What is Cool Kids Online?

Cool Kids Online is an evidence-based online psychological treatment program for treating anxiety in children. This program will teach caregivers and their child how to manage excessive anxiety, fears and worries. Based on the Cool Kids program, developed at Macquarie University (Sydney, Australia) and with more than 20 years of research supporting it, Cool Kids Online teaches scientifically proven techniques to help children improve their confidence and get the most out of life. Results show that children who complete Cool Kids (including Cool Kids Online) experience fewer worries and fears, less family distress and less life interference.

Cool Kids Online is designed for parents/carers to work through with their child at home. The program involves eight online lessons that use text, cartoons, videos, and common-sense exercises to teach children:

about anxiety, fears and worries,
how to face fears gradually,
how to deal with worries and unhelpful thoughts,

how to be confident around other people, including helpful ways to act if you are bullied, and
how to cope with feelings like anxiety, or even anger and sadness.

What is involved?

Module topics

1

Understanding anxiety
2

Introducing stepladders
3

Detective thinking
4

More on Stepladders and Detective Thinking
5

Keep Progress Going
6

Being a Cool Kid around others
7

Coping Skills
8

Planning for the future

Cool Kids Online is a web-based program designed to increase knowledge and build practical skills related to your child's anxieties.

The program contains 8 modules with easy to read information, practical skills, videos and stories from other parents who have done the program. Each module takes about 30-60 minutes to complete.

The program does require a commitment of your time and effort—but the reward will be worth it—a more confident, less fearful child!

Ready to get started?

For further information please download our flyer or contact the Emotional Health Clinic within the Lifespan Health and Wellbeing Research Centre (previously known as the Centre for Emotional Health).

Are you seeking a therapist led option?

Cool Kids is also available as a therapist led program via our Emotional Health Clinic designed to be completed over ten to twelve weeks. Caregivers attend sessions via telehealth or in person to learn ways to manage their child’s fears and worries. Caregivers are provided with practice tasks to implement at home with their child between sessions.

You can choose to complete Cool Kids through individual or group sessions.

To find out more information about face-to-face delivery or therapist-led Cool Kids, click here.

Are you a professional wanting to deliver this program?

We provide training and resources across a range of our programs for allied health and education service providers, including training on how to deliver Cool Kids.

To become an accredited provider for the Cool Kids suite of programs, a clinician/professional must meet minimum qualifications requirements, complete the eTraining course(s) and successfully complete our accreditation process. Click here to find out more.

Who is Cool Kids for?

Cool Kids Online is suitable for a child if:

They are 7 to 12 years old (grades 2-6),
Anxiety is the main problem causing the child difficulty,
Anxiety is affecting their day-to-day life, and
Their parent can read and write in English (e.g. read a magazine or newspaper and complete written forms).

What will I learn?

How shyness and anxiety develop
How to gradually and gently teach your child to face their fears
How to use rewards to increase your child’s bravery
How to reduce unhelpful parenting strategies
How to help your child become more independent
How to keep your thoughts accurate
How to prepare for future challenges

Who developed it?

The Cool Kids program was developed by a team of psychologists and world-renowned experts from Macquarie University.

How much does Cool Kids Online cost?

The cost of these services will depend on the type of psychologist who conducts the support calls. For our full fee service the support calls are conducted by fully qualified registered psychologists. There is also a reduced fee option where the support calls will be conducted by provisional psychologists who are in their final (6th) year of University training where they provide services under the supervision of a senior clinical psychologist.

All of the psychologists at the EHC have completed additional training in child and adolescent anxiety, the Cool Kids Suite of programs and receive supervision from the program’s authors.

Note: Payment for the treatment program is not taken until after the initial assessment has been completed or Cool Kids Online has been recommended. Fees are subject to annual review.

	Full Fee Registered Psychologist	Reduced Fee Provisional Psychologist
Initial Assessment
Online parent & young person questionnaires Review of results Telephone feedback	$150	$150
Treatment Program
6 months access to online program 4 × 30 minute telephone sessions Technical support	$650	$450
Optional Additional Telephone Sessions
Per 30 minute session	$115	$42.50
End of Treatment Review
Online parent & young person questionnaires Review of results and feedback	No Fee	No Fee

Cool Kids Online: Building young children's confidence!