Anxiety is a natural part of life, and every child experiences worry from time to time. But when anxiety starts interfering with their daily life—affecting their school performance, friendships, or even simple activities like sleeping or eating—it may be time to seek support. As a BACP-registered psychotherapeutic counsellor, I work with children, teens, and families to help them manage anxiety using an integrative approach rooted in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), and a strengths-based perspective.
Through my clinical experience and training, I use a combination of art and play-based techniques tailored to each child’s unique needs. My approach is child-led and client-centered, ensuring that therapy feels natural, safe, and engaging. While I consider parents’ perspectives and insights, I prioritize creating a space where children can explore their emotions in a way that makes sense to them. Play is the language of children—it’s how they understand the world—so integrating creative approaches helps them express themselves, process difficult feelings, and develop new coping skills in a way that feels intuitive and empowering.
When is Anxiety a Problem?
It’s normal for kids and teens to feel nervous before a test, worried about making friends, or even hesitant to try something new. But persistent anxiety can show up in ways that aren’t always obvious, such as:
- Avoidance – Not wanting to go to school, participate in activities, or try new things
- Physical symptoms – Frequent stomach aches, headaches, or trouble sleeping
- Irritability and meltdowns – Anxiety can look like anger or frustration, especially in younger children
- Perfectionism – A need to get things “just right” to avoid feeling anxious
- Excessive reassurance-seeking – Constantly asking parents or teachers for confirmation that things are okay
- Overthinking and rumination – Getting stuck in endless “what if” scenarios
If anxiety is making everyday life difficult for your child, therapy can help them build the skills they need to manage their emotions, rather than being controlled by them.
How Therapy Helps: My Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Unhooking from Anxiety
ACT teaches children and teens that thoughts and feelings don’t have to control their actions. Instead of trying to eliminate anxiety (which often makes it worse), ACT helps them develop psychological flexibility—the ability to notice anxious thoughts and still move toward what matters. Research shows that ACT-based interventions reduce anxiety symptoms by increasing mindfulness and self-compassion (Swain et al., 2013).
CBT and Exposure Therapy: Facing Fears Safely
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps children recognize patterns of anxious thinking and develop more helpful ways of responding. Exposure therapy, a core part of CBT, teaches children how to gradually face their fears in a safe, structured way—reducing avoidance and increasing confidence (Kendall et al., 2005).
Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT): Calming the Inner Critic
Many anxious children struggle with self-criticism and high expectations. CFT helps them develop self-kindness and activate their brain’s soothing system (Gilbert, 2010), reducing anxiety and helping them feel safer in their own minds.
Art and Play Therapy: A Child’s Natural Way of Processing
For younger children, verbalizing anxiety can be difficult. That’s where art and play therapy come in. Through drawing, storytelling, and imaginative play, children can express their fears in a way that feels comfortable. This creative approach allows them to process emotions and develop coping strategies in a way that feels natural and engaging (Malchiodi, 2020).
Parent Support: Understanding Anxiety Without Over-Accommodating
Anxiety often impacts the whole family. Without realizing it, parents can fall into the trap of accommodating their child’s fears—like letting them avoid school or repeatedly answering the same reassurance-seeking questions. While this feels helpful in the moment, it can actually reinforce anxiety in the long run. Part of my work involves helping parents support their child without reinforcing fear, fostering long-term resilience.
Helping Your Child Move Forward
Anxiety doesn’t have to define your child’s life. With the right support, they can learn to face their fears, build confidence, and develop lasting coping skills.
I am a BACP-registered Children and Young People Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, based in West London, Chelsea, working with children and teens struggling with anxiety. I offer online therapy across the UK and worldwide, integrating ACT, CBT, CFT, and creative approaches such as art and play therapy to help young people feel more in control of their emotions and their lives.
If you’d like to explore how therapy can support your child, feel free to get in touch.
References
- Gilbert, P. (2010). The compassionate mind: A new approach to life’s challenges. New Harbinger.
- Kendall, P. C., et al. (2005). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety-disordered youth: A randomized clinical trial evaluating child and family modalities. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73(3), 482–494.
- Malchiodi, C. A. (2020). Trauma and expressive arts therapy: Brain, body, and imagination in the healing process.Guilford Press.
- Swain, J., Hancock, K., Hainsworth, C., & Bowman, J. (2013). Acceptance and commitment therapy in the treatment of anxiety: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 33(8), 965-978.