Therapy for your Child
Your child may seem to have been anxious from birth, or maybe their anxiety seems to have creeped up lately. Regardless, you’re wise to consider treatment. The nature of clinical anxiety is that when left untreated it gets worse because our natural responses to anxiety in the brain and body are actually what grow it.
It’s painful and exhausting to see and try to deal with your child’s anxiety and it can, and usually does, affect the whole family. Parenting a child with anxiety is just different - their nervous systems have different needs and their thinking patterns are more alarming.
You want to see your child be a kid! They should be playing, exploring, enjoying and growing in all aspects of life.
When I work with children I prefer to have you there with them. I want you to learn about anxiety right along with them because you will be the true therapist, alongside them for this journey. You will hear the psychoeducation, the wording, see my responses to their anxiety. You will help them talk about their experience of anxiety, their wins over it, and help them make plans for managing and facing it between sessions.
There are times when it will be better for me to see your child alone. Sometimes kids ask for this when there is something big on their mind, they need the one on one attention, or you have a conflict and are unable to attend.
Some children experience separation anxiety or have a hard time talking while a parent is there - their anxiety makes them very quiet and a parent is accustomed to helping out and talking for them. In these situations we can have your child attend alone to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of treatment.
There will also be times that you need a parent only session to get support, clarification, and guidance on specific situations. Parent only sessions are available to you at any time.
Intake process
First we’ll have the intake which your child will NOT attend. We want to be able to talk about their history, symptoms, current functioning and don’t want them to feel bored, embarrassed, or ashamed. Usually we have time at the end of the intake for me to start providing you with tips and tools for your situation as well.
Your child will come on the second session with you and we’ll start where they’re at. Some children warm up very quickly or have even been asking to see a therapist. Others take time to warm up and we’ll go at a slower pace. Pushing a child before they’re ready sabotages treatment and increases their anxiety.
the work
I will teach your child about anxiety - what is happening in different parts of their brain and nervous system/body. Having an accurate conceptualization of anxiety - knowing what’s happening and why - is imperative. We’ll primarily use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), including Exposure and Response Prevention, adapted for children. I don’t follow a structured protocol, but instead tailor sessions to your needs and agenda. Your child will leave therapy with a template for how to manage anxiety and worries no matter how it shows up.
current availability
Right now I am accepting new clients on a wait list. When openings become available they will be during the morning and early afternoon.
Worrier to Warrior!