Parents coaching their shy child to face their fears

In this treatment study, we are coaching parents to conduct exposure therapy (“facing your fears”) with children who are shy.

This will involve parent and child attending two treatment sessions, where the parent is coached in conducting exposure therapy.

Children will be encouraged to practice interacting with other people and face their social fears. Parents will complete self-report evaluations of their child’s anxiety.

Eligibility

The main inclusion criteria are:

• Parents who have a shy child aged between 7-17 years.
• Their child's shyness is causing ongoing issues in their life.
• Parent and child need to attend two sessions of exposure therapy at UQ Psychology Clinic.

Register your interest

Parents should contact Dr Simon Byrne to arrange an initial assessment: simon.byrne@uq.edu.au

This study has been approved by The University of Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee [Approval No.2025/HE000298].