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Anxiety

Helping children and teens understand worry, build courage, and develop the tools to face what feels scary.

Children · Teens · In-person & Virtual
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When Worry Gets in the Way

Anxiety is one of the most common challenges children and teens face. It can show up as persistent worry, avoidance of situations, physical symptoms like stomachaches or headaches, difficulty sleeping, meltdowns, or an intense need for reassurance.

When anxiety is getting in the way of a child or teen's daily life: school, friendships, family relationships, activities they used to enjoy: it is a sign that they could benefit from extra support.

Therapy at Little Waves helps children and teens understand what anxiety is and why it shows up, develop practical tools for managing worry and fear, and gradually build the courage to face situations that feel difficult. The goal is not to eliminate anxiety entirely: some anxiety is healthy and normal but to help young people respond to it in ways that don't hold them back.

What We Work On
  • Understanding what anxiety is and how it affects them
  • Recognizing anxious thoughts and challenging them
  • Building a toolkit of calming and grounding strategies
  • Gradually approaching feared or avoided situations
  • Managing social anxiety and worry about what others think
  • Separation anxiety and school avoidance
  • Panic, perfectionism, and reassurance-seeking
  • Helping parents respond in ways that reduce rather than reinforce anxiety

Anxiety responds well to the right support. Many children and teens who come in feeling overwhelmed by worry go on to handle challenging situations with much greater confidence and ease.

◈ How We Help

Approaches Used

1

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

One of the most well-researched approaches for anxiety. CBT helps children and teens identify anxious thinking patterns and learn to challenge them, while gradually approaching feared situations rather than avoiding them.

2

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Helps young people build a different relationship with anxiety: learning to make room for uncomfortable feelings rather than fighting them, and taking steps toward what matters even when worry shows up.

3

Mindfulness-Based Practice

Building present-moment awareness and grounding skills so children and teens can notice anxiety without being overwhelmed by it.

4

Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP principles)

Gently and gradually helping children and teens approach what they fear, building tolerance and confidence over time: at a pace that feels manageable.

Ready to help your child manage anxiety?

Every journey starts with a first step. Reach out and we'll find the right path forward for your child or teen, together.

66 Centre St, Thornhill, ON · In-person & virtual sessions available