LUNA (Learning to Understand and Navigate Anxiety)

Online family-led cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety in children and teens  

Welcome! The information on this website is based on the LUNA program, which is a family-based, online treatment program to help children and teens manage and overcome their anxiety. It is based on cognitive-behavioral therapy, the most scientifically supported treatment for anxiety in youth, which involves identifying and changing unhelpful anxious thoughts and behaviors. We have tested this self-help material in research studies, which show that it can be valuable in helping your child with anxiety.  

LUNA is a family-led treatment, which means that we teach you and your child how to complete the treatment by going through the modules and doing activities. In LUNA, you and your child will work together as a team to tackle the challenge of overcoming anxiety.

The goal of LUNA is to teach skills that can help children and teens manage their anxiety and enjoy the things they would like to enjoy. LUNA contains 12 different “modules,” which are presented on different webpages. We believe most of them will be helpful for virtually all families with a child or teen struggling with anxiety, though there are some later sections that may or may not be relevant for you. Because our team has done a lot of work with autistic kids in particular, we have also included information adapted for autistic children and teens throughout each of the modules. If this does not apply to your family, feel free to skip over these sections.

Throughout each “caregiver” module, you will read information, watch videos, and complete worksheets and other activities. Your child or teen will also have readings, videos, and worksheets to complete in the “child” or “teen” modules, which can be done on their own or with your help based on their learning style, reading level, or preference. We recommend you start by completing the first caregiver module, then working with your child or teen to complete their first module together.

Like anything new, learning to overcome and manage anxiety takes time and can be challenging. But this is an incredibly valuable skill for children and teens that can help them throughout their lives! Click one of the options below to get started.