Let us tell you about SPACE!

Have you heard about SPACE? Not space as in the outer-space, but SPACE: Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions. SPACE was created by researcher Dr. Eli Lebowitz from the Yale Child Study Center. He pioneered this approach that focuses on reducing childhood anxiety with a novel approach, just working with the parents. The treatment focuses on addressing parental accommodations at home that reinforce and maintain anxiety in children. What does that mean? Well as parents we try to do the best for our children but often times we do not realize our behaviors may actually be reinforcing our children’s anxious behaviors. For example if Lucy is scared of trying of her new classroom so Mom decides to keep Lucy home from school, Lucy never learns to face her worry and overcome her fear if she gets to keep avoiding. SPACE works to help parents recognize their accommodations and make a plan for how to change it at home. While SPACE does not work directly with children, SPACE providers do work with parents to make a new plan with consideration of the child’s developmental needs and encourages supportive communication at all times. SPACE is showing great researched effectiveness in clinical trials and even has proven application for working with parents of young adults. Check out more information HERE

Interested in giving SPACE a try? Carnelia Mental Health LLC’s Owner and Clinical Director, Elizabeth Kittleson is trained in this intervention. Contact her to learn more and schedule a free consult.