Child Anxiety Therapy
The Role of Pathways Counseling Services
Pathways Counseling Services offers specialized support for children dealing with anxiety in Scottsdale, AZ. Consequently, their team of experienced therapists employs evidence-based techniques tailored to each child’s unique needs. Moreover, they focus on creating a safe and nurturing environment where children can express their feelings openly.
Additionally, the counselors at Pathways utilize various therapeutic approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and play therapy.
For instance, play therapy allows children to communicate their thoughts and emotions through play rather than words. Therefore, this method can be particularly effective for younger children who may struggle to articulate their feelings verbally.
Furthermore, the counselors work closely with parents to provide guidance on how to support their child’s mental health at home. As a result, families can create a consistent support system that fosters emotional well-being.
CBT and Gentle Exposure for Child Anxiety
Child anxiety can show up in many ways, including worry, fear, avoidance, emotional outbursts, trouble sleeping, school stress, or frequent reassurance-seeking. For many children, anxiety becomes harder to manage when they begin avoiding the situations, places, or experiences that feel overwhelming.
At Pathways Counseling Services in Scottsdale, our therapists use age-appropriate approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), play-based strategies, parent support, and gentle exposure techniques when appropriate. These tools help children better understand their feelings, recognize anxious thoughts, and learn practical ways to cope.
CBT helps children identify the thoughts and worries that contribute to anxiety, while gentle exposure helps them slowly build confidence around situations they may be avoiding. This process is never rushed. Children move at a pace that feels safe, supported, and appropriate for their age and needs.
Over time, therapy can help children feel more confident, regulate emotions more effectively, and respond to anxiety with healthier coping skills instead of avoidance.
Child Anxiety Therapy Can Help With:
- Separation anxiety or fear of being away from parents
- School anxiety, bedtime anxiety, or fear of new situations
- Social anxiety or difficulty interacting with peers
- Frequent worry, overthinking, or reassurance-seeking
- Emotional overwhelm, crying, meltdowns, or shutting down
- Specific fears, phobias, or avoidance behaviors
- Anxiety-related stomachaches, headaches, or sleep problems
Parents looking for additional support may also find our anxiety resources for parents helpful. Families can also review childhood anxiety information from the National Institute of Mental Health to better understand symptoms, treatment options, and when therapy may be helpful.
With the guidance of a licensed therapist, children can learn to understand their anxiety, build emotional regulation skills, and feel more secure in daily life. Parent involvement is often included so families can continue supporting progress at home.
At Pathways Counseling Services in Scottsdale, we help children and families work through anxiety with compassion, structure, and practical tools for lasting growth.
Does Your Child Need Support for Anxiety?
Many children experience anxiety at different stages. This quick check can help you decide whether therapy may be helpful for your child.
Our Therapists
Meet Ali Kasulaitis, LAC — Child, Teen & Family Therapist
Read MoreAli Kasulaitis, MS, LAC
Therapist
Meet Haley Anderson, MSW, LMSW - Child and Teen Therapist
Read MoreHaley Anderson, MSW, LMSW
Therapist
Meet Allison Zimmer, MS, LAC - Anxiety and Substance Therapist
Read MoreAllison Zimmer, MS, LAC
Therapist
Meet David Merrick, MS Ed. LPC-S - Teens and Adult Therapist
Read MoreDavid Merrick, MS Ed. LPC-S
Clinical Director
Meet Sofia Softas-Nall therapist Scottsdale AZ - Trauma, LGBTQIA Therapist
Read MoreSofia Softas-Nall, MS, MA, LPC, NCC
Therapist
Meet Stephanie Levitt, MA, LPC, NCC - EMDR Therapist
Read MoreStephanie Levitt, MA, LPC, NCC
Therapist
Meet Stephanie Levitt, MA, LPC, NCC
Founder of Pathways Counseling Services
Stephanie Levitt, MA, LPC, NCC is a licensed professional counselor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and the founder of Pathways Counseling Services. With more than 20 years of clinical experience, Stephanie supports children, teens, adults, and families navigating anxiety, trauma, emotional overwhelm, avoidance, and major life transitions.
On the Childhood Anxiety Therapy page, Stephanie’s work reflects her belief that children need support that feels safe, practical, and developmentally appropriate. Therapy can help children understand anxious thoughts, build coping skills, reduce avoidance, and feel more confident in everyday situations.
Stephanie is trained in a range of evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR, exposure-based therapy when appropriate, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and mindfulness-based techniques. Her work focuses on helping children and families build emotional regulation, confidence, communication, and long-term resilience.
Stephanie also works with parents and caregivers when appropriate, helping families support progress at home with calm, consistent, and practical tools.
Outside the therapy room, Stephanie has been featured on podcasts, radio shows, and panel discussions where she speaks about trauma recovery, women’s mental health, anxiety, and practical therapy strategies.
View Stephanie’s profile on Psychology Today →
Contact Pathways Counseling Services today to schedule a childhood anxiety therapy consultation in Scottsdale, AZ.
Frequently Asked Questions About Childhood Anxiety Therapy
What is childhood anxiety therapy and how does it work?
Childhood anxiety therapy helps children understand worry, fear, avoidance, and emotional overwhelm in a safe and age-appropriate way. Therapists may use play therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness tools, gentle exposure techniques when appropriate, and parent-supported strategies to help children build confidence and coping skills.
What are signs my child may be struggling with anxiety?
Common signs include excessive worry, difficulty separating from parents, school avoidance, social withdrawal, sleep problems, stomachaches, headaches, emotional outbursts, irritability, perfectionism, or needing frequent reassurance.
What types of anxiety can therapy help with?
Child anxiety therapy can help with separation anxiety, school anxiety, social anxiety, bedtime fears, specific phobias, generalized worry, reassurance-seeking, avoidance behaviors, and anxiety connected to transitions or stressful life events.
How can CBT help children with anxiety?
CBT helps children notice anxious thoughts, understand how thoughts and feelings are connected, and practice healthier coping skills. Children may learn to challenge worry thoughts, calm their bodies, and gradually face situations they have been avoiding.
What is gentle exposure for child anxiety?
Gentle exposure helps children slowly and safely build confidence around situations they fear or avoid. The process is never rushed. A therapist helps the child move step by step at a pace that feels supportive and appropriate.
Is therapy safe for children?
Yes. Therapy for children is designed to be safe, supportive, and developmentally appropriate. The therapist focuses on building trust, helping the child feel understood, and using tools that match the child’s age, personality, and needs.
Will my child be forced to talk about their feelings?
No. Children are not forced to talk before they are ready. Therapists may use play, drawing, activities, stories, or gentle conversation to help children express themselves in ways that feel comfortable.
Will parents be involved in childhood anxiety therapy?
Yes. Parent involvement is often an important part of childhood anxiety therapy. Therapists may provide guidance, coping tools, and strategies parents can use at home to support progress between sessions.
How long does childhood anxiety therapy take?
Every child is different. Some children improve within a few sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support. The length of therapy depends on the child’s anxiety symptoms, goals, age, and family needs.
Do you offer childhood anxiety therapy in Scottsdale, AZ?
Yes. Pathways Counseling Services provides childhood anxiety therapy in Scottsdale, AZ. Therapists support children and families with anxiety, emotional regulation, avoidance, coping skills, and parent guidance.
Can childhood anxiety therapy be done through telehealth?
In some cases, yes. Telehealth may work for older children or parent-focused support. For younger children, in-person therapy may be more helpful, especially when play therapy or hands-on activities are part of treatment.
Do you accept insurance for childhood anxiety therapy?
Pathways Counseling Services is a fee-for-service practice and does not bill insurance directly. If your insurance plan offers out-of-network mental health benefits, Pathways can provide a superbill that you may submit for possible reimbursement.
