A digital illustration symbolizing a 'stepped care' approach to mental health. The image depicts a young person in a serene environment with steps upwards, symbolizing the journey through anxiety treatment.

Can Less Anxiety Actually Be More? A Revolutionary Approach for Children and Teens

Beau Callahan in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how a 'stepped care' model could be the key to unlocking effective and efficient anxiety treatment for young people."

Anxiety disorders are a significant challenge for children and adolescents, affecting a substantial portion of the youth population. Traditional treatment approaches, while effective, can sometimes be resource-intensive and may not always meet the diverse needs of young people. This article explores a novel approach to anxiety treatment, a 'stepped care' model, that could transform how we address these issues.

The core of this new method lies in its tiered approach: starting with less intensive interventions and progressively increasing the intensity of treatment as needed. This strategy aims to optimize resource allocation, improve treatment efficiency, and potentially achieve better outcomes for young individuals struggling with anxiety.

We'll delve into the details of this innovative approach, examining how it works, its benefits, and the potential it holds for the future of mental health care for young people. This article is especially relevant for parents, educators, and anyone interested in supporting the mental well-being of children and adolescents.

The Stepped Care Approach: A New Path to Anxiety Relief

A digital illustration symbolizing a 'stepped care' approach to mental health. The image depicts a young person in a serene environment with steps upwards, symbolizing the journey through anxiety treatment.

The 'stepped care' model introduces a strategic, tiered approach to treating anxiety. Instead of immediately jumping into intensive therapies, it begins with less intensive interventions, such as attention bias modification (ABM). ABM is a computer-based training method designed to shift a child's attention away from threat-related stimuli. The treatment is short and can often be administered in clinics or even at home.

Should the initial low-intensity treatment prove insufficient, the approach then progresses to more intensive therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a well-established and effective method that employs exposure and cognitive restructuring to reduce anxiety symptoms. This progression ensures that the level of care is aligned with the child's specific needs, optimizing both the effectiveness of the treatment and the use of resources.

Efficiency: Addresses the challenges of traditional treatment by offering flexible and adaptable care.
Personalization: Tailors treatment based on an individual's requirements, avoiding the one-size-fits-all approach.
Resource Optimization: Efficiently uses time and resources by starting with lower-intensity treatments.
Accessibility: Can improve access to care by offering various treatment options.

A recent study highlights the benefits of this approach, suggesting it could be more efficient and effective. Researchers found that a significant number of children and teens experienced reduced anxiety symptoms in the initial stages, and only a fraction of patients needed to move to more intensive treatments.

Embracing a Brighter Future for Youth Mental Health

The 'stepped care' model presents a promising shift in how we approach anxiety treatment in children and teens. By prioritizing efficient, personalized care, we move closer to providing more accessible and effective support for those in need. As research continues and innovative strategies like these are refined, the outlook for youth mental health is increasingly optimistic.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2017.08.004, Alternate LINK

Title: Can Less Be More? Open Trial Of A Stepped Care Approach For Child And Adolescent Anxiety Disorders

Subject: Psychiatry and Mental health

Journal: Journal of Anxiety Disorders

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Jeremy W. Pettit, Yasmin Rey, Michele Bechor, Raquel Melendez, Daniella Vaclavik, Victor Buitron, Yair Bar-Haim, Daniel S. Pine, Wendy K. Silverman

Published: 2017-10-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is the 'stepped care' model for anxiety treatment in children and teens?

The 'stepped care' model is a tiered approach to treating anxiety in young people. It starts with less intensive interventions like attention bias modification (ABM), a computer-based training to shift attention away from threat-related stimuli. If these initial steps aren't sufficient, the treatment progresses to more intensive therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which uses exposure and cognitive restructuring. The goal is to match the intensity of the treatment to the individual's specific needs, making it more efficient and effective.

How does attention bias modification (ABM) work within the 'stepped care' model, and is it effective on its own?

Attention bias modification (ABM) serves as an initial, low-intensity intervention within the 'stepped care' model. It's designed to redirect a child's focus away from anxiety-provoking stimuli. ABM is often computer-based, making it easily accessible at clinics or even at home. While ABM can be effective in reducing anxiety symptoms for some individuals, it's typically the first step. If ABM doesn't provide sufficient relief, the 'stepped care' model then progresses to more intensive treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

What are the key advantages of using a 'stepped care' approach compared to traditional methods of treating anxiety in youth?

The 'stepped care' model offers several advantages. It provides greater efficiency by addressing the challenges of traditional treatment through flexible and adaptable care. The treatment is personalized, avoiding the one-size-fits-all approach by tailoring care to individual needs. This model also optimizes resource allocation by starting with lower-intensity treatments, and it improves accessibility to care by offering a variety of treatment options. Traditional methods might immediately implement resource-intensive therapies without considering less intensive alternatives, potentially leading to inefficient use of resources and prolonged treatment times.

How does cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) fit into the 'stepped care' model, and what does it involve?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a more intensive treatment option within the 'stepped care' model. It's typically introduced when initial, lower-intensity interventions like attention bias modification (ABM) are not sufficient to alleviate anxiety symptoms. CBT involves techniques such as exposure therapy, where individuals gradually confront their fears in a safe environment, and cognitive restructuring, which helps them identify and challenge negative thought patterns. CBT helps individuals to modify the thoughts and behaviors that are contributing to the anxiety.

What are the potential long-term implications of adopting a 'stepped care' model for addressing anxiety in children and adolescents on youth mental health and resource allocation?

Adopting a 'stepped care' model could lead to significant improvements in youth mental health by providing more accessible and personalized treatment options. By starting with less intensive interventions like attention bias modification (ABM), resources can be allocated more efficiently, reserving cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for those who need it most. This approach can reduce the burden on mental health services, shorten wait times, and ultimately improve outcomes for young people struggling with anxiety. Furthermore, early and effective intervention through a 'stepped care' model may prevent the escalation of anxiety disorders into more severe mental health issues later in life.