Mental Health Service Use After Randomized Control Trial Comparing Parent-Coached Exposure Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Pediatric Anxiety Disorders: A Chart Review

Mental health service use following evidence-based therapy for childhood anxiety disorders (CADs) is not well documented. This study examined service use during the 2-years following a randomized controlled trial comparing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to parent-coached exposure therapy (PCET). Chart reviews, at the original RCT site, conducted for 78 participants ages 7 to 18 revealed that most participants attended at least one appointment for mental health, however, frequency of use was low. Increased efficiency of PCET remained with participants attending fewer anxiety-related therapy appointments across the combined RCT/follow-up versus those in CBT. Implications of mental health service use are discussed.