CBT is a form of psychotherapy of which can be with children, teens, and adults. The goal is to get people to look at their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In addition, it shows them how to replace negative thoughts with more realistic, positive ones. Thus, helping them change behaviors that are getting in the way of healthy functioning. CBT can be most effective with younger children when focusing on the behavioral part of the therapy. The goal is to unlearn the avoidant behavior.
When treating children with anxiety, one of the most prominent techniques used in CBT is called "exposure and response prevention." This technique exposes a child to the things that trigger their anxiety in structured, incremental steps within a safe setting. Learn more about CBT.