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.
SPACE is a structured, collaborative process designed to help you:
Your therapist will guide you step-by-step, offering compassion and practical tools to support both you and your child through the process.
SPACE can be helpful for parents of children or teens experiencing:
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.
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.
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. If it is determined that SPACE does not make sense for your family, Sentier Psychotherapy may be able to offer you other services or resources to steer you in the right direction.
