in relaxation (e.g., diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation).
- Cognitive restructuring techniques to identify and modify maladaptive thoughts.
- Problem‑solving strategies for coping with anxiety‑provoking situations.
- Development and implementation of a gradual exposure hierarchy, allowing the child to confront feared situations in a systematic manner.
- Relapse‑prevention planning and a “maintenance” phase that reinforces learned skills.
Evidence Base
Randomized controlled trials and meta‑analyses have demonstrated the efficacy of Coping Cat in reducing anxiety symptoms and diagnostic severity in children. Studies consistently report medium to large effect sizes when compared with wait‑list controls, and comparable outcomes to other evidence‑based CBT protocols for pediatric anxiety. The program’s manual and associated therapist training materials have been widely disseminated in clinical, school, and community settings.
Adaptations and Extensions
Variations of the original protocol have been developed, including “Coping Cat Plus” (which integrates parental involvement and additional booster sessions) and abbreviated formats for use in school‑based mental health services. The program has been translated into multiple languages and adapted for culturally diverse populations, while maintaining fidelity to its core CBT components.
Implementation
Coping Cat requires clinicians to complete a certified training workshop to ensure adherence to the treatment manual. Fidelity monitoring tools, such as session checklists and therapist rating scales, are commonly employed in research and practice to assess proper implementation.
References (representative)
- Kendall, P. C., Hedtke, K., & Koerner, K. (2008). Coping Cat: A program for childhood anxiety. Oxford University Press.
- Kendall, P. C., et al. (2002). “Coping Cat” randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 41(8), 1015‑1023.
The Coping Cat program remains a widely recognized, empirically supported intervention for pediatric anxiety disorders in the field of child and adolescent mental health.
