Group programs

Cool Kids® Program: A 9-week Anxiety Management Group Program for 8 to 12 year old children and their families (adapted from Macquarie University).

About 1 in 10 children have difficulty coping with their fears and worries. This is also known as anxiety.

Displays of anxiety vary. Some children:

• Are very reluctant to separate from their parents or carer
• Are very shy and feel uncomfortable talking or socialising in large groups
• Fear & avoid specific situations
• Are easily worried by many things
• Repeat certain actions as a way of preventing “bad” events or to remove uncomfortable feelings
• Feel very sick & tense before certain important events (eg. tests etc)

Anxiety is a normal emotional response. However, there could be a problem if it causes frequent, intense or ongoing distress that prevents a child doing the important and fun things in life.

The Cool Kids® Program is a clinically proven anxiety management group program that was developed by the Macquarie University Anxiety Research Unit.

The Cool Kids® Program assists children to manage their own anxiety by:

• Helping them to understand anxiety
• Teaching them to think realistically
• Encouraging them to “fight their fears”
• Developing social skills & assertiveness
• Developing problem solving skills

Through the Cool Kids® Program, parents acquire the knowledge and skills to effectively “Coach” their child as they develop and master the key anxiety management skills.

Northfields Psychology Clinic is a specialist psychology service at the University of Wollongong that runs the Cool Kids® Program.

What to do next

Parents concerned about their child’s anxiety-related difficulties can discuss these concerns with their child’s doctor or school counsellor, or can contact Northfields Psychology Clinic directly to book a pre-group assessment. The assessment will determine the appropriateness of the Cool Kids® Program for the child.

Northfields Psychology Clinic – Cool Kids® Program:

• The program runs for 9 consecutive weeks during each school term
• The groups are held one afternoon per week between 4pm and 6pm
• Parents must attend the entire program with their child
• The program involves a maximum of 8 families at a time
• The standard cost of the program is $120 per family. Concession is $60. An additional fee of $45 for the manuals

Register: Contact us at Northfields Psychology Clinic on 02 4221 3747 or email us at nfc-uow@uow.edu.au

® The Cool Kids Program is the property of the Macquarie University Anxiety Research Unit

Chilled is a 10-week Adolescent Anxiety Program; a cognitive-behavioural intervention program for adolescents (Year 7-10) with anxiety and their families.

Anxiety is experienced by everyone; however, for some people it can interfere with daily functioning and wellbeing. The Chilled program aims to address concerns with anxiety and provide practical skills to help adolescents manage these feelings.

What is Chilled

• A scientifically tested course
• Group format involving the participation of adolescents and some sessions with parents
• Research shows an 80% improvement of participants
• Improvement in fear, worry and general anxiety levels
• Improvement in academic success, achievement, confidence, social involvement and participation in activities

Cost: The cost of the program is $120 per family (standard), $60 (concession), plus $45 for the manual.

When: Please contact Northfields Psychology Clinic on 02 4221 3747 for details.

Register: Contact us at Northfields Psychology Clinic on 02 4221 3747 or email us at nfc-uow@uow.edu.au

A 8-week mindful parenting program that builds cooperative relationships between parents and children while reducing unwanted behaviours - A Parenting Program for Parents & Carers Raising 3-11 year old Children with Problem Behaviours.

The Confident Carers – Cooperative Kids (CCCK) program helps parents to feel more confident, and to create more positive and cooperative relationships with their children.

Problem behaviours are shown by most, if not all, children from time-to-time. Children often express their feelings through their behaviour. Some children display more severe problem behaviours that significantly interfere with how they get along with their family, friends and schoolwork.

Common problem behaviours include:

• Losing temper easily
• Arguing with adults
• Disobedience
• Deliberately annoying others
• Blaming others for own mistakes
• Being easily annoyed by others
• Holding grudges
• Saying hurtful things

CCCK helps parents and carers to:

• Get back in touch with what is most important in the relationship with their child
• Tune into their child’s individual temperament and needs
• Strengthen the parent-child relationship

Fine-tune responses to their child’s behaviour through the use of:

• Mindful play, positive engagement and other activities
• Effective praise & rewards when reinforcing appropriate behaviour
• Effective instructions and household rules and routines when setting necessary limits on behaviour
• Use preventative strategies (e.g. planning ahead, ignoring & managing emotions) that limit the causes of misbehaviour
• Consistent responses to misbehaviour

General program details

• For parents/carers of children aged 3-11 years old
• The program runs for nine weeks (2 hours each week)
• Groups are run four times a year
• Groups are usually held on a Thursday evening
• Parents/Carers are expected to attend the entire program
• Children do not attend the program
• Childcare is not provided
• The cost of the program is $120 per family (standard), $60 (concession)

What to do next

Parents concerned about their child’s behaviour can contact Northfields Psychology Clinic directly to place their child’s name on the wait list in preparation for a pre group assessment. The assessment will determine the appropriateness of the CCCK Program.

Register: Contact us at Northfields Psychology Clinic on 02 4221 3747 or email us at nfc-uow@uow.edu.au

A seven week group course with evidence-based skills and strategies. Topics covered include; organisation, planning, managing procrastination, problem-solving, enhancing attention & memory, managing impulsivity, self-care and improving relationships.  

Group is for adults (18+ years) who experience difficulties associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or Attention Deficit Disorder.  Participants need to have an existing diagnosis of ADHD to join the group.

Register: Contact us at Northfields Clinic on 02 4221 3747 or email us at nfc-uow@uow.edu.au

Cost: Please see Fees for groups.