SPACE Therapy: A Parent-Focused Approach for Childhood Anxiety
At Gordon Therapy Group, we are specialists in SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) therapy. Let us empower you to help your children.
What is SPACE Therapy?
SPACE therapy, or Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions, is an evidence-based treatment program developed at the Yale Child Study Center by Dr. Eli Leibowitz and colleagues. It empowers parents to address anxiety disorders in children and teens by adapting their own behaviors to support their child in managing fear and anxiety.
Unlike traditional therapies, SPACE doesn’t involve working directly with the child. Instead, it targets parental responses to anxiety-related challenges. This approach, founded on randomized controlled clinical trials, shows that parents can play a crucial role in supporting long-term independence for their children.
Benefits of SPACE Therapy
The SPACE therapy approach offers key benefits:
- Reduce accommodations: Parents learn to limit responses that may inadvertently reinforce their child’s anxiety symptoms.
- Foster emotional independence: Through SPACE, children gradually overcome anxiety by developing self-reliance, a skill essential for tackling various common mental health concerns.
- Enhanced parent-child bond: The program encourages a supportive environment where children feel validated and understood.
Six-Week SPACE Therapy Group Program
Gordon Therapy Group offers a six-week SPACE treatment program for parents of children dealing with anxiety, OCD, and related disorders. Conducted in a virtual group setting, this program provides a safe space for parents to learn supportive strategies alongside others experiencing similar challenges.
Program Details:
- Duration: Six weeks, with virtual sessions on either Tuesdays or Thursdays.
- Timing: noon.
- Cost: $125 per group session or $750 in total.
During these sessions, parents will:
- Learn supportive responses to their child’s anxiety.
- Discover ways to gradually reduce family accommodations that may contribute to their child’s anxious behaviors.
- Gain skills for managing moments when their child feels dysregulated, helping to address phobias, panic disorder, and other symptoms of anxiety disorders.
How Does SPACE Therapy Work?
SPACE therapy guides parents to change their responses to their child’s anxiety. By adjusting behaviors, parents can help their children experience less anxiety and OCD symptoms over time. Therapists in the program coach parents to make gradual adjustments, fostering resilience in their child without direct intervention. This supportive approach has proven effective in treatment sessions and helps reduce related problems associated with untreated anxiety in children and adolescents.
Get Started with SPACE Therapy at Gordon Therapy Group
Ready to make a change? Enroll in SPACE therapy at Gordon Therapy Group. Whether you’re interested in one-on-one sessions or the six-week group program, our therapists guide you through every step.
Contact us to sign up and begin your journey towards a healthier, supportive family environment.
FAQs About SPACE Therapy
How does SPACE therapy differ from traditional child therapy?
SPACE focuses on parent behavior rather than involving the child in therapy sessions. This parent-based approach empowers caregivers to make meaningful changes at home.
What can I expect from the six-week group program?
Parents engage in structured SPACE treatment sessions, learning strategies to reduce accommodations and support their child’s journey to overcome anxiety.
How long does it take to see results from SPACE therapy?
Every child is different, but many families notice positive shifts in anxiety symptoms after a few weeks of committed participation.
Is SPACE therapy effective for all types of anxiety?
SPACE has been beneficial in treating childhood anxiety, OCD, and related disorders. However, effectiveness can vary based on individual needs and participation.