24 Resources for Children and Teens with Anxiety and Their Families
We all experience anxiety, but sometimes it can become overwhelming and begin to interfere with your child’s daily functioning and quality of life. For example. some anxiety is healthy and natural when we are taking tests as it can help enhance performance. However, when anxiety becomes overwhelming, it can disrupt performance for children. Sometimes when anxious, children may begin to avoid certain triggering situations and events, such as peers, teachers, or school itself. The avoidance then serves to maintain the anxiety and to worsen it over time. As a parent, how can you help your child break free of anxiety, out of their mind and into their life?
It can be difficult to find resources to help. Here, we list websites, books, organizations, apps, and videos for valuable information and support.
organizations providing information and resources on child anxiety
These organizations provide invaluable information on anxiety and how to cope with it. They also provide listings of resources you may find helpful.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America - Anxiety and Depression in Children
https://adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/children/anxiety-and-depression
National Institute of Mental Health
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml
Child Mind Institute
https://childmind.org/topics/concerns/anxiety/
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
websites providing helpful information, handouts, and resources on child anxiety
These websites provide helpful information, handouts, and resources on anxiety and learning to cope with it.
Youth Anxiety BC
Anxiety.org
https://www.anxiety.org/causes-and-symptoms-of-anxiety-in-children
Worry Wise Kids
Brave Online - Helping Young Kids Overcome Anxiety
Coping Cat Parents
https://www.copingcatparents.com/Child_Anxiety_Tales
Anxiety Canada
https://www.anxietycanada.com/
blogs and online communities on child anxiety
Websites and forums featuring individuals writing about their journeys toward overcoming anxiety.
Parenting Anxious Kids
https://blogs.psychcentral.com/anxious-kids/
Anxiety Free Child Blog
http://anxietyfreechild.com/blog/
Turn Around Anxiety Blog
https://www.turnaroundanxiety.com/blog/
mindfulness exercises for child anxiety
Mindfulness Exercises for Children and Teens
https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/mindfulness-for-children-kids-activities/
Cosmic Kids Mindfulness Meditation Videos
https://www.cosmickids.com/mindfulness-meditation-videos-kids/
Mindfulness for Kids YouTube Video Resources
https://www.theottoolbox.com/2018/01/mindfulness-for-kids-youtube-videos.html
anxiety apps
Headspace for kids
https://www.headspace.com/how-it-works
Breathe2Relax
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/breathe2relax/id425720246?mt=8
Calm
books for anxiety
These books are often recommended to patients by child psychologists who treat anxiety in children, and are written by clinical experts in the field.
What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Anxiety (What-to-do Guides for Kids)
Freeing Your Child from Anxiety
The Anxiety Workbook for Teens
What resources have you found useful in helping your child manage anxiety? If you have any other resources that might be helpful for others, let us know in the comments below!
Child Anxiety Treatment in mclean, falls church, arlington and vienna
Victoria Chialy Smith, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist providing individual therapy to children, teens, and adults with stress, anxiety, and depression. Our practice provides Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness based therapies, and other premier evidence-based treatments, and serves the Falls Church, McLean, Great Falls, Vienna, Arlington, Alexandria, and the greater Washington DC region. Call, email, or schedule an appointment with us online today. We’re happy to help!
1. What drew you to the field of psychological and neuropsychological assessment?
"I was diagnosed with ADHD later in life, while I was in graduate school, and that experience really shaped my passion for assessment. After my diagnosis, I was able to look back at pieces of my childhood that I had previously viewed through the lens of anxiety or “I just didn't try hard enough” and recognize that, in reality, my brain just worked differently.
That's one of the things I love most about testing. So often, people know that something feels different or that they're struggling, but they don't necessarily have the words to explain why. This can be especially true for high-achieving individuals. They may be doing well academically or professionally, while the difficulties show up elsewhere (relationships, work performance, anxiety, self-esteem, effort to mask, etc).
Receiving a diagnosis can be incredibly validating because it gives someone a framework for understanding their experiences. Instead of wondering, “Am I just not trying hard enough?” or “Is everyone else struggling this much too?”, they can recognize that their brain genuinely processes certain things differently. For many of my adult clients, an evaluation is the first time they feel truly understood.
That's also why I tell people that it's never too late to pursue testing. That feeling of validation and being understood is powerful and invaluable, no matter what age. And for providers, if you suspect that there may be something more going on for a client, referring them for an evaluation can be an incredibly helpful next step in their journey."