SPACE Programme for Childhood Anxiety
Help your child to overcome their anxiety - through a programme followed at home without the need to take them to therarpy
SPACE (Supportive parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) was created by Eli Lebowitz PhD, child and adolescent psychologist and director of the Yale Child Study Center’s Anxiety and Mood Disorders Program
It is a programme I am trained in, where I work with parents and carers to help their child manage and overcome their own anxiety.
University research (including Oxford and Reading Universities) shows that parent-led and parent-only interventions are just as effective at reducing child anxiety as traditional one-on-one child therapy, while requiring significantly less specialist therapist time
Through this online programme, you’ll:
- Reduce anxiety driven behaviours with clear, step-by-step strategies you can use in the moment
- Learn practical tools to help your child manage their own anxiety
- Feel calmer and more confident as a parent with tailored 1:1 guidance
- Connect with other families who truly understand your situation (if selecting to join a group)
The best part? Your child doesn’t need to attend. The SPACE programme has been designed to help you identify actions you can take, to empower your child to manage their own anxiety.
What Is SPACE?
SPACE stands for Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions. It’s an approach developed at Yale University by child psychologist Dr. Eli Lebowitz to specifically help parents support their children.
The focus is on the small changes you can make at home. When a child feels anxious, it’s natural for parents to try to ease it – by giving extra reassurances, avoiding certain situations, or changing routines. While this brings short-term relief, it can actually feed the anxiety in the long run.
SPACE gives parents practical tools to respond differently. Instead of accommodating the anxiety, you learn to show warmth, empathy, and confidence in your child’s ability to cope. Over time, this reduces anxiety induced behaviours by empowering your child to manage their own anxiety, while helping them to develop their resilience.
Listen to Parents' Testimonials
Who is SPACE Coaching for?
SPACE is for any parent whose child is struggling with anxiety. You don’t need to have a formal diagnosis, but some of the common anxieties you may recognise include:
- Separation anxiety – difficulty being apart from parents, needing constant reassurance
- Social anxiety – avoiding social situations, struggling to speak up in class or when in public
- Specific fears and phobias – dogs, spiders, the dark, storms, insects
- Bedtime and sleep difficulties – unable to sleep alone, needing parents to stay with them
- Perfectionism and fear of making mistakes – avoiding activities unless they can do them perfectly
- Obsessive-compulsive behaviours – excessive worrying and repetitive checking
SPACE is particularly helpful when your child is resistant to attending therapy sessions themselves.
How SPACE Coaching Works
Six Weekly Group Sessions On Zoom, Plus Three Private 1:1 Sessions
Join interactive online sessions where you’ll learn practical strategies, focus on one specific anxiety at a time, and share experiences with other parents facing similar challenges. The programme is interspersed with three; 45 minute sessions with Gill, scheduled at times that suit you to benefit from tailored guidance for your family’s specific situation. Spaces are limited to ten families to ensure everyone gets individual attention and support.
OR
Ten Private One to One Sessions with Gill Over Zoom for 45-60 minutes
Just to reassure you
I have been working with stressed parents since 2014, largely through referrals from organisations such as Adopt South-West and Charities such as Kinship My work with adoptive families is funded by the UK Government’s Adoption Support Fund, testimony to the efficacy of the my work.
As part of my professional practice I receive professional supervision from a psychotherapist.
I belong to and follow the professional ethics of the BABCP- British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies.
You’ll be coached by me to develop practical strategies, focusing on one specific anxiety at a time and receive personal and tailored guidance for your family’s specific situation. Sign up to benefit from focused support to effect change in how your child manages their anxiety.
Common Questions
How is the programme delivered?
All sessions are delivered online via Zoom, so you can join from the comfort of your own home. You’ll receive the link before each session.
Who delivers the programme?
Gill Tree, parenting mentor and founder of Stressed Parent. Gill is trained in SPACE and is also a qualified NVR Practitioner and Neurodevelopment Practitioner. She is a member of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (BABCP) and The NVR Association.
Do both parents need to attend?
If there are two parents/carers, both attending together helps ensure consistent responses at home, which makes the approach more effective.
What if I miss a session?
The programme builds week by week, so attending all six sessions helps you get the most benefit.
How do I get the most out of it?
Practising at home in between sessions is key to creating change. The exercises we share are simple and take 10-15 minutes but they only work if you do them, and stick with them.
What if SPACE doesn’t feel right for my family?
SPACE works best when parents can attend consistently and are ready to try new approaches. If after 1-2 sessions it doesn’t feel like the right fit, we can discuss alternative support options.
Can SPACE work alongside therapy?
Yes. SPACE complements other support your child may be receiving.
Ready to Get Started?
As soon as you book, you will receive email confirmation and invoice.
You’ll receive email reminders, joining instructions and a work book before your chosen programme starts.
SPACE Group
