FLIKK (Parent‑Led and Internet‑Based Treatment for Anxious Children) is a research project conducted by Reykjavik University in collaboration with Primary Healthcare. It is an Icelandic adaptation of a treatment programme for childhood anxiety that was developed by experts at the Universities of Reading and Oxford. International research has demonstrated positive outcomes from this treatment.The aim is to teach parents methods to help their children manage anxiety and to increase access to effective treatment.

How it works

If you have a child aged 5–12 whom you believe may be struggling with anxiety, you can apply for support by registering at skraning.flikk.is.

• As part of the registration process, parents answer several questions to assess whether the treatment is suitable. Please note that, at present, the treatment is not available for children assessed as being at high risk or who present with other difficulties that the programme is not specifically designed for (e.g. autism spectrum disorders, suicidal ideation, or repeated self-harm).

• If the responses indicate that the child has impairing anxiety and needs support, a psychologist at a primary healthcare centre will call and explain the next steps.

The treatment

• This is an online treatment programme in which parents learn cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques to help their children overcome disruptive anxiety.

• The treatment consists of seven modules that parents complete online at their own pace.

• Parents receive weekly phone calls from a psychologist at their primary healthcare centre during the course of the treatment.

• Follow-up takes place one month after the treatment has been completed.

Cost

The treatment is free of charge.

Further information

• Contact person for HSN:

  Theódóra Gunnarsdóttir, Psychologist

• More information:

  FLIKK – Internet-based treatment for childhood anxiety