SPACE Therapy

Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions

Helping anxious children through empowered parenting

SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) is a highly effective, evidence-based, parent-focused therapy developed by Dr. Eli Lebowitz at Yale Child Study Center. It’s designed to help children and adolescents experiencing anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and related challenges—without requiring the child to attend therapy sessions themselves.

Why SPACE?

Parents—not children—attend sessions, learning practical skills to support their child’s emotional growth
This method emphasizes reducing unhelpful accommodations (like enabling avoidance) and increasing supportive responses that model confidence and resilience
Clinical trials have shown SPACE to be as effective as child-directed therapies, making it a powerful alternative or complement to traditional treatment options

Common challenges treated with SPACE

Separation anxiety
Social anxiety
Generalized anxiety
Specific fears and phobias
Panic disorder and agoraphobia
Selective mutism
OCD
ARFID (picky eating)

Why SPACE?

Parents learn to offer emotional acceptance and express confidence in their child’s ability to cope
They identify and gradually reduce accommodating behaviors that unintentionally reinforce anxiety
They develop a supportive yet firmness-based communication style, tailored to their family’s dynamics

FAQ about SPACE

How does SPACE help my child if they don’t attend the sessions?

Research shows that when parents learn to respond differently to anxiety—by reducing unhelpful accommodations and increasing supportive, confidence-building responses—children’s symptoms improve. Even though your child isn’t in the room, the changes you make at home can significantly reduce their anxiety and strengthen their coping skills.

How is SPACE different from traditional therapy?

In traditional child therapy, the focus is on helping the child directly. In SPACE, parents are the “agents of change.” This is especially helpful if your child is reluctant to engage in therapy, is too young to participate effectively, or if you’d like tools to support them day-to-day.

What will sessions look like?

We’ll meet together (just the parents) to talk about your child’s challenges, how anxiety shows up in your family, and the accommodations you’ve been making. Then, I’ll guide you step by step in making small, manageable changes at home. You’ll learn new ways to communicate confidence and support while gently reducing behaviors that maintain anxiety.

How long does SPACE take?
Every family is unique, but SPACE is designed as a structured, time-limited treatment. Many families begin noticing positive changes within the first few weeks, and a full course often lasts about 12–15 sessions.

Do both parents need to attend?
It’s helpful when all caregivers are involved, but it isn’t required. SPACE can still be very effective if one parent is the primary participant.

Can SPACE be combined with other treatments?
Yes. SPACE can be used on its own, or alongside other therapies such as CBT, play therapy, or medication management.

How do I know if SPACE is right for my family?
If your child struggles with anxiety or OCD, and you’d like to feel more confident in how you respond, SPACE may be a good fit. It can be especially valuable if your child is resistant to therapy or if you want tools that directly improve family dynamics around anxiety.

If you’d like to learn more about SPACE or schedule a consultation, please contact me to see if this approach is right for your family.