A Three-Step, Single Session Therapy Intervention for COVID-Related Anxiety in a Pediatric Emergency Department

Lee, Diane P; Simpson, Scott A

The novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to increases in anxiety and depression, and mental health-related emergency department visits remain frequent despite overall changes in ED utilization. Here, we present a case of COVID-related anxiety and demonstrate the utility of a brief, single-session therapy intervention delivered in the ED. The growing mental health burden of COVID-19 suggests that pediatric health care providers will treat patients with COVID-related anxiety during this pandemic. This case demonstrates a common presentation of somatization of anxiety and outlines a three-step, cognitive-behavioral intervention that can be particularly effective in treating COVID-related anxiety in the context of a single ED or medical visit.