Anxiety is one of the most frequent reasons why parents seek treatment for their kids. The good news is anxiety is one the disorders that can be treated with some evidenced based practices.
Children diagnosed with anxiety may have an increase in negative emotions; fear, worry, sadness, anger, guilt (Ray, 2014). Children with anxiety can also exhibit a low ability to regulate these emotions (Ray, 2014). Anxiety can disguise itself and can often be misdiagnosed as a variety of things; Attention problems in school or misbehavior.
Possible symptoms of anxiety:
- Crying, tantrums
- Unreasonable or excessive fears
- Excessive worrying
- Physical symptoms; shaking, tummy aches, nausea, muscle tension, racing heart, sweating, trouble breathing
- Refusal to attend school
- Trouble separating from caregiver
- Avoiding social situations for fear of scrutiny by others
- Irritability
- Sleep disturbances
- Difficulty concentrating
How can I help?
- Building a therapeutic relationship with the child based on trust.
- Allowing clients to talk through their fears, nervousness, and anxiety. While they talk giving them unconditional positive regard and acceptance.
- Role-play techniques
- Play therapy
- Practicing calming skills, deep breathing, and coping skills
- Providing psychoeducational information, knowledge is power
I am trained in CBT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy which is suitable for children over the age of 8. I am also trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) which is a wonderful treatment for OCD.
If your child or teenager is experiencing anxiety symptoms, please don’t hesitate to call me at 517.258.1615 to schedule an assessment.
- Works Cited
- Ray, D. (2014, October 9). High Anxiety: Play Therapy with Clinically Anxious Children. Lecture presented at 31st Annual International Play Therapy Conference in Westin Galleria, Houston.