Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE)
We empower parents with anxious children by implementing the highly effective SPACE method, scientifically proven to lower anxiety symptoms. Group work and individual therapy are available, both in-person in Toronto, and online all over Ontario.
What is SPACE treatment?
In this treatment, we work directly with parents, as the interventions target the parent’s responses to their child’s anxious distress. The nature of anxiety in children and adolescents is an interpersonal process between parents and children. So, while parents are not to blame for their child’s anxiety, they are a big part of the solution!
- Respond supportively to their child’s anxiety, and
- Reduce reinforcing or accommodating their child’s anxiety.
This is why we founded our parent, children, and adolescent therapy clinic.
From playground drama to teen angst, our approach pairs real-world wisdom with evidence-based advice and support.
This process helps caregivers get out of the common traps experienced by many parents of anxious children such as “protecting” their child from the things that make them anxious or “demanding” they somehow manage their anxiety.
Many parents navigating the landscape of an anxious child can feel lost and overwhelmed with how to help. By focusing on changing parental behaviour instead, SPACE empowers parents to take concrete action to support their youth. We analyze current parental behaviours as the first step. Then, with detailed plans, we strategize how to approach childhood anxiety and difficult situations to build resilience by augmenting the caregivers’ own behaviour. This is done through learning new skills, understanding anxious thoughts, and building emotional regulation. If two parents are present, we can work on building a united front to give your child the stability they crave.
What Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions Treats
- OCD
- Social anxiety/Separation anxiety
- Panic disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Selective mutism
- Generalized anxiety
- Specific phobias
Parents are often more motivated to address anxiety than a child by working on the problem. As a parent-based intervention, child involvement is not required for any portion of treatment. This makes SPACE an ideal option for parents of youth who are unwilling or unable to engage in their own treatment. If that is the case, the role of parents is to learn vital skills to cope with anxiety in the SPACE sessions and then pass them on to the children in a compassionate manner.
Does SPACE complement children’s therapy?
How we use SPACE at FFEW
OPTION 1
Treatment Sessions
- Virtual group: eight 1 hour weekly sessions
- For: parents of children and teens under age 16.
We cover all the essential components of SPACE training to equip parents with the skills and tools needed to manage their child’s anxiety. We also include 2 sessions on Exposure and Response Prevention to teach parents how to design exposure hierarchies for their children and coach them to face their fears.
Spots in our SPACE group are limited in order to ensure individualized attention in the group setting. SPACE groups run on an ongoing basis.
OPTION 2
with Our Clinicians
FAQ – Common concerns from parents
I’m scared my child won’t be able to handle themselves if I push them too hard
My child’s anxiety seems so complicated, how could it possibly be addressed in a group setting?
In the SPACE group, parents will receive individualized feedback on core aspects of delivering SPACE and group activities will focus on applying the general principles to your individual youth. When parents grasp these fundamental principles first, they are less likely to get overwhelmed by the details and nuances of their child’s specific anxiety presentation. They are more likely to see the big picture and the patterns of anxiety that have emerged for their child and within their family.
If, after the group is completed, the family needs further support, individual SPACE consultation may be sought and be both more effective and efficient as it can build on the fundamentals learned in the SPACE group.
What are the benefits of SPACE treatment?
- Improved parent-child relationships
- Reduced child anxiety symptoms
- Decreased parental stress and anxiety
- Increased parental confidence in managing child anxiety
- Improved family functioning