SUPPORTING ANXIOUS KIDS

A GROUP FOR PARENTS

***OUR SPRING GROUP NOW CLOSED. If you’d like to be notified when the next group begins enrollment, add your email to the interest list below.***

WHEN: Wednesdays, 12-1pm ET. Six weekly sessions from 3/25/26 - 4/29/26.

WHERE: This group will take place virtually via our secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform.

COST: $75/group ($450 total). Payment is due at time of registration, though we’re happy to work out alternate payment arrangements if the upfront cost is prohibitive. One co-parent or additional caretaker may also attend the group at no additional charge.

DETAILS: This treatment group is based on the SPACE model. Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) is an evidence-based treatment for anxiety and OCD developed by Dr. Eli Lebowitz at the Yale Child Study Center to help parents and caregivers of anxious kids learn how to more effectively support their children. SPACE is unique in that it’s a parent-based intervention, effectively treating a range of anxiety-related diagnoses solely by working with parents.

We'll begin the group by discussing how different members of the family have been affected by the child's anxiety and how parents might have shifted their own behaviors to make life easier for everyone. This shift in behaviors that temporarily makes life easier for the anxious child but ultimately makes life more stressful for the family is called "accommodation." Accommodating your child's anxiety is a natural response, but it may send a message that your child is less capable of handling situations than he or she actually is.  SPACE therapy focuses on reducing parental accommodation while continuing to provide healthy support for your child, with the goal being to help your child become more confident, less anxious, and more independent. For a detailed, session-by-session breakdown of the group content, please click here.

WHO IS A GOOD FIT FOR SPACE?: This model is for parents of children with a range of anxiety-related diagnoses, including: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Specific Phobias, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and ARFID. Originally designed for young children, the model has since been expanded to include older kids and dependent adults. You can learn more about SPACE here.

FACILITATOR: The group will be co-facilitated by Dr. Leigh Watson and Emily Juel, MA.

2026 DATES:

Mar. 25, Apr. 1, Apr. 8, Apr. 15, Apr. 22, Apr. 29

CANCELLATION POLICY: A full refund, minus a 4% processing fee, will be issued up to thirty (30) days prior to the group start date. Cancellations received September 2nd or later will be issued a 50% refund.

CONTACT: If you have any questions about the group, please contact Leigh Watson, PhD at drwatson@bullcityanxiety.com.

FAQs

  • Yes! SPACE is an excellent option if your child is unwilling to participate in treatment. The intervention does not require any active participation from your child.

  • Every child looks to their parents for help and guidance when they’re struggling. And every parent does their best to help their kid feel better. But sometimes, these behaviors intended to help, end up becoming part of the problem. Children become reliant on accommodation, missing out on opportunities to learn that they are capable of managing their anxiety. This could involve offering reassurance, facilitating avoidance of triggering experiences, or changing family routines to enable avoidance or compulsion.

  • Family Accommodation has been shown to increase symptom severity, decrease treatment effectiveness, and cause disruption to both individual and family functioning. SPACE targets unhelpful accommodation, gradually and systematically removing behaviors which perpetuate anxiety. With new, more effective support in place, children are able to learn that they are capable of managing anxiety without accommodation.

  • No! SPACE was originally designed for younger kids, but has been expanded (and shown to be effective) for dependent adults as well. There are some slight adjustments to the model when working with adults, but this group can help parents of young or adult children with anxiety.

  • Registration includes two participants, which can be co-parents, alternative caretakers, or other family/loved ones. The model will be most effective if the participants are consistently in a role where they provide support to the individual with anxiety.

  • We’ve intentionally kept the group small and allowed time in the curriculum to individualize the treatment. We also have two group facilitators, so we suspect that you’ll be able toget everything you need from the group. With that being said, if you would like to schedule individual SPACE sessions outside of the group, we can arrange that.

  • BCAOTC is not contracted with insurance, so any potential reimbursement would require using your out-of-network benefits. You should contact your insurance company to inquire about your benefits.