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Allison Mcnaught BSc(hons)
SCPHN RGN PGDip
(CYP IAPT CBT)
07904 466141
Allison McNaught BABCP
SCPH RGN PGDip

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Navigating Anxiety with your Child

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

As a parent, watching your child struggle with anxiety can feel overwhelming and leave you uncertain about how best to support them. While anxiety is common among children, navigating it can be challenging, especially when they’re unsure how to express their worries. But taking any step, no matter how small, can make a difference. Starting with a compassionate approach and understanding their fears can be instrumental in helping your child feel more secure and supported.

Take Action – Any Step Is Better Than None

When it comes to addressing anxiety, doing something is always better than doing nothing. One of the first things to do is to try and understand the root of your child’s worries. Often, we may assume we know what’s causing their anxiety, or we may project our own worries onto them. Instead, approach the conversation with curiosity, making an effort to truly listen and understand.

Breaking Down Their Worries

If your child expresses a general worry, such as “I’m worried about school,” it can be helpful to break down that concern into more manageable parts. Broad worries often hide specific issues that may feel overwhelming to your child. Try asking questions that address different aspects of their school experience. Here are a few examples:

  • “Do you feel worried about getting to school?”
  • “Are there any concerns about your lessons?”
  • “How do you feel about break time or lunch time?”
  • “Is there anything about your friends that worries you?”

Encouraging them to think through specific situations can help them pinpoint the exact cause of their anxiety. This way, both of you can tackle each worry individually, making them feel more manageable.

Writing It Down

Once your child starts identifying their specific worries, jot them down. Having a visual list can be empowering for both of you. It gives you a clear starting point and allows your child to see their worries in an organized way. This approach can also help them feel that they’re not facing their fears alone and that you’re there to guide them through.


What to Expect in Your First CBT Therapy Session

Cognitive Behavioral TherapyAfter many years of working with children and young people most ask and wonder what therapy might look like and what happens in the 1st session and beyond.

When starting CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), the first session is important for getting to know each other.

Typically, I spend time with the young person first, and then with their parent or carer. This helps me understand the issues and goals better.

Here are some of the questions I might ask during our first meeting:

  • What are the main difficulties or problems you’re facing?
  • How long have these issues been happening?
  • Can you tell me about your family relationships?
  • How is school going for you?
  • Do you have close friends?
  • How well are you sleeping?
  • How is your mood most of the time?
  • Have you ever felt like hurting yourself?
  • What goals would you like to achieve?

Sometimes, there will be questionnaires to fill out to help us understand things better.

Continuing Your CBT Journey with Follow up Sessions

After the first session, our follow-up sessions are all about making progress and checking in. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Check-In: We’ll start by talking about how things have been since our last meeting.
  • Planning: Together, we’ll decide what we want to focus on in the current session.
  • Review: We’ll go over any tasks or activities that were given between sessions.
  • Techniques and strategies: These will be what you use to help overcome and improve your emotional mental health.
  • Tasks: This might be given to you to practice in-between session to embed the work we are doing

Each session is a step towards understanding and overcoming challenges, and I’m here to support you throughout the process.