Anxiety can feel big and overwhelming—for kids and for the parents walking alongside them. If you’re raising a child in the greater Saint John, New Brunswick area, you might wonder when it’s time to reach out for extra support. The truth is, seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a powerful way to care for your child. In this post, we’ll share some gentle guidance on when therapy might be helpful and how it can build your child’s confidence and resilience.
1. Understanding Anxiety in Children
Anxiety is a normal part of childhood—yet when persistent, it can interfere with a child’s daily life at home, school, or with peers. The Canadian Paediatric Society notes that anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health issues in Canadian youth, with prevalence rising from around 4% to nearly 9–19% over recent years (Canadian Paediatric Society). These disorders often include separation anxiety, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, or specific phobias, and may co-occur or evolve over time (Canadian Paediatric Society).
2. How Therapy Builds Confidence & Resilience
Evidence-Based Approaches
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This approach is well-supported by research. Meta-analyses show that nearly 70% of children who receive CBT no longer meet criteria for anxiety disorders—versus only 13% of those on wait lists (PMC). The Coping Cat program, a manualized CBT model for ages 7–13, helps children manage anxiety by teaching them to understand their feelings, challenge fearful thoughts, and practice exposure in a safe, step-by-step way (Wikipedia).
- The My Brain is a Home approach turns big ideas about feelings into something kids can actually understand and use. Using tools like mindfulness, emotional regulation, and thinking-through-your-thoughts strategies (all backed by research!), it helps children see their brains as a house they can take care of. With fun books and activities, kids learn to handle tricky feelings, bounce back from challenges, and grow their emotional “superpowers” one room at a time.
- Parental Involvement: Therapy that involves caregivers often yields extra benefits. Studies highlight that family-based interventions and parental training can improve outcomes—especially when parents themselves struggle with anxiety (PMC). Notably, the SPACE program—Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions—has shown that parent-only sessions, emphasizing reducing accommodations and encouraging independence, can be just as effective as child-focused therapy—and also improve parent-child relationships (Reddit).
3. What Parents Can Do at Home
- Keep the conversation open: Invite your child to share what they’re feeling, even when it’s hard or scary. Letting them know their emotions are real and valid helps them feel understood and safe.
- Practice calming strategies together: Try simple tools like deep breathing, muscle relaxation, or grounding exercises such as a colour hunt. Not only are these commonly used in therapy, but doing them side-by-side shows your child they’re not alone in managing big feelings.
- Build steady routines: Predictability gives children a sense of security. Regular mealtimes, bedtime routines, and built-in downtime create stability and reduce stress triggers.
- Encourage gentle bravery: Support your child in taking small steps outside their comfort zone—whether that’s exploring a new place or trying a new activity with you nearby. These gradual experiences build confidence one step at a time.
4. The Role of Therapy at Kingsway Counselling
At Kingsway Counselling, our child-centered therapy services are tailored to meet each child’s unique needs. We understand the importance of compassion, privacy, and collaboration in building trust and effectiveness.
- We offer individual child therapy, using evidence-based techniques like aspects of Play Therapy , CBT, and Family Therapy to support emotional regulation, resilience, and self-esteem.
- Therapists partner with parents, offering guidance and strategies to reinforce growth at home.
- We serve families across the greater Saint John area, providing both in-person sessions at our Rothesay Avenue office and virtual support—even the therapist match process is designed to be personal and convenient.
5. When to Seek Professional Support
Consider reaching out when:
- Anxiety persists despite your support and lasts more than a few weeks, especially if it’s impairing school, friendships, or family life (e.g., through avoidance, concentration issues, or physical symptoms).
- You feel like you’ve tried everything at home, but your child still struggles.
- You want professional help to build coping tools while preserving your child’s confidence and autonomy.
Getting support early can make a big difference. With the right tools and guidance, children can learn to manage anxiety before it takes a stronger hold—and therapy provides a safe, evidence-based space to help them thrive.
6. A Helpful External Resource
To further empower parents navigating these decisions, the Canadian Psychological Association provides insightful guidance on behavioural treatments for child anxiety—especially exposure-based methods. This offers credibility and SEO value when linked from your blog.
Learn more here: Canadian Psychological Association – Behavioural Treatment of Child Anxiety Disorders (CPA)
7. Next Steps for Families
- Visit our Child Therapy page to explore how we support children coping with anxiety.
- Learn about our team and philosophy on our About page—our compassionate, Saint John-based therapists bring expertise and heart to every family we serve (Kingsway Counselling).
- Book a consultation—whether in person or online—and take the first step toward building your child’s confidence and resilience.
Final Thoughts
Supporting a child through anxiety takes patience, courage, and a strong support system—both at home and, when needed, through caring therapy. At Kingsway Counselling in Saint John, we walk alongside families with proven strategies and a compassionate approach. Together, we can help your child build resilience, confidence, and the tools to face life’s challenges—one small, brave step at a time.
