The FRIENDS Program

Components of the FRIENDS Program - This program incorporates the same principles used in the Coping Cat Program. However, this model incorporates parents in the therapeutic process. FRIENDS has also been adapted to be used in a school-based prevention program.

Kids - are taught to think in more helpful ways, deep breathing, identifying somatic cues of anxiety, graded exposure, relaxation & feel good exercises, problem solving skills and rewarded for brave behavior. For instance, session 2 in the children's workbook, focuses on feelings. Exercises include drawing yourself when you are feeling happy, recognizing facial expressions of feelings, and playing a social detective game that links a series of feeling with how you look, what you do and what you say when you are feeling happy, sad, angry, afraid. This is followed by positive reinforcement, a review and homework assignment.

Parents - after a psychoeducation component on the nature of anxiety, parents are taught to recognize and deal with their own anxiety, learn cognitive skills, communication and problem solving, and are trained in management & reinforcement strategies.

Ordering Information for the FRIENDS Program

Workbooks and manuals for FRIENDS:

Barrett, P.M., Lowry-Webster, H., Turner, C. (2000). FRIENDS program for children: Parents' Supplement. Brisbane: Australian Academic Press.

FRIENDS program for children: Groups leaders manual. Brisbane: Australian Academic Press.

FRIENDS program for children: Participants workbook. Brisbane: Australian Academic Press.

FRIENDS program for youth: Parents' Supplement. Brisbane: Australian Academic Press.

FRIENDS program for youth: Groups leaders manual. Brisbane: Australian Academic Press.

FRIENDS program for youth: Participants workbook. Brisbane: Australian Academic Press.

These groups leader's manual and participants' workbooks can be purchase at:

https://www.australianacademicpress.com.au/friends-os-order-form.php . ($79 Australian dollars, 4/05= approx. 1 USD to 1.28 AUD, for the sample pack).

*A free introductory download of FRIENDS booklet is also available at:

http://www.friendsinfo.net/ . The site also has information on research and evaluation for the program, use of FRIENDS in schools and running a FRIENDS Program.

For training information go to:

http://www.friendsinfo.net/TRAINING.html