The assessment and treatment of anxiety in rural settings

Evidence-based assessment and treatment strategies are well developed for children and adolescents who experience clinical anxiety. Adaptations of services initially designed for face-to-face traditional therapeutic settings have been developed to improve the accessibility of services, particularly for those in rural areas. In targeting anxiety, services designed for school implementation, those that facilitate contact between therapist and client via telephone or other technologies, and Internet-based programs have all shown significant promise in improving families’ access to help. Research suggests that programs that utilize alternate methods have similar response rates to traditional approaches, although there is evidence of unique trajectories of change and additional characteristics of families, children, and adolescents that may influence their ability to benefit from these alternate methods. This chapter provides an overview of proven assessment and treatment strategies and the adaptations that have particular relevance to rural settings. Current directions of research and challenges faced conclude our discussion.