Therapy for Anxiety
Anxiety Therapy for Children, Teens, & Young Adults in California
Understanding Anxiety
Experiencing anxiety is a natural part of life – it’s one way our brains help us stay alert and make safe choices. But when anxiety starts to interfere with daily activities or prevent someone from enjoying life fully, therapy can provide essential support. At The Child Psychology Center, we offer virtual and in-person evidence-based anxiety therapy to children, teens, young adults, and their caregivers. Using well-established techniques, we help our clients understand and manage their anxiety, so it no longer holds them back from doing the things they love to do, want to do, and need to do.
Who We Help
Our anxiety therapy services are designed for clients in California across a range of ages and needs.
While the following list is not exhaustive, it offers a glimpse into the types of clients we support and the needs they bring to the Child Psychology Center:
Young Children with separation anxiety or sleep-related worries
School-aged Children dealing with specific fears or social anxiety
Teens and Young Adults navigating academic pressures, social anxiety, or post-college transitions
Caregivers seeking strategies to support an anxious child or teen
Adults working to navigate life while living with anxiety
While we are ‘The Child Psychology Center’ and specialize in treating children, we also offer virtual therapy services to adults throughout California and in-person therapy in Carlsbad, California.
If a child is too young or unable to fully participate in therapy, our CA anxiety experts collaborate with caregivers to provide effective tools that can make a real difference.
Our Therapeutic Approach
We utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) as our foundational approaches. These therapies are backed by strong evidence and are known to be effective for a range of anxiety issues. We also incorporate play, art, videos, and movement in sessions with younger clients to make therapy both engaging and practical.
For older teens and adults, we focus on helping them understand their patterns of anxiety and equip them with tools to manage anxious thoughts and behaviors. Caregivers play a vital role in the process, too, ensuring that the whole family system supports each client’s progress.
Common Goals in Anxiety Therapy
We take a client-centered approach and help make collaborative goals, based on our anxious client’s desired outcomes. Our clients often work toward goals like:
Improving Social Confidence – Attending gatherings and engaging with peers comfortably
Facing Fears – Overcoming specific phobias like needles or fear of sickness
Building Independence – Sleeping alone or attending school with ease
Exploring New Experiences – Trying new foods, taking on challenging activities, or adapting to life transitions
Whether it's achieving small day-to-day improvements or tackling major milestones, our therapy is goal-oriented and celebrates each success.
What a Typical Session Looks Like
Sessions are flexible to fit each client's unique needs. Initially, we often recommend weekly appointments to establish rapport and develop a foundation of coping skills. Over time, many clients shift to biweekly sessions as they begin to practice and strengthen these skills independently.
Many clients find that virtual therapy sessions are particularly effective for practicing coping strategies directly in the environment where they experience anxiety. For instance, a child struggling to sleep alone can practice their coping techniques in their bedroom during a therapy session, which can make progress faster and more effective. A teen who is having trouble completing a project that “isn’t good enough” can finish it and submit it to their teacher during the appointment.
For adults, virtual anxiety therapy offers unique benefits for practicing strategies in real time within their daily environments. Many find that the flexibility of online sessions makes therapy more accessible—especially when balancing work-from-home schedules. Practicing coping techniques at night, for instance, can be valuable for adults overwhelmed by anxious thoughts in bed. Adults dealing with health-related anxiety often find support in exploring fears (like specific health concerns) without the urge to research symptoms online.
During video calls, adults can also address specific anxieties in their surroundings, such as reorganizing areas of their home that tend to trigger stress. For instance, we've worked with clients on navigating anxieties around specific organizational habits or tackling fears in certain places, like spending more time in a garage despite a fear of rodents being present.
Whether children, teens, or adults, our in-person or virtual anxiety therapy sessions aim to create a comfortable, practical space to explore and confront anxieties right where they happen.
Our Unique Approach
At The Child Psychology Center, our California therapists are committed to evidence-based, individualized care. Each client’s treatment plan is adapted to their specific needs and lifestyle, ensuring the tools they learn are practical and realistic for them and their family. This approach builds a sense of control over anxiety, boosting confidence and promoting faster progress.
Collaboration with Clients and Families
We believe that therapy is a partnership. Clients know themselves best, and we work closely with them to make sure each session feels relevant and effective. Our collaborative process includes:
Personalized Goal Setting – Clients and caregivers have input in setting therapy goals.
Ongoing Feedback – Regular check-ins help us ensure that therapy is meeting each client's needs.
Tailored Treatment Plans – We modify approaches to suit each client’s age, developmental stage, and specific anxiety concerns.
When there are differing goals between children and caregivers, we work to find a balance, so everyone finds value in the therapy process.
Challenges Addressed in Anxiety Therapy
Our anxiety therapy services cover a range of concerns and diagnoses, including but not limited to:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Separation Anxiety
Phobias and Specific Fears
Perfectionism and Performance Anxiety
School Avoidance/Refusal
Social Anxiety and Self-Confidence Issues
Anxiety-Related Sleep Problems
What Clients Can Expect
Clients can expect a structured approach to therapy with clear goals and tasks to work on between sessions. This helps foster independence in managing anxiety, while we continually adjust and refine interventions as needed. We celebrate every win, however small, and support each client’s resilience and strengths. We also coordinate with other important people in a client’s life – such as schools or healthcare providers – to ensure a supportive network.
Long-Term Benefits of Anxiety Therapy
Engaging in anxiety therapy can create lasting changes. Clients often report:
Reduced Anxiety – Managing anxiety with independence and confidence
Improved Resilience – Facing new or unexpected challenges with ease
A Positive View of Therapy – Knowing they can return to therapy for future support
Therapy provides skills that extend well beyond the specific anxieties addressed in sessions, equipping clients with lifelong tools for emotional well-being.
Adapting Therapy to Your Needs
We continuously review goals and make adjustments when needed. If a client faces new challenges or isn’t progressing as expected, we work together to reassess and modify the approach. This might mean increasing session frequency, shifting focus, or, in some cases, coordinating with additional supports.
When CBT Might Not Be the Best Fit
For certain cases, such as very young children or clients with complex needs, we may recommend focusing on other aspects of their health first or using alternative approaches. If needed, we’ll work with families to ensure they receive the right level of support.
Ready to start therapy?
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Ready to start therapy? 〰️
Other Services:
Child Psychology Center offers neuro-affirming, culturally competent, evidence-based therapy for children (ages 0+), teens and caregivers. We offer virtual therapy for people throughout all of California, and we offer in-person therapy in Carlsbad, CA. Our services are available in both English and Mandarin. Our licensed psychologists offer psychological assessments. While our therapists specialize in treating children, we also treat adults. We specialize in treating anxiety, child behavioral problems, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), ADHD, autism (ASD), and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We offer parent coaching and consultation. We would love to support you along your journey. Reach out for a free 15-minute consultation today!