Anxiety Program

It’s important to remember that every person experiences anxiety — it’s a common human emotion. It’s when the anxiety starts to affect everyday life and activities that it needs to be addressed. When anxiety becomes a problem, our expert therapists rely on cognitive behavioral therapy, with a focus on exposures. You can’t eliminate the anxiety (and again, it’s a natural, and at times a helpful, part of life). So, the important thing is for kids to learn to face their fears. Kids are taught how to identify helpful ways to manage their anxiety, and they learn not only how to live with anxiety, but how to do so much more than their anxiety tells them they’re capable of. Each plan created for kids in our anxiety program is individualized — we work closely with parents and the child (and sometimes other important adults like teachers)  to design the plan for them that will work. Much of how we treat anxiety is proven effective for kids with OCD as well.

Kids with anxiety might have frequent anxious thoughts, stomachaches, difficulty sleeping, or avoidance of the things that make them feel worried. Sometimes avoidance can be tricky — kids may avoid an outcome they fear by overdoing a different behavior (e.g., overdoing their homework to avoid failure).

Our evaluation is the first step in care. It identifies what’s contributing to your child’s anxiety and helps us learn what to do about it. It also helps clarify whether the patterns or signs of anxiety you see and your child experiences are indications of anxiety or something else.

When anxiety becomes a problem, our expert therapists rely on cognitive behavioral therapy, with a focus on exposures. Anxiety as an emotion can’t be eliminated altogether — it’s actually a natural, and at times a helpful, part of life. So, the important thing is for kids and teens to learn to face their fears, learn to tolerate anxiety, and retrain their response in these situations. Kids are taught how to identify helpful ways to manage their anxiety, and they learn not only how to live with it, but how to do so much more than their anxiety tells them they’re capable of. Each plan created for kids in our anxiety program is individualized — we work closely with parents and the child (and sometimes other important adults like teachers) to design the plan that will work for them. Much of how we treat anxiety is proven effective for kids with OCD as well.

Sometimes problems managing anxiety improve with minimal support. But persistent concerns often need guidance. An evaluation helps determine whether intervention is necessary — and allows us to understand and recommend what will help the most.

Many anxious children internalize their feelings. Through observation, exploration, and input from adults in their life (like parents, teachers, coaches, and family members), we are able to uncover subtle but common signs others might miss.

It can. Anxiety often masks itself through irritability or avoidance. Our clinicians are trained to look beyond the behavior to understand the emotions — and true causes — driving it.

We help kids and teens reframe their sensitivity and find a way for them to see power in their abilities. Many anxious kids are thoughtful, empathetic, and observant. We nurture these qualities while helping them build the resilience to feel safe and steady inside their own skin.

We approach every child with patience and confidence. Our clinicians are able to slow down the process, explain what’s happening, and create a supportive space — so your child always feels respected, safe, and in control.