ANXIETY IN CHILDREN

Are you worried about a child in your family?

Typical behaviours which could indicate anxiety include:

• Difficulty separating from caregivers at pre-school/day care/school and showing distress and clingy behaviour
• Getting excited about a friend’s birthday party and then not wanting to go on the day
  
• Difficulty interacting with other people including similar age peers but also other adults they see regularly (eg Grandparents)
• Seeking excessive reassurance and asking lots of questions when there are even minor changes in routine, difficulty with moving from one activity to another
• Not being able to sleep, taking an excessive amount of time to get to sleep
• Complaining of feeling sick, having a sore ‘tummy’
• Getting worried if a parent goes to another room/back yard  in the house even for a short time
• Not wanting to stay by themselves in a room at home even when a parent is in a nearby room
• Not being able to go to the local park/walk down the street because of fear there could be a dog/birds etc there

There could be many reasons for the above behaviours. Lesley would conduct a detailed assessment to determine the function and specific nature of the issues noted with the child.

Having worked in a specialist Child and Adolescent Anxiety Clinic for over a decade Lesley will provide feedback and effective treatment options with a solid evidence base behind them.

Treatment will involve practical strategies based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Treatment will not just involve talking it will involve learning and practising skills in session and at home.

For an idea of what treatment might involve Lesley often uses the Cool Kids Anxiety Management Program developed at Macquarie University. 

Contact Lesley for an assessment or further information.