Helping Children & Teens Face Fears & Find Calm
When anxiety, OCD, or fears get in the way of your child's or teen's daily life, school, friendships, sleep, family time, evidence-based CBT and ERP can help. Reframe CBT works with children, adolescents, and their families to build real, lasting skills in a warm, supportive environment.
What We Treat in Children
Reframe CBT specializes in anxiety, OCD, phobias, and body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) in children. These are among the most common and most treatable childhood mental health concerns, and CBT/ERP produces lasting results.
Anxiety & Worry
Excessive worry about school, friendships, family, or health. Difficulty separating from parents, stomachaches before school, or constant reassurance-seeking.
OCD in Children
Intrusive thoughts, rituals, or compulsive behaviors that interfere with daily life, like repeated handwashing, checking, counting, or needing things 'just right.'
Phobias & Fears
Intense, persistent fears of specific things, animals, the dark, thunderstorms, vomiting, or social situations, that cause avoidance and distress.
Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors
Repetitive behaviors like hair pulling, skin picking, or nail biting that children may feel unable to stop, often causing distress or embarrassment.
A note on ADHD
Our primary focus is anxiety, OCD, phobias, and BFRBs. If your child comes in for anxiety and ADHD is also present, we can support both concerns together. However, we do not see children whose only presenting concern is ADHD, if that's the case, we're happy to provide a referral.
How Child Therapy Works at Reframe CBT
The process is collaborative, parent-inclusive, and paced to your child's comfort. No surprises, just clear, evidence-based steps toward lasting change.
Parent Consultation First
We start with a phone call with you, the parent or caregiver, to discuss your child's concerns, answer your questions, and determine if CBT is the right fit.
Child-Friendly Assessment
The first sessions are relaxed and conversational. Your therapist gets to know your child, builds trust, and collaborates with both child and parent to understand what's going on and set goals.
Evidence-Based CBT & ERP
Using age-appropriate techniques, games, stories, drawings, and gradual exposure, Your therapist teaches children practical skills to understand and manage their anxiety, OCD, or fears.
Parent Coaching
Parents are an essential part of the process. We coach caregivers on how to support their child at home, respond helpfully to anxiety, and reinforce the skills learned in sessions.
Evidence-Based. Child-Friendly. Lasting Results.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most well-researched, evidence-based treatment for childhood anxiety, OCD, and phobias. Decades of research show that CBT, especially when combined with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD, produces significant, lasting improvement in the majority of children who complete treatment.
Unlike adult CBT, child-focused CBT uses age-appropriate tools: stories, metaphors, drawings, and playful "brave challenges" that make the work engaging rather than intimidating. Children learn that they are capable of facing difficult feelings, a skill that serves them for life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age range does Reframe CBT work with for children?
Reframe CBT works with children ages 6 and up, through adolescence and into adulthood. For younger children (ages 6–12), sessions are tailored with age-appropriate, play-informed techniques. Parents are actively involved throughout the process.
How is CBT adapted for children?
CBT for children uses the same evidence-based principles as adult CBT, but delivered through child-friendly methods, stories, games, drawings, and gradual 'brave challenges' (exposure exercises). The approach is collaborative, never forced, and paced to the child's comfort level.
How involved are parents in their child's therapy?
Very involved. Parents are coached on how to respond to anxiety and OCD at home, how to support exposure exercises, and how to avoid accidentally reinforcing avoidance. Regular parent check-ins are part of every child's treatment.
Does Reframe CBT treat ADHD in children?
Our primary focus is anxiety, OCD, phobias, and BFRBs. If a child comes in for anxiety and ADHD is also present, we can support both concerns together. However, we do not see children whose primary and only concern is ADHD.
Is telehealth available for children?
Yes. Telehealth sessions are available for children throughout California. Many children actually respond well to telehealth, they're comfortable in their own environment, which can make opening up easier. In-person sessions are also available in San Rafael, Marin County.
How do I know if my child needs therapy?
If anxiety, OCD, or fears are interfering with your child's daily life, school attendance, friendships, sleep, family routines, it may be time to seek support. A consultation is the easiest first step. There's no commitment, and we can help you figure out if therapy is the right next move.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Start with a phone consultation. We'll answer your questions, learn about your child's concerns, and help you decide if CBT is the right fit.
In-person in San Rafael, Marin County · Telehealth throughout California