Child Anxiety Therapy
We assume that childhood is a carefree happy time but for some children anxiety robs them of this joy.
If you or your child is overwhelmed by anxiety. I am here to help
How to know if your child has trouble managing their anxiety:
If your child can't sleep alone, is afraid to try new things, or can't tolerate mistakes, they may be overwhelmed by their worry. If they struggle to do age-appropriate tasks independently because they are too scared or uncertain how it will go, their anxiety is in charge. Sometimes parents think their kids are not doing what is expected in school because they are being lazy or oppositional when really their child is overcome by their fear and anxiety. Learning new things, making friends or trying a novel activity requires being able to take risks. and possibly fail. Anxiety tells your child they can’t handle this outcome and that it is likely to happen, so they try to avoid the situation altogether. They can’t tell you what is going on inside them because they don’t understand it themselves. They don’t have the knowledge or the skills they need to cope with their feelings and change their behavior.
My Approach For Kids
When working with children I always start with a three-session assessment. First, I interview the parents without the child. This allows me to get to know the adults in the family and learn about their concerns about their children. I intentionally do not include the child in this session because I want to make sure parents feel comfortable with me before introducing their child into the process. I also want parents to be able to discuss any content that they feel is important for me to know but might not be appropriate to discuss in front of the child. In the second session, I meet with the child individually. This allows me to get to know them and learn about how they see the world and hear what they think their strengths and challenges are. In the third session, I meet with the adults again and share my treatment recommendations.
If the family decides to move forward with treatment, we then define our treatment goals, plan our strategies, and agree on our schedule. Weekly sessions with children typically yield the most effective results. As we work on new skills, thought patterns, and behavior adjustments, we'll collaborate on treatment goals and decide when it's time to wrap up therapy.
In conclusion, my approach is designed to create a supportive environment for both children and their parents. By working closely with you and your family, I aim to foster growth, resilience, and lasting positive change. Let's embark on this journey together and help your child reach their full potential.