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Helping children manage their anxiety?

Page last modified on: May 27, 2009

Question from Linda: Sometimes I think my children actually experience more anxiety than I do. I've taken them to "sessions" where they learn coping methods, but how do I find a support group with other children their ages in my area?

Answers —Mitch Golant, Ph.D.: Great question.

Rosalind Kleban, L.C.S.W.: Look for a Gilda's Club. If they have one, they have something called "Noogieland," a group program for children. In dealing with children, one of the most helpful ways of helping them is to see to it that their schedule, their activities, and their life remain the same. Generally, children do well because it is quite age-appropriate for them to be mostly concerned about themselves. So, actually, more time spent in their age-appropriate activities with their friends would be more helpful.

Mitch Golant, Ph.D.: I would continue that line around looking at the developmental stage of each of your children, meaning that when you describe how your children are coping with your illness, helping them cope depends upon their age. There are some books. Kathleen McCue has written a book called How to Help Children Through a Parent's Serious Illness. It's for the adult to know how to best help the child. Wendy Harpham has a book called When a Parent Has Cancer.

Editor’s Note: You can also read past transcripts of our conferences on talking with children about breast cancer:

On Wednesday, April 29, 2009, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Managing Fear and Anxiety. Mitch Golant, Ph.D. and Rosalind Kleban, L.C.S.W. answered your questions about dealing with fear and reducing the stresses that can accompany breast cancer.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Mitch Golant, Ph.D. is a health psychologist and senior vice president of research and development for the national office of The Wellness Community, which provides free psychological and emotional support to help people with cancer on their path to recovery. His research focuses on the benefits of online and community support groups for women with breast cancer.

Rosalind Kleban, L.C.S.W. is administrative supervisor for psychosocial programs at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center's Lauder Breast Center in New York City, where she leads weekly support groups for women with early and advanced breast cancer.