Anxiety Disorders Program
The anxiety disorders team assesses, treats, conducts research and trains professionals to advance the understanding and management of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents.
Our team members are known for their expertise in these areas:
- cognitive behavioural therapy
- anxiety in young children
- selective mutism
- obsessive compulsive disorder
- parenting skill development through group therapy and education
This page includes information on:
What we do and who we see
The Anxiety Disorders Clinic assesses and provides individual or group treatment for children ages four to 17. To be appropriate for our clinic, an anxiety disorder should be the child or adolescent’s primary and most impairing mental health problem. Appropriate diagnoses described in the DSM-IV (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) include:
- Specific phobia (avoids certain specific situations)
- Social phobia (avoids social situations due to fear of embarrassment)
- Generalized anxiety disorder (constantly worries or asks for reassurance)
- Panic disorder (sudden attacks of multiple anxiety symptoms)
- Separation anxiety disorder (avoids age-appropriate separations from parents)
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (driven to do daily, repetitive rituals)
- Selective mutism (anxiety that interferes with speaking in certain situations, commonly school)
- Acute post-traumatic stress disorder (anxiety symptoms following an extraordinary, frightening event)
To meet diagnostic criteria for any of the above, the symptoms must interfere significantly with daily functioning. Please note that we do not see children anxious as a result of physical or sexual abuse, as these are better served by other agencies. In the case of separated families, child custody must be clear prior to assessment.
Children are assessed by a psychiatrist, sometimes with the involvement of other health-care professionals and trainees. Parents (or primary caregivers) are an integral part of the assessment. Team members meet with the parents and child together, as well as meet with the child alone. Other family members who may be able to assist with the assessment are also welcome.
Assessments generally take three hours, unless patients are participating in a research study on the same day. Research-focussed assessments may take up to a full day.
Treatment recommendations may include:
- Information and advice for parents to handle the problems without ongoing professional support.
- Referral to a mental health professional near where the family lives.
- Ongoing treatment at Sick Kids. This is generally available only for families living in downtown Toronto and may include participation in a research study.
Our waiting time for assessment appointments is approximately 6 months.
How to make a referral
Please click here for general information on referring patients to SickKids.
Who can refer to our clinic:
- Paediatricians and family physicians may refer children to our team.
Currently, our waiting time for assessment appointments is approximately 6months.
Parents can call to inquire about the process but a physician's referral is required.
How to send your referral:
- Send your completed referral via ARMs, our on-line Ambulatory Referral Management system or
- Fax a completed referral form (available in PDF format) to us at 416-813-7361.
Program Staff
- Paul Arnold, MD, FRCPC
Psychiatrist,
Clinic director, responsible for leading and coordinating all of the team’s clinical research and teaching activities. - Suneeta Monga, MD, FRCPC
Psychiatrist, Associate Chief, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
Special interest in children with concurrent depression and anxiety and young children with anxiety, coordinator of undergraduate medical education. - David Avery,YCW, BA, DipCS
Clinical Specialist
Individual and family counselling, liaison with schools, collection and organization of research information. - Diane Benoit, MD, FRCPC
Professor of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
Clinician and researcher to the anxiety team. - Marlinda Freire, MD, FRCPC
Psychiatrist
Special interest in groups for parents of anxious children. - Nicola Keyhan, MA, C. Psych., MD, FRCPC
Assistant Professor, University of Toronto
Psychiatrist - Katharina Manassis, MD, FRCPC
Psychiatrist, Senior Associate Scientist, Research Institute
Professor of Psychiatry, University of Toronto - Sandra Mendlowitz, PhD, C. Psych.
Psychologist; Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
Clinician and researcher, special interest in treating children with obsessive compulsive disorder and children with selective mutism. - Mary Owens, MD, ChB, FRCPC
Psychiatrist
Special interest in anxious preschoolers. - Mary-Ann Shaw, PhD
Group Therapy Specialist
Group therapist for child and adolescent groups, also teaches group therapy to psychiatry residents and other mental health trainees - Veronica Romano, BA, CCW (Honours)
Intake Coordinator for Outpatient Psychiatry
Process and triage of all new referrals to outpatient teams, facilitation of referral to community services for children who cannot be seen here. - Phyllis Earley
Senior Secretary
Books appointments and coordinates families' contact with team members.
Professional Education
The Anxiety Team offers training in Child Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy to trainees in Psychiatry and other mental health disciplines. Presentations on Anxiety Disorders in children or specific topics within this field can be offered by members of the team. For these, email Paul.Arnold@sickkids.ca a minimum of 6 months prior to the event.
Veronica Romano
Intake Coordinator - Anxiety Disorders Program
Psychiatry
The Hospital for Sick Children
Phone: 416-813-6582
Fax: 416-813-7361
email: veronica.romano@sickkids.ca