In collaboration with the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), here is a valuable presentation by Kimberly Morrow and Elizabeth DuPont-Spencer. As parents and caregivers, helping a child navigate anxiety can feel overwhelming. This presentation offers clear, practical approaches based on years of clinical experience and evidence-based techniques.
What You’ll Learn:
- Understanding the signs of anxiety in children at different developmental stages
- Practical strategies to help your child build confidence and resilience
- How to respond effectively to anxiety-driven behaviors
- When and how to seek additional support
Download The Complete Presentation Here
Watch the full video to learn practical tools for helping your child overcome anxiety. Want to learn how to support your clients? Learn more about CBT for Anxiety and OCD here.
Video Takeaways & Timestamps
0:00 – Introduction & Personal Context
Meet Kimberly Morrow, an experienced clinician who shares their personal parenting experiences with anxiety.
2:30 – The Rising Anxiety Epidemic
Discussion of the increasing rates of anxiety in children and examples of how it manifests in real cases.
4:15 – Changing Beliefs About Children’s Capabilities
Examining three myths that limit children: fragility, emotional reasoning, and us-versus-them mentality.
6:45 – Understanding Anxiety’s Purpose
Explanation of how anxiety is a normal, helpful emotion that only becomes problematic when it leads to avoidance.
8:10 – Brain Biology Behind Anxiety
Overview of how the amygdala and prefrontal cortex interact during anxiety responses and why physical symptoms occur.
10:30 – Distinguishing Between Discomfort and Danger
Teaching children to recognize the difference between scary discomfort versus actual danger.
12:45 – Why Comfort Strategies Often Fail
Explanation of why common anxiety reduction techniques may not work during acute anxiety and can reinforce avoidance.
14:30 – The Power of Brave Statements
How to help children develop self-talk that acknowledges difficulty while reinforcing capability.
16:15 – Breaking the Accommodation Cycle
Illustration of how well-intentioned parental help can create dependency and maintain anxiety symptoms.
18:30 – Redirecting Attention to What Matters
Using the band-aid metaphor to help children acknowledge discomfort while continuing with valued activities.
20:15 – The One Statement That Makes a Difference
Learning to validate feelings while expressing confidence in the child’s ability to handle challenges.
22:00 – The Impact of Parental Confidence
Story of how parents’ own fear of a child’s anxiety can perpetuate the problem.
23:30 – Resources and Conclusion
Overview of additional resources and final encouragement that children can overcome anxiety and return to enjoying life.
24:15 – Personal Success Story
Elizabeth DuPont-Spencer shares a powerful story about helping her son overcome resistance to swim practice, illustrating the long-term benefits of facing anxiety.