“Starving the Anxiety Gremlin” Program: Treating a 6-Year-Old Girl with Anxiety Symptoms

Anxiety symptoms in childhood are common and can adversely affect developmental and adaptive functioning. This single-case study evaluated outcomes of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for a 6-year-old girl (“S”) who presented with excessive anxiety and pronounced distress when separating from her caregiver at school drop-off. Pre-intervention assessment comprised interviews with the child and her parents and direct observation to identify the child’s anxiety manifestations. Post-intervention interviews and observations indicated the absence of previously reported symptoms—persistent worry, fear, and difficulty separating from the caregiver—across school and non-school contexts. The article offers practice-oriented recommendations for clinicians implementing similar interventions and proposes follow-up steps to support optimal social adaptation.