Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood (SPACE)

What Is SPACE Counselling?

Childhood anxiety is prevalent and commonly distressing for both children and parents.

Do you ever feel exhausted from trying to support your child’s anxiety? Do you try your best to reassure your child and feel like it is never enough to reduce their distress? Do you feel at a loss for how to support them best?

SPACE is an evidence-based therapeutic approach to help parents most effectively help their children with anxiety and emotional challenges. The SPACE model focuses on parents modifying their responses to their child's anxiety in ways that reduce accommodation and improve emotional regulation and resilience.

SPACE is a specialized, evidence-based counselling approach designed to help parents support children with anxiety and OCD. The SPACE method focuses on providing parents with the skills and support they need to support their child with mild to severe anxiety and OCD. The approach is rooted in research on emotional intelligence and child development, aimed at creating lasting positive changes in a child’s mental well-being.

Parents and caregivers are key players in the process, offering a holistic support system that extends beyond the therapy sessions.

How Does It Work?

At Haven we offer counselling with the SPACE approach in an intensive format. The intensive format includes longer session times ranging from 3 – 1.5 hrs over 8-10 weeks. This is an opportunity to get intensive support and deep dive with a counsellor to create the change you’d like to see for your child and family.

Parents are often not anxiety specialists and many loving parental instincts accidentally perpetuate childhood anxiety. Using the SPACE approach, we can help you identify which of the common parenting traps you may be falling into in your best attempt to help your child. We help parents learn how to effectively emotionally support their children without accommodating or perpetuating the anxiety.

SPACE uses a combination of therapeutic techniques including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and emotion-focused interventions. You will be trained to safely and confidently respond to your child’s anxiety in new and helpful ways.

1

Exploration

Understanding the root causes of anxiety and emotions and the impacts of anxiety on your child.

2

Awareness

Teaching parents how to become aware of accommodations they may consciously or unconsciously make.

3

Support

Identifying the difference between emotional support and accommodation and practicing effective emotional support.

4

Action

Learning how to confidently approach exposures to anxiety with your child and remaining consistent with your plan.

5

Connection

Strengthening emotional bonds with caregivers and providing ongoing emotional support.

What Can It Help With?

SPACE is effective for a variety of childhood emotional and behavioral challenges, including:

  • Childhood anxiety (separation anxiety, social anxiety, specific phobias)

  • OCD

  • Stress and overwhelm related to school, family, or life changes

  • Emotional regulation issues (anger, sadness, frustration)

  • Difficulties with self-esteem or confidence

What Changes Do Clients See/Feel?

Children and families who engage in SPACE counseling report feeling more confident in managing anxiety and emotions. Common outcomes include:

Greater overall well-being and improved quality of life

Stronger parent-child relationships and better communication

Increased confidence in social settings and school environments

Less time spent on obsessions and compulsions

Reduced levels of anxiety and worry

Greater emotional regulation and resilience

How We're Different

No more dropping your child off to counselling and wondering if they are getting anything out of it. No more child refusal of counselling services. Our children aren’t born with handbooks about the best ways to support their unique needs and challenges. Not all parents have the time or ability to sift through all the latest research on childhood anxiety. Parents can find themselves wading through a lot of conflicting advise.

Luckily, at Haven, we love learning about evidence based modern therapy approaches to best support you and your child! We have backgrounds in supporting children directly, in working with families and developing treatment plans. We help parents get to the bottom of their child’s anxiety and create a clear path forward so that you can move from surviving anxiety to thriving as a family.

Why Choose SPACE?

Evidence-based & Proven

SPACE uses proven therapeutic techniques backed by research and tailored to children’s needs.

Holistic & Family-Focused

Parents are at the heart of therapy, ensuring that the support continues at home.

Empathy & Support

Your counsellor is knowledgeable about child development, and trained to create a safe, empathetic space to discuss your child’s needs.

Personalized

Every child is different, and we adapt our approach to suit your family’s unique needs and challenges.

  • The approach works by helping parents create a supportive and structured environment that reduces anxiety without reinforcing avoidance behaviors. It empowers parents to be proactive and consistent in managing their child's anxiety, even without direct involvement from the child in the treatment process.

  • Nope, definitely not! The SPACE approach does not see anxiety as caused by parents. Research supports that modification of parent behaviour is an extremely effective approach to supporting childhood anxiety and emotional dysregulation. Many kids can be resistant to counselling or not ready to make any changes on their own. Meaningful change can be made by parents with the support and guidance of a knowledgeable counsellor.

  • Yes! SPACE counseling can be conducted entirely online through secure video sessions, allowing your child to receive support from the comfort of home. Our online services maintain the same high standard of care as in-person sessions. It is important that you have a private space to get the most out of your sessions.

  • If your child is struggling with anxiety, emotional regulation, or behavioral issues, SPACE may be a great fit. If your child experiences mild to severe anxiety or OCD you and your child can likely benefit from the SPACE approach. If your child has been to counselling but you haven’t noticed any observable change, they may benefit from this approach. If you're unsure, we offer an initial consultation to discuss your child’s needs and determine the best course of action.

  • Getting started is easy! If you are interested in working with a therapist in this intensive approach please email directly to inquire and we will arrange for a free consultation. At this consultation you will have the opportunity to speak to us directly and determine if it feels like a good fit for you. From there, we will guide you every step of the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are We Right For You?

Parenting is a difficult job and anxiety can feel like an overwhelming challenge that can take the fun out of everyday life. We love to help parents develop skill and confidence in responding to their child’s anxiety, so that they can remain close and connected when things are tough and gain more anxiety-free time together.

We believe in the SPACE approach that empowers parents to be the agents of change in their child’s life to face difficulties with resilience and skill. All of us can benefit from support, and we are happy to meet with you to learn about how we can share our expertise with you to support you and your unique child.

If this sounds like what you’re looking for, we would love to help. Get in touch today to see if SPACE is the right fit for your family.

Take the First Step to a Calm, Confident Child

Ready to help your child navigate their emotions and overcome anxiety? We’re here to support you.

Email directly to set up a SPACE specific free consultation today to learn more about how SPACE can help your child thrive.

Reach out to us now, and let’s start the journey together.