Understanding, Supporting, and Seeking the Right Help
As a parent, there’s nothing more heart-wrenching than watching your child struggle with fear, worry, or emotional distress—especially when you’re not sure how to help. Anxiety in children is more common than many people realise, and it can show up in unexpected ways.
At Therapy With John, we believe early support can make a world of difference. This guide will help you recognise the signs of anxiety in children, offer practical tips for support at home, and explain how professional therapy can empower your child to feel safer, stronger, and more in control.
🧠 What Does Anxiety Look Like in Children?
Children don’t always have the words to explain what they’re feeling—so anxiety often shows itself in behaviours, physical symptoms, or changes in mood.
Here are some common signs:
- Physical complaints like headaches, tummy aches, or nausea (often with no medical cause)
- Avoidance of school, social situations, or certain people or places
- Sleep problems (trouble falling or staying asleep, nightmares)
- Irritability or meltdowns over small things
- Perfectionism, reassurance-seeking, or excessive worry (“What if something bad happens?”)
- Changes in eating patterns or appetite
- Restlessness, clinginess, or withdrawing from normal activities
If these signs are consistent or interfering with daily life, your child may be struggling with anxiety—and it’s important to know you’re not alone.
❤️ How You Can Support Your Child at Home
As a parent, you play a powerful role in helping your child feel safe and understood. Here are a few supportive strategies:
🗣️ 1. Create Space for Open Conversations
Gently invite your child to talk about how they feel. Try using phrases like:
- “I’ve noticed you’ve been feeling a bit worried lately. Do you want to talk about it?”
- “It’s okay to feel nervous sometimes. I’m here to listen, not judge.”
Avoid rushing to “fix” the problem—instead, focus on validating their emotions.
🧘 2. Teach and Model Calm Techniques
Simple breathing exercises, grounding games (“name 5 things you can see”), or visualisation (“imagine a safe place”) can help a child feel calmer in the moment.
When they see you use calm coping methods during stressful moments, they learn to do the same.
📆 3. Create Predictability
Routine helps anxious children feel more secure. Consistent mealtimes, sleep schedules, and expectations reduce the unknowns that can feed anxiety.
🙌 4. Avoid Avoidance
It’s natural to want to protect your child from stressful situations—but avoiding everything that causes anxiety can actually make it grow. Support gradual exposure with encouragement and celebrate small wins.
🤗 5. Reassure—But Don’t Over-Reassure
It’s okay to offer comfort, but repeated reassurance (“It’s fine, don’t worry”) may unintentionally reinforce fears. Instead, help them learn they can handle the feeling of worry, even if it’s uncomfortable.
👩⚕️ How Therapy Can Help
When anxiety starts to interfere with school, friendships, or daily life, child therapy can offer the support and tools your child needs to thrive.
At Therapy With John, we offer:
- Child-centred therapy using age-appropriate methods like play therapy, creative expression, and gentle talk-based approaches
- Therapists trained in child and adolescent mental health
- Support for parents alongside therapy to help you understand your child’s needs and build a stronger emotional connection
Therapy helps children:
- Understand their feelings
- Learn practical ways to manage anxiety
- Build self-confidence and resilience
- Feel seen, heard, and supported
We create a warm, safe space where your child can explore what’s bothering them at their own pace.
💬 You’re Not Alone – Let’s Talk
If your child is struggling, early support can be life-changing. We’re here to walk with you every step of the way—with compassion, expertise, and care.
Contact Therapy With John today to speak with a child therapy specialist.
📞 +353 87 383 0488
📧 info@therapywithjohn.ie
🌍 www.therapywithjohn.ie