What I Treat
Anxiety
Challenging the "what ifs"
Anxiety is a combination of physical and psychological symptoms that emerge when we are faced with a threat. Anxiety may range in intensity, frequency, and impact on the person. When a child is struggling with anxiety, he or she may experience intense fears coupled with physical arousal — including rapid heartbeat, quick and shortened breathing, and perspiration.
CBT is an effective treatment model for those struggling with anxiety by identifying the negative thoughts which may contribute to the worry and fear. Through CBT, children learn to recognize unhelpful thought patterns, challenge them, and replace them with more balanced thinking.
Techniques include cognitive restructuring, gradual exposure to feared situations, relaxation strategies, and building a toolkit of coping skills that children can use independently — long after therapy ends.
How CBT Treats Anxiety
Identifying Negative Thoughts
Learning to notice the automatic "what if" thoughts that fuel anxiety and keep children stuck.
Cognitive Restructuring
Challenging distorted thinking patterns and replacing them with more realistic, balanced perspectives.
Gradual Exposure
Slowly and safely facing feared situations so anxiety naturally decreases over time.
Relaxation Strategies
Building a toolkit of breathing, grounding, and mindfulness techniques to manage physical symptoms.
Building Confidence
Each successful exposure builds evidence that the child can handle discomfort — growing resilience.
Family Involvement
Coaching parents on how to support their child without inadvertently reinforcing avoidance.
Ready to Help Your Child Manage Anxiety?
Contact Carrie today to schedule a new client consultation.