SPACE Therapy for Childhood Anxiety
on the Upper West Side

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When a child is anxious, it can feel easier for families to work around it offering extra reassurance at bedtime, changing plans to avoid meltdowns,and generally trying to avoid triggers. It’s natural to want to prevent meltdowns or soothe your child, but over time,helping them avoid their anxiety only makes it stronger.  

SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) is a research-supported, parent-based treatment for childhood anxiety and OCD. Parents learn how to respond supportively when their child is anxious without reinforcing avoidance, allowing their child to practices coping skills, and build confidence.

Sessions are in person on the Upper West Side (near Central Park) or online anywhere in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut.

For a more comprehensive view of our child and teen services, see Child Psychologist.

Mother gently kisses smiling daughter during warm embrace.

When SPACE Can Help

SPACE is a strong fit when everyday life is being impacted shaped by your child’s anxiety-driven behaviors.

Common examples include:

  • Difficulty doing tasks independently (e.g., saying “I can’t do this without you)
  •  Difficulty with morning routines or getting your child to school 
  • Bed time battles and separation anxiety 
  • Constant reassurance loops (e.g., e. asking to make sure they are okay). 
  • Rituals around worries or OCD (e.g., checking, counting, or repeating behaviors)
  • Avoidance of classes, activities or play dates

If you’re seeing these cycles despite time and reassurance, parent-based work like SPACE can help shift the system.

How SPACE Works (Parent-Based, Child-Centered)

SPACE puts parents in the driver’s seat—kindly. Together, we help learn to respond more supportively to their anxious child while gradually reducing accommodations that are unintentionally maintaining the anxiety.  Parents also learn skills to tolerate their child’s anxiety-driven reactions without giving in. 

You’ll communicate with both care (“I know this is hard”) and confidence (“I also know you can handle this”) while setting predictable limits around participation in rituals and avoidance. For example, a parent reducing bedtime accommodations might stay in their child’s room for a set time, gradually shortening it so the child can learn to fall asleep independently.We build a stepwise plan so your child can safely practices tolerating discomfort at a pace that respects your family.

Therapist and teen smiling during counseling session discussion.

Skills Parents Learn

You’ll leave sessions with language and moves you can use the same day.

  • Supportive statements that validate feelings and show confidence in your child’s ability to copeexpect coping.
  • Planned responses that replace reassurance or participation in rituals.

Coaching your child calmlycalm through routines, brief exposures, and gradual independence.

Measuring Progress (So Gains Are Visible)

Throughout treatment, we track reductions in accommodations, avoidance, and reassurance requests—and how quickly your child recovers after spikes in anxiety.

We also monitorwatch participation in school and activities. Each week, we adjust our steps to maintain momentum and fit your family’s schedule so you can see progress without guessing.

Our Training & Supervision

SPACE at Gordon Therapy Group is delivered by licensed psychologists experienced in pediatric CBT/ERP and parent-based care. Treatment is individually supervised by Tamar Gordon, PhD (20+ years in CBT) so you always know your child is getting expert attention.

In addition, Dr. Gordon was specifically trained in SPACE by the author of the treatment, Dr. Eli Leibowitz.

In-Person on the UWS & Secure Telehealth (NY)

Parent sessions take place in a quiet office near Central Park, conveniently located near the 1, 2, 3, and B/C lines, or can be conducted by HIPAA-secure video from anywhere in New York. Many families opt for a hybrid schedule to maintain steady sessions around work, school, and childcare.

Schedule an Appointment

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I need therapy or a higher level of care?

SPACE is parent-based. Sessions are with caregivers only, so you can practice language and responses without putting your child on the spot.

Traditional therapy teaches coping skills directly to the child. SPACE changes the environment around the child—reducing parental accommodations and increasing supportive expectations—so children can manage anxiety and  practice coping at home and at school. Many families use SPACE alone; others combine it with child CBT/ERP.

Many families notice early shifts once accommodations are identified and replaced—often within a few weeks. A focused course commonly runs 6–12 sessions, adjusted to your child’s needs and your family’s pace.

Yes. SPACE pairs well with child-focused CBT/ERP. We’ll help you decide whether to start with SPACE, child therapy, or both, based on your child’s age, readiness, and patterns.

With your consent, abolutely. We can share key language, outline classroom accommodations that align with the plan, and stay in touch with medical providers as needed.

Start With One Conversation

We’ll map current accommodations and set a few supportive steps you can use this week—on the Upper West Side or via secure video. Call (917) 972-5671 or request an appointment.

Location

241 Central Park W # 1D, New York, NY 10024

Phone: (917) 972-5671

Email: info@gordontherapygroup.com

Hours of Operation

Monday – Friday: 9 AM – 6 PM
Saturday – Sunday: Closed