Is CBT Good for Anxiety in Children?
Does your child worry about everything? From grades to fitting in, to things you might not even expect—anxiety can take a toll on your child’s life, and likely on yours, too. When those worries start to impact daily functioning, it’s time to seek help.
At Compassionate Counseling St. Louis, we know how overwhelming it can feel when anxiety takes over. Therapy, especially Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) here in St. Louis, is one of the most effective ways to help children struggling with anxiety. Why? Because CBT doesn’t just provide temporary relief—it gives your child the skills they need to understand and manage their anxiety now and in the future.
Image Credit: Annie Spratt @anniespratt on Unsplash
Why CBT Is Effective for Kids
CBT is considered a “first-line” treatment for child anxiety because it gets to the root of the issue. It helps children:
Understand their anxiety: By seeing it as something outside of themselves—like a “bully in the brain”—kids can start to separate their identity from their worries.
Build practical coping skills: CBT provides tools to challenge anxious thoughts and manage physical symptoms of anxiety.
Feel empowered: Learning how to control anxiety, rather than letting it control them, is a game-changer for kids.
One of the most engaging aspects of CBT for children is its use of metaphors and creative techniques. For example, a therapist might help your child visualize their anxiety as a pesky “brain bully” that they can outsmart, or as strings controlling a puppet—strings that they can learn to control. These relatable and fun approaches make the therapy experience both effective and empowering.
How We Tailor CBT for Kids
At Compassionate Counseling St. Louis, we know that therapy for kids needs to meet them where they are developmentally. That’s why we incorporate play, art, storytelling, and other creative methods into our CBT sessions. Activities like drawing their worries, acting out scenarios, or creating their own “calm-down toolkit” make therapy not just effective but engaging and enjoyable.
We also partner closely with parents, giving you tools to support your child’s progress at home. Together, we create a holistic approach that addresses anxiety both in and outside of the therapy room.
The Proven Benefits of CBT
Beyond symptom management of anxiety and over-control, CBT helps to
Improve emotional regulation
Enhance self-confidence and problem-solving skills
Reduce negative self-talk
Increase resilience and independence
Take the First Step
We understand that as a parent, you want the best for your child. That’s why we’re here to support you every step of the way. If you’re curious about CBT and whether it’s the right fit for your child, let’s start with a free phone consultation. We’ll discuss your concerns, explain our approach, and determine how we can help—or connect you with another trusted provider if needed.
At Compassionate Counseling St. Louis, we specialize in anxiety therapy for kids, teens, and college students, as well as parent coaching to support the entire family. Located in Clayton, we work with clients throughout the St. Louis area, both in person and online.
Let’s help your child move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling confident and in control.
Curious to learn more about anxiety therapy for kids, teens, and college students in St. Louis? Wondering if you need to connect with a therapist in St. Louis? Compassionate Counseling St. Louis specializes in anxiety therapy for teens, kids, and college students, along with partnering with parents through parent coaching - basically therapy for parents here in St. Louis. We’re located in Clayton and work with clients throughout the St. Louis region. To schedule a free phone consultation, please use our contact page.