Anxiety, Panic Attacks, and Phobias
When worry takes over your child’s thoughts, moods, or daily routines, anxiety may be more than just a phase. We help kids, teens, young adults & millennials move from overwhelm to confidence.
Therapy for anxiety in tampa & online therapy for anxiety
Anxiety doesn’t always look like nervousness. Sometimes it shows up as irritability, perfectionism, avoidance, meltdowns, or even physical symptoms like stomachaches. Whether your child is struggling with constant worry, separation anxiety, panic attacks, or school refusal, we help families understand what’s going on and how to interrupt these patterns with practical, evidence-based strategies.
How We Help
We use developmentally appropriate, research-backed approaches that teach kids and teens how to face their fears, manage distress, and build coping skills that last. Our work focuses on helping your child feel more capable and confident, not just less anxious.
Services may include:
Individual Therapy: We using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure-based strategies, and mindfulness strategies.
Parent Training and Coaching: We use SPACE, a therapy for parents, to reduce accommodation cycles and build confidence at home.
Behavioral Planning for school refusal or avoidance, morning routines, and transitions.
Evaluation Services to clarify what’s going on and ensure your child gets the right kind of support at school or college.
We meet each child where they are, whether they’re five and refusing preschool drop-off or seventeen and battling panic before every test.
What Anxiety Can Look Like:
Anxiety is a normal human emotion, but when it becomes intense, persistent, or interferes with everyday life, it’s time for support. For children and adolescents, anxiety can show up in different ways depending on their age, temperament, and environment.
You might notice:
Excessive worry about health, safety, school, or social situations
Refusing to go to school, activities, or new places
Panic attacks or fear of panic
Trouble sleeping alone or separating from caregivers
Avoidance of specific situations, places, or tasks
Perfectionism or extreme fear of making mistakes
Physical complaints (stomachaches, headaches, fatigue) with no clear cause
Many families we work with say their child is “always on edge,” “melts down before school,” or “gets stuck in worry loops.” You’re not imagining it—and you’re not alone.
Types of Anxiety We Treat
We provide therapy and evaluation for a range of anxiety-related conditions, including:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Separation Anxiety
Social Anxiety
Panic Disorder
Specific Phobias (e.g., fear of vomiting, animals, doctors)
School Refusal, School Avoidance and School Anxiety
Selective Mutism
Performance Anxiety
Health Anxiety / Illness Anxiety Disorder (Hypochondriasis)
We also support kids and teens whose anxiety overlaps with ADHD, sensory sensitivities, or emotional regulation difficulties.
Our Anxiety Therapists
-
Dr. Kristin Edwards
Licensed Psychologist
-
Dr. Melissa Miranda
Licensed Psychologist
-
Dr. Morgan Lago
Licensed Psychologist
-
Dr. Kim Knap
Licensed Psychologist
Common Questions About Anxiety
How do I know if this is anxiety or something else (ADHD, sensory overwhelm, or big emotions)?
Anxiety in kids and teens often shows up as avoidance, reassurance-seeking, perfectionism, irritability, stomachaches or headaches, sleep problems, and meltdowns that look “out of proportion” to the situation. ADHD and sensory overwhelm can look similar on the surface because the nervous system is already taxed, so frustration and shutdown happen fast. If the pattern is unclear, we can start with therapy and parent support based on what parents are seeing day to day, and consider an evaluation if you need diagnostic clarity for school supports or more complex concerns.
1
What does anxiety treatment look like in your practice?
Anxiety treatment is structured and practical. Kids learn how anxiety works in the body, how avoidance and reassurance keep it stronger, and what to do when the fear shows up. Treatment often includes skill building for calming the nervous system, tolerating discomfort, and gradually facing feared situations in a supported way. Parent sessions are used to build a clear home plan so the child gets steady support without anxiety becoming the “boss” of the household.
2
My child’s anxiety looks like anger, tears, or control. Is that still anxiety?
Yes. A lot of kids don’t show anxiety as quiet worry. They show it as irritability, defiance, urgency, and a need to control small details because uncertainty feels unbearable. That can look like power struggles, refusal, or meltdowns around transitions, school, and social situations. Therapy focuses on helping the child recognize what’s happening inside and build flexibility, while parents learn responses that reduce escalation and increase follow-through.
3
Do you treat anxiety in young adults too?
Yes. Many young adults seek help when anxiety starts running their days, including panic symptoms, social anxiety, constant overthinking, avoidance, and feeling stuck in perfectionism. Treatment focuses on helping the nervous system settle, building tolerance for uncertainty, and changing the patterns that keep anxiety loud in work, school, relationships, and daily decisions. We offer telehealth across 43 states and in-person options in Tampa when available.
4
You Don’t Have to Wait for a Crisis
Many children with anxiety are bright, sensitive, and thoughtful, which can make it easy to overlook the level of distress they’re carrying. Early support helps kids build emotional tools before patterns get more entrenched.
We work with families across Tampa and Florida via telehealth, as well as 42 other states! Whether you're just starting to wonder if something more is going on or you’ve already tried a few things that haven’t worked, we’re here to help.
👉 Book a video consultation with one of our providers today.