Comparative Effectiveness of Internet-based Versus Parent-Coached Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy For Children and Adolescents With Anxiety and OCD

Launched by BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · Jun 13, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying two different ways to deliver therapy called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to children and teens who have anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Both treatments aim to help reduce anxiety symptoms, but one is done over the internet with family involvement (internet-based CBT), and the other involves parents learning how to coach their child through anxiety challenges during and between sessions (parent-coached exposure therapy). The goal is to find out which method works better or if they are equally helpful, especially since many families have trouble accessing traditional in-person therapy due to cost, location, or availability.

Children and teens between the ages of 7 and 17 who have noticeable anxiety or OCD symptoms may be eligible to join, as long as a parent or guardian can participate as well. Both the child and parent need to understand and speak English, and the family must live in Texas to take part. The study is currently not recruiting participants yet. If enrolled, families can expect to take part in therapy sessions that focus on managing anxiety, either through guided online materials or parent-led coaching activities. This trial could offer new options for families looking for effective, accessible treatments for anxiety and OCD in young people.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • The child is between the ages of 7 to 17 years inclusive at enrollment.
• • The child has clinically significant symptoms of anxiety and/or OCD, as indicated by a score of 12 or higher on the Pediatric Anxiety Rating Scale (PARS).
• • The child is appropriate for anxiety-focused treatment (e.g., anxiety or OCD is the primary or co-primary problem as diagnosed using the DIAMOND-KID).
• • One parent/guardian is able and willing to participate in assessment and treatment (e.g., has sufficient English fluency, the decisional capacity to participate, and can commit to treatment duration).
• • The participating parent/guardian lives with their child at least 50% of the time per self-report.
• • Both parent and child can read and understand English.
• • The participant has an IQ above 69, based on the KBIT-2, another valid test or clinician judgement (e.g., a previous assessment conducted, and report shared with study team).
• • Participants must be in the state of Texas for treatment sessions/assessments.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • The child has a diagnosis of a lifetime psychotic disorder and/or conduct disorder.
• • The child has significant, current and active suicidality/homicidality and/or self-injury requiring medical intervention.
• • The child has limited verbal communication abilities (e.g., no independent verbal communication).
• • The child is receiving concurrent psychotherapy with anxiety and/or OCD as the primary focus. They can pause ongoing therapy to enroll.
• • The child has initiated new antidepressant medication within 12-weeks of assessment (4-weeks for stimulants/benzodiazepines/antipsychotics) or during therapy.
• • The child has changed psychotropic medication dosage within 4-weeks of assessment (2-weeks for stimulants/benzodiazepines/antipsychotics) or during therapy.
• • The child requires a higher level of care than can be provided through the study (e.g., significant, current suicidal ideation).