Helping Your Child Cope with Anxiety
When your child struggles with anxiety or OCD, you might find yourself feeling confused about how to help them, and sad that they are missing out on experiences that used to bring them joy (e.g., missing sleepovers, dropping out of recreational sports). I often talk to parents who are doing everything they can to help their child, but it’s just not working - and they are understandably so frustrated.
The next time your child becomes overwhelmed with anxiety... imagine if you knew exactly how to respond. |
SPACE Treatment for Anxiety and OCD
I specialize in providing SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) treatment to parents of children struggling with anxiety, OCD, or related issues.
I teach parents tools to help them navigate difficult situations with their anxious child. Knowing how to respond when your child is overwhelmed with anxiety or OCD is HARD.
Parents are always asking themselves ...
➡️ When should I push my child to face their fears?
➡️ When should I give them a pass because you I think they're at their breaking point?
I teach parents tools to help them navigate difficult situations with their anxious child. Knowing how to respond when your child is overwhelmed with anxiety or OCD is HARD.
Parents are always asking themselves ...
➡️ When should I push my child to face their fears?
➡️ When should I give them a pass because you I think they're at their breaking point?
We'll work together to help you respond in a way that is both supportive and helps your child learn effective coping tools to navigate anxiety over the long run. The strategies and tools we'll discuss are based on the SPACE treatment program, as well as my own clinical experience with families over the last 15 years.
What is SPACE Treatment?
SPACE is an effective, research-based treatment that was developed at Yale University, where the therapist meets exclusively with the parents of children struggling with anxiety, OCD, or related issues.
I completed formal training in SPACE therapy in 2020 with Dr. Eli Lebowitz, the psychologist who developed the SPACE treatment. I have seen first-hand how parents learn to calmly and effectively respond to their child’s anxiety, and most importantly – how children begin to effectively cope with anxiety and face their fears.
I completed formal training in SPACE therapy in 2020 with Dr. Eli Lebowitz, the psychologist who developed the SPACE treatment. I have seen first-hand how parents learn to calmly and effectively respond to their child’s anxiety, and most importantly – how children begin to effectively cope with anxiety and face their fears.
You might be asking yourself, "Wait, so therapy is for me?! Not my child?"
Yes! Here's why. Cutting-edge research has shown that SPACE treatment, which involves working exclusively with parents, is just as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy with the child directly. It's truly ground-breaking research, and I am so excited to be offering this service to families throughout Florida. Check out these ground-breaking study results, this NPR article, and this amazing TEDx Talk that explain why SPACE has been life-change for so many families.
The truth is, when kids struggle with anxiety, it is inevitably a family affair. Parents do not cause their children to experience anxiety, but they do play a key role in the trajectory of their child’s anxiety. As a parent myself, I know how hard it is to think clearly and calmly when your child is suffering. I get that sometimes the only thing that computes in your brain is: How can I make my child feel better RIGHT NOW?
Parenting Tips: Help your Child Cope with Anxiety
After a decade of working in the trenches with families in this struggle, I know that there are several key mindset changes (like this one!) AND specific skills (like this one) you need to master in order to confidently and effectively support your child in learning to cope with anxiety and OCD.
You can check out a few of my best tips on how to help your child cope with anxiety over on my Instagram page!
⚠️ Disclaimer - Instagram is not therapy.
You can check out a few of my best tips on how to help your child cope with anxiety over on my Instagram page!
⚠️ Disclaimer - Instagram is not therapy.
Starting SPACE Treatment in Florida
Do you have questions about whether this parent-focused SPACE therapy would be a good fit tor you? If so, let’s set up a time to talk. I am a licensed psychologist with specialized training in SPACE, and I work with families throughout the state of Florida (via tele-health) as well in-person from my office in South Florida (Pembroke Pines).
If you're ready to take this important step in helping your child learn how to cope with anxiety or OCD challenges - I'd be honored to join you on the journey.
If you're ready to take this important step in helping your child learn how to cope with anxiety or OCD challenges - I'd be honored to join you on the journey.
