It can be really hard to recognize — and sometimes admit — that something feels different with your child

Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is a kind of cognitive behavioral therapy that can be especially helpful for people with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The exposure part is where you practice confronting the very thoughts and situations that cause anxiety or provoke compulsive behaviors. And the response part is learning to make a conscious choice not to respond with compulsive behaviors once the anxiety or obsessive thoughts have started. Over time, and with the help of a therapist, the practice of exposure and response prevention teaches or retrains the brain to no longer see those thoughts and situations as a threat.

Ask us! We will have a structured, in-depth conversation with you and your child to gather details about your child’s developmental history, patterns or changes you’ve noticed, and any concerns you have. Together, we will decide whether your child could benefit from therapy or another type of support. 

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.

Common signs include difficulty focusing, acting before thinking, or constant movement. But ADHD can also look like forgetfulness, daydreaming, or emotional sensitivity. Our clinicians are trained to separate typical developmental behaviors from signs of ADHD that need support.

When we meet with you during our first appointment, we’ll be sure to walk you through what to expect and to prepare you for testing days.