Anxiety Therapy

We are The Woodlands premier child & teen anxiety therapists.

How Do Children & Teens Experience Anxiety?

Anxiety in children and teens often manifests differently than in adults, shaped by their developmental stage and ability to communicate their feelings. While they may struggle to articulate their anxiety, it can surface through a variety of signs such as physical discomfort, changes in behavior, and avoidance of certain situations. Younger children might display increased irritability or physical symptoms like stomachaches, whereas teenagers often show more noticeable changes in mood, social behavior, and interests. Recognizing these signs is crucial, as children and teens may not always understand or express their anxiety directly.

Anxiety in Children

Children often have no words for anxiety and no understanding of the experience. It’s heartbreaking and frustrating to watch your child go through tantrums, meltdowns, withdrawal, crying, and fear with no clear idea what’s triggering it.

Or maybe the trigger is clear (like separation anxiety), but you have no idea why it’s so intense for your child. Then your mind wanders…is there more going on here? Should I be more worried? Is there something he/she isn’t telling me?

Your child’s anxiety might come from something you can clearly pinpoint, such as a divorce, a move, an accident, or a scary experience.

Many kids, though, are just born with more sensitive nervous systems and the effects are noticeable even in infancy. They haven’t yet developed the skills to calm themselves effectively (heck, this can even be hard for many adults!).

Childhood Anxiety Symptoms

  • Tantrums
  • Meltdowns
  • Worry
  • Phobias
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Headaches, stomachaches, tension
  • Irritability
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Crying
  • Clinginess
  • Separation anxiety
  • Social aversion
  • School aversion

Teen Anxiety Symptoms

  • Worry
  • Phobias
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Headaches, stomachaches, tension
  • Irritability
  • Fatigue
  • Panic attacks
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Social aversion
  • School aversion
  • Withdrawal from preferred activities
  • Eating changes
  • Isolation from friends

Anxiety in Teens

Teens face pressures you and I never even dreamed about. The school bullies and mean girls follow them home on social media. They hold themselves to impossible, airbrushed standards of beauty and accomplishment, and they’re bombarded by a harsh and judgmental culture 24/7.

Despite the fact that your teen seems extremely grown up and mature, their brains are still developing throughout these years, and the onslaught of new info and experiences can simply be too much for many to handle without support.

Teen anxiety takes many forms, but withdrawal from friends and irritability are two of the most common. It’s incredibly sad and stressful to watch your child go through such a hard time. Getting help for your teen—and yourself!—makes a world of difference.

How We Help Children & Teens with Anxiety

We know the toll that anxiety can take on a family, and we are here for all of you! We’ll help your child learn to self-regulate and better handle the strong fears and feelings when they rise up.

We’ll teach them self-soothing, normalize their experiences, and let them have FUN again. We’ll help your child have the joyful and carefree youth you dream of for them!

We’ll also support you! We want to hear all about your experiences parenting an anxious child. We know parents can feel helpless and overwhelmed with the stress of raising highly anxious children and teens.

We’ll help you realize that it’s not your fault, and teach you the exact ways to support your child as they change and grow through this stage. We’ll help bring equilibrium and lightness back to your home and your family relationships again.

Parents tell us they feel tremendous relief, even just from the moment they pick up the phone to call. Knowing you’re not alone, someone gets it, and it’s not your fault make all the difference in the world.

A young boy receiving anxiety therapy while laying on the grass.

Therapists Who Offer Therapy for Anxiety

  • Portrait of a smiling person with red hair wearing a blue blazer and black top, standing against a brick wall. They are wearing a necklace with a blue pendant, representing warmth and approachability associated with Houston Child & Family Support & Therapy at Connections FC.

    Lauren Pasqua, PsyD, PMH-C

  • Meredith Wiese, a woman in a blue shirt, is leaning against a bush.

    Meredith Wiese, Ph.D, LSSP

  • Smiling person in a blue sweater standing outdoors in a forest setting, representing DBT adolescent and family therapy in Houston.

    Katie Rial, PhD

  • Smiling woman in a blue sweater with long wavy hair standing outdoors with a blurred background. Image related to DBT Adolescent & Family Therapy in Houston - Teen Counseling.

    Elisa Squier, LMFT

  • Hannah McDonald, a therapist with Connections Child & Family Center has blonde hair and is smiling, standing in a bright turquoise shirt standing outside.

    Hannah McDonald, LMFT

  • A man in a blue shirt smiling in a park with staff and clinical team.

    Jerome Javellana, LPC

  • A young woman in a green v-neck top posing for a photo as part of the staff and clinical team.

    Shauna Miller, LPC

Would You Like To Learn More About Anxiety Therapy for Children & Teens?

Explore how Anxiety therapy in North Houston can help your Child or Teen today.

If you are interested in Anxiety Therapy for children & teens, we encourage you to reach out to our team of trained therapists today.