Child Therapy for Anxiety & OCD

Anxiety, Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in kids can show up in big ways and leave families spiraling. Being parents ourselves we get that we can’t always prevent our kids from struggling, but we can give them the skills to thrive in the face of life's challenges.

With skill building through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), we help kids and parents develop a toolbox of evidenced based strategies to face their fears and courageously take back their lives from Anxiety and OCD.

The therapy we provide focuses on equipping kids with the skills they need to manage life's challenges successfully. We teach children to be mindful of their emotions, to notice their thoughts, and use adaptive strategies to build tolerance of the uncomfortable and uncertain, helping them get back to focusing on the stuff they care about.

Providing therapy in California & Oregon

If you're feeling stuck, give us a call—we can help.

Our Specialties

  • Children with Anxiety and related disorders. Smiling black child with curly hair in a bright pink tank top

    Anxiety & Related Disorders

    We all experience worry from time to time, but for some children, anxiety becomes a constant companion. In fact, it's reported that more than 30% of individuals will be affected by an anxiety disorder during their lifetime. These can take many forms from

    Generalized Anxiety

    Social Anxiety

    Selective Mutism

    Separation Anxiety

    Health Anxiety

    Panic Disorder

    Specific phobias

    It's essential to remember that occasional worry is a normal part of growing up. However, when your child's worries start to impact their daily activities—school, friendships, or their overall happiness—it's time to seek support.

    We believe in empowering children to become their own champions, helping them navigate through anxiety, and growing into brave individuals. We're here to work with you and your child, celebrating their victories and supporting them through their challenges.

  • Children with OCS and related disorders. Young white dad with dark hair and beard helps young boy with light hair to ride a bike.

    OCD & Related Disorders

    OCD in children is characterized by unwanted and persistent thoughts, urges, or images, accompanied by compulsive behaviors or rituals aimed at alleviating anxiety. It's important to know that OCD can manifest differently in children compared to adults, often leading to challenges in recognition and diagnosis.

    As parents, it's natural to have questions and concerns. Rest assured, early intervention is crucial in helping children manage their OCD symptoms effectively. Seeking professional help from a trained therapist experienced in working with pediatric OCD is a vital first step.

    At our therapy practice, we prioritize evidence-based approaches for treating OCD in children. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, a specific form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), has shown great success in reducing OCD symptoms. Through ERP, children gradually confront their fears while learning healthier ways to respond, leading to improved distress tolerance and overall well-being.

  • Children struggling with depression, ADHD, autism, and other concerns. Against a turquoise background, a white child with red hair and a bright yellow sweater smiles and embraces herself.

    Other Areas We Support

    We understand that you may seek support for your child, even if they don’t meet the full criteria for an anxiety disorder. We're here to help, and can offer a free consultation to determine if our services are the right fit for your child's needs.

    We also recognize that anxiety disorders and OCD often coexist with other challenges. Others areas we offer support for include:

    Depression

    ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder)

    Autism Spectrum Disorder

    School Refusal

    Insomnia & Bedtime Challenges

    Behavioral Difficulties

    Our treatment approach integrates techniques that address these co-occurring issues, providing comprehensive care for your child.

    Please note that our practice is not suitable for children with active anorexia, psychotic symptoms, or substance abuse.

Evidenced Based Treatment for Transformative Outcomes:

  • CBT is a highly effective treatment method that focuses on identifying and modifying negative thought patterns and behaviors.

    By helping children recognize and challenge unhelpful thoughts, CBT equips them with practical skills to cope with various challenges.

    Through collaborative efforts with a trained therapist, parents can expect their children to develop healthier coping strategies, build self-esteem, and manage emotions more effectively.

  • ERP is a specialized treatment approach primarily used to address anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This technique gradually exposes children to anxiety-provoking situations or triggers while simultaneously preventing the typical response or compulsion associated with their fears.

    ERP empowers children to confront their fears in a controlled and supportive environment, helping them to overcome anxiety and regain control over their lives.

  • ACT is a therapeutic method that encourages children to accept their thoughts and feelings without judgment while committing to actions that align with their values. By fostering psychological flexibility, ACT helps children develop resilience and adaptability, enabling them to effectively manage stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges.

    ACT empowers children to make meaningful changes and live a fulfilling life in alignment with their personal goals and aspirations.

  • Mindfulness-based techniques involve cultivating present-moment awareness and non-judgmental acceptance of one's thoughts, emotions, and sensations. These techniques, such as mindfulness meditation and breathing exercises, can help children develop a greater sense of calmness, emotional regulation, and focus.

    By integrating mindfulness practices into their daily lives, children can enhance their overall well-being, reduce stress, and improve their ability to handle challenges with greater clarity and composure.

  • At our clinic, we embrace the latest advancements in therapy, including the use of online counseling to enhance the effectiveness of exposure therapy, a leading approach for treating anxiety and OCD in children and adolescents. Online counseling not only extends the reach of our care but also brings unique advantages to traditional in-person sessions.

    One of the key benefits of online counseling is its ability to integrate real-life scenarios that are difficult to replicate in a therapy office. For instance, we can directly address fears related to in-home situations like contaminants or bedtime routines. This direct engagement with real-life challenges within the child's own environment allows for more relevant and impactful therapy sessions.

    Moreover, online counseling gives our therapists a window into your child’s natural environment. Observing how your child and your family interact in your everyday setting provides invaluable insights. This helps us tailor our approach more effectively, ensuring that the therapy is not just theory but a practical, integrated part of your child’s daily life.

    In summary, online counseling is not just a convenience; it's a powerful tool that enhances our ability to provide personalized, effective treatment for children struggling with anxiety and OCD.

  • SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Childhood Emotions) is an innovative, evidence-based parent-based treatment program for children and adolescents with anxiety, OCD, and related problems. This unique approach equips parents with the skills needed to effectively manage and reduce their child's symptoms.

    Some of the main anxiety problems treated with SPACE include:

    -Separation anxiety

    -Social anxiety

    -Generalized anxiety

    -Fears and phobias

    -Panic disorder and Agoraphobia

    -Selective mutism

    -Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Frequently Asked Questions

What to Expect

You’ve received a recommendation to get your child started in therapy services but are not sure exactly how this whole therapy thing works. No worries. We will walk through it together.

The first session is a parent-only intake, crucial for setting the stage for our work together. During this time, we will clarify all policies and guidelines to ensure you understand the process. We will address any technical concerns to ensure smooth communication, and this will also be an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have.

Our main focus will be on setting goals for your child's treatment, assessing for any present diagnoses to better understand their needs and your family, gathering a comprehensive history of presenting concerns, including what has and hasn't worked in the past. If necessary, we will also assess for any safety concerns and create a safety plan.

Following this initial session, we will conduct our first initial child session. It is essential that both you and your child feel comfortable and have a good rapport with the therapist. This session helps determine if our personalities and communication styles are well-suited to work together, ensuring a productive and supportive therapeutic relationship.

Following our intital sessions we will move to weekly child or parent child sessions depending on what is recommended by your clinician. Additionally, we hold parent-only sessions every four to six weeks, or more frequently if needed, to ensure we are on track. Regular check-ins with both parents and children help us monitor progress. As your child meets the goals that brought your family to treatment, we will gradually reduce the frequency of appointments and eventually conclude treatment.

How long are sessions and how frequently do they occur?

Treatment usually consists of weekly sessions that last 45 min each. It is impossible to predict how many sessions one may need, as everyone’s needs are different. However, the treatment we provide is evidence-based, behavioral intervention. By this nature, the focus is on progress in treatment with weekly assignments.  If you don’t see measurable gains in therapy, then this will be something we will address early in the treatment.

Do you provide In-person child therapy services?

Yes, we do! In our NW Portland, Oregon office, we offer individual child therapy as well as our Confident Kids Group therapy program.

Is online counseling right for my child?

Today's families often encounter significant challenges in accessing pediatric mental health services. The scarcity of child mental health professionals, particularly those with specialized training in treating conditions like childhood Anxiety & OCD, presents a major hurdle.

Online therapy emerges as a promising option for children's mental health care, offering accessibility, comfort, and effectiveness. Scientific studies validate its efficacy in treating various conditions like anxiety, OCD (E.Storch et al 2011, A.Vogel et al 2014) and depression, with outcomes comparable to in-person therapy .

Importantly, our clinicians are expertly trained in assessing the suitability of online therapy services for each child. They consider various factors, such as your child’s specific needs, preferences, and the home environment, to ensure that online counseling is not only a convenient option but also the most effective one for your child's unique journey towards mental wellness.

What are your fees & do you take insurance

More detail on our rates & insurance can be found here.