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Anxiety

child_teen_anxiety

Does your child or teen worry too often? Is anxiety having a negative impact on their happiness or ability to function?

Anxiety in children and adolescents is one of the most prevalent mental health concerns today. Some anxiety is common in children and teens and a normal experience.  Anxiety can be a reaction to stress or feeling uncomfortable in a situation. When anxiety becomes excessive and causes ongoing distress in the child or teen’s daily living, an anxiety disorder might be occurring.

Symptoms of anxiety can include headaches, stomach aches, difficulty with sleep, school refusal, crying, clinginess, moodiness, and seeking excessive reassurance. A child or teen with anxiety may often display unrealistic, negative and catastrophic thinking.  Other forms of anxiety can entail avoidance of social interactions, obsessive thoughts and rituals, severe traumatic reactions, and specific fears.

Anxiety disorders that can impact children include:

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
  • Social Anxiety
  • Separation Anxiety
  • Panic Disorder
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Specific Phobias
Anxiety

Our team of experienced and expert therapists are trained in cognitive-behavioral therapy, the top evidenced based approach in treating anxiety disorders. CBT approaches include helping the child or teen understanding their anxiety, learning how to identify and change irrational anxiety provoking thoughts, relaxation training, and exposures. Tasks between sessions are often a vital part of treatment.  Additional techniques are used for helping with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and PTSD. Our goal is for the child or teen and parents to feel empowered with the tools and methods necessary to reduce the symptoms and learn how manage anxiety long term.

If your child or teen is struggling with anxiety, our experienced and compassionate therapist are ready to help. Call the Child and Family Solutions Center at (248) 851-5437 or text us at (248) 871-7622. We offer free phone consultations and can schedule fast appointments.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, your child does not need a formal diagnosis to seek therapy if you are seeing signs of anxiety. Anxiety can look different in children, often manifesting as headaches, tummy aches, crying spells, irritability, restlessness, among other symptoms. If you are unsure, and your child is struggling, do not hesitate to reach out for an intake assessment with one of our therapists!

Our therapists do not prescribe medication, but they partner with prescribers in the area and can offer you appropriate referrals. Our therapists encourage you to be open with them about seeking medication as well so that they can coordinate care with you or your child’s psychiatric provider.

Yes, absolutely. In addition to building a strong therapeutic relationship with your child so that they feel safe to share their experiences, our therapists are knowledgeable and highly skilled in treating anxiety and panic disorders. We will work with your child to gain an understanding  of anxiety and develop strong coping strategies for managing the anxiety and panic attacks.

Therapy is a very effective tool for addressing ongoing fears and/or avoidant behaviors. Through developing warm, trusting rapport with your clinician, therapy becomes a safe space to open up about all kinds of worries, fears, and anxieties and where they might originate. Our therapists help you and your child develop a plan for conquering avoidant behaviors with the goal of growing through them at your pace.

If you are ready to make a change for the better:

Schedule Appointment
Call (248) 851-5437
Text (248) 871-7622