1. Friends for Youth
Group Intervention for Anxiety
Paula Barrett,
Hayley Lowry-Webster and
Cynthia Turner

2. Materials Needed
• Required Supplies
– Group Leader Manual
– Student Manual (ideally, for each student in
group)
• Optional supplies
– Chalkboard /Dry erase board
– Crayons, Markers, Color pencils

3. Rationale of the FRIENDS
Program
• FRIENDS will help children to learn important skills and
techniques to cope with and manage anxiety.
• The word FRIEND will help them to remember each new
skill taught throughout the program.
• Children will discover different ways to be a friend to
themselves and to others.

4. “FRIENDS”
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
F–
R–
I–
E–
N–
D–
S–
How am I Feeling?
Relax and Feel Good
Inner Thoughts
Explore Plans
Nice Work, Reward Yourself!
Don’t forget to Practice!
Stay Calm

5. Theoretical Principles Behind
The FRIENDS Program
• FRIENDS is based on a theoretical model that addresses
three processes:
– Cognitive (mind) relates to inner thoughts we have
about ourselves, others and situations.
– Physiological (body) relates to physical reactions our
bodies feel when we feel worried, nervous or afraid.
– Learning (behavior) relates to the acquisition of new
skills to cope and manage anxiety.

6. Developing Cognitive,
Physiological, & Learning Skills
• Cognitive exercises encourage the use of positive self-talk
and self-reward. Children learn coping strategies and to
change unhelpful negative thoughts.

7. Developing Cognitive,
Physiological, & Learning Skills
• Physiological exercises involve identifying an awareness of
body clues (butterflies in the stomach or sweaty palms) and
practicing relaxation and deep breathing.

8. Developing Cognitive,
Physiological, & Learning Skills
• Learning involves a six step problem-solving process,
exposure to fear-provoking experiences, in which children
learn to break down a feared situation into manageable
steps, and the establishment of reward systems.

9. Design of FRIENDS Program
• Participants
– Designed for children aged 12-16.
• Size
– Small groups (up to 12) are recommended when
a single group leader is available.
– When used in the classroom setting it is
important to have a high ratio of group leaders to
participants.

10. Design of FRIENDS Program
• Environment
– There should always be enough chairs for all
participants.
– Arranging chairs in a circle can help facilitate a
sense of membership and participation.
– Groups should be held in an interruption-free
and confidential setting

11. Design of FRIENDS Program
• Program Structure
– There are 10 sessions in the Program, however it may
take more than one meeting to complete a session.
– Sessions should be scheduled at least once a week
– There are four parent sessions that can be incorporated
into the Program
– Booster sessions are encouraged to review central
components and gains. Booster sessions are
recommended one month and three months after the
program is complete.