SPACE

What is SPACE?

SPACE stands for Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions. It is a specialized training program designed to help parents learn skills and tools to support their child in overcoming anxiety and/or OCD-related concerns.

When you meet with one of our certified SPACE providers, you, the parent, will be the one participating in the sessions, not your child. The goal is to equip you with supportive strategies and reduce the extent to which you accommodate your child’s anxious behaviors.

➤ Key Goals of SPACE:

Cultivating a Supportive Parental Role:

We recognize the pivotal role parents play in a child’s emotional development. The SPACE program focuses on fostering a supportive parental role, providing a foundation for your child’s emotional well-being.

Restoring Child Autonomy:
Through targeted interventions, SPACE supports the restoration of your child’s autonomy, helping them face challenges with greater independence and resilience.

Enhancing Child Self-Regulation and Coping:

Although the program works indirectly with children, it equips parents with tools that encourage children to develop improved coping skills and emotional regulation in response to anxiety and OCD.

Building a Supportive Community:
We believe in the power of shared experience. SPACE helps connect families navigating similar challenges, offering opportunities to share stories, insights, and mutual support.

Improving Family Collaboration and Communication:

Effective communication is essential for managing anxiety-related challenges. SPACE focuses on strengthening collaboration and improving communication within the family system.

Encouraging Unilateral Parental Action:

The SPACE program encourages parents to take meaningful, unilateral actions that contribute positively to your child’s journey, promoting a sense of empowerment within your family unit.

Minimizing Escalation:
SPACE emphasizes proactive strategies to prevent the escalation of anxiety and OCD-related behaviors, creating a calmer and more consistent environment at home.

➤ The Role of the Therapist in SPACE:

Our trained therapists act as supportive consultants throughout the process. They meet weekly with the parent(s) to provide psychoeducation, introduce tools and strategies, and offer guidance and encouragement as you apply what you’re learning at home.

➤ Time Frame:

SPACE is typically structured as a 12-session program, though the exact number of sessions may vary based on your family’s unique needs. The pace is flexible and tailored to ensure the best possible support for your child and your family.