Anxiety
Understanding Anxiety in Young People
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health concerns in childhood and adolescence. It can affect a young person’s ability to focus, participate at school, sleep well and manage everyday tasks. Some children become worried, tense or avoidant. Others may become irritable, frustrated or overwhelmed without being able to explain why.
Anxiety is not caused by weakness or a lack of resilience. It is a real condition that affects the body, the brain and behaviour. With the right support, children and teens can learn to manage anxious thoughts, build confidence and regain a sense of control in their daily life.
Our practice provides warm, evidence-based therapy to support young people experiencing anxiety. We tailor sessions to the child’s developmental level, personality and regulation needs so therapy feels safe and engaging.
Signs of Anxiety in Children and Adolescents
Parents often seek help when they notice:
• excessive worry or overthinking
• difficulty separating from parents
• fear of school, social situations or new environments
• frequent stomach aches, headaches or feeling unwell
• trouble sleeping or increased tiredness
• irritability or emotional outbursts
• perfectionism or fear of making mistakes
• avoidance of activities or tasks
• difficulty concentrating
• clinginess, reassurance seeking or fear of being alone
Anxiety looks different for every child. A thorough assessment helps identify the specific type of anxiety and the best treatment plan.
How We Support Children and Teens With Anxiety
Evidence-Based Interventions
We use Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), exposure-based approaches, emotional coaching and skills for managing worry. These therapies help young people understand their thoughts, feelings and physical sensations so they can respond more confidently.
Building Coping Skills
Children learn practical tools such as grounding strategies, breathing techniques, body awareness and problem-solving skills. These strategies are tailored to the child’s sensory profile and developmental stage.
Understanding the Anxiety Cycle
We teach young people how anxiety works in the body and why avoidance makes anxiety stronger. This helps them feel more in control and reduces the fear of physical symptoms such as a racing heart or tight chest.
Gradual Exposure and Confidence Building
Avoidance is a natural response when a child feels scared or overwhelmed. We work gently and collaboratively to help young people face fears at a pace that feels achievable. Each small success builds confidence.
School Collaboration
School-related anxiety is common, especially around learning demands, friendships or sensory overload. We work with teachers and school staff to create predictable routines and supportive adjustments that help children feel safe and capable.
Parent Support
Parents play a central role in anxiety treatment. We offer guidance on how to respond to reassurance seeking, how to reduce anxiety-driven behaviours and how to support coping skills at home without increasing pressure. Families often find that understanding the anxiety cycle helps reduce stress for everyone.
Types of Anxiety We Work With
We support children and teens experiencing:
• generalised anxiety
• social anxiety
• separation anxiety
• school refusal or school-based anxiety
• performance anxiety
• phobias
• health anxiety
• panic symptoms
• anxiety related to neurodivergence (ASD, ADHD)
These presentations often overlap, and our assessment helps clarify what is driving the anxiety.
Anxiety Assessments
We offer anxiety screeners and structured assessments that help identify the severity, patterns and triggers of anxiety. These assessments can guide therapy, assist with school planning and track progress over time.
Common components include:
• anxiety rating scales
• emotional wellbeing questionnaires
• parent and teacher reports
• behavioural observations
• assessment of triggers and environmental factors
Results are explained clearly so families understand what the next steps should be.
When to Seek Professional Help
You may want to reach out if your child:
• struggles to attend school
• avoids social or learning situations
• becomes overwhelmed easily
• has ongoing physical symptoms without medical cause
• has difficulty separating from caregivers
• expresses constant worry
• shows sudden changes in behaviour or confidence
Early intervention can prevent anxiety from becoming more entrenched.