Anxiety Disorders Research

Anxiety Disorders Research is conducted by The Anxiety Clinic, a specialised facility that provides psychological treatment for children and adolescents with anxiety problems. We investigate the efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ProACTive) and cognitive behaviour therapy for treatment of anxiety disorders in a range of settings.

Our research expertise also extends to early-onset psychosis. We are interested in improving diagnosis of this debilitating illness.

Our research projects include:

• ProACTive alone, or integrated with cognitive behaviour therapy, for treatment of children with anxiety disorders
• A randomised controlled trial of ProACTive for anxious adolescents: effectiveness and mechanisms for change
• Associations between patient demographics, clinical characteristics and anxiety disorder treatment outcomes
• Evaluation of training and implementation of the ProACTive program in the school setting
• The presenting features of early-onset psychosis in young people

The research team

> Dr Karen Hancock, Anxiety Disorders Research Group Leader, email: karen.hancock@health.nsw.gov.au

Karen is a Senior Research Psychologist who developed, implemented and evaluated an ACT program for children with anxiety at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. Her research is examining the best ways to assist children and adolescents with anxiety-related disorders and diminish the illnesses impact on learning and well-being.

> Other Research Team Members:

• Dr Angela Dixon, Senior Clinical Psychologist
• Karen Munro, Senior Clinical Psychologist
• Cassandra Hainsworth, Research Psychologist
• Jessica Swain, PhD Candidate, Macquarie University
• Siew Koo, Clinical Psychologist

Key publications

Hancock K, Koo S, Dixon A, Munro K, Hainsworth C (2014) ProACTive for Children: Treatment program for children with anxiety. Activity Book. [link]*

Hancock K, Koo S, Dixon A, Munro K, Hainsworth C  (2014) ProACTive for Children: Treatment program for children with anxiety. Therapist instructions and activities. [link]*

Hancock K, Koo S, Dixon A, Munro K, Hainsworth C  (2014) ProACTive for Young People. Treatment program for young people with anxiety. Activity Book. [link]*

Hancock K, Koo S, Dixon A, Munro K, Hainsworth C  (2014) ProACTive for Young People. Treatment program for young people with anxiety. Therapist instructions and activities. [link]*

Hancock K, Koo S, Dixon A, Munro K, Hainsworth C  (2014) ProACTive for Children. Treatment program for children with anxiety. Parent manual. [link]*

* These publications are available for purchase via KidsHealth bookshop

Swain J, Hancock K, Hainsworth C, Bowman J (2014) Mechanisms of change: Exploratory outcomes from a randomized controlled trial of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for anxious adolescents. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science [Epub Oct 13 2014]

Starling J, Williams L, Hainsworth C, Harris A (2014) The presentation of early onset psychotic disorders. Australia and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry  47(1): 43-50

Swain J, Hancock K, Dixon A, Koo S, Bowman J (2013) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for anxious children and adolescents: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials 14(1): 140

Swain J, Hancock K, Hainsworth C, Bowman J (2013) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the treatment of anxiety: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology Review 33(8): 965-978

Hainsworth C, Starling J, Brand F, Groen K, Munro K (2011) Trauma and psychotic symptoms: Data from a pediatric mental health inpatient unit. Journal of Traumatic Stress 24(4): 491-49