Child and Teen
OCD and Anxiety Therapy in Colorado
Specialized therapy for child and teen anxiety and OCD, with parent support every step of the way.
Evidence-Based Therapy for Real Change
Parenting can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also feel overwhelming when your child or teen is struggling. Whether your child is facing anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or the stress and pressures of daily life, parents often feel unsure of how to help. At the same time, children and teens may feel stuck in these struggles and uncertain about how to move forward. I specialize in helping kids and teens manage anxiety, reduce compulsions, and strengthen resilience to live a values-based life connected to what matters most. I also work closely with parents, teaching them how to respond in ways that promote growth rather than keeping their child caught in the cycle that anxiety and OCD can create.
I use evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE). These approaches have been tested in research and are proven effective.
Therapy for Children and Teens with Anxiety
Anxiety can look different at every age, but it often creates the same trap: a shrinking world where worries, fears, and rigid patterns take over. For some, it appears as constant worry that is hard to control. For others, it may show up as fears that interfere with daily activities or strong reactions to everyday stress. Teens often feel added pressure from academics, athletics, and performance, and the drive for perfection can be overwhelming. For many, social media adds to the stress, fueling comparison and the sense of not measuring up.
Anxiety might look like:
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Generalized worry that feels hard to control.
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Fears or phobias that interfere with daily life.
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Difficulty going to school or refusing school altogether.
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Separation anxiety or difficulty being away from parents.
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Social anxiety or fear of being judged by others.
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Rigidity around routines, change, or uncertainty.
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Perfectionism that is often praised by others but creates pressure and stress for kids and teens.
For many children and teens, anxiety narrows their world. It creates cycles of avoidance, rigidity, and pressure that pull families in, leaving kids feeling trapped and parents unsure of how to help.
The most effective treatments for anxiety are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). CBT helps children and teens recognize anxious thought patterns and practice new coping strategies. ACT supports them in accepting discomfort, loosening the grip of perfectionism and rigidity, and making choices guided by values rather than fear.
Together, we:
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Learn how anxiety works and the patterns that keep it strong.
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Recognize anxious thoughts and physical sensations without getting stuck in them.
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Loosen the grip of rigidity and perfectionism by finding balance between effort and self-compassion.
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Build flexibility and problem-solving skills for real-life challenges.
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Step into situations that anxiety tells them to avoid, practicing courage and resilience.
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Live toward values by focusing on the “who” and “what” matters most instead of being ruled by “shoulds” and pressure to succeed.
Through this work, children and teens learn that anxiety does not have to control their choices. They develop the skills and resilience to move forward in life with greater confidence, even when worry shows up.
Therapy for Children and Teens with OCD
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be especially overwhelming for children, teens, and their parents. OCD is marked by intrusive thoughts, images, or fears that create intense distress and feel impossible to ignore. To get relief, children and teens feel compelled to engage in compulsions or rituals, which may provide short-term relief but quickly become part of a cycle that keeps OCD strong.
OCD can affect many parts of daily life. It might look like:
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Worrying about germs, contamination, or illness, and needing to clean or wash excessively.
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Repeated checking behaviors, such as making sure doors are locked, lights are off, or homework is “just right.”
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Needing things to be arranged, ordered, or lined up in a very particular way.
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Mental rituals, such as reviewing events, silently repeating phrases, or excessive praying.
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Repeatedly asking for reassurance from parents, teachers, or friends.
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Feeling pressure to do things “just right” or until they feel complete, leading to perfectionism that slows down homework and schoolwork.
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Avoiding certain people, places, or objects that trigger obsessions.
The most effective treatment for OCD is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a form of CBT. In ERP, children and teens gradually face the fears that fuel obsessions while learning to resist the compulsions that keep OCD in place. Over time, they discover that anxiety decreases naturally without needing rituals or avoidance.
I also integrate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help children and teens make room for difficult thoughts and feelings while staying connected to their values. ACT helps kids and teens be more flexible so they can choose actions that move them toward the people and priorities that matter most, even when anxiety is present.
Together, we:
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Identify the fears, obsessions, and compulsions driving OCD.
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Build a step-by-step plan for facing these fears gradually.
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Practice resisting compulsions and learning new ways to respond to anxiety and discomfort.
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Strengthen the ability to tolerate uncertainty, which is at the core of OCD.
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Work through feelings of shame, responsibility, and guilt that often accompany OCD.
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Support parents in stepping out of co-compulsions so they are not pulled into the cycle.
Children and teens learn that they are stronger than OCD. They gain freedom to spend their time and energy on relationships, interests, and values, rather than being trapped in rituals and fear.
Supporting Children and Teens Beyond Anxiety and OCD
In addition to my specialty in treating anxiety and OCD, I also support children and teens who may not meet criteria for a diagnosis but are struggling with everyday challenges. Therapy can be especially helpful when kids face stress, frustration, or transitions such as changes at school, family adjustments, or social pressures.
In this work, I help children and teens:
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Notice and manage difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them.
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Build resilience and flexibility when facing change or uncertainty.
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Identify what matters most to them and take small, meaningful steps in that direction.
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Find balance when perfectionism, pressure, or self-doubt begin to take over.
This approach helps children and teens develop healthy coping skills, discover who and what is important to them, and grow into confident, connected individuals. Therapy is not only about reducing symptoms but also about building a strong foundation for well-being and development.
Parent Support
Parents are always a central part of my approach, and I take a relational and collaborative stance in our work together. I partner with families to develop strategies that align with their values and goals, while also teaching practical skills they can use at home.
For younger children, parents are often present throughout sessions, learning strategies alongside their child and practicing them at home. With teens, it can be helpful to meet individually at times, but parents are still greatly involved through check-ins, shared practice strategies, or dedicated parent meetings. Sometimes I work exclusively with parents, helping them interrupt unhelpful family patterns and develop skills to support their child. This collaboration ensures that progress continues outside the therapy room and that parents feel supported as they help their child put new skills into action.
My work with parents is grounded in behavioral and cognitive-behavioral approaches. For families of young children, this may include Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), which strengthens attachment and helps parents respond to difficult behaviors with consistency and warmth (Learn more here!). For families navigating anxiety and OCD, I provide parent support to reduce unhelpful cycles such as reassurance and avoidance, which may ease distress in the moment but strengthen symptoms over time (see SPACE below). Instead, parents learn how to support their child in facing anxiety directly, encouraging them to work through discomfort rather than avoid it. This process not only helps children build lasting confidence in their ability to handle challenges but also helps parents feel empowered in how they respond to anxiety.
Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE)
When a child is anxious, the whole family feels it. Parents often find themselves changing routines, offering constant reassurance, or stepping in to help their child avoid distress. These well-meaning behaviors, called family accommodations, come from love and protection, but over time they keep anxiety and OCD strong.
SPACE is a structured, research-based program designed specifically for parents. Unlike traditional child therapy, in SPACE parents are the primary agents of change. As one of the few therapists in Colorado certified in SPACE, I help parents make small but powerful shifts that reduce child anxiety and build resilience. Research shows that SPACE is as effective, and in some cases even more effective, than individual child therapy.
In SPACE, parents learn how to:
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Respond to anxiety with both warmth and firmness, showing children they can handle discomfort.
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Reduce accommodations such as constant reassurance, avoiding triggers, or changing routines that unintentionally make anxiety stronger.
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Step out of co-compulsions so they are not pulled into OCD rituals or avoidance patterns.
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Communicate confidence in their child’s ability to face challenges, even when worry shows up.
One of the unique strengths of SPACE is that children and teens do not need to attend sessions for progress to happen. This makes SPACE especially effective when a child is reluctant or resistant to therapy. By making small, intentional changes in their own responses, parents can help children take meaningful steps toward managing worry, tolerating uncertainty, and regaining freedom in daily life.
Very few providers worldwide are certified in SPACE. I am one of the only therapists in Colorado with this credential, giving families access to this specialized, evidence-based treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About
Child and Teen Therapy
Q: What therapy works best for child anxiety?
A: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most effective treatment for child anxiety. Kids and teens learn to notice anxious thoughts, face fears step by step, and practice new coping skills. I also use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which helps children build flexibility and stay connected to what matters most.
Q: How does therapy help with perfectionism?
A: Many high-performing students and athletes struggle with perfectionism. It can feel rewarding in the short term and is often reinforced by grades, praise, or social expectations. Over time, though, perfectionism takes a toll on confidence, balance, and well-being. Therapy helps kids and teens practice self-compassion, loosen rigid thinking, and pursue goals in healthier, more sustainable ways.
Q: What is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy for OCD in children and teens?
A: ERP is the gold standard for OCD. Kids and teens gradually face the situations or thoughts that trigger obsessions while learning to resist compulsions. For example, a child worried about germs might touch a doorknob without immediately washing their hands. Over time, they discover that anxiety naturally decreases, and they gain confidence that rituals or avoidance aren’t necessary.
Q: Does my child need a diagnosis to start therapy?
A: No. Many children and teens I work with don’t have a formal diagnosis. Some are coping with stress, perfectionism, school pressures, or life transitions that still feel overwhelming. Therapy can help kids build coping skills, resilience, and balance whether or not a diagnosis is in place.
Q: Do you offer online therapy for kids and teens?
A: Yes. I provide secure telehealth sessions for children, teens, and parents across Colorado. Research has shown that online therapy is effective. Many families appreciate the added convenience and privacy it provides. Telehealth allows me to see clients statewide, so specialized care is available with fewer barriers.
Q: What does “evidence-based therapy” mean and why does it matter?
A: Evidence-based therapy means the approaches I use have been carefully studied and shown to work. Treatments like CBT, ERP, and SPACE have been tested with children and teens and proven effective for reducing anxiety and OCD. This matters because it ensures families are receiving strategies backed by science, not just trial and error.
Q: How involved will I be in my child’s therapy?
A: Parents play an active role in my approach. Sometimes this means being in the room with your child, sometimes joining part of a session, and sometimes meeting on your own. Even when I meet individually with kids or teens, parents remain central to the process. I provide strategies and feedback so you feel confident supporting your child at home, and progress continues between sessions.
Q: What if my child or teen resists therapy?
A: It’s common for children and teens to be hesitant about starting therapy. In these cases, I often begin by working with parents directly. SPACE is especially effective because children do not need to attend sessions for progress to happen. Parents learn concrete tools that reduce accommodation and shift family patterns, often leading to meaningful change even when a child is reluctant to engage.
If your child or teen is struggling with anxiety, OCD, or the pressures of daily life, therapy can help. Reaching out is the first step toward helping your child feel less trapped by worry and more confident in facing challenges. Contact me today to learn more about therapy for children and teens in Colorado.