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Anxiety & Stress Therapy for Children and Teens

Help for the worry, school stress, and overwhelm that keep kids from feeling like themselves, using proven tools to calm the body and quiet anxious thoughts.

Schedule a free 15-minute consultation Call (707) 888-1035
Anxiety therapy for children and teens in Santa Rosa

Anxiety is one of the most common reasons families seek therapy, and it is highly treatable. In my Santa Rosa office I help children and teens understand their worry, calm their nervous systems, and build practical coping skills using cognitive behavioral therapy and body-based somatic techniques.

How anxiety shows up in kids

Childhood anxiety does not always look like worry. It can appear as stomachaches and headaches, trouble sleeping, irritability or meltdowns, clinginess, avoidance of school or activities, perfectionism, or constant reassurance-seeking. In teens it often shows up as stress, overwhelm, procrastination, or pulling away. Left unaddressed, anxiety can quietly shrink a child's world.

How I treat anxiety

  • CBT to identify anxious thoughts and replace them with realistic, helpful ones, plus gradual practice facing fears.
  • Somatic techniques to calm the physical side of anxiety, the racing heart, tense stomach, and shallow breathing.
  • Coping toolkits children can use at school, at home, and in the moment.

Anxiety support by age

Relief is possible

With the right tools, children and teens can move from feeling controlled by anxiety to feeling capable of managing it. A free 15-minute consultation is a calm first step.

Frequently asked questions

Can you help with school-related stress or bullying?

Yes. I specialize in school-based concerns and collaborate with school teams, helping families navigate local schools from preschool through high school for placement and educational planning.

Can a 4-year-old have severe anxiety?

Yes. In young children, anxiety rarely shows up as spoken worry. It usually appears physically as stomachaches, headaches, sleep refusal, aggressive outbursts, or sensory overload. Early childhood therapy focuses on body-based regulation and co-regulation with parents rather than traditional talk therapy.

What is the most effective therapy for a child with anxiety?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is widely considered the gold standard for child and adolescent anxiety. By helping children see how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors connect, CBT gives them practical, evidence-based tools to replace unhelpful thought patterns with healthier coping skills.

How does somatic therapy help a child regulate emotions?

Somatic therapy connects physical body signals to the emotions underneath them. Children learn to notice physiological stress and self-soothe, which makes it especially effective for chronic anxiety, sensory overload, trauma responses, and meltdowns where talk therapy alone falls short.

Let's see if we're the right fit

Finding the right support for your child can feel overwhelming. A free 15-minute consultation is a low-pressure way to ask questions and decide your next step.

Schedule a free 15-minute consultation Call (707) 888-1035