Evidence Base

The FRIENDS Programme was originally developed as a treatment of internalising disorders (anxiety and depression).

It was derived originally from Kendall’s Coping Cat treatment programme for anxiety (Kendall, 1994).

This programme was adapted for Australia by Barrett, Dadds and Rapee (1991) as the Coping Koala. 

It has since been further developed by Barrett into the FRIENDS for Life programmes - now consisting of Youth, Child and Pre School versions.

The FRIENDS for Life programme has been used for family and group treatment of young people with anxiety and for prevention with children and youth at risk of developing an anxiety disorder.

According to Masi (2002) “Early-onset anxiety disorders can affect psychosocial development, predispose to other psychiatric disorders, continue into adulthood and negatively affect treatment of comorbid disorders”. 

Also international studies have shown that between 8 to 12% of young people suffer from anxiety complaints that affect their ability to function (Muris et al 2002).

Therefore it is particularly important to detect early onset of anxiety but also to provide appropriate prevention and intervention.

Barrett and colleagues have been involved in universal preventive intervention using the FRIENDS for Life programme in schools.

The school programme teaches a number of cognitive behaviour therapy strategies which are well established in the treatment of internalising disorders.

FRIENDS for Life is unique in its commitment to evidence-based research support for all aspects of the programme. The programme’s founder, Professor Paula Barrett , published the world’s first family treatment randomised control trial for childhood anxiety in 1996. She and her research team have since been credited with publishing more controlled trials for childhood anxiety than any other group in the world.

For the latest International Research Evidence go here.