Anxiety is all around us. Especially in these difficult times. Naturally, we all worry from time-to-time, and children are no different. It’s not unusual for children to be afraid of the dark, afraid there is a monster under the bed or in the closet, or to feel nervous about playing with other kids on a playground or at school. Children have had fewer life experiences than adults, and their world is often new and scary. It’s perfectly natural for them to feel unsure about something new. Sometimes, though, kids experience fear or stress on a level that is more serious. A little girl may be afraid to leave her mother’s side. A little boy may be afraid to get on the bus. Additionally, each new generation of children is met with new sources of anxiety. For example, children are frequently warned about the dangers of the internet, child abduction, drugs, and terrorism. They are often flooded with violent or sexually explicit images on the internet, on television, and in movies. They are overwhelmed by targeted advertisements in the games they play on their devices. These things can be frightening and upsetting to anyone—especially children. Kids are people, too, and they can develop anxiety disorders just like anyone else.
In addition to the threats outside of home and school, many children are often strongly affected by problems at home. Parents who argue and/or abuse one another whether verbally, mentally, or physically can have profound consequences on their children’s mental health. Inadequate parenting can also have detrimental effects on children. Moreover, anxiety in children is often a learned behavior. In other words, if a parent has a tendency to react to situations with high levels of anxiety or if they overprotect their children, the children may be more likely to respond to similar events in the same way. I have a neighbor who is overprotective of her children. They can’t even play outside without the mother standing over them dictating how they should play. As a child therapist, it pains me to observe the interactions between her and her children, and I witness first hand the negative effects her parenting style has on her children and the way it adversely impacts their friendships.
If parents consistently reject, disappoint, or avoid their children, those children may see the world as an unpleasant and unwelcoming place for them. And if parents get divorced, or
become seriously ill, or if they are in the military and deployed for long periods of time, this can have a significant impact on a child.
The idea that a child must grow up with unrelenting anxiety is sad and painful, but there is
hope. There are various approaches to treatment for anxiety, whether it’s psychodynamic,
cognitive behavioral, family therapy, or individual therapy, or a combination of approaches,
each approach has been successful in treating childhood anxiety disorders.
I approach each client from a cognitive-behavioral perspective, or CBT. Naturally, one size
does not fit all, so I am always watching and assessing the effectiveness of my treatment
approach, and if it doesn’t appear to be working, I will shift to another approach. Of all the
afore mentioned approaches, CBT has shown the most positive outcomes across a number of studies, which is why it is my primary strategy for treating children.
If you feel your child would benefit from therapy, please feel free to contact me and schedule a session. You can book your session online, over the phone, or via email. Most importantly, though, if you do feel your child should see a therapist, please choose a good therapist—even if you don’t choose me.
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