A Workbook for Kids Who Worry: Fun Activities to Help Children Face Their Fears and Build a Flexible Mindset Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

by Anna Scetinina MACP, RP, Russ Harris (Foreword by)

Overview

Fun and evidence—based acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) skills to help kids face their fears and live joyfully.

Written for children ages 5 to12, this fun and engaging workbook is based on proven—effective acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to help kids understand their worries, recognize their thoughts and feelings, and discover what they can and cannot control. Packed with friendly illustrations and exercises, kids can embark on a playful adventure of self—discovery. They will also learn how to deal with unpleasant thoughts, work through difficult emotions, and develop a flexible mindset.

Anxiety is among the most common mental health concerns in kids, and it can significantly impact their ability to function. Kids who worry excessively struggle to perform well at school, have difficulty making and maintaining friendships, and may miss out on many life—enriching activities. This anxiety can build up and manifest itself in the form of intense emotional outbursts and tantrums, often resulting in increased family turmoil. And this extreme worrying can also cause kids to avoid triggering situations, which only reinforces their inflexible thinking.

Once children learn how to respond to their worries effectively, they’ll be more empowered and confident to face their fears head—on. Most importantly, kids will discover that they can safely partake in experiences that bring joy and a sense of fulfillment.

In these increasingly challenging times, kids and teens need mental health resources more than ever. With more than 3 million copies sold worldwide and translated into 260 languages, Instant Help Books are easy to use, proven—effective, and recommended by therapists.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781648483424
Publisher:	New Harbinger Publications
Publication date:	01/02/2025
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.39(d)
Age Range:	5 - 12 Years

About the Author

Anna Scetinina, MACP, RP, is a registered psychotherapist who lives in Toronto, ON, Canada. Scetinina is a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), and the Ontario Society of Registered Psychotherapists (OSRP). She works at a private practice, providing services to children, adolescents, and adults suffering from stress, perfectionism, low self—esteem, anxiety disorders, obsessive—compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, and more. Scetinina has particular interest and experience in working with children and teens, helping them gradually face social and academic challenges, and develop self—regulatory skills and a flexible mindset through the use of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and incorporating engaging art—based activities. She is also an award—winning professional artist and graphic designer, incorporating the use of art into her therapeutic approach.

Russ Harris is an internationally acclaimed acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) trainer, and author of the best—selling ACT—based self—help book, The Happiness Trap, which has sold more than one million copies and been published in thirty languages. He is widely renowned for his ability to teach ACT in a way that is simple, clear, and fun—yet extremely practical.

Editorial Reviews

Imagine finding a therapist who understands anxiety and knows how to talk to kids. Imagine that therapist packaging acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) concepts and skills into bite—size portions and feeding them to your child with clarity, humor, and engaging art. Imagine your child taking a bite, and then another. Willingly learning skills. Going back for more. That’s what Anna Scetinina has accomplished here, creating a unique ACT workbook sure to help young worriers.” 
—Dawn Huebner, PhD, psychologist, parent coach, and author of books, including What to Do When You Worry Too Much and Outsmarting Worry

Dawn Huebner

Anna brilliantly weaves her professional experience as a psychotherapist together with her artistic talent into this playful road map to a flexible mindset for young worriers. Delightfully approachable characters and engaging activities build a fun and empowering toolkit for youth distracted from the beauty of life by their anxieties and fears. Highly recommended!” 
—Shelley Richardson, MEd, A.M.I. Montessori educator, owner of Richardson Montessori & Eddy Press publishing, and author of SOPHIE and The Magic of Dance and RIVER

Shelley Richardson

We know that ACT can help children and children can learn ACT, but that alone does not show you how. This book does. Funny and interesting, it playfully teaches all the key ACT skills needed to address worry. Highly recommended.” 
—Steven C. Hayes, PhD, Nevada Foundation Professor in the department of psychology at the University of Nevada, Reno; and codeveloper of ACT

Steven C. Hayes

If every child embraces the empowering mindset and essential skills shared in this transformative book, our world will undoubtedly become a much better place for everyone.” 
—Victoria Prooday, OT Reg. (Ont.), occupational therapist and clinical director of Victorious Kids, a center for empowering kids and parents with skills for success

Victoria Prooday

I wish I read this book when I was a child! This delightful workbook provides clear and effective strategies for kids to deal with difficult internal experiences, accept things they can’t control, and build a flexible mindset. Not only is this book beautifully illustrated and packed with creative, fun, and engaging activities, but it also presents an amazing opportunity for parents to implement these strategies together with their kids.” 
—Anna Prudovski, MA, CPsych, clinical psychologist, supervisor, and founder of the Turning Point Psychological Services anxiety and OCD clinic in Ontario, Canada

Anna Prudovski

Anna Scetinina did the impossible! She took what are often complex therapy skills to address big emotions and broke them down into simple and manageable activities. Her workbook is not only clinically sound, but also engaging and fun. A must—read for anxious kids and their families!” 
—Natasha Daniels, LCSW, anxiety and obsessive—compulsive disorder (OCD) child therapist, and author of Crushing OCD Workbook for Kids

Natasha Daniels