Childhood Anxiety Support

All kids worry. It becomes a concern when worry interferes with daily life — sleep, school, friendships, eating, or family time. If worry is taking up a lot of the day, or your child can’t function the way they used to, it’s worth a visit.

Not necessarily. Therapy (especially cognitive-behavioral therapy) is the first-line treatment for most childhood anxiety. We add medication when anxiety is moderate to severe, when therapy alone isn’t enough, or when it’s hard to engage in therapy without it. We talk through every option.

We don’t provide ongoing psychotherapy, but we screen, support, prescribe when appropriate, and refer to vetted local therapists. We stay involved and coordinate care with the therapist.

Yes. For older kids and teens, we offer confidential time with the provider. We explain confidentiality up front: most things stay between us and the patient, but we always tell parents if we’re worried about safety.

Take it seriously. Stay calm, don’t leave them alone, and call us right away. After hours, call/text 988 or go to the nearest emergency room. Talking openly about self-harm reduces risk — silence doesn’t.

Validate, don’t dismiss (“I know this feels scary” instead of “you’re fine”). Avoid taking over what they’re anxious about — that often makes anxiety bigger. Keep routines steady, sleep protected, and consider a therapist for skills practice. We can give you specific strategies at the visit.