Watching your child struggle with worry can be overwhelming. At REACH Psychiatry & Counselling Centre, we are dedicated to partnering with you to help your child find relief and build lasting resilience. This guide will walk you through our step-by-step, evidence-based approach to anxiety treatment, from initial assessment to long-term progress.
Anxiety is a normal human emotion, but an anxiety disorder is a mental health condition characterized by excessive and persistent worry, fear, or anxiety that is disproportionate to the actual situation. These feelings can significantly impact a child’s daily life, relationships, and overall well-being.
Common symptoms of anxiety include:
Common Worries vs. Clinical Signs
Common Worries: A brief fear of the dark, shyness on the first day of school, or nervousness before a test. These feelings are temporary and do not prevent your child from engaging in activities they enjoy.
Clinical Signs: Persistent and uncontrollable worry, physical symptoms like muscle tension and fatigue, or consistently avoiding places and people they once enjoyed. These behaviors significantly interfere with daily life.
Our treatment is a collaborative journey involving you, your child, and our team of experts. We follow a structured, evidence-based process to ensure comprehensive and effective care.
1. First Contact and Assessment
The first step is a consultation with our psychiatrist, Dr. Meena Gnanasekharan. She will take a brief history and then connect you with a psychologist from our team. Our psychologists are trained to perform a thorough psychological evaluation to understand your child's specific concerns.
As part of the assessment, your child will complete a set of standardized questionnaires. These tools help us gain a deeper understanding of their symptoms and the level of impairment they are causing. The assessments we typically use include:
2. Creating a Personalized Treatment Plan
Once the assessments are complete, your therapist will meet with you to explain the results and create a tailored therapy schedule that fits your family's routine. Our treatment plans often include a combination of medication and psychotherapy, as this approach is often the most effective.
3. Psychotherapy Sessions
The core of our treatment is psychotherapy, led by a psychologist. We use evidence-based approaches like:
Your involvement is crucial. Your psychologist will guide you on how to reinforce what your child is learning in sessions and apply those skills at home.
Tips for Supporting Your Child at Home
Here are some examples of how our treatment plans have helped children overcome anxiety.
Case 1: Rohan's Social Anxiety
Case 2: Maya's Generalized Anxiety
We are committed to protecting your child’s privacy. All information shared during sessions is confidential. We will not share any information with others, including a school or another health professional, without your explicit consent. Your consent is voluntary and informed, and you have the right to withdraw it at any time.
With your permission, our therapists can collaborate with school counselors and teachers. This collaboration focuses on creating a supportive environment for your child and ensuring that strategies learned in therapy are supported at school. This could include things like requesting classroom accommodations.
Evidence-based care for your child's anxiety is a structured and collaborative process. It begins with a thorough assessment, leads to a personalized treatment plan, and continues with active therapy sessions. Your role as a parent is vital, and we are here to support you every step of the way.
4. The Role of Medication
Medication is a personal choice based on individual needs. Our American Board Certified psychiatrist, Dr. Meena Gnanasekharan, will discuss your child's diagnosis and, if necessary, explore potential medication options. She will monitor any prescribed medications and schedule regular follow-ups to make adjustments.