ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the treatment of anxious avoidance from a family-focused perspective. Elements of treatment include the role of parents, key parent behaviors to target for change (e.g., enabling), and creating an environment of optimism and normalized expectations. Parent, family, individual, and skills training sessions are all integral parts of treating the anxious-avoidant child or teen. If enabling behavior or other unhelpful patterns of reinforcement are taking place in the family, then such behavior must be changed for the better. Leveraging access to cell phones and other devices is a highly effective strategy, but it can also be risky due to adding stress to an already fragile family system. Safety is the top priority, especially if the avoidant patient is known to also engage in self-harming behavior. Thus, leveraging device access requires the professional help of an experienced and highly skilled therapist to balance safety with change.
