Childhood anxiety treatment
Is childhood anxiety is holding your child back?
We’re here to offer a proven medication-free alternative to antidepressants with minimal side effects.
Childhood anxiety is a common but often misunderstood mental health difficulty. It can affect children of any age and background, and may show up as constant worry, physical symptoms, avoidance, emotional outbursts, or difficulty coping with everyday situations such as school, friendships or sleep. Childhood anxiety is not a sign of attention-seeking, poor parenting or something a child will simply “grow out of”.
Without the right support, it can continue to affect emotional wellbeing, confidence and development.
Here to support your child with childhood anxiety
and to support you too
Whether the signs are subtle or increasingly disruptive to daily life, we’re here to guide you in understanding what’s going on and what can be done to support your child.
With thoughtful, age-appropriate treatment that considers the child and the family around them, children with anxiety can learn to feel safer in the world, manage their fears, and regain confidence in themselves and their abilities. Our Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) team works closely with parents and carers throughout the process, so you feel supported every step of the way.
Every child's anxiety is different – so is our support.
Thoughtful, tailored treatment for children and adolescents
At The London Psychiatry Centre, we take the time to understand your child as a whole person – not just their symptoms. Our recommendations consider the wider context of your child’s life, so that the support we offer reflects the full picture of what may be contributing to their anxiety.
Key elements of treatment include:
Understanding whether your child is experiencing childhood anxiety, and how it is affecting them, is an important first step.
Our assessments are thorough and age-appropriate, taking time to explore your child’s emotional wellbeing, behaviour, development and daily functioning.
We listen carefully to both you and your child, so that any conclusions are established by reaching a full understanding of their experiences.
Your child may experience anxiety differently to another child, which is why our recommendations are always tailored to individual needs.
In addition to their symptoms, we consider factors such as medical history, family dynamic and home environment, schooling and peer relationships, and comorbidities (co-occurring conditions such as ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)).
We use therapeutic approaches that are supported by robust clinical research and proven to help children and adolescents manage anxiety more effectively.
This may include counselling; structured psychological therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or exposure therapy; and medication, particularly where therapy alone is not sufficient.
Our CAMHS team works collaboratively to ensure that, once an assessment has taken place, you are not left wondering what happens next.
We provide clear post-diagnostic guidance and practical next steps, drawing on the expertise of specialists within our team as needed.
We can also liaise with your child’s school to promote consistency and continuity of care. By working together – as professionals, parents and educators – we aim to create a supportive framework around your child that extends beyond the consulting room.
Who’s involved in your child’s care?
When a child is experiencing anxiety, the right support works best when everyone around them is aligned.
You know your child better than anyone. We see parents and carers as central to a child’s care, and we work closely with you in 1-2-1 sessions throughout the process. This includes listening to your concerns, helping you understand what your child is experiencing, and offering practical guidance so you feel confident supporting them at home and in everyday life.
Your child will be supported by a caring and experienced team of CAMHS professionals with specialist knowledge of childhood anxiety. We use an integrative approach to give your child the most well-rounded care possible. We take time to understand your child as an individual, tailoring treatment to their needs and stage of development, while keeping you informed and involved at every step.
School is a major part of a child’s world, and anxiety can have a real impact on learning and wellbeing. With your consent, we can work alongside your child’s school to help them understand your child’s needs and put appropriate support in place, so your child feels supported, understood and able to engage in their education.
A comprehensive approach to childhood anxiety
Seeking help for childhood anxiety can feel daunting, particularly when you’re trying to make the right decision for your child. Our CAMHS team at The London Psychiatry Centre will inspire confidence in your decision, offering calm, compassionate care grounded in specialist clinical expertise.
Our CAMHS team brings together child and adolescent psychiatrists, neurotherapists, child development specialists and CBT therapists, who work collaboratively to understand the full picture of your child’s emotional and developmental needs. We look beyond symptoms alone, considering how anxiety affects learning, behaviours, relationships and family life. This integrated approach allows us to provide tailored support that helps children feel safer, more confident and better equipped to cope.
Frequently asked questions
about childhood anxiety
Can you outgrow an anxiety disorder?
Some children’s fears lessen as they mature, particularly if they are linked to specific developmental stages. However, clinically significant childhood anxiety does not always simply disappear with age. Without the right support, it can persist into adolescence and adulthood. Early understanding and appropriate guidance can make a meaningful difference, helping children develop coping skills that stay with them long term.
What happens if childhood anxiety is left untreated?
If anxiety becomes persistent and begins to shape a child’s daily life, it can affect friendships, school attendance, academic performance and family relationships. Over time, children may start avoiding situations that feel overwhelming, which can shrink their world and lower their confidence. Early support can prevent this pattern from becoming entrenched and reduce the risk of difficulties continuing into later life.
What triggers anxiety in children?
Anxiety in children can arise from a combination of factors. This may include family history, changes at home or school, academic and social pressures, sensory sensitivities or challenging life events. Sometimes there is no single cause. Anxiety often develops gradually, influenced by how a child interprets and responds to the world around them.
Childhood anxiety symptoms: What are the signs to look out for in daily life?
Childhood anxiety can show up in different ways. Some children become clingy, tearful or reluctant to attend school. Others may complain of headaches or stomach aches, struggle to sleep, seek constant reassurance or avoid situations. Irritability, perfectionism and frequent worries about unlikely outcomes can also be signs. The key indicator is whether the anxiety is persistent and interfering with daily life.
What are the different types of childhood anxiety?
Childhood anxiety can show up in different ways, and many children experience more than one type at the same time. Common types include:
- Generalised anxiety – Ongoing, excessive worry about everyday things such as school, health, family or the future. Children may seem constantly “on-edge” or seek repeated reassurance.
- Separation anxiety – Intense fear or distress when being away from a parent or carer. This can include refusal to go to school, difficulty sleeping alone, or strong physical symptoms when separation is anticipated.
- Social anxiety – Fear of social situations or being judged by others. Children may avoid speaking in class, struggle with friendships, or feel very self-conscious around peers.
- School-related anxiety – Anxiety linked specifically to school, which may involve fear of tests, teachers, social situations, or performance. This can sometimes lead to refusal to go to school.
- Health anxiety – Excessive worry about illness or bodily sensations, even when there is no medical cause. Children may frequently check symptoms or ask for reassurance.
Is my child's worry normal?
All children worry from time to time. Concerns about friendships, school or new experiences are a normal part of growing up. Anxiety may become problematic when worries are intense, long-lasting, disproportionate to the situation, or begin to limit what your child feels able to do. If anxiety is regularly disrupting their sleep, learning or enjoyment of activities, it may be helpful to see professional advice.
How to find a child therapist
When looking for a child therapist, it is important to check their professional registration and ensure they have specific experience in child and adolescent mental health. You may wish to ask about their qualifications, therapeutic approach and experience working with childhood anxiety. A reputable service should offer a thorough assessment and involve parents in the process. Feeling comfortable with the clinician and confident in their expertise is just as important as credentials.
At The London Psychiatry Centre, our experienced CAMHS professionals are CPD accredited, and we subscribe to the ISCAS Code.
Discover our CAMHS team.
How to talk to my child about therapy
It can help to describe therapy in simple, reassuring terms. You might explain that it is a safe space just for them, where they can talk, think and ask questions about anything that feels difficult. Emphasise that they are not in trouble and that many children speak to someone when worries feel big. Reassure them that therapy is a safe and supportive environment, and that you will be there to support them throughout the process.