Stepped care program for anxiety in children and teens

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This interventional program uses a stepped care model that begins with a low-intensity, parent-focused intervention (Relaxation and Mentorship Training) and moves to a more intensive child- and parent-focused intervention (STEP-A) for those who need additional care. Eligible participants are children aged 7–17 with a primary anxiety disorder or OCD confirmed by the DIAMOND-KID interview and clinically significant symptoms (PARS score ≥14). The approach emphasizes task-shifting to parents, targets parent behaviors (e.g., family accommodation, parental distress) and child processes (e.g., emotional processing, inhibitory learning), and measures symptom change and need for stepping up. Treatment is delivered at Baylor College of Medicine with predefined criteria guiding escalation from the low-intensity to the higher-intensity intervention.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* A primary diagnosis of OCD or an anxiety disorder including separation anxiety disorder, social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobia, agoraphobia, panic disorder, as determine by an IE using the DIAMOND-KID diagnostic interview.
* Score of ≥ 14 on the PARS (items 2-7) which corresponds to clinically significant anxiety.
* The child is 7-17 years old.
* Residence in Texas and located in the state of Texas during treatment sessions.

Exclusion Criteria:

* -Psychosis, cognitive disability, any condition that would limit the caregiver's ability to follow instructions.
* Parent substance use disorder within the past 3 months, which could impact their ability to implement step 1
* Child or parent is suicidal. A delayed entry once the parent or child is stabilized (\>6 months post suicidality) and no longer has suicidal ideation will be allowed if appropriate.
* New pharmacological interventions or treatment changes: Initiation of an antidepressant within 12 weeks before study enrollment or 6 weeks for an antipsychotic, benzodiazepine, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication before enrollment, or any change in established psychotropic medication (e.g., antidepressants, anxiolytics) within 6 weeks before study enrollment (4 weeks for antipsychotic, anti-anxiety, benzodiazepine, or ADHD medication changes). Medications will remain stable during treatment.

Where it's running

• Baylor College of Medicine
  Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Andrew D Wiese, PhD
• Email: andrew.wiese@bcm.edu
• Phone: 713-798-3080

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.