Anxiety Therapy

When is Anxiety a Problem?

Children, adolescents, and young adults with anxiety disorders may have excessive worry, a specific phobia, difficulty separating from a parent, or struggle in social situations. They may struggle with perfectionism, show an intolerance for uncertainty, or have physical symptoms like stomachaches or headaches. Anxiety becomes a problem that benefits from treatment when it significantly interferes with daily life—such as school, relationships, or sleep—or causes distress and avoidance behaviors.

How we can help

At Riverstone, we use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients recognize and challenge anxious thoughts, gradually face feared situations through exposure exercises, and learn coping skills. For teens and young adults, we often incorporate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help them accept difficult thoughts and feelings, stay grounded through mindfulness, and choose actions aligned with their values—even in the presence of anxiety.

For younger children with anxiety—or in situations where a child or teen does not want to engage in individual treatment—we help by working with parents using Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE). Through SPACE treatment, parents learn how to reduce accommodations of their child’s anxiety and respond in a supportive way that empowers their child to face fears and build coping skills. In SPACE treatment, parents attend sessions without their child present, but the child remains the focus of care, with the goal of helping them feel less anxious and better able to face challenges.