What is the Best Treatment for Anxiety in Kids?
Anxiety is one of the most common challenges children face, and it can show up in many ways—whether it’s separation anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, or general worries about everyday situations. While anxiety can feel overwhelming for kids and their families, there are proven treatments that can make a big difference.
From Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to newer approaches like Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE), these strategies are designed to help children manage their fears, build confidence, and regain control over their lives. In this blog, we’ll explore how anxiety affects kids, the treatments that work, and how families can play a crucial role in their child’s journey toward resilience and peace of mind.
Signs of Anxiety in Children: What to Look For
Anxiety doesn’t just affect a child’s thoughts—it can impact nearly every part of their daily life, from how they feel physically to how they interact with the world around them. Often, kids don’t have the words to explain what they’re going through, so their anxiety may show up in ways that are easy to miss at first, like avoiding certain activities, clinging to caregivers, or complaining of frequent stomachaches. Understanding the different ways anxiety can manifest is an important first step in recognizing when a child might need extra support. Here are some common ways anxiety can affect children:
Physical Symptoms: Rapid heartbeat, sweating, stomachaches, headaches, muscle tension, trembling, or nausea.
Emotional Impact: Intense worry, fear, or panic that feels overwhelming or difficult to control.
Behavioral Changes: Avoidance of certain situations, people, or activities that trigger their anxiety.
Sleep Disturbances: Difficulty falling asleep, frequent nightmares, or reluctance to sleep alone.
Difficulty Focusing: Trouble concentrating at school, during homework, or in everyday activities.
Increased Irritability: Feeling more easily frustrated, upset, or angry in response to stress.
Reassurance-Seeking: Constantly seeking comfort or validation from parents or caregivers to reduce worry.
Each child may experience anxiety differently, but these signs can signal that they need support to manage their feelings and develop coping strategies. Below are common treatment methods to address anxiety in children.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
For most kids experiencing mild-to-moderate anxiety, the first treatment option experts recommend is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This evidence-based approach is designed to help children gradually confront their fears rather than avoid them, which is often their natural response. Avoidance might provide temporary relief, but it ultimately reinforces the anxiety. CBT takes the opposite approach, teaching kids to face their fears step by step in a supportive environment.
During CBT, children learn practical tools and strategies to manage their anxiety and navigate challenging situations. These skills aren’t just useful in the moment—they’re lifelong techniques kids can apply whenever those anxious feelings resurface. Over time, as they practice tolerating discomfort and gain confidence, the anxiety diminishes, and they feel more empowered to handle their emotions independently.
It’s important to know that CBT isn’t a quick fix. The process requires patience, effort, and consistent practice both during therapy sessions and at home. Parents often play a key role in supporting their child’s progress. While the journey may take time, the results are worth it—CBT has proven to be highly effective, helping children build resilience and reduce anxiety in a way that lasts well beyond the therapy itself.
When Anxiety is Severe
If a child’s anxiety is really intense—like they can’t go to school, hang out with friends, or participate in activities—experts usually recommend a combination of CBT and medication. Medications can help bring anxiety down to a level where kids can fully engage in therapy.
In some cases, when therapy isn’t an option (maybe because of time, cost, or other challenges), medication on its own can be the most practical solution.
Exposure Therapy: Learning to Face Fears
A specialized version of CBT called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy is one of the most tried-and-true methods for treating anxiety. Here’s how it works:
The child works with a therapist to make a list of things that trigger their anxiety, ranking them from least to most scary.
They start with the mildest trigger (like looking at a picture of a dog if they’re afraid of dogs) and work on tolerating the anxiety without avoiding it.
As they practice and the anxiety fades, they move on to harder triggers (like being near a real dog).
Parents play a big role too—they’re coached to encourage kids to face their fears and build confidence in their ability to handle uncomfortable feelings.
This process usually takes about 12 sessions, which can happen weekly or in a more intensive format.
SPACE Training: Helping Parents Help Kids
Another approach, called Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE), focuses on parents instead of kids. In SPACE, therapists help parents gradually stop accommodating their child’s anxiety (like letting them avoid dogs or sitting with them until they fall asleep).
The idea is that by stepping back and expressing confidence in their child’s ability to handle anxiety, parents help their kids build resilience. Studies show SPACE can work just as well as direct therapy for kids—especially for younger children.
Important note: If a child is also dealing with depression, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts, SPACE isn’t recommended until those issues are addressed.
Child Anxiety Treatment in Tampa
At Tampa Pediatric Psychology, we specialize in helping kids and families navigate anxiety. Our team of licensed child psychologists and therapists offers individual therapy that incorporates the effective methods discussed above, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE).
Whether your child is just starting to show signs of anxiety or struggling with more severe symptoms, we’re here to help. Together, we can create a plan to give your child the tools and confidence they need to face their fears and thrive.
If you’re ready to take the next step or have any questions, contact us, We’d love to hear from you!