How to Support a Child Who is Experiencing Anxiety

Dr. Gillian Donovan is a clinical psychologist licensed in Connecticut and New York. She specializes in treating mood and anxiety disorders in adolescents and adults. Dr. Donovan works within a multi-theoretical framework to offer the most effective treatments for her patients, with an emphasis on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. In this episode, Dr. Donovan discusses supporting an anxious child who may be refusing to go to school, determining whether a child’s anxiety is associated with their learning disability, and knowing when to seek professional help for your child’s anxiety. 

Key Takeaways:

• School refusal is a big issue – and it’s one that parents feel alone and isolated with. If your child starts refusing to attend school, it’s important to intervene as early as possible and to let the school know. 

• The school counselor's purview is supporting your child with respect to their learning and accessing school. If you have questions or concerns with your child’s home life or anything happening outside of school, even sometimes just purely social situations, it's important to consider seeking counseling support outside of school. 

• If your child’s anxiety starts impacting any kind of major functioning of their life such as sleeping, eating, socializing, attending the activities they usually like to do, going to school, family life, etc. then it’s time to consider speaking with a professional. 

• Parents should educate themselves on their child’s diagnosis and also find a way to support themselves whether through a peer group, books, podcasts, or advocacy organizations. 

Links from the episode:

• Gillian Donovan, Ph.D.