“Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions,” or SPACE, is a virtual group for parents of children with anxiety
“SPACE” Group for Parents
Overcoming Childhood Anxiety and OCD.
Help your child break free from anxiety or OCD in six weeks with Dr. Dina Siegel.
Our next group is currently forming, please contact our office to reserve your spot!
FAQ’s
Who is a good fit for SPACE?
SPACE is a treatment approach that works well for youth with anxiety or OCD symptoms that are getting in the way of day to day activities and/or causing stress in the child and family’s life. In this approach, primary caregivers participate in the sessions without their child. Caregivers must be able to commit the time to attending sessions and making changes throughout the week with the support of a therapist.
How will my child get better without therapy?
Decades of research and experience with families has shown that parents of children with anxiety or OCD try their best to help their children feel better. Many of these attempts involve reassuring the child or helping them avoid situations that trigger anxiety. These actions are called accommodation behaviors. Parents often end up in a cycle of trying to help their child, but using more accommodations over time (e.g. answering numerous questions, picking up kids early from school, preparing specific foods, staying home from social events). Research on SPACE indicates that the approach leads to a significant reduction in child anxiety. As a caregiver, reducing your accommodation behaviors can empower your child to cope. SPACE teaches parents this counterintuitive approach to helping a child with anxiety or OCD.
Is a therapist available if my child wants to talk to someone?
Yes! At any point while you are participating in a SPACE group, you can request an individual session for your child. If your child is not already in therapy, these sessions will focus on learning about anxiety and the cognitive behavioral model. Some families have found that their child no longer needs individual therapy after participating in a SPACE group..
What can I expect from SPACE group?
SPACE groups at SAS are skills-based and facilitated by a licensed psychologist. Each week will focus on a new topic from the SPACE approach. By the end of the group, you will have a tailored plan to help your child cope with at least one anxiety provoking situation (e.g. changes to bedtime routine, worry about germs). Groups are limited to five clients. The small group environment creates a supportive space to brainstorm together and hear from parents with similar experiences.
What is the commitment?
SPACE at SASNJ is a virtual, 6-week group and is open to individuals located in New Jersey or New York. Each session is an hour and a half with a ten minute break. Multiple caregivers are encouraged to attend though at least one caregiver must be available for all six sessions. Opportunities to make up sessions will be considered on a case by case basis. Following each session, parents will be assigned a task to complete for the upcoming week.
