Recurrent abdominal pain.

The purpose of this article is to provide an empirically informed but clinically oriented overview of behavioral treatment of recurrent abdominal pain. The epidemiology and scope of recurrent abdominal pain are presented. Referral process and procedures are discussed, and standardized approaches to assessment are summarized. Treatment protocols developed by Sanders and colleagues and by Finney and colleagues are described, followed by a review of treatment efficacy. The article concludes with practice recommendations that emphasize the importance of reassurance and education, appropriate and realistic treatment goals, the child's daily functional status, and treatment plans tailored to match the child and family's presentation.

A brief group cognitive-behavioral intervention for social phobia in childhood.

Twenty-three preadolescent children (ages 8-11) meeting criteria for social phobia were randomly assigned to either a 3-week cognitive-behavioral group intervention or a wait-list control group. The intervention consisted of psychoeducation, cognitive strategies, and behavioral exposure. Outcome measures included diagnostic interview as well as parent and child report measures of anxiety and depression. Improvements were observed at posttest, with results stronger for parent report and interviewer ratings than for child self-report. At 3-week follow-up, children receiving the intervention demonstrated significant improvements on the majority of child, parent, and interviewer reports of social anxiety and related symptoms relative to wait-list participants. Preliminary support is provided for the utility of a brief intervention for preadolescent children with social phobia. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed.