Anxiety Treatment for Kids, Teens, and Adults

OCD Treatment for Kids, Teens and Adults

parenting anxious kids, Teens and young adults (SPACE-informed treatment)

Supporting Families Navigating Parenting Children and Teens with Autism, AuDHD, ADHD, and PDA

 I am passionate about providing effective support for individuals across all ages who are facing anxiety challenges. While some worry is normal, for many, anxiety becomes overwhelming, affecting daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. My goal is to help you regain control and find lasting relief.

Types of Anxiety I Treat:

Generalized Anxiety
Persistent and excessive worry about everyday matters such as school, work, health, or relationships. These worries often lead to fatigue, irritability, difficulty sleeping, and restlessness, making it hard to focus on what truly matters.

Panic Disorder
Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks characterized by intense fear and physical sensations like a racing heart, shortness of breath, sweating, or trembling. Living in fear of the next attack can lead to avoidance behaviors, which may restrict your daily  activities.  

Health Anxiety
An ongoing preoccupation with health concerns that can cause significant distress, leading to frequent checking, reassurance-seeking, or avoidance of certain activities or places.

Social Anxiety
Worries about social situations, including fear of judgment, embarrassment, or negative evaluation. These concerns can cause blushing, stuttering, and avoidance of social events, impacting school, work, and personal relationships.

Agoraphobia
An intense fear of open spaces, crowded places, or being outside of a safe environment. Many with agoraphobia avoid leaving their homes or venturing into situations where escape might be difficult, often driven by fears of panic or embarrassment.

Take the First Step
If unhelpful anxiety is affecting your life or the life of someone you care about, help is available. Reach out today to learn more about how specialized, evidence-based treatment can make a difference.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common, yet often misunderstood, mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide.  OCD is characterized by unwanted, persistent thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that individuals feel driven to perform. These behaviors are typically aimed at reducing the distress caused by obsessions but can become time-consuming and interfere significantly with daily life.

OCD manifests in many forms. While many associate OCD with rituals like hand-washing or counting, the disorder can also include compulsive checking, reassurance-seeking, mental rituals, and avoidance behaviors. The specific themes or concerns vary widely—from fears of contamination and harm to doubts about relationships or moral correctness.

The Nature of OCD
Obsessions are intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that cause anxiety or distress. They often feel uncontrollable and are not simply worries or fears; they are persistent and sometimes disturbing.

Compulsions are behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce the anxiety caused by obsessions. Common compulsions include cleaning, checking, repeating, asking for reassurance, or mental rituals like counting or praying.

Because OCD can take many forms and involve various compulsive behaviors, it often goes unrecognized or misunderstood. Even experienced clinicians may find diagnosing OCD challenging without specialized training.

Effective Treatment for OCD
The good news is that OCD is highly treatable. Evidence-based treatments have been proven effective in helping individuals manage symptoms and improve their quality of life. The most widely used and supported approach is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), particularly a form called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).

ERP involves gradually exposing individuals to feared situations or thoughts while helping them resist the urge to perform compulsions. Over time, this process helps reduce anxiety and breaks the cycle of obsessions and compulsions. When combined with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) principles, treatment can also include strategies for accepting distressing thoughts without acting on them, fostering greater psychological flexibility.

Because OCD can be complex and manifest in many different ways, working with a trained mental health professional is essential. Proper diagnosis and tailored treatment plans can make a significant difference. With consistent effort and support, most people with OCD experience substantial relief and regain control over their lives

Understanding the Intersection of OCD and Autism
OCD and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often share overlapping features, which can make distinguishing between the two challenging. Research indicates that many individuals with autism also experience symptoms of OCD, particularly repetitive behaviors and strict routines. However, while both conditions involve repetitive actions, the underlying motivations can differ.

In OCD, compulsions are driven by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) that cause significant distress, and the compulsive behaviors are performed to reduce anxiety or prevent feared outcomes. In contrast, repetitive behaviors in autism are often related to sensory preferences, comfort, or a need for routine—without the presence of distressing obsessions.

Despite these differences, the coexistence of OCD and autism can complicate treatment, as traditional approaches may need to be adapted to address both conditions effectively. Understanding the nuanced relationship between OCD and autism is essential for providing targeted, compassionate care that helps individuals manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

In OCD, compulsions are driven by intrusive, distressing thoughts (obsessions) that create anxiety, and the behaviors are performed to manage that discomfort. For individuals with autism, repetitive behaviors and routines often serve as sources of comfort, predictability, or sensory regulation, and are not necessarily linked to distress or fears.

Understanding and honoring these differences, while recognizing their overlap, allows for a more nuanced and respectful approach to care. By acknowledging the unique ways each person experiences and expresses these behaviors, we can support their journey toward well-being, emphasizing acceptance, empowerment, and personalized strategies.

Take the First Step
If OCD is affecting your life or the life of someone you care about, help is available. Reach out today to learn more about how specialized, evidence-based treatment can make a difference. Recovery is possible, and you don’t have to face OCD alone.

If you are a parent of an anxious child or a child with OCD, you likely know firsthand that parenting an anxious child doesn’t follow the same rules as parenting a child without anxiety. Many families experience how anxiety and OCD can take over the family system, affecting everyone involved and often leading to significant challenges for your child, teen, or young adult. These struggles can limit their ability to engage in life in meaningful and joyful ways.

Parenting an anxious child or young adult requires learning a new set of skills—ones that don’t always come naturally. Many parents find themselves feeling stuck in a cycle, having tried everything but still unable to help their child navigate the difficulties that anxiety brings. The contagious nature of unhelpful anxiety can impact the entire family, making it difficult to find a way forward. Support and guidance are essential to navigate this terrain intentionally, helping your child overcome obstacles and rediscover the joy of being a kid and experiencing life fully.

Childhood anxiety disorders are common and can have serious short-term and long-term effects on your child's mental health and overall well-being if left unaddressed. While evidence-based treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medications can be effective, they are not always sufficient on their own. This highlights the importance of exploring additional treatment options tailored to your family’s needs.

Kim specializes in a parent-focused approach informed by Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE)—an evidence-based treatment designed to support parents in managing their child's anxiety, including OCD. SPACE is especially helpful when your child is unwilling or unable to participate directly in therapy. Given the systemic and attachment-driven nature of anxiety, involving the family in treatment often yields better outcomes than working with the child alone. When parents are supported and empowered through this approach, children frequently experience reduced anxiety and improved functioning, and the overall family well-being can be greatly enhanced.

Parenting a child or teen with Autism, AuDHD, ADHD, or PDA often means navigating a world that wasn't built with their unique needs in mind. Many families face daily challenges not only related to their child's behavior and emotional regulation but also in dealing with systems—schools, healthcare, community resources—that can feel unresponsive or ill-equipped to support their loved one’s strengths and differences.

Effective support recognizes that these children and teens often experience sensory sensitivities, emotional regulation difficulties, and demand avoidance, which can lead to feelings of frustration, overwhelm, and isolation. It’s important to understand that these behaviors and needs are valid and that traditional approaches may not always be effective.

Therapies tailored to these dynamics emphasize a family-centered, strengths-based approach that fosters understanding, resilience, and connection. By working collaboratively, families can develop practical strategies to navigate daily challenges, advocate effectively within systems, and create environments where their children can thrive—authentically and confidently.

If you’re seeking compassionate guidance to support your family’s journey, I am here to help you find strategies that honor your child's unique profile and build a stronger, more adaptable family system. 

Supporting loved one's through a family member's Recovery Avoidance; reestablishing your family's wellbeing 

What Is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and How Is It Treated?

Navigating the challenges of a loved one's recovery process can be complex, especially when family members feel stuck or unsure of how to support someone who is avoidant of change. Alec Pollard's Family Wellbeing Approach (FWBA) offers a compassionate, systemic framework for working with families in these situations. 

FWBA emphasizes strengthening family relationships, fostering mutual understanding, and promoting a supportive environment that encourages growth and recovery. Instead of focusing solely on the individual, this approach recognizes that family dynamics play a crucial role in healing and lasting change. By engaging the entire family system with empathy and clarity, FWBA helps families move from frustration and helplessness toward connection, resilience, and hope.

If you’re seeking a way to support your loved one’s recovery while nurturing your family’s overall wellbeing, FWBA provides practical strategies grounded in research and compassion.