Child & Teen Anxiety Therapy in Calgary

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most research-backed treatments for anxiety in kids and teens. It helps reframe anxious thoughts and reduce avoidance. Other helpful therapies include exposure therapy, emotion-focused therapy, mindfulness-based CBT, and creative approaches like art and play therapy. The best approach depends on your child’s age, needs, and personality. 

Validate their feelings without reinforcing the fear (“I know this is hard, and I believe you can handle it”), create predictable routines, avoid over-reassurance, and model calm coping strategies yourself. Limit pressure and focus on progress, not perfection. Our Calgary therapists also work closely with parents to build confidence and connection at home.

Yes. Anxiety in neurodivergent children often shows up as meltdowns, rigid routines, aggression, or shutdowns—not always as verbalized worry. It can also stem from sensory sensitivities or social challenges. We offer neurodiversity-affirming anxiety therapy that tailors tools to your child’s learning style and emotional profile.

Some children and teens start to feel relief after a few sessions, while others need several months to build trust and integrate new skills. On average, 8–16 sessions can lead to significant improvement, but it depends on the severity of the anxiety and whether there are co-occurring challenges like ADHD or trauma. Our psychologists in Calgary provide ongoing progress check-ins and flexible pacing.

Anxiety can look different depending on age. In younger children, signs may include frequent stomachaches, clinginess, sleep issues, and avoidance of school or social situations. Teens might experience panic attacks, constant worrying, irritability, perfectionism, or withdrawing from friends and activities. If anxiety is interfering with daily life, it’s worth speaking to a Calgary child psychologist who specializes in anxiety therapy.

It’s normal for children to feel nervous sometimes. But if the anxiety is persistent, seems out of proportion, or is impacting your child’s sleep, school performance, social life, or mood, it may be more than typical worry. A registered child psychologist can help you assess whether your child could benefit from anxiety treatment or support.

Anxiety can stem from a mix of genetic, environmental, and developmental factors. Some children are naturally more sensitive or perfectionistic. Others develop anxiety due to stressful life events, school pressure, family conflict, or health concerns. Neurodiverse children (e.g., with ADHD or ASD) may also experience anxiety in unique ways. At Creative Sky Psychology, we consider the whole child when creating an anxiety therapy plan.

Anxiety therapy helps children name and understand their anxious thoughts, learn calming tools, and feel more in control of their reactions. We use play-based strategies with younger children and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure work, and mindfulness with older kids and teens. Therapy builds coping skills, self-trust, and emotional resilience over time.