Help for Your Anxious Child — Evidence-Based Therapy That Works
If your child struggles with excessive worry, fear, avoidance, or anxiety-driven behaviors, you are not alone — and there is effective help available. At CBTI of SoCal, we specialize in evidence-based CBT treatment for childhood anxiety that produces lasting results.
Signs Your Child May Have Anxiety
- Excessive worry about school, friendships, health, or safety
- Difficulty separating from parents (separation anxiety)
- Avoiding activities, social situations, or new experiences
- Frequent stomachaches, headaches, or other physical complaints
- Trouble sleeping or nightmares
- Meltdowns or tantrums when facing feared situations
- Seeking constant reassurance from parents
- Refusing to go to school
- Panic attacks — racing heart, difficulty breathing, feeling of dread
Types of Childhood Anxiety We Treat
- Separation Anxiety — Intense distress when away from parents or home
- Generalized Anxiety (GAD) — Chronic, excessive worry about many things
- Social Anxiety — Fear of social situations, embarrassment, or judgment
- Specific Phobias — Intense fear of specific things (dogs, storms, needles, etc.)
- Panic Disorder — Recurrent panic attacks
- OCD — Obsessions and compulsions that interfere with daily life
- School Refusal — Anxiety-driven avoidance of school
- Selective Mutism — Inability to speak in certain social situations despite speaking normally at home
Our Approach: Working with Children AND Parents
What sets CBTI of SoCal apart is our commitment to working with the whole family. While we provide direct therapy to children, we also work extensively with parents — because research shows that empowering parents is one of the most effective ways to help anxious children.
The SPACE Protocol — A Game-Changer for Anxious Kids
The SPACE protocol (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) is a groundbreaking, Yale-developed treatment that works entirely through parents. Rather than requiring your child to attend sessions, SPACE coaches parents on how to:
- Reduce accommodation of anxiety (the well-meaning behaviors that accidentally maintain anxiety)
- Respond supportively while encouraging bravery
- Help children develop their own coping skills and independence
Research from Yale has shown SPACE to be as effective as direct child CBT — making it an ideal option when children are resistant to therapy or too young for traditional talk therapy.
Your Child's Treatment Team
Dr. Paul DePompo, Psy.D., ABPP
Board-certified psychologist with specialized training from Yale and UC Davis. Expert in child anxiety, OCD, tics, and the SPACE protocol.
Cassandra Moore, LMFT
Over a decade of experience with childhood anxiety. Certified in PCIT, PC-CARE, and CBIT. Uses creative, play-based interventions.
Telehealth for Families Across California
We offer secure telehealth sessions throughout all of California. Parent coaching sessions through the SPACE protocol are particularly well-suited to telehealth — so families anywhere in the state can access our specialized care.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my child needs therapy for anxiety?
If your child's worry or fear is interfering with daily life — school attendance, friendships, family activities, or sleep — it is worth seeking an evaluation. Early intervention produces the best outcomes.
What age children do you treat?
We work with children from preschool age through adolescence. Our PCIT program is designed for younger children (ages 2-7), while CBT and SPACE work well for school-age children and teens.
Do you work with the school?
When appropriate and with your permission, we can coordinate with your child's school to ensure consistent support across settings.
What if my child refuses to go to therapy?
This is exactly what the SPACE protocol was designed for. We can work directly with you as the parent to help your child — even without your child attending sessions.
Get Help for Your Anxious Child Today
Call 800-317-8010 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.