Anxiety Course for Parents & Educators

Training Course Introduction

Positive Behaviour Support Strategies for Children and Adolescents with Anxiety is a self-paced online course designed to help parents, educators, and professionals better understand anxiety and learn practical ways to support children and adolescents who experience it.

Anxiety can affect many areas of a child’s life, including communication, learning, social relationships, and behaviour. When anxiety becomes overwhelming, children may withdraw, avoid situations, become distressed, or display behaviours that are often misunderstood. This course focuses on understanding anxiety-driven behaviour and how environments can be adapted to better support children and adolescents.

Throughout the course, you will learn how anxiety develops, how it influences behaviour, and how to identify the triggers, patterns, and underlying needs that contribute to distress. The course introduces Positive Behaviour Support strategies that focus on prevention, emotional safety, and building confidence rather than simply responding to behaviour after it occurs.

The course provides clear explanations, practical examples, and strategies that can be applied across home, school, and community settings.

Learners can progress through the course at their own pace, with 12 months access from the date of purchase to complete the training.

Course Training Objectives

Overall aim

This course helps parents, educators, and therapists move beyond surface behaviours to uncover the real reasons behind anxiety. Using the principles of Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), you’ll learn to identify what drives and maintains anxiety-driven behaviour, apply trauma-informed, person-centred strategies, and build proactive supports that promote safety, predictability, regulation, and lasting positive change across home, school, and community settings. Throughout the course, a dedicated team and tutor support are available to guide and assist you at every step.

Learning Objectives

(By the end you will be able to:)

Knowledge

Understand the root causes of anxiety by exploring how sensory sensitivities, cognitive overload, trauma history, communication challenges, intolerance of uncertainty, and neurodevelopmental differences contribute to distress.
Identify antecedents, triggers, and setting events that increase the likelihood of anxiety-driven behaviours, using ABC data and functional hypotheses to understand what the behaviour is communicating.
Recognise the role of emotional regulation challenges, avoidance patterns, and unmet needs in maintaining anxiety and withdrawal, refusal, shutdown, or escalated fear responses.
Conduct Functional Behaviour Assessments (FBA) using tools such as ABC charts, behaviour frequency, duration, and intensity graphs to identify patterns, functions, and early warning signs of anxiety.
Translate assessment findings into measurable goals and Positive Behaviour Support Plans, supporting proactive, data-driven intervention across home, school, and community settings.
Respond safely and effectively to escalation by recognising early indicators of anxiety, applying staged de-escalation strategies, and using low-arousal, evidence-based techniques that maintain emotional safety and dignity.

Skills

Apply the Assess–Manage–Prevent cycle to identify the functions of anxiety-driven behaviours and design proactive, neuroaffirming, evidence-based supports.
Conduct or contribute to a Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) to identify triggers, maintaining factors, and underlying skill deficits related to anxiety and avoidance.
Develop and implement Behaviour Prevention and Management Plans that promote predictability, emotional regulation, flexible thinking, and positive participation across home, school, and community environments.
Teach and reinforce replacement skills, such as communicating worries, problem-solving, managing uncertainty, using coping strategies, and practising gradual exposure in safe and supported ways.
Collaborate effectively with caregivers, educators, and allied health professionals to ensure consistency, monitor progress, and celebrate improvements in regulation, participation, and wellbeing.

Course Curriculum

Course Curriculum

This course is structured into six progressive modules, each designed to deepen your understanding of childhood and adolescent anxiety and guide you step-by-step through the Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) framework.

Across the modules, you’ll progress from understanding what Anxiety is and why it occurs, to learning how to assess, prevent, and respond to anxiety-driven behaviours in ways that promote regulation, connection, predictability, and emotional safety. Practical, evidence-based strategies are woven throughout to help you apply the learning directly within your setting — whether at home, school, or in the community.

By the end of the course, you will have a clear understanding of how to use PBS tools to complete a Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA), develop a Behaviour Prevention Plan, and design a Behaviour Management/Response Plan. These tools will equip you to support positive, sustainable change in children and adolescents with Anxiety with confidence, competence, and compassion.

Content		Course Time (hrs)
Module 1	Understanding Anxiety Disorders Defining healthy anxiety Defining anxiety disorders Diagnosing anxiety disorders Types of anxiety disorders Causes of anxiety disorders Behaviours of concern and anxiety disorders	0:00 - 1:30
Module 2	Introduction to Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Assess-manage-prevent cycle	1:30 - 2:00
Module 3	Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) Individual profile Behaviour data collection Incident ABC Hypothesis	2:00 - 2:45
Module 4	Behaviour Prevention Plan Supportive environment Supportive interaction Supportive activity Teach skill	2:45 - 3:45
Module 5	Behaviour Management Plan Number of escalation stages Escalation stages description Stage specific de-escalation	3:45 - 4:30
Module 6	Conclusion	4:30 - 4:35
Course Resource	Read the course book and complete the course tasks.	4:35 - 5:00

Course Resource

Accompanying Book

Included in this course is a Amazon voucher that will be sent to your email address. You
can use the voucher to get a free kindle copy of ‘Positive Behaviour Support Strategies for Students with Anxious Behaviour’ by Dolly Bhargava to accompany your study and provide lasting reference material after the course has been completed.

The book provides a step-by-step guide to assessing, preventing and managing anxiety and is the perfect companion for anyone taking this course.

The book can be purchased separately for self-guided study but is included for free as part of this course.

Start This Course Today

If you enrol via Teachable, you will automatically receive a receipt of payment.

If you would like an invoice issued to an organisation for payment, please email dolly@behaviourhelp.com and include the following details:

Organisation name
Course(s) you wish to enrol in
Participant names
Participant email addresses

If you would like to use NDIS funding to pay for a course, please email dolly@behaviourhelp.com with the following information:

Course name(s)
Child’s full name
Child’s NDIS number
The NDIS line item you would like the invoice raised against

Once enrolled, you will receive a Welcome email with course access details. Courses are self-paced and can be completed in your own time. A certificate of completion will be issued at the end of the course.

Practical Anxiety Strategies for Kids and Teens

The most effective anxiety strategies for kids help them feel safe and know what to expect, and give them the skills to cope. Rather than removing every worry, the aim is to reduce unnecessary stress and build the young person's confidence to face challenges with support.

Here are six strategies parents and educators can start using today:

Make the day predictable. Use visual schedules, give warnings before changes and talk through new situations in advance. Uncertainty is one of the biggest drivers of anxiety.
Notice the early signs. Restlessness, stomach aches, frequent questions or going quiet can all be signs that anxiety is building. Stepping in early is easier than responding to a meltdown.
Name the feeling. Help the young person put words to what they are feeling, such as "You look worried about the excursion." Naming a feeling helps make it more manageable.
Teach a calming routine. Practise slow breathing, a calm space or a sensory tool when the young person is relaxed, so they can use it when they feel anxious.
Break challenges into small steps. Instead of avoiding what feels scary, plan small, achievable steps and celebrate each one.
Stay calm yourself. Young people take their cues from the adults around them. A calm, steady response helps them feel safe.

These strategies work best as part of a plan built around the individual child. In this course, you will learn how to work out what triggers a young person's anxiety, then put a prevention and support plan in place. For teachers, this anxiety training also provides 5 hours of accredited professional development.

If a child's anxiety is severe or getting in the way of daily life, speak to their GP, a psychologist or another health professional.

Effectively Manage Anxiety With this Online Course

Take our course at your own pace and learn all about anxiety management. The whole course is designed to help you understand the symptoms of anxiety and upon completion have learned how to effectively help manage anxiety face to face with children and adolescents in your care. The course also teaches the best way to manage anxiety in children and adolescents, using proven strategies and practical tools.

The course gives you the knowledge and resources to prepare for and cope with panic attacks in students. It is especially helpful for those supporting clients and patients with anxiety, providing practical guidance that can improve outcomes for both individuals and professionals.

Participants are encouraged to provide feedback on their learning experience to help us continually improve the course.

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a natural human response to perceived threat - a state of heightened alert designed to keep us safe. In children and adolescents, anxiety becomes a concern when this response is triggered too frequently, too intensely, or in situations where there is no real danger. When this happens, anxiety stops being protective and starts interfering with everyday life, learning, relationships, and wellbeing. Dealing with anxiety effectively often requires evidence-based resources and support, such as booklets, online courses, and self-help tools, to provide practical guidance for children and families.

Unlike brief moments of worry or stress, clinical or persistent anxiety involves patterns of avoidance, physical symptoms (such as racing heart, nausea, headaches), and strong emotional reactions that a child struggles to manage. For some young people, these responses develop gradually; for others, they can appear suddenly in response to changes in routine, sensory overload, new environments, conflict, trauma, or demands they do not yet have the skills to cope with.

Anxiety is considered one of the most common mental health concerns in childhood and adolescence, and it often co-occurs with neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and learning differences. When a child’s fears or worries significantly disrupt everyday activities, a formal diagnosis may be explored.

Some children may benefit from group therapy as part of a comprehensive support plan. Understanding the function of the behaviour - what the child is trying to escape, avoid, or communicate - is essential to providing appropriate support. It can be helpful to explore different approaches to understanding and supporting children with anxiety, as this may reveal new strategies for effective intervention.

Why Does Anxiety Occur?

Children and adolescents can experience anxiety for a wide range of interconnected reasons. Understanding these various factors can help broaden one's perspective on anxiety, allowing for a deeper appreciation of its complexity and the different ways it can manifest.

Common contributing factors include:

Genetic predisposition or family history of anxiety disorders.
Environmental stressors such as academic pressure, family conflict, or traumatic events.
Social influences, such as peer relationships and bullying, whilst individual temperament and coping skills may also play a significant role.
Biological factors, including imbalances in brain chemistry or hormonal changes.
Chronic medical conditions or ongoing health concerns.

Sensory Sensitivities

Bright lights, loud noises, crowded environments, or unexpected touch can overwhelm the nervous system, triggering a “danger” response even during typical daily activities.

Communication Difficulties

When a child cannot clearly express their needs, worries, or physical discomfort, anxiety can build and present as avoidance, shutdown, or emotional outbursts.

Cognitive Overload and Uncertainty

Changes in routine, complex instructions, or tasks that require flexible thinking may produce significant stress, especially for children with difficulties in executive functioning.

Trauma History or Past Negative Experiences

The body and brain may remain in a heightened state of alert. Even minor triggers can recreate feelings of threat.

Biological and Developmental Factors

Genetics, temperament, sensory processing, and neurodiversity all influence how a child experiences and manages emotional intensity.

Environment and Learned Patterns

Inconsistent expectations, overwhelming environments, social pressures, or repeated avoidance can reinforce anxiety over time.

How Anxiety Presents in Everyday Behaviour

Anxiety rarely looks the same in every child. It can express itself through:

Avoidance of people, settings, or demands
Excessive reassurance seeking
Emotional outbursts or meltdowns
Withdrawal, shutdown, or refusal
Perfectionism and fear of making mistakes
Rituals or repetitive behaviours used to create predictability
Physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, or fatigue
Difficulty concentrating or participating in learning activities
Increased sensitivity to criticism or uncertainty

Using tools to track symptoms and behavioural patterns over time can help identify triggers and monitor progress. Structured session formats can also address specific anxiety-related behaviours in a supportive environment.

These behaviours are not “naughty,” “manipulative,” or “oppositional” — they are adaptive responses to perceived overwhelm. Viewing them through a mental health and behaviour-function lens is essential for compassionate and effective support.

Understanding Anxiety in the Context of Positive Behaviour Support

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) helps us understand why anxiety-driven behaviour occurs and how to respond in ways that reduce fear rather than escalate it. When we consider the triggers, maintaining factors, skill gaps, and emotional needs behind behaviour, we can design supports that improve emotional regulation, communication, and participation.

This course will help you:

Identify early warning signs of anxiety
Understand how the nervous system responds to stress and threat
Recognise how learned avoidance patterns develop
Build prevention plans that increase predictability, safety, and connection
Teach replacement skills that empower young people to cope more confidently

The skills you learn in this anxiety online course will support you in managing anxiety not just now, but also in the future, equipping you for long-term wellbeing. For continued learning and support, you can enroll in the next course after your initial assessment, ensuring ongoing access to upcoming sessions.

Anxiety Treatments and Support Pathways

While this is a distance learning course providing practical, behaviour-focused strategies, many children benefit from a combination of supports. These may include:

Cognitive–Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Exposure therapy delivered gradually and safely
Skills-based coaching for emotional regulation
Occupational therapy for sensory processing needs
Family-centred behavioural interventions
School-based supports such as safe spaces, predictable transitions, or adjusted demands
Medical consultation where appropriate

To reinforce learning, a downloadable workbook is available for independent use alongside the course.

For further resources and recommended reading on anxiety management, follow this link.

Early identification and appropriate treatments — alongside PBS-informed strategies — can significantly improve long-term outcomes.

If a child appears to be experiencing intense or persistent anxiety that disrupts daily life, seeking a professional diagnosisor mental health assessment can guide the most appropriate supports.

Ensuring Access to Support

This online course provides accessible, flexible learning for parents, educators, and practitioners who want to better understand and respond to anxiety-driven behaviours. Whether you’re at home, in a classroom, or in a clinical setting, the step-by-step approach ensures you have access to practical tools that can be applied immediately.

The course is suitable for participants in the UK and references resources from Anxiety UK to support anxiety management. If you are looking for a cost-effective option, a free course is also available to help manage anxiety through online modules.

Anxiety Course Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Behaviour Help anxiety online course?

The Behaviour Help anxiety online course teaches practical Positive Behaviour Support strategies for supporting children and adolescents experiencing anxiety. It focuses on recognising signs of anxiety, identifying contributing factors, developing preventative strategies, teaching coping skills and responding appropriately when anxiety affects daily activities and participation.

Where can teachers complete online anxiety training in Australia?

Behaviour Help offers a self-paced anxiety course for Australian teachers, educators and education support staff. The course provides 5 hours of professional development and a certificate of completion. It includes practical strategies for supporting children and adolescents experiencing anxiety at school.

Is the anxiety course suitable for parents?

Yes. The course helps parents and carers understand anxiety-related difficulties and develop practical support strategies for everyday situations, including changes to routines, transitions, unfamiliar activities and participation in home, school and community settings.

What strategies are covered in the anxiety course?

The course addresses recognising early signs of anxiety, identifying environmental and situational factors, developing predictable routines, supporting communication, teaching coping skills and responding calmly when a young person experiences distress. Strategies are adapted to the individual’s needs and circumstances.

Does the anxiety course cover school refusal?

The course discusses anxiety-related difficulties that can affect school attendance and participation. However, school attendance difficulties can have multiple contributing factors and should not automatically be attributed to anxiety. Behaviour Help also offers a dedicated School Refusal Behaviour online course.

Does the anxiety course cover children with autism or ADHD?

The course focuses on anxiety and individualised Positive Behaviour Support. The strategies may also be relevant when a child experiences anxiety alongside autism or ADHD. Behaviour Help offers separate online courses on autism and ADHD for more condition-specific training.

Who developed the Behaviour Help anxiety course?

The course was developed by Dolly Bhargava, an NDIS Registered Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioner and Speech Pathologist with over 26 years of practical experience supporting people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

Is the anxiety course accredited by NESA or TQI?

Behaviour Help is a NESA-accredited professional development provider, and the Behaviour Help anxiety online course is individually accredited by the Teacher Quality Institute (TQI). The course provides 5 hours of professional development and a certificate of completion. NESA provider accreditation does not mean that NESA separately accredits or endorses each course. Teachers should record this learning in accordance with their state or territory teacher registration requirements.

How long does the anxiety course take?

The course takes approximately 5 hours to complete, including video modules and course book activities. Participants have 12 months of self-paced access from the date of purchase.

Is a book included with the anxiety course?

Yes. Participants receive a free Kindle copy of Dolly Bhargava’s book, Positive Behaviour Support Strategies for Students with Anxious Behaviour, to support the practical application of strategies after completing the course.

Does the anxiety course replace psychological therapy?

No. The course provides practical support strategies for parents, educators and professionals. It does not replace individual psychological assessment, treatment or medical care. Children and adolescents experiencing significant anxiety should receive appropriate professional support.

Can NDIS funding be used to purchase the anxiety course?

NDIS funding may be available where the training relates to a participant’s disability support needs and meets current NDIS funding requirements. Eligibility should be confirmed before purchasing. For invoicing enquiries, contact dolly@behaviourhelp.com.