Resources

We have many years of experience teaching anxious children how to face and overcome their fears. Effective intervention during childhood and adolescence is important in preventing anxiety problems from extending into adulthood. By treating children early, we can prevent future problems and empower your child to confidently face their fears and face the difficulties of growing up with grit and good humor.

When normal participation in school, day care, or community activities is disrupted, staff can accompany the child and parent into these settings to help them overcome their fear. In older children, staff can discreetly accompany them into avoided situations to help them complete exposure practice.

Parental participation in a child’s therapy is invaluable and can significantly improve the outcome and speed of progress. We will teach you the best methods for responding to your child’s anxiety by explaining and role-modeling the skills you will need. Home assignments are provided each week so you and your child can practice difficult situations.

Children ages 3-12 work together with their parents and the therapist. Treatment emphasizes parent training to decrease the child’s avoidance of feared situations and to improve the child’s independent functioning.

Older children work independently with the therapist to learn anxiety management skills and to overcome avoidance of feared situations. Parents often join in at the end of a session and are taught how to assist the child in achieving their goals.

We recognize that many children and teens do not want to come into treatment. We strongly encourage you to bring them in despite their protests. When normal participation in school, day care, or community activities is a challenge, we can start by working with your child at home, and then progress to accompanying you and your child into these settings to help them overcome their fear. Anxiety Treatment Center psychologists have long-term relationships with many area schools and counselors, and are often called upon to participate in conferences or IEP sessions. We also collaborate with other professionals who are involved in your child’s care.

Sometimes parents want to schedule sessions alone with the therapist prior to bringing in their child. Typically we like to first meet with both parent and child, but are happy to accommodate your needs when you feel this is appropriate.

At the Anxiety Treatment Center, our strategies result in stronger, self-confident children who learn to manage their own anxiety. These skills can be used throughout their lives, and by learning to cope at a young age they reduce their risks of ongoing difficulties.