Supporting Children Through Anxiety

One thing you may not know about me is that I love to learn.

I am surprised by my love of learning as I was not an eager student in high school, but today, I am excited to participate in the SPACE Program training with the Yale Child Study Center led by Dr. Eli Lebowitz. SPACE stands for Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions.

As a parent I have supported my child when they have felt anxious and I am sure you have had to support your child through their worry or anxiety as well. It can be so challenging to know what to do and if what you are doing is helping your child or making their anxiety worse.

One key insight from Dr. Eli Lebowitz is that our accommodations as parents can sometimes maintain anxiety rather than reduce it. Children are hardwired to detect threats, while parents are naturally motivated to protect their children. This dynamic can lead to a cycle of accommodation that reinforces anxiety.

The SPACE Program teaches parents how to become more supportive by first accepting their child's distress and expressing confidence in their child's ability to handle it. It also focuses on reducing accommodating behaviors driven by anxiety. Studies have shown that the SPACE Program can be as effective as working with a therapist.

If you are a parent or teacher concerned that you may be engaging in accommodating behaviors, I highly recommend Dr. Lebowitz's book, 'Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD: A Scientifically Proven Program for Parents.' It offers practical strategies for supporting children with anxiety and OCD.

If you would like to watch Dr. Eli Lebowitz's TED Talk, in which he helps us rethink anxiety treatment, click below. His book is also a great resource. I look forward to two full days of training with Dr. Lebowitz and am eager to share what I learn.

( I earn commissions from my sponsored links.)

I'm thrilled to introduce my latest course, the Self-Coaching Workshop, tailored to support both parents and daughters. If you've ever found yourself grappling with your daughter's intense emotions or struggling to navigate her responses to challenges, then my How To Coach Yourself Course is precisely what you need. Through this workshop, I offer invaluable insights and practical tools designed to empower both you and your daughter.

One of the key techniques I advocate is the STEAR Map, a powerful tool that I personally utilize with all my clients. It's proven highly effective in guiding individuals out of emotional overwhelm and towards constructive problem-solving. In the Self-Coaching Workshop, you and your daughter will learn how to leverage this tool effectively.

By enrolling in this course, you'll gain access to:

• The How To Coach Yourself video, where I walk you through the step-by-step process of utilizing the STEAR Map.
• A comprehensive Self-Coaching Workbook in PDF format, providing additional guidance and exercises to reinforce learning.
• Practical demonstrations illustrating how everyday challenges faced by girls can be effectively self-coached.

This workshop isn't just about helping your daughter – it's also an opportunity for you as a parent to enhance your own emotional regulation skills. By mastering these techniques, you'll be better equipped to support your daughter through her emotional journey.

Additionally, if your daughter is currently grappling with similar challenges, I invite her to join us as a guest in The Brave Girl Tribe. Our supportive community gathers every Sunday at 7 pm EST/6 pm CST/4 pm PST via Zoom. Whether you're interested in having your daughter participate or simply want to learn more about our group, feel free to reach out to me via email or schedule a complimentary chat. More details about The Brave Girl Tribe can be found on my website.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to empower both yourself and your daughter with invaluable self-coaching skills. Enroll in the Self-Coaching Workshop today and take the first step towards a more resilient and empowered family dynamic.

Warmly,

Laura Hayes
Founder of The Brave Girl Project
Life Coach for Tween & Teen Girls
www.TheBraveGirlProject.com
[email protected]
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