
Securely Attached Q&A: How can I help my child overcome a phobia?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...
- What is a phobia, and how can it show up (like, for this 7-year-old who developed a fear of vomiting after having a stomach bug) in kids?
- How to recognize when your child's phobia or anxiety might require additional support versus when soothing and comfort may be enough to help them through their discomfort.
- When to treat child anxiety or phobias with CBT and when to use a SPACE approach - and how to determine the best fit for your child.
- What a supportive statement is and how it can be a powerful first step to helping your child manage their fears (plus, why mastering it can mean your job as a parent is done!)
- A counterintuitive approach: how reframing our own responsibility to focus on our responses and behaviors rather than trying to change our child's behavior can take a huge weight and pressure off a parent's shoulders.
- The biggest mistake that Dr. Sarah and Dr. Emily see parents make when they try to implement a SPACE approach - and how to avoid this pitfall.
REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:
ππ» If you're interested in exploring support options for your child's anxiety, including SPACE small groups and one-on-one interventions, feel free to reach out to us at Upshur Bren Psychology Group for a free 15-minute consultation so we can suggest a treatment plan for your unique needs.
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CHILDHOOD ANXIETY:
π§ Listen to my podcast episode about using SPACE to treat ARFID with Dr. Yaara Shimshoni
π§ Listen to my podcast episode about navigating your child's anxiety with Dr. Terri Bacow
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU:
Go to https://drsarahbren.com/question to send us a question or a topic you want to hear us answer on Securely Attached - Beyond the Sessions!
