BG Health recommends the Clear Fear App for 11 to 19-year-olds

 

The Clear Fear app powered by stem4 provides ways for children and young people to manage symptoms of anxiety. Developed by Dr Nihara Krause, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, together with ideas from young people, Clear Fear uses a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) framework to help change anxious thoughts and emotions, alter anxious behaviours and calm fear responses.

The app also has helpful descriptions of the different ways in which anxiety shows, resources and a ‘grit box’ to boost resilience.

It is not a substitute for a mental health professional.

WHO IS CLEAR FEAR FOR?
Clear Fear is recommended for the ages of 11-19 years. Younger users can work on several of the tasks with the assistance and support of a parent/carer or teacher.

HOW DOES CLEAR FEAR WORK?
Overview

‘The fear of threat or anxiety is like a strong gust of wind, it drags you in and makes you want to fight it or to run away. Instead, face your fear, reduce the threat and glide.’

Clear Fear uses a Cognitive Behavioural model developed by a clinician in collaboration with Children and Young People (CYP). Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment to help anxiety disorders and is the first line treatment recommended by NICE.

The app helps users to overcome their anxiety symptoms by learning to regulate their physiological responses through graded relaxation and breathing, by learning to challenge unhelpful styles of thinking through exercises, and overcome behavioural elements of anxiety disorders such as avoidance in social anxiety and phobias, or over-checking in obsessive-compulsive disorder by inviting them to complete increasingly challenging interactions that the user generates themselves for their environment.

There is also the opportunity for emotional expression, self-monitoring, resilience building and helpful resources. An immediate help section is available if the user is suffering from panic attacks, which helps them to develop a ‘safety net’ – a support network of thoughts, behaviours and contacts.

For those with severe symptoms of anxiety Clear Fear can be used in conjunction with a mental health professional. Whilst CBT underpins the app together with user-friendly ways to target each area, Clear Fear has been developed co-collaboratively with young people, clinicians and teachers. Clear Fear is password-protected and confidential.

For more info go to https://www.clearfear.co.uk/

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