Parenting Children with Anxiety
Virtual Group Therapy
If your child seems constantly worried, avoids new situations, or gets overwhelmed by everyday events, you’re not alone. Anxiety in children can be confusing and hard to manage—for them, and for you. This 8-week virtual parenting group is here to help.
“Parenting Children with Anxiety” empowers caregivers with strategies to reduce anxiety symptoms, support emotional development, and feel more confident in their parenting.
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A quick word from Dr. Zia
A Proven Parent-Based Approach
Led by Cassandra Harmsen, M.A., Ph.D. Candidate, this program is based on the SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) treatment model. Research shows SPACE is as effective as one-on-one CBT for reducing childhood anxiety.
This group is designed for parents of children ages 3 to 12 who want to feel more capable and supported in handling anxiety-related challenges at home.
What You’ll Learn
- How anxiety shows up in children—and how to spot it early
- The common parent traps that accidentally reinforce anxiety
- Supportive, non-accommodating responses that help kids face fears
- How to reduce your own parental anxiety while supporting your child
- Coping tools and communication strategies that build emotional resilience
Each session includes:
- A deep dive into anxiety symptoms and treatment principles
- SPACE-based guidance for responding to anxious behaviours
- Reflective exercises and peer sharing
- Practical tools to implement between sessions
Is This Emotional Regulation Program Right for You?
This is for you if:
- Your child struggles with worries, fears, or avoids things due to anxiety
- You want to stop walking on eggshells around your child’s fears
- You’re looking for effective strategies to support your child’s independence and confidence
- You want to reduce accommodation behaviours that may be making things worse
This may not be right if:
- Your child needs immediate crisis intervention
- You are seeking direct therapy for your child rather than a parent-based approach
Upcoming Group Schedule
Program Details
- Dates: April 23 to June 11, 2025
- Time: Wednesdays from 12:00pm to 1:00pm (noon)
- Duration: 8 weeks
- Format: Virtual
- Facilitator: Cassandra Harmsen, M.A., Ph.D. Candidate
Group size is limited. Begin with a free consult to learn more.
Book a Free Consultation
About Cassandra Harmsen & the FFEW Team
Cassandra Harmsen specializes in helping families navigate overwhelming emotions and challenging behaviours through evidence-based, client-centred therapy that empowers both parents and children. As an aspiring child psychologist with 10 years of experience working with families and training at leading institutions like CAMH, she creates safe, non-judgmental environments where families can build stronger relationships and develop effective strategies to meet their shared goals.
Meet Our Team
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions parents ask about this service—so you can feel more confident about what to expect.
What age group is this for?
This group is designed for caregivers of children ages 3 to 12 experiencing anxiety symptoms.
Will my child attend this group with me?
No. This is a parent-only program. Parents learn how to support their children more effectively at home.
What if my child refuses therapy?
That’s okay. The beauty of SPACE is that children don’t need to participate for it to work. The focus is on changing parent behaviour to reduce anxiety over time.
What if I’ve already tried CBT with my child?
SPACE is complementary to CBT and especially helpful when CBT hasn’t fully resolved the anxiety or when a child resists traditional therapy.
Can this be covered by insurance?
Yes, most insurance plans with mental health coverage will accept this under the supervising psychologist’s license.