SPACE
Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions
​​​​SPACE is an evidence-based, parent-focused approach that helps reduce a child, teen, or young adult’s anxiety by changing how caregivers respond to anxiety in everyday life. Developed at the Yale Child Study Center, SPACE addresses a very common pattern in families: loving, well-intentioned accommodations that can unintentionally maintain anxiety over time.
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What is SPACE?
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SPACE stands for Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions. It is designed to help individuals with anxiety and related concerns and is effective even when the individual is unwilling or unable to participate directly in treatment. In SPACE, the work takes place with parents and caregivers (and sometimes other important adults), allowing families to begin making meaningful changes at home right away.
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How SPACE Works
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When a child is anxious, it’s completely natural for parents to step in—offering reassurance, answering repeated questions, staying close, modifying routines, or helping a child avoid situations that feel overwhelming.
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In SPACE, these patterns are referred to as accommodations—changes caregivers make to reduce anxiety in the moment. While accommodations often provide short-term relief, research shows they can strengthen anxiety over time. SPACE helps caregivers reduce accommodations in a supportive, thoughtful, step-by-step way.
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In SPACE, I work closely with parents and caregivers to help you:
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Understand how anxiety shows up within your family system
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Respond to anxiety with support and confidence, without getting pulled into the anxiety cycle
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Gradually reduce accommodations while maintaining a strong, connected relationship with your child
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Increase your child’s ability to tolerate discomfort and build genuine independence over time​
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This approach is practical and structured. You’ll leave sessions with clear, actionable strategies to use at home between appointments.
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Who SPACE Can Help
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SPACE is commonly used when a child, teen or young adult is struggling with:
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Generalized anxiety
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Separation anxiety
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Social anxiety
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Fears and phobias
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Panic symptoms and avoidance
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OCD and related anxiety-driven patterns
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SPACE can also be a strong fit when:
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Anxiety is creating conflict or strain at home
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Parents feel “stuck” or unsure how to respond
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A child refuses therapy or has difficulty engaging consistently
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Why I Offer SPACE
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I offer SPACE because it provides parents with an effective, compassionate path forward—without blame and without asking families to “just stop accommodating” overnight. SPACE is respectful, evidence-based, and focused on real-life change. It helps caregivers feel more grounded and confident, while supporting children in developing the skills they need to face anxiety rather than avoid it.
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Questions or Looking for More Information?
If you’re wondering whether SPACE may be a good fit for your family, I’m happy to talk. Please reach out to schedule a consultation or to learn more about SPACE services.
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