What You'll Learn
Recognizing Anxiety in Children: How to identify physical and emotional symptoms, and differentiate between normal fears and anxiety disorders.
Evidence-Based Treatment: How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy empower children to face their fears gradually and build confidence.
Practical Parenting Strategies: Tips for helping children with anxiety in specific contexts like school, social situations, and sports.
When to Seek Professional Help: Guidance on understanding when anxiety warrants intervention and how to support your child effectively.
Supporting Resilience: Tools and approaches for teaching children coping mechanisms, fostering emotional regulation, and empowering them to navigate challenges.
Quick Read
Childhood anxiety can feel like an overactive alarm system, going off even when there’s no real danger. For instance, a child might avoid raising their hand in class because they fear giving the wrong answer, or they might cling to a parent at drop-off, worried something bad will happen while they’re apart. These fears can interfere with daily life, but with the right support, children can learn to manage their anxiety and regain confidence. At Eden Behavioral Health, we specialize in evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps children face their fears step by step, teaching them that they are stronger than their worries.
Anxiety can feel like an unwelcome voice in a child’s mind, always highlighting the worst-case scenario. We help children recognize this "anxiety voice" and empower them to respond with confidence: “I can handle this!” Using exposure therapy, we guide children to face their fears in small, manageable steps, building their courage one success at a time. For instance, a child nervous about attending school might start by driving past the school, then progress to walking through the halls with a parent, and eventually feel ready to spend time in the classroom. Parents play an essential role in this process, learning how to support their child’s progress while gently encouraging independence. With practical tools like deep breathing exercises or a worry jar to help kids externalize their fears, families can work together to turn overwhelming challenges into manageable victories.
Anxiety in Children: What To Do, Parent Tools & Treatment
Questions We Answer
- How to treat anxiety in children?
- How to help a child with anxiety?
- When to worry about child anxiety?
- How to explain anxiety to a child?
- How to help a child with anxiety about school?
- How to know if your child has social anxiety?
- How to help a child with social anxiety?
- How to discipline a high anxiety child?
- How to help a child with separation anxiety?
- What does anxiety look like in a child?
- How can I help my child with sports anxiety?
- How to help a child with anxiety and depression?
How to Treat Anxiety in Children
At Eden Behavioral Health, we specialize in helping children manage and overcome anxiety through evidence-based practices, with a focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Our approach is holistic, empowering both children and their families to build resilience and develop effective tools to manage anxiety naturally and sustainably.
Understanding Anxiety
We recognize that anxiety often grows when avoidance behaviors are used to temporarily reduce fears. Over time, these avoidance patterns strengthen anxiety. At Eden Behavioral Health, our goal is to help children unlearn these habits and face their fears in a structured, supportive, and empowering environment.
Our Approach to Treating Anxiety
1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is at the core of our treatment plans. This evidence-based therapy helps children understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
- For Younger Children: We often begin with a behavioral focus, helping children gradually change their actions to shift their emotional responses.
- For Older Children: We integrate cognitive strategies to challenge unhelpful thinking patterns and replace them with more balanced perspectives.
Example: A child who fears making mistakes at school might learn to identify and reframe their thought from “I’ll fail and everyone will laugh” to “I studied hard, and I’ll do my best.”
2. Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy
One of the most effective components of CBT is exposure therapy, which helps children face their fears step by step in a controlled, supportive setting.
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Building a Exposure Hierarchy: Together with the child, we create a “ladder” of exposures, starting with the least anxiety-provoking scenarios and gradually progressing to more challenging ones. For example:
- Looking at pictures of dogs (if they fear dogs).
- Walking past a dog on a leash.
- Eventually petting a calm, friendly dog.
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Supporting Each Step: During exposures, we guide children to tolerate their anxiety and let it subside naturally rather than reacting with avoidance or escape behaviors. Over time, this process rewires the brain, teaching it that the feared situation is not as threatening as it seemed.
3. Engaging Parents in the Process
We believe in a family-based approach to anxiety treatment. Parents are integral to the therapy process and are provided with tools to support their child’s progress at home.
- Teaching Encouragement: We teach parents to avoid reinforcing avoidance behaviors and instead guide their child toward tolerating anxious feelings.
- Home Practice: Families are encouraged to help children practice exposures outside of therapy sessions to reinforce progress.
Example: If a child is working on social anxiety, parents might encourage them to say hello to a classmate or participate in a family game night.
4. Creating Distance From Anxiety
Helping children see that anxiety is something they experience, not who they are, can be incredibly empowering. We often use simple metaphors to help kids understand and externalize their anxiety, making it feel less overwhelming and more manageable.
One approach is to encourage children to think of their anxiety as a "worry cloud" that sometimes shows up and tries to block the sunshine. Together, we name the cloud—something fun or silly, like "Grumpy Gus"—to make it feel less scary. Once the cloud has a name, kids can learn to respond to it. For example, they might say, “You’re just a worry cloud, and I’m not going to let you ruin my day!” By giving their anxiety a name and a character, children can begin to see it as something they can handle, rather than something that controls them. This simple shift helps kids build confidence and resilience while navigating their feelings.
5. Intensive Therapy for Severe Anxiety
For children with severe anxiety, we offer intensive treatment, including multiple weekly sessions. These sessions may involve:
- Practicing exposures in real-world settings, such as visiting a crowded park or riding a bus.
- Close collaboration with families to ensure consistent progress between sessions.
How to Help a Child with Anxiety
Helping a child with anxiety begins with understanding their emotions and providing a safe space for them to express themselves. Start by talking to your child and validating their feelings. If they’re nervous about attending a new school, say, “It’s okay to feel nervous; new things can feel scary.”
Identify the triggers for their anxiety. Work together to come up with a plan to face these triggers in small, manageable steps. For example, if they’re worried about making friends, role-play simple scenarios, like introducing themselves to a classmate.
Encourage them to practice coping techniques like belly breathing or mindfulness. For instance, guide them to focus on their senses by asking, “What can you hear, see, or smell right now?” These grounding exercises shift their focus away from anxious thoughts.
Model healthy ways to manage anxiety yourself. Share how you handle stress and show them that anxiety is a natural part of life that can be managed effectively.
When to Worry About Child Anxiety
It’s normal for children to experience occasional fears or worries, but anxiety becomes a concern when it interferes with daily life. If your child avoids social activities, school, or family routines due to persistent fears, it might indicate an anxiety disorder.
Other warning signs include physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches, difficulty sleeping, or excessive need for reassurance. For example, if your child refuses to sleep alone every night despite attempts to comfort them, this might signal separation anxiety.
If these behaviors persist for weeks or months and significantly impact their relationships or academic performance, it’s time to seek professional help. Early intervention can prevent long-term challenges and help your child regain confidence.
How to Explain Anxiety to a Child
Explaining anxiety to a child requires using simple, relatable language. Start by describing anxiety as the body’s alarm system. “Sometimes our brain thinks we’re in danger, even when we’re not, like when we feel nervous about trying something new.”
Encourage your child to share their experiences. Ask open-ended questions like, “Can you tell me about a time when you felt scared? What did it feel like?” Normalize their feelings by sharing your own experiences, such as, “I get nervous before big meetings too.”
Teach them to recognize anxiety’s physical symptoms, like a racing heart or a “butterfly” feeling in their stomach. Use a drawing activity to map where they feel anxiety in their body, which helps them become more self-aware.
How to Help a Child with Anxiety About School
School-related anxiety is common and often stems from fear of the unknown. Start by talking through their worries and creating a worry journal to track patterns. If your child fears speaking in class, practice presentations at home in a safe and supportive environment.
Gradual exposure can help them build confidence. For example, begin by visiting the school together before the term starts. Walk through the hallways and meet their teacher to make the environment feel more familiar.
Teach relaxation techniques like box breathing to use when anxiety arises. Reassure them that it’s okay to feel nervous and celebrate small successes, like completing their first full day of school without tears.
Does My Child Have Social Anxiety
Social anxiety goes beyond shyness—it’s a deep fear of judgment or embarrassment that can lead to avoidance. Signs include refusing to attend social events, excessive worry about making mistakes, and physical symptoms like nausea in social settings.
To support your child, practice role-playing scenarios like introducing themselves to peers. Encourage small steps, such as saying hello to a classmate or participating in a group activity for a few minutes.
If social anxiety significantly interferes with their life, such as avoiding school or losing friendships, seek guidance from a child therapist.
How to Help a Child with Social Anxiety
Social anxiety requires gradual exposure and patience. Help your child identify their fears and break them into manageable steps. For example, if they’re nervous about group activities, start with one-on-one playdates before moving to larger gatherings.
Teach relaxation techniques like deep breathing or visualizing a safe space. Praise their progress, even if it’s small, such as saying hello to a peer or sitting with a group for a few minutes.
Encourage activities that align with their interests to help them build confidence and connect with others naturally.
How to Discipline a High-Anxiety Child
Discipline for a child with high anxiety should focus on teaching rather than punishment. Begin by responding calmly to misbehavior. If your child lashes out due to anxiety, help them regulate their emotions first by guiding them through deep breathing.
Use logical consequences tied to the behavior. For instance, if they refuse to complete homework, explain that it must be finished before screen time. Offer support to help them manage their anxiety about the task, such as breaking it into smaller steps.
Praise their efforts to manage anxiety, even if progress is slow. For example, acknowledge when they attempt to calm down or express their feelings constructively.
How to Help a Child with Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is common in young children but can be managed by practicing short separations, like leaving your child with a relative while you run an errand. Gradually increase the duration as they grow more comfortable.
Reassure them that separations are temporary by talking about what comes next. “After daycare, we’ll go to the park together.” Comfort items, like a favorite stuffed animal, can also provide reassurance during goodbyes.
Keep farewells brief and positive. Avoid lingering, as this can heighten their anxiety.
What Does Anxiety Look Like in a Child
Anxiety in children can appear as physical complaints (stomachaches, headaches), emotional outbursts, or avoidance behaviors. It might also show up as clinginess, trouble sleeping, or difficulty concentrating.
Pay attention to patterns, such as consistent resistance to attending school or participating in activities. Recognizing these signs early can help you intervene before anxiety escalates.
How Can I Help My Child with Sports Anxiety
Performance anxiety in sports can impact focus and enjoyment. Normalize their feelings by explaining that nerves are common and can even enhance performance. Teach them to manage anxiety with breathing exercises and a simple game plan, like focusing on three key actions during a match.
Celebrate their efforts, regardless of the outcome, to build confidence and reduce fear of failure.
How to Help a Child with Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression often overlap and require a supportive, structured approach. Create a routine that balances play, learning, and rest. Encourage open communication by asking about their feelings without judgment.
Teach coping skills like mindfulness and belly breathing, and foster a positive home environment by showing warmth and understanding. Seek professional help if symptoms persist or significantly impact daily life.
By combining patience, practical strategies, and professional guidance, you can empower your child to navigate their emotions and thrive.