Child Anxiety Therapist
Brooklyn, New York

Is your child struggling with anxiety? At Interborough, we understand how overwhelming it can be for both you and your child. Our team of specialized child anxiety therapists is here to provide compassionate, effective care. We focus on creating a safe and nurturing environment where your child can explore and understand their feelings.

Our evidence-based therapy techniques are tailored to each child, ensuring a personalized approach that addresses their unique needs. We believe in empowering children and their families with the tools and support necessary to navigate anxiety and embrace a more peaceful, fulfilling life. Let us join you on this journey towards your child’s well-being.

TL;DR

Interborough in Brooklyn offers specialized child anxiety therapy through a safe, nurturing environment and evidence-based treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and, when needed, medication such as SSRIs. Their clinicians provide comprehensive, child-friendly evaluations to diagnose and treat anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and social anxiety. Symptoms can affect school, relationships, and health, but tailored therapy helps children identify triggers, manage distorted thoughts, and develop coping strategies. IDCC also provides programs for school refusal and broader child mental health support, empowering children to achieve both academic and emotional success.

Anxiety in children

Anxiety among children and adolescents is a perfectly normal part of development. Some children, however, experience an overwhelming sense of Anxiety and dread. Some experience symptoms of panic attacks and others can become so preoccupied with their triggers and symptoms that they negatively impact the child’s life in school, family relationships, peer relationships, and even their physical health.

Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder may include:

There are two sub-categories of Anxiety, Panic Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder. Symptoms for these categories include:

Panic Disorder symptoms:

Social Anxiety Disorder:

Staying away from other people
Difficulty making friends and keeping friends
Blushing, sweating, or shaking around other people
Fear of social situations
Anxiety about public speaking
Fear of engaging in an activity where the child feels embarrassed, judged, rejected, or fearful
Feeling highly anxious with other people
Difficulty talking to others
Symptoms can lead to school refusal and diminished social functioning
Being self-conscious in front of other people and worried about feeling humiliated, embarrassed, or rejected, or fearful of offending others
Worrying for days or weeks before a social event
Feeling nauseous or sick when other people are around

A thorough mental health evaluation is helpful as Anxiety disorders often coexist with other related conditions, such as Depression or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

WHY IDCC?

IDCC is staffed with mental health professionals who specialize in children’s Anxiety disorders, which allows for an integrated medical and psychological understanding of the child’s symptoms. To provide a diagnosis, a clinician will facilitate a comprehensive assessment for children and teenagers with heightened anxiety, fears, nervousness and worry.

The diagnostic process is designed to be child-friendly, so each child feels safe and comfortable. A diagnosis will be provided, and treatment recommendations will follow in a time-efficient manner.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been shown to be an effective treatment option for adolescent Anxiety disorders. Children and adolescents with Anxiety struggle with cognitive distortions that increase their anxious feelings. Helping children learn to identify their triggers, understand how Anxiety affects their behaviors, and how to replace their distorted thoughts using cognitive reframing is all part of the process that teaches children to manage their symptoms.

There are instances where Antidepressant medication, such as SSRIs, are used to treat a child’s Anxiety. Many times, these medications are prescribed for children with Depression and Anxiety because they are non-addictive and have relatively few side effects. Treating Anxiety disorders takes time and the right combination of tools. Parents often find that improvement ebbs and flows throughout the course of treatment. This is to be expected as children and adolescents learn to understand their Anxiety, identify their triggers, and find adaptive coping strategies that work for them.

Key Takeaways

Child Anxiety Overview
- Anxiety is normal in development, but excessive worry and fear can disrupt daily life, relationships, and physical health.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder symptoms include constant worry, restlessness, irritability, fatigue, muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, and sleep problems.
- Subtypes include:
  - Panic Disorder: panic attacks, shortness of breath, palpitations, fear of losing control, and avoidance behaviors.
  - Social Anxiety Disorder: fear of social situations, difficulty making/keeping friends, school refusal, physical symptoms (sweating, nausea), and avoidance of public activities.
Associated Risks
- Anxiety disorders often coexist with depression or OCD.
- Without treatment, symptoms can lead to school refusal, diminished social functioning, and strained family/peer relationships.
Evaluation and Diagnosis
- IDCC provides comprehensive, child-friendly assessments by specialists in child anxiety disorders.
- Diagnosis is followed by tailored treatment recommendations.
Treatment Options
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): helps children identify triggers, understand behaviors, and reframe anxious thoughts into healthier patterns.
- Medication (SSRIs): sometimes used, especially when anxiety coexists with depression; generally non-addictive with few side effects.
- Progress is gradual, with expected fluctuations as children learn coping strategies.
Supportive Programs
- School Refusal Treatment Program to address anxiety-related avoidance of school.
- Comprehensive child mental health services supporting academic and emotional success.
Overall Goal
- Empower children and families with tools to manage anxiety, build resilience, and achieve emotional well-being in a safe, nurturing environment.

Empowering Children for Academic and Emotional Success

In addition to our Child Anxiety Treatment, we offer a targeted School Refusal Treatment Program and Comprehensive Child Mental Health Services. Let us support your child in overcoming school refusal and achieving emotional well-being.