It really does take a village: new research shows family-first therapy helps kids with anxiety
Parents are key in helping children with anxiety and depression, new research finds
Could sitting down with your child and a therapist be the key to easing their anxiety?
A new study from Murdoch University in Australia has found that mental health support that includes the whole family – not just the child – can make a significant difference in reducing anxiety and depression symptoms in young children.
The therapy approach, which focuses on strengthening the relationship between children and their parents, is being hailed as a powerful step towards better mental health support for kids aged 3–11 – especially post-pandemic, where anxiety in young children is on the rise.
“We know that children are embedded within many systems, and the family system is of prime importance,” said co-author Dr Renita Almeida.
What is BEST-F and how does it work?
The study focused on a family-based therapy model called Behaviour Exchange and Systems Therapy – Foundations (BEST-F), developed in Melbourne and Perth. It’s not your standard child therapy session. Instead of isolating the child’s behaviour as a ‘problem to fix’, BEST-F looks at how the entire family communicates, functions, and copes.
In practice, this means parents and children attend sessions together, and the emphasis is on creating a sense of emotional safety, mutual understanding, and consistent support at home.
Dr Kim Lee Kho, who led the study, said the therapy had a “large influence” on how often children internalised their symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Why it matters right now
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, parents and caregivers have been grappling with a concerning rise in mental health issues in children – often feeling helpless as traditional services struggle to keep up with demand.
The researchers say these family-led methods could be a more accessible, effective way to support children early on – particularly as part of community-based care.
Dr Almeida explained, “Evaluation studies of Behaviour Exchange and Systems Therapy demonstrate that when you engage the whole family system… improvements are seen not only in the child’s mental health, but also in the parent’s mental health and family functioning.”
In other words, it’s not just the child who benefits – everyone in the household can feel the ripple effects of more open communication and emotional support.
Real parents say it changed their family dynamic
A parent who participated in the study shared how the experience had reshaped their own ability to connect – not just with their child, but with the world around them:
“I felt heard and seen by you [therapist] when we talked about what I’ve experienced in the past. I felt safe and that changed everything for me, and my family could tell the difference too.”
Another heartwarming moment came from a young child who, after sessions with their parent, began to open up in ways they hadn’t before:
“I feel it’s safe talking about it here... now I can tell mum when I am upset if something happens at school or with dad.”
This kind of shift – where a child feels safe enough to talk – is exactly what the therapy aims to nurture.
What's next for the therapy model?
Although the study was relatively small, the researchers are hopeful about what it means for the future of children’s mental health support.
Dr Kho said the results offer a promising foundation: “We are hoping that the results of this study motivate a larger clinical trial… with the vision of potentially being offered as an intervention option in the community.”
With many UK parents currently facing long waits for mental health support, a model that centres on the family – and that could potentially be integrated into local NHS or community services – is certainly one to watch.
So, what can UK parents take away from this?
Even though BEST-F is an Australian model, the takeaway is universal: the more supported you feel as a parent, the more likely your child is to thrive emotionally.
The study reminds us that being part of a child’s ‘village’ – showing empathy, being emotionally available, and creating space for honest conversations – can make a real difference.
And that means if your child is struggling with anxiety or low mood, you’re not powerless. Your presence, and how you respond to their emotions, really does matter.
As Dr Almeida put it, “Families can have a significant role in supporting a child’s affect regulation.”
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Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.