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Learn more in one of my in-depth mental health courses: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/?utm_medium=YTDescription&utm_source=YouTube
Here is the link to find out when the next “Helping a child with anxiety” course will be: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/pl/2147679837
Here are the other videos in this series:
Part 2: https://youtu.be/AZs6hBqvW_4
Part 3: https://youtu.be/wytxrXe5tUQ
Part 4: https://youtu.be/MkD9LM5OQSk

Okay, you have an anxious child. He may have trouble going to school, be shy, have stomach aches, headaches, or other physical signs of anxiety. Maybe he throws a tantrum when it's time to go to bed, he cries and clings to you when it's time to leave. And it breaks your heart. You see him in pain and you would do anything to help him feel better. You worry that anxiety will torment him for the rest of his life. You may be afraid that you've passed on your bad anxiety genes to him or made him anxious in some way.

I want to emphasize that it's probably not your fault that your child is anxious. Many factors come into play, including personality and genetics. It's not your fault, but you can do something about it. Anxiety is completely treatable.

You probably want me to teach you skills for your child, but research shows that intervening with parents is more helpful than intervening with children. There are literally hundreds of opportunities per week to teach your children how to manage anxiety. In this video series, I'm going to teach you how to change your mindset around anxiety, and then in the next 3 videos, I'm going to teach you practical things you can DO to help your child manage their anxiety.

So, are you up for it? Are you ready to change yourself and your living environment in order to help your child? Great ! Let's go. Here are 4 principles to help your anxious child.

00:00 How to help an anxious child
01:54 Learn more in my online mental health courses
02:24 1. Helping parents change their mindset about anxiety is more effective than just therapy with a child
06:57 2. Anxiety is not a “negative” emotion
11:41 3. Being sensitive is a neutral trait, not a negative one
15:32 4. The anxiety cycle, when we avoid anxiety it grows
17:08 Anxiety disorders in children are completely treatable
18:17 Summary of how to help an anxious child

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Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health problems. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the opinions expressed on this site or any associated content should not be considered medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your doctor before making any decisions regarding your physical or mental health.
In therapy, I use a combination of acceptance and commitment therapy, systems theory, positive psychology, and bio-psycho-social approach to treat mental illnesses and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas in my videos are often adapted from multiple sources. Many of these come from acceptance and commitment therapy, particularly the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection come from the work of Stephen Porges (polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (somatic experiencing), Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger Institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose the direction of our lives.
And deeper than all of this, the gospel of Jesus Christ guides my personal worldview and sense of security, peace, hope, and love https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/believe

If you are in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or your local emergency services.
Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC

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