This is a story about a boy who experienced anxiety when he was asked to share in class. He went home and opened up to his sister about what happened at school. She explained that he had a “Whispering Worrier” that he must soothe. She teaches him how to do this using positive self-talk and Quran recitation. His story normalizes stress and teaches children and caregivers that with consistent use of healthy coping skills, one can build the confidence to keep calm in the face of worries.
Talaal’s story is based on three research-based, therapeutic approaches: cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) and narrative therapy. It teaches the power of thoughts (CBT), body-awareness and calming strategies using the Quran (DBT), and the idea of the worry and anxiety being external to them in the form of a “Whispering Worrier” and the child getting to be in a leadership role of calming it down (narrative therapy).