FAQ

The anxiety program is delivered through a series of short online videos supported by 4 to 8 weekly coaching sessions by phone. Each of the 4 to 8 coaching sessions will typically take up to 45 minutes to complete. 

The behaviour program consists of a series of 6 or 14 weekly phone sessions with a certified coach who will guide you through each hour-long session using the workbooks and program materials provided. The recommended number of sessions will depend on the behaviours presented by your child.

How much time will I need to commit to each week?

For the anxiety program, parents can expect to commit up to 45 minutes – 1 hour per week on the watching videos and completing activities and up to 45 minutes for the coaching session. 

The behaviour program consists of a series of 6 or 14 weekly phone sessions with a certified coach who will guide you through each hour-long session using the workbooks and program materials provided. You will get a weekly home assignments to practice the skills you learn in session with your coach. 

Where are the Confident Parents: Thriving Kids programs available?

Confident Parents: Thriving Kids is a phone-based program available throughout British Columbia. We are committed to improving access to early interventions by reducing barriers to support such as long wait times, cost, distance and stigma.

Are the programs free of charge? 

Yes! All program services and materials are free to participants and phone calls take place on a toll-free line. 

Are the programs right for my family?

If you answer yes to the following questions then the Confident Parents: Thriving Kids programs may be for you:

• Are you a resident of British Columbia?
• Is your child between the ages 3 and 12 years?
• Does the child reside with you a minimum of 50% of the time?
• Does your child show signs of excessive anxiety, fears, or worry?
  or
• Does your child engage in disruptive behaviors that get in the way of their everyday lives?

Children who are 12 years old when they begin the program are eligible, even if they will turn 13 during the course of the program. Unfortunately, we cannot administer our intake assessment questionnaires to a child under the age of 3. 

This program may not be the right fit for children with diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder, fetal alcohol syndrome, or significant developmental delays. Please talk to your primary care provider for guidance on the most appropriate resources and services for your child. 

Which program stream is right for my child – anxiety or behaviour?

The Canadian Mental Health Association – BC Division, offers two Confident Parents: Thriving Kids program streams—one for anxiety and one for behaviour.

Perhaps you are hoping to learn techniques to better set healthy limits, problem solve, and encourage pro-social behaviour with your child. The behaviour program teaches these and other skills so that parents can help their children manage challenges such as uncooperative or disruptive behaviour, not completing tasks, aggression, or defiance.

Sometimes anxiety looks similar, but the challenging behaviours only appear in certain situations—like getting ready for school or going to bed. When anxious, your child may seem agitated, withdrawn, or complain of stomach aches. The anxiety program can help you learn techniques that will help you support your child to face and manage their excessive fears and worries at home, at school, and with friends.

My child has challenges with anxiety and behaviour – can I do both programs?

While families are welcome to participate in both program streams, we recommend that families address challenging behaviours through the behaviour program prior to accessing the anxiety program. Your family doctor, healthcare provider, or referral agent can help determine whether the anxiety or behaviour program stream is the best fit for your family.

Does the program work? 

The behaviour program is based on the Parent Management Training Oregon (PMTO) model, an evidence-based program which is proven to prevent, reduce, or reverse mild to moderate behaviour problems in children ages 3–12. Last year, the CPTK Behavior program served 1277 families from 70 communities in the province. Over 85% of parents and caregivers completing the program reported significant improvement in their child’s behavior.

The anxiety program incorporates concepts from cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)—one of the most effective treatments for anxiety. The program was developed by BC experts in child anxiety, and based on the best available research evidence. While approximately 4% of children and youth aged 4-17 meet diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder at any given time, the percentage of children with mild to moderate anxiety symptoms is much higher. 

This is why it is so essential that Confident Parents programs intervene early when symptoms first arise, helping to prevent the escalation of problems that interfere with children’s well-being and functioning at home, school and the community.

What is the role of the Parent Support Coaches?

The role of your coach is to help you develop and practice effective skills, keep you motivated, answer questions and support your progress as you complete the program step by step. Coaches don’t provide counselling or work directly with your child. Instead, they support you to become the primary change agent for your child.

What are the qualifications of Confident Parent: Thriving Kids coaches?

Coaches for the anxiety program receive rigorous training and ongoing supervision from a clinical psychologist. Telephone coaching sessions are recorded and monitored for quality assurance and training purposes. 

Coaches for the behaviour program have gone through extensive training in the Parent Management Training Oregon Model (PMTO) model and receive weekly supervision and reflective coaching. Our coaches’ work is also closely monitored to ensure fidelity to the evidence-based model. 

What is PMTO?

Confident Parents is based on the Parent Management Training Oregon model (PMTO) model which has been developed over 50 years and is an evidence based model with strong empirical support. The Confident Parents: Thriving Kids – Behaviour Program is the first to offer this model over the phone. 

What hours are coaches available for coaching sessions?

Coaches are typically available to book coaching sessions during these hours: 

Monday to Thursday: 9am to 9pm
Friday: 9am to 6pm
Saturday: 9am to 4pm

The behaviour program requires weekly coaching sessions to be scheduled for the same day and time each week over the course of the 6- to 14-week program.

How do I access the program?

Confident Parents: Thriving Kids is available through referral from a health care provider including family doctors, pediatricians, nurse practitioners, child psychologists, psychiatrists or Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH) clinicians. The Anxiety program is also available by referral from teachers and school counsellors.

Your health care provider can also help determine whether the anxiety or behaviour program stream is the best fit for your family.

Referral forms to bring to your health care provider are available here.

Many British Columbians do not have family doctors. If that is the case, you can take the referral form to a walk-in clinic. Please note that you should not be charged by the physician’s office to fill out this form. Ask your physician’s office to contact us if there are any concerns.  See CONTACT Page.

The anxiety program is also available through referral from school counsellors, teachers and early childhood educators.

If I’m referred, does it mean my doctor thinks my child has a mental illness?

Often anxiety and behaviour challenges don’t qualify for a formal mental health diagnosis, but they deserve attention in their own right. Confident Parents: Thriving Kids is designed to help children who show signs of mild to moderate anxiety or behaviour challenges that get in the way of their everyday lives. We are committed to improving access to help early on, improving quality of life, and helping prevent challenges from developing into more serious issues.   

Any other questions?

For questions about the anxiety program please contact us at cptk.anxiety@cmha.bc.ca

For questions about the behaviour program please contact us at confidentparents@cmha.bc.ca