Services · Counseling for kids
Understanding anxiety in children
Anxiety is a natural response to stress, but for some children it becomes overwhelming and gets in the way of daily life. Recognizing the signs, and knowing how to help, matters.
Childhood anxiety shows up as physical, behavioral, emotional and cognitive signs; Touchstone in Vernon Hills, IL treats it with child therapy, parent coaching and the SPACE program.
Who it’s for
Children and their parents
Approaches
Individual, parent, family
Program
SPACE, developed at Yale
First step
A short intake call
Symptoms
How anxiety shows up in children
Anxiety in children looks different depending on age and developmental stage. It can be physical, behavioral, emotional or cognitive, and often more than one at once.
Common signs
What parents notice
- Physical: stomachaches, headaches, racing heart or fatigue
- Behavioral: avoiding activities, clinging to caregivers, frequent tantrums
- Emotional: persistent worry, fear of failure, restlessness
- Cognitive: trouble concentrating, negative self-talk, overthinking
The impact
Where anxiety gets in the way
Socially
- Difficulty making or keeping friends
- Avoiding social activities or gatherings
- Fear of being judged or misunderstood by peers
At school
- Struggling to focus or finish assignments
- Avoiding class discussions
- Test anxiety or fear of making mistakes
At home
- Trouble sleeping or frequent nightmares
- Irritability or emotional outbursts
- Constant reassurance-seeking
Know the difference
Stress, anxiety and panic attacks
Stress
A response to a specific external pressure, like a test or performance. Usually temporary and resolves once the pressure passes.
Anxiety
A more pervasive, persistent worry or fear that may have no identifiable cause, and can interfere with daily functioning.
Panic attacks
Intense episodes of fear with physical symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath or dizziness, often sudden and overwhelming.
For parents
Supporting children through the SPACE program
Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE), developed by the Yale Child Study Center, is a research-based approach that works through parents rather than directly with the child.
Parents learn to reduce accommodation, the behaviors that inadvertently reinforce anxiety, such as avoiding triggers or giving excessive reassurance, and to build supportive responses that foster resilience and independence. With structured guidance, children learn to face their fears and gradually build coping skills.
How Touchstone can help
Support for children and their families
Individual therapy for children
Tailored interventions to help children manage anxiety and build self-confidence.
Parent coaching
Guidance on SPACE principles and a supportive home environment.
Family therapy
Addressing the dynamics that contribute to, or are affected by, a child’s anxiety.
Your care team
Meet our child and adolescent therapists
Get started
Ready to get started?
Touchstone Therapy Center is here to help. Fill out this form to schedule an appointment, or call (847) 996-6666 and our care coordinator will call you back.
Call (847) 996-6666
Hours Mon–Thu 8:30–7 · Fri 8:30–5 · Sat 9–1
Request a call back
"*" indicates required fields