Anxiety

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective treatment for anxiety, which seeks to help you identify and modify your anxious thoughts, using an evidence-based approach. Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is also highly effective in reducing long-term anxiety by gradually exposing yourself to your triggers.

In addition to CBT, other therapeutic approaches such as mindfulness-based therapies, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and medication management may be utilized in treating anxiety disorders. Mindfulness-based therapies focus on increasing awareness and acceptance of present-moment experiences, which can reduce anxiety symptoms by promoting relaxation and stress reduction. ACT helps individuals develop psychological flexibility by identifying and pursuing meaningful life goals while learning to accept the presence of anxiety-related thoughts and feelings without judgment.

Incorporating self-care strategies into daily routines can complement professional treatment and enhance overall well-being. Engaging in regular physical activity, such as yoga or exercise, establishing a consistent sleep schedule and practicing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises or progressive muscle relaxation, can reduce stress levels and improve sleep quality.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the gold-standard treatments for anxiety and is demonstrated to be highly effective in children. CBT works by identifying and modifying anxious thoughts using an evidence-based approach. We also help them face their fears, as evidence shows that repeated exposure to one’s fear can help decrease or eliminate it. Exposure therapy gradually exposes children to feared situations or objects in a controlled and supportive manner, helping them confront and manage their anxiety. By gradually increasing exposure levels, exposure therapy desensitizes children to anxiety triggers and empowers them to face their fears with confidence.

Parental involvement is essential in supporting a child’s progress in therapy and reinforcing skills learned during sessions. Collaborating with school personnel to create a supportive environment and implement accommodations, if necessary, ensures continuity of care and promotes academic success.