CHILD ANXIETY THERAPY | SAN DIEGO

When Worry Starts Taking Over Childhood

Watching your child struggle with anxiety can be heartbreaking.

The good news? Anxiety is highly treatable, and with the right support, children can learn to feel more confident, capable, and resilient.

Book Your Free Parent Consultation

Does Any Of This Sound Familiar?

✓ Worries constantly

✓ Needs frequent reassurance

✓ Struggles with separation from parents

✓ Avoids new situations

✓ Gets overwhelmed by mistakes

✓ Has difficulty sleeping

✓ Complains of stomachaches or headaches

✓ Seems fearful of things other children handle easily

✓ Has become less confident over time

If you're nodding your head right now, you're not alone.

Therapy gives kids the tools to manage anxiety for their entire lives while giving you a roadmap for how to help.

Child Anxiety Doesn’t Always Look Like Anxiety

Irritability

Anxiety often shows up as frustration, anger, or moodiness.

Perfectionism

A fear of mistakes and overly high expectations.

Avoidance

Avoiding school, social situations, or new experiences.

Emotional Outbursts

Big emotions are often a child’s way of communicating overwhelm.

Physical Symptoms

Stomachaches, headaches, nausea, fatigue, or trouble sleeping.

Child Anxiety Often Hides Behind Behaviors

At School

  • Difficulty concentrating

  • Perfectionism

  • School refusal

  • Fear of making mistakes

At Home

  • Meltdowns

  • Constant reassurance seeking

  • Difficulty sleeping

  • Irritability

With Friends

  • Fear of embarrassment

  • Avoiding activities

  • Difficulty making friends

  • Worry about fitting in

How Therapy Helps Children With Anxiety

✓ Understand their worries

✓ Build confidence

✓ Learn coping skills

✓ Face fears gradually

✓ Calm their body in the moment

✓ Manage overwhelming feelings

✓ Strengthen emotional regulation

✓ Feel more independent

The goal isn't to eliminate anxiety completely.

The goal is helping your child learn they can handle difficult feelings and challenges.

THERAPY + PARENT SUPPORT

Parent Support Is Built Into The Process

While your child is learning new skills in therapy, you'll also have opportunities for guidance, support, and answers to your questions.

✓ Parent check-ins every 4-8 weeks (especially in the beginning)

✓ Additional parent sessions available as needed

✓ Practical strategies for home and school

✓ Support navigating anxiety outside the therapy office

Looking Beyond The Behavior

Behavior is rarely the real problem.

Children often communicate stress, anxiety, overwhelm, frustration, or unmet needs through their actions long before they can explain what’s happening with words.

Rather than focusing only on stopping behaviors, I help children understand their emotions, develop coping skills, strengthen confidence, and build healthier ways of responding to challenges.

At the same time, I work closely with parents so everyone is moving toward the same goals.

What To Expect

Step 1

We’ll discuss your concerns, your child’s history, and what you’ve already tried.

Meet With Parents

Step 2

Understand What’s Driving The Behavior

Together, we’ll identify the patterns, stressors, and underlying factors contributing to your child’s struggles.

Step 3

Build Skills & Confidence

Your child learns practical tools while you receive guidance to support progress at home.

Schedule A Consultation

Questions You Might Have

If your question isn’t answered here, you’re always welcome to book a free parent consultation - no question is too big or too small, and we’ll figure out together what your child needs.

  • Therapy teaches kids practical skills to calm their body, manage worried thoughts, and face fears gradually instead of avoiding them.

    Parents also learn how to respond in ways that reduce anxiety long-term rather than accidentally feeding it. Most kids see improvement within 8-12 sessions.

  • Anxiety shows up as meltdowns, school refusal, stomachaches, trouble sleeping, constant reassurance-seeking, perfectionism, or avoiding activities they used to enjoy. It can also look like irritability, clinginess, or anger. If anxiety is affecting school, friendships, or daily routines, support can help.

    You can learn more about signs of anxiety in kids and teens here.

  • Most families see meaningful progress in 10-15 sessions, though this varies based on severity and consistency. Therapy isn't about 'fixing' anxiety forever - it's about building skills your child can use for life. Some families continue periodically for check-ins and skill-building as new challenges arise.

  • Yes, both. I offer in-person child, teen, and parent anxiety therapy in Cardiff-by-the-Sea (Encinitas, San Diego area) and virtual therapy for families throughout California, Colorado, and Utah. Many families choose virtual therapy for convenience and consistency.

  • Most kids warm up once they realize therapy isn't scary or 'getting in trouble.' I use age-appropriate approaches - not just talking. Younger kids might use play, drawing, or games. Teens often open up more when therapy feels collaborative, not judgmental. Hesitation at first is completely normal.

    You can learn more about my approach here.

  • Normal worry is temporary and doesn't interfere with daily life. Anxiety sticks around, gets worse over time, and leads to avoidance - like refusing school, quitting activities, or needing constant reassurance. If worry is causing distress or limiting your child's life, it's worth getting support.

    I wrote an article for parents about how to spot anxiety signs in your child. Read it here.

  • Anxiety rarely goes away on its own - it typically gets worse without intervention because avoidance feeds the cycle. Therapy gives kids tools to manage anxiety for life. Research shows that early treatment prevents anxiety from becoming more severe in adolescence and adulthood.

    I wrote a blog for parents to share some strategies that may help. You can read it here.

Let's Figure Out What’s Really Going On

Dr. Lindsay O'Shea, Child, Teen, and Parent Psychologist in North County, San Diego

Dr. Lindsay O'Shea, PhD
Licensed Psychologist

✓ Child Therapy
✓ Teen Therapy
✓ Parent Coaching

You don’t have to keep guessing, second-guessing, or handling this along.

Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, ADHD, emotional regulation, or challenging behaviors, we’ll work together to understand what’s beneath the behavior and create a path forward.

Schedule A Free Parent Consultation

Confidential & Safe Your privacy is always respected and protected.

Evidenced-Based Strategies backed by research that work.

Whole-Family Focused We support the entire family system. ‍ ‍

Collaborative We’ll work together towards your goals.

Virtual & Convenient Coaching from the comfort of your own home.