Separation Anxiety Disorder Treatment
The summer is waning – it’s almost time for autumn to roll around again, which means school will be starting soon. While most children look forward to this time so they can see their friends and enjoy various school activities, this can be a period of major anxiety for some school-aged children. These kids are extremely unwilling to leave home or be away from major attachment figures such as parents, grandparents, or older siblings. The beginning of the new school year is often seen as a threat to them, resulting in elevated anxiety levels and possible school-related disorders, such as separation anxiety disorder and school refusal.
In some cases the separation anxiety and school refusal follow an infection or illness or can come after an emotional trauma such as a move to another neighborhood or the death of a loved one. The anxiety generally occurs after the child has spent an extended time with their parent or loved one, perhaps over summer break or a long vacation.
Anxiety Definition
A teen or child is said to be suffering from a separation anxiety disorder if they show excessive anxiety related to the separation from a parent or caregiver or from their home, or if they exhibit an inappropriate anxiety about this separation as related to their age or stage of development. School refusal and separation anxiety are not the same: school refusal is not an “actual” diagnosis, instead it is a result of the child or teen having a separation anxiety disorder, panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, or social phobia, among other diagnoses.
Separation Anxiety Physical Symptoms
Children with separation anxiety have symptoms which can include:
- Excessive worry about potential harm befalling oneself or one’s caregiver
- Demonstrating clingy behavior
- Avoiding activities that may result in separation from parents
- Fearing to be alone in a room or needing to see a parent at all times
- Difficulty going to sleep, fear of the dark, and/or nightmares
- Trembling
- Headaches
- Stomachaches and/or nausea
- Vomiting
A child who exhibits three or more of these symptoms for more than four weeks is likely to be suffering from a separation anxiety disorder.
Treatment for School Refusal and Separation Anxiety
When treating a child with separation anxiety and school refusal, our therapists in Delray Beach, FL and also across the United States via teletherapy, try to help the child learn to identify and change their anxious thoughts. They teach coping mechanisms that will help the child respond less fearfully to the situations that produce their anxiety. This can be done through role-playing or by modeling the appropriate behavior for the child to see. Medication is sometimes appropriate in severe cases of separation anxiety. Additionally, the therapist encourages child to use positive self-talk and parents help with this therapy by actively reinforcing positive behaviors and rewarding their child’s successes.
Looking for immediate help?
Contact Us Today for a Confidential Assessment.
Call 561-496-1094 or
Treatment Programs Specializing In:
Serving the whole person, not just the symptoms. In all of our programs your comfort, privacy and long-term success are paramount.
COVID-19 Trauma has become familiar to many people throughout the pandemic. If you’re experiencing trauma, PTSD, anxiety, or depression as a result of Corona virus learn about how our COVID-19 Trauma Treatment Program can help.
We offer online therapy to help people who are unable to leave their homes. Contact us and we will will schedule your confidential online assessment.
Helping people from all walks of life find deeper connection and understanding to create stronger and healthier relationships.
Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric illnesses affecting children and adults. When you experience anxiety that is persistent, seemingly uncontrollable, overwhelming and disabling you may have an anxiety disorder.
Mood disorders represent a category of psychiatric disorders in which the underlying problem primarily affects a person’s persistent emotional state or mood. Mood disorders are made up of depressive types and bipolar types.
Resilience can help protect a person from various mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, and most importantly this training improves the quality of life. Resilience can also help offset factors that increase the risk of mental health conditions, such as being bullied or previous trauma.
Children and adolescents experience normal problems of growing up due to pressures of social media, school, socializing, self esteem or family. Our youth services provide assistance in dealing with educational, social, and vocational issues.
The Trauma Institute provides highly specialized clinical services, informed by the latest cutting edge-research, for trauma survivors. We are an Institute dedicated to clinical services, community education, professional training, and research focused on trauma recovery.
Individuals or couples who want to transition into parenthood but are experiencing difficulties becoming pregnant may feel alone, frustrated, ashamed or experience symptoms of depression or anxiety. Pregnancy therapy may be a helpful outlet to help cope with these feelings and reduce stress.
Many children and adults who have weak executive functioning skills are negatively impacted in all areas of life but fortunately through assessment and intervention, executive skills can be strengthened and compensatory strategies can be learned. When these skills are well developed, children and adults can better maximum their potential and future outcomes.
Families naturally go through stages and transitions across the lifespan. Family dynamics impact each individuals’ response to daily life and major events. Therapy can help families understand their complex and ever-changing dynamics. As the family becomes an expert in their processes, they will be able to use new skills to navigate each situation with love and respect for one another.
Learning should be empowering and meaningful for all students. Our new services being offered include the teaching of strategies to maximize learning. Academic coaching and personalized learning strategies can help students learn to use patterns, meaning, body motion, mnemonics, their color spectrum, visuals and mind maps to enhance attention and working memory. When learning becomes meaningful, positive physical changes happen in the brain.
What We Treat
Other addictions and disorders
Types of Therapy
The Center offers cutting edge therapy designed to get you on the road to a speedy recovery. We will help you to learn how to live your daily life free from the fears or compulsions that inhibit you or your child’s ability to complete each day’s tasks.
More Ways to Get Help Now
The Center offers cutting edge therapy designed to get you on the road to a speedy recovery. We know that you can’t always make it into our office for your session. Which is why we now provide teletherapy. You can get support from the comfort of your own home. We offer cognitive behavior therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, mindfulness meditation, group therapy, and medication. Depending on your needs, here’s how you can get help now:
Online or Phone Therapy
For individuals around the country or those wanting help from the comfort of your own home, we offer therapy via Facetime, Skype or phone.
In Person Treatment
We have professionals available 7 days a week. Our offices are conveniently located in the Boca/Delray area.
Intensive Weekend Programs
For those who prefer a more short-term approach we offer weekend sessions for individuals or groups. Perfect for those with a less flexible work schedule.
When it comes to anxiety or mood disorders we specialize in treating the whole person, not just your symptoms. In all of our programs your comfort, privacy and long-term success are paramount.
Looking for immediate help?
Contact Us Today for a Confidential Assessment.
Call 561-496-1094 or
Hi I have a question,
My cild is extremely afraid in college. Although we live in a big city, and her college is in a small town, she has trouble fitting in with her peers and feeling comfortable around them. Despite having many people around her she is convinced none of them really care about her and therefore feels extremely lonely and left behind. Im not sure if she has anxiety disorder or what but she doest know how to fix it.
Hi i need some help. I graduated high school last year and was planning on going to a college about 2 hours away. I had to go in the summer because my SAT scores weren’t high enough, but two of my best friends had to do that as well so i thought it would be okay. The weekend we moved in was fun for the first two nights. then my parents left the third night and as i was getting ready for bed i started feeling sick and started having a panic attack out of no where. I had never had one before and this was new to me. They kept happening so i decided to come home with my parents. I kept having them throughout the summer and it was the most terrifying this i ever went through. Part of me has wanted to try to go off again with my friends and live my college years and i’m getting on medicine for my anxiety now. I really want to go back with my 3 best friends and live in a really nice apartment and go to school for a esthetician program where they go to school. I’m not sure what the best decision for me is. All i know is i don’t want to regret not going. My parents think it would be good for me and think since i’m on medicine it won’t happen again but i’m so scared but excited at the same time. Any advice?
hello,i feel cheated After 35 years of marriage my husband cheated on me, thanks to priest kala for helping me, he told me that he was no longer interested in marriage, I could not say what leads to this cause, we have never had a real fight that could lead to such a decision. I was much worse than I could not continue. One afternoon I was at home talking online with a close friend, reading an article, and seeing a comment on a married woman. It really struck me because I never thought it was possible, I thought and tried. So I did whatever he asked me and after the last seven days my husband came and asked me to forgive him that he wanted us to meet and that he now has more than five years. now we are a happy family. I am really grateful for this help for what it is for me, I mean her kindness. {Whatsapp {{ 17692085860}}}}}}}} :: :
Hi Michelle,
Yes, we recently began treating internationally. Please contact us through the contact page to learn more about the options available.
Any suggestions for students who are isolated at school because of the pandemic? Colleges do not seem to be doing a particularly good job welcoming them and assisting with the transition!
Hi Christine, Please contact us through the contact page for the options and support available for these students
Very Informative post. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.
Teen Counselor California