Helping Your Child with Anxiety

Anxiety is very common in children and can show up in many ways — worries, tummy aches, difficulty separating from parents, big emotions, trouble sleeping, or avoidance of certain situations. The good news is that there are effective ways to support children with anxiety, and the right plan often looks different for each child and family.

Therapy & Skill-Building Supports

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is the most evidence-based therapy for childhood anxiety. It helps kids:

• Understand anxious thoughts
  
  

• Learn coping skills
  
  

• Practice facing worries gradually and safely
  
  

CBT focuses on teaching tools that children can use long-term.

Occupational Therapy (OT) for Emotional Regulation

OT can be very helpful when anxiety shows up physically or emotionally.

OT may help with:

• Calming the body and nervous system
  
  

• Sensory sensitivities
  
  

• Emotional regulation and coping strategies
  
  

This is especially helpful for kids with big emotions, sensory sensitivities, or difficulty calming once upset.

Parent Coaching / Family-Based Therapy

Some therapy approaches focus on helping parents:

• Respond to anxiety in supportive ways
  
  

• Reduce reassurance cycles
  
  

• Encourage independence and confidence
  
  

Virtual Therapy 

• Hopscotch – Therapy for kids in Florida, no waitlists, and covered by insurance.
  [Therapy for kids in Florida – Hopscotch](joinhopscotch.com)
  Also: Overview of the platform and insurance coverage across states: [Hopscotch homepage](joinhopscotch.com)

• Little Otter – Virtual care for children, parents, and families in Florida (ages 0–18); mental health, psychiatry, and coaching.
  [Florida-specific page – Little Otter](littleotterhealth.com)
  And their general site: [Little Otter homepage](littleotterhealth.com)

• Thriveworks – Accepts many major insurance plans for child therapy in Florida; offers both in-network and self-pay options.
  [Florida Child Therapy – Thriveworks](Thriveworks)
  Additional general info: [Thriveworks homepage](Thriveworks)

• Healthy Young Minds – Teletherapy for kids and teens; accepts Medicaid and most private insurance in Florida.
  [Insurance Coverage – Healthy Young Minds](Healthy Young Minds)
  General info confirm: [Healthy Young Minds homepage](Healthy Young Minds)

• PATH Telemental Health Program (Nemours) – Offers same-day or next-week online mental health support for children ages 2–17 in North and Central Florida. Insurance status may vary.
  [PATH Program Details – Nemours](Nemours Children’s Health, Nemours Children’s Health)
  [Florida availability and fast access info](Nemours Children’s Health)

• Sage Therapy – Secure online therapy across Florida; works with many insurance providers and offers superbills for out-of-network reimbursement.
  [Sage Therapy FL – Insurance & Fees](sagetherapy.com, Sage Therapy Group, PLLC)

• Therapies 4 Kids / Psych‑4U – Telehealth services for Florida kids and families (OT, PT, ABA, psychiatry, mental health); insurance coverage should be confirmed directly.
  [Tele-Medicine at Therapies 4 Kids – site](telehealth4kids.com)

Medication as a Support Option

For some children, medication can be a helpful part of an anxiety treatment plan, especially when:

• Anxiety is significantly interfering with daily life
  
  

• Therapy alone isn’t enough
  
  

• Symptoms affect sleep, school, or relationships
  
  

Medication is often used alongside therapy, not instead of it, and decisions are always individualized. I am happy to discuss whether this might be appropriate for your child and answer any questions you have.

Parent's Medication Guide  

Books Families Often Find Helpful (click here for even more resources)

For Kids

• What to Do When You Worry Too Much – Dawn Huebner
  
  

• Wilma Jean the Worry Machine – Julia Cook
  
  

• The Invisible String – Patrice Karst
  
  

For Parents

• Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD – Eli Lebowitz
  
  

• Freeing Your Child from Anxiety – Tamar Chansky
  
  

• Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents – Reid Wilson
  
  

Helpful Apps & Tools (click here for free apps and resources)

• GoNoodle – movement and mindfulness videos
  
  

• Smiling Mind – free, kid-friendly mindfulness app
  
  

• Headspace for Kids – short guided calming exercises

Simple Things That Help at Home

• Keep routines predictable
  
  

• Give advance warnings for transitions
  
  

• Name emotions (“That sounds like worry”)
  
  

• Practice calming tools (deep breathing, grounding)
  
  

• Encourage gradual exposure to fears rather than avoidance
  
  

School Supports

Many children benefit from simple school-based supports, such as:

• A calm-down space
  
  

• Extra transition time
  
  

• Check-ins with a trusted adult
  
  

• Flexible testing environments
  
  

A Final Note

Anxiety doesn’t mean something is “wrong” with your child. Many kids with anxiety are thoughtful, sensitive, and deeply caring. With the right combination of supports — whether therapy, skills, medication, or a mix — most children do very well over time.

Please reach out if you’d like help deciding which options might be the best fit for your child.