Anxiety Therapy for Children in Vancouver
Helping Parents Help Their Kids — Ages 5 to 12
Your child is struggling. You're not sure what to do next.
Maybe your child refuses to go to school. Maybe they’re pulling out their hair, avoiding foods, or lying awake at night overwhelmed by worries they can’t explain. Maybe they melt down over things that seem small — but you know something deeper is going on.
You’re right to trust that instinct.
Childhood anxiety is one of the most common mental health concerns affecting children in Vancouver and across BC — and one of the most treatable. It doesn’t always look like worry. Sometimes it looks like anger, defiance, avoidance, rigidity, or physical complaints with no medical cause. And it rarely gets better on its own.
If you’re searching for a child anxiety therapist in Vancouver, or therapy for anxious children, you’ve come to the right place.
At Mindsight Therapy, I work with children ages 5 to 12, but I want to be honest with you about something important: I rarely work with young children alone.
Here’s why. A child’s anxiety doesn’t exist in isolation — it lives inside a family system. The way parents respond to anxiety (even with the best intentions) can inadvertently keep it going. The most powerful and lasting change happens when parents understand what’s driving their child’s behaviour and learn how to respond differently.
That means our work together will almost always include you. In many cases, I work primarily through parents rather than directly with the child. This is not a limitation — it’s the most effective approach the research supports for childhood anxiety treatment.
Childhood Anxiety Disorders and Presentations I Work with
Anxiety in children presents in many forms. I have experience working with:
If your child is struggling with something not on this list, reach out anyway. Childhood anxiety is complex and rarely fits neatly into one category.
How I Work with Anxious Children and their Families
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy for Children and Parents
Internal Family Systems therapy is at the heart of my approach. IFS helps us understand that the parts of your child that look defiant, shut down, or out of control are often protective — they developed for a reason. When we understand what those parts are trying to do, we can work with them rather than against them. For parents, IFS is especially powerful. It shifts how you see your child’s anxious behaviour and gives you tools to respond in ways that reduce anxiety rather than accidentally reinforcing it. Family-based anxiety treatment consistently produces better outcomes than working with children alone — and IFS is one of the most effective frameworks for doing that.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Childhood Anxiety
CBT for children with anxiety is one of the most well-researched and effective treatments available. Children learn to identify anxious thoughts, test them against reality, and build tolerance for the uncomfortable feelings that come with doing hard things. Parents learn how to coach — not rescue — their child through anxious moments. Exposure therapy for children, a core component of CBT, helps kids gradually face feared situations in a supported, manageable way. This is how anxiety loses its grip — not by avoiding the fear, but by learning they can handle it.
Paediatric Clinical Hypnosis
Paediatric hypnosis is available as a supportive tool when appropriate. Children are naturally imaginative and often respond beautifully to clinical hypnosis for anxiety, sleep difficulties, physical symptoms like stomach aches, and building confidence. It is not something I use with every child — it’s introduced when it fits the child’s age, temperament, and presenting concerns. As a certified paediatric hypnosis practitioner, I bring a specialized skill set that very few child therapists in Vancouver offer.
What to expect from Child Anxiety Therapy at Mindsight
Our first conversation will be with you, the parent. Before your child is ever in a session, I want to understand the full picture — your child’s history, what you’ve already tried, what’s working and what isn’t, and what your goals are.
From there, we build a child anxiety treatment plan together. Some children will be seen directly. Others, particularly younger children, may be supported primarily through parent coaching for childhood anxiety. In most cases it is a combination of both.
Progress is real and often faster than parents expect — when the whole family system is engaged.
A note about younger children (ages 5–8)
For children in this age range, parent coaching sessions make up the majority of our work. Young children don’t have the cognitive development yet to drive change through talk therapy alone — but parents absolutely can. Teaching you how to respond to your child’s anxiety is often the single most powerful anxiety intervention for young children available.
Frequently asked questions about child anxiety therapy
in Vancouver
How do I know if my child needs therapy for anxiety?
If anxiety is interfering with your child’s daily life — school, friendships, sleep, eating, or family routines — it’s worth getting a professional assessment. Early intervention for childhood anxiety disorders produces significantly better long-term outcomes.
Do you work with the whole family or just the child?
Both. I almost always involve parents directly in the treatment process, particularly for younger children. Family therapy for childhood anxiety is built into how I work, not an add-on.
Do you offer online therapy for children in BC?
Yes. Online child anxiety therapy is available throughout British Columbia. Virtual sessions are effective and often easier for families to access consistently. Please note this is primarily done with caregivers.
What's the difference between normal worry and an anxiety disorder?
All children worry. An anxiety disorder is present when worry or fear is disproportionate, persistent, and interfering with normal functioning. A child anxiety assessment can help clarify what’s happening and what level of support is needed.
How long does child anxiety therapy take?
This depends on the child, the presenting concerns, and family engagement. Many families see meaningful progress within 8–12 sessions. More complex presentations — including OCD in children, ARFID, or trichotillomania — may require longer-term support.
Next Step: Book a family/ couples session on my website or call me at 604-780-8839 with any questions.