Summary:
No Worries is a book of activities for kids and young teens who struggle with anxiety. It uses art, activities and visual exercises to teach coping skills that can be helpful for working through worry.
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About the author:
Dr. Sharie Coombes is a neuropsychotherapist and children’s hypnotherapist practicing in the UK. She runs a private practice and has published several articles on parenting or childhood mental health. You can learn more about her here.
What we love:
No Worries is a fun book full of creative activities that can be helpful for kids learning how to cope with their anxiety. I especially appreciated the broad spectrum of activities because kids can try several options and find what works for them. It includes everything from coloring mandalas, challenging thoughts, identifying body sensations, yoga, and identifying supports. I also liked that they included outside resources for acute issues. Another great aspect of this book is it’s versatility. You could use individual pages in sessions or send the book home with a kid to work through the whole thing over time.
What we didn’t:
No Worries has a ton of pages focused on coping with anxiety but rarely helps kids address the root causes of their fears. Kids who have severe trauma histories or who live in chaotic environments might not benefit from some of the activities. In those cases, I would feel much more comfortable using select pages in session than sending a copy home.
Clinical Use:
No Worries can be used in session with older kids or younger teens. Many of the exercises would fit well in play or activity therapy. It would also be a great resource to send home with clients to use as homework. The price point is low enough that I feel comfortable recommending it for families or purchasing several copies to keep at the office.
If you like No Worries, you might also like its companion, Hello Happy: An Activity Book for Young People who Sometimes Feel Sad or Angry or Starving the Anxiety Gremlin: A Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Workbook on Anxiety Management for Young People
You can find more resources for working with young clients here.
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Many therapists enjoy recommending books to their clients to supplement the work they are doing together. We also use books to help ourselves grow as people and practitioners. Remember though that books are never a replacement for real human connection or for therapy when it’s needed. If you find yourself needing a therapist, a great place to start is Psychology Today. If you are having thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.
No Worries
6.99
Pros
- Fun artwork
- Useful in session or as homework
- Variety of coping skills
Cons
- No depth work
- Use
