What age range do your pediatric anxiety experts specialize in?

Kids (ages 3+) and Teens 

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What does anxiety treatment at the Center For CBT entail?

First, we figure out exactly what kind of anxiety your child is struggling with.  We have different specialists for each different age range and for each anxiety disorder, so your child will be matched with someone who is a true expert in their specific type of anxiety.  We then implement the most effective treatment (as evidenced by the latest research) for your child's exact type of anxiety.  Treatment is highly goal oriented and skills-based.  ​The length of treatment is based on individual factors but is typically completed in 12-16 weeks (with major progress way before treatment is complete).

 

Are parents involved in the therapy?

Parents are a huge part of the therapy because we want you to learn all of the tools your child will be using to overcome their anxiety so that you can help them maintain their remission from anxiety long-term. We'll be giving you specific guidance about how to best understand and reduce your child's anxiety.  The younger the kiddo, the more involvement from the parents in therapy.  

 

For elementary aged kids, we have a parent participating throughout the whole session each week so that you're learning all of the strategies alongside your child and can help them practice them at home. 

 

For middle school and high school aged kids, parents typically join in at the beginning and end of each session. At the start of each session, you will provide an update on the progress your child has made throughout the previous week. At the end of each session, you will join again to discuss what new skills your child learned in that session and what the therapy homework/practice will be for the upcoming week (as well as what fun reward your child will earn for completing it!)

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Why is anxiety therapy for kids at the Center For CBT so effective?

1. Each child is matched with a specialist who is a true expert in the gold standard treatment for their specific age and specific type of anxiety. 

2. We engage parents in the treatment the whole time and coach them on how to best support their child. 

3. In addition to the actual therapy sessions, we set up a system whereby kids practice their new skills each day of the week. Implementing their awesome new skills (they're fun + they work well = awesome new skills!) daily ensures kids make progress quickly and reliably.  

4. We engage all kids (from those who are motivated to those who are resistant) by making treatment fun!

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What is the most effective treatment for Anxiety?

The most effective anxiety treatment depends on the type of anxiety that one is experiencing.  For example, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is the gold standard for Social Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety, and Specific Phobias. Conversely, Exposure and Response Prevention is the most effective treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.  For kids who are battling anxiety subsequent to a trauma, more specialized Trauma-Focused CBT is indicated.  

 

When your child is experiencing intense anxiety, it is important to go to a specialist who can differentiate between the highly overlapping (and often co-occuring) types of anxiety so that the most effective and appropriate treatment plan can be devised.  Seeking therapy from someone who specializes in anxiety treatment is especially critical because the same thing that can help with one type of anxiety can exacerbate symptoms for a different type.

 

Our pediatric anxiety treatment specialists conduct a thorough assessment to understand the exact type(s) of anxiety that each child is experiencing and then develop a customized treatment plan utilizing the most advanced and effective treatments available. 

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We implement these evidence-based, highly effective treatments by making them FUN! Our pediatric anxiety specialists infuse tons of humor, creativity, silliness, and rewards to make the sessions super engaging.  We look forward to working with you and your child to treat their anxiety efficiently and have lots of laughs along the way!