Support for Parents. Relief for Families.
When a child or teen is struggling with anxiety, it can leave parents feeling stuck, helpless, or unsure what to do next. You may find yourself doing everything possible to help your child feel calm—yet still feel like anxiety is running the show.
SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) is a research-based program that helps parents make meaningful changes to support their child’s growth and reduce anxiety at home.
In SPACE, the focus is on parents—not on children attending sessions. Together, you and your therapist will work on shifting how you respond to your child’s anxiety so that your child or teen can develop confidence, flexibility, and independence.
What Happens in SPACE
SPACE is a structured, collaborative process designed to help you:
Understand how anxiety shows up in your family’s daily life
Identify and reduce accommodations—the things parents do to help a child avoid distress that can unintentionally keep anxiety going
Learn supportive ways to respond to your child’s worry
Build a plan for gradual, sustainable change that fits your family’s unique rhythms
Your therapist will guide you step-by-step, offering compassion and practical tools to support both you and your child through the process.
General or excessive worry
Social or separation anxiety
Panic symptoms
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
School avoidance or refusal
Sleep-related anxiety
Because SPACE works through parents, children do not need to attend sessions for it to be effective. Many families notice meaningful improvements in anxiety and family dynamics within a few months.
Combining SPACE and Family Therapy
At Sentier, SPACE can be offered on its own or alongside family therapy.
Some families begin with SPACE and later add family sessions to strengthen communication and connection; others use both approaches together from the start. Your therapist will collaborate with you to determine what combination best supports your family’s goals.
Getting Started with SPACE at Sentier
Parenting a child who struggles with anxiety is hard—and you don’t have to do it alone.
Sarah Souder Johnson is trained in SPACE and is ready to help you build skills, confidence, and connection at home.
