Treat Separation Anxiety with CBPT — evidence-based protocol by Susan M. Knell
In CBPT, separation anxiety is treated by building the child's coping repertoire through structured play and cognitive-behavioral techniques, supported by caregiver involvement.
What you will be able to do
About this course
Separation Anxiety is a normal developmental stage for infants and toddlers, but most children have outgrown it by about 3 years of age. In some children, separation issues can be a sign of Separation Anxiety Disorder, which can start as early as preschool age (ages 3-6). Separation Anxiety Disorder is a fairly common presenting problem in clinical settings.
This training will provide examples of using CBPT with children who present with Separation Anxiety, demonstrating how cognitive and behavioral techniques are integrated within a play therapy framework.
Course objectives
- Understand how to use CBPT with children presenting with Separation Anxiety
- Identify the cognitive and behavioral interventions used in treatment
- Develop books and play-based tools to help children separate from parents
- Apply graduated exposure techniques within a play therapy context
Course requirements
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists
- Clinical Social Workers
- Licensed Professional Counselors
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists
- Licensed Mental Health Clinical Nurse Practitioners
The delivery of the certificate of attestation at the conclusion of the course will be tied to the evaluation of participants' requirements. In the absence of the requirements, the course hours will not be certified.
Curriculum · 1 lesson + Learning Test · 25 min
Instructor
Frequently asked questions
What is Separation Anxiety Disorder in children?
Separation anxiety is a normal developmental stage in infants and toddlers, but when it persists beyond about 3 years of age it can become Separation Anxiety Disorder, a common presenting problem in child clinical settings that can start as early as preschool age (3-6 years).
How does CBPT treat separation anxiety in children?
Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy (CBPT) integrates cognitive and behavioral techniques within a play-based framework, using a structured, evidence-based protocol to help children manage separation-related fears and behaviors.
What will I learn in this course?
This course walks through practical examples of using CBPT with children presenting Separation Anxiety Disorder, showing how to apply the assessment and treatment protocol in real clinical scenarios.
Who teaches this course?
The course is taught by Susan M. Knell, Ph.D., the creator of Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy and an APA-published author recognized internationally for evidence-based play therapy for children.
How long is the course and is a certificate included?
The course includes 1 lesson plus a learning test, for a total of about 25 minutes. It is self-paced, online, and includes a certificate of completion.
Who this course is for
Psychologists and psychotherapists · Psychiatrists · Clinical and licensed independent social workers · Licensed professional counselors · Marriage and family therapists · Mental health clinical nurse practitioners.
A certificate of attendance is issued on completion, tied to the final learning test.