SPACE Training for Parents in Scottsdale, AZ

Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions

If your child struggles with anxiety, OCD, or related challenges, you may find yourself asking questions like:

• “How do I help my child cope with anxiety?”

• “What is the best treatment for child anxiety?”

• “Are there parent-focused programs for children with OCD or anxiety?”

At BrainBody Wellness & Biofeedback PLLC in Scottsdale, we are proud to offer SPACE training (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions)—an evidence-based parent training program developed at Yale University. Unlike traditional therapy that works directly with the child, SPACE works with parents, equipping them with tools and strategies to reduce their child’s anxiety symptoms and foster resilience.

What is SPACE Training?

SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) is a structured, research-backed program that teaches parents how to respond to their child’s anxiety in supportive ways while reducing “accommodations” that can inadvertently reinforce anxious behaviors.

Children with anxiety often rely on their parents to make their world feel “safe.” For example:

• A child with separation anxiety might need constant reassurance or refuse to be alone.

• A child with OCD may ask parents to participate in rituals or avoid triggering situations.

• A child with social anxiety may rely on parents to speak for them or avoid social events.

While these accommodations are well-meaning, they tend to make anxiety worse over time. SPACE training helps parents break this cycle by learning how to support their child without feeding into anxiety-driven behaviors.

Who Can Benefit from SPACE Training?

SPACE training is designed for parents of children and teens who experience:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

• Separation Anxiety

• Social Anxiety Disorder

• Panic Disorder

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• School Refusal

• Specific Phobias

Even if your child isn’t ready or willing to participate in therapy, SPACE works entirely through the parents. Research has shown that when parents make changes in how they respond, children’s anxiety significantly improves—even without direct child involvement.

How SPACE Training Works

At BrainBody Wellness Counseling, our clinicians are trained in the SPACE model and guide parents step by step through the process:

1. Assessment: We meet with parents to understand their child’s anxiety patterns, current accommodations, and family dynamics.

2. Education: Parents learn how anxiety works in the brain and why accommodations can unintentionally maintain anxiety.

3. Skill-Building: Parents are taught specific communication skills, supportive statements, and strategies to gradually reduce accommodations.

4. Implementation: With guidance, parents begin making small but impactful changes in daily life that reduce anxiety’s hold on the family.

5. Ongoing Support: Parents continue to receive feedback, troubleshooting, and encouragement as changes take root and progress is made.

Why Parents Choose SPACE Over Traditional Child Therapy

When parents search for “help for child anxiety near me” or the “best child anxiety treatment in Scottsdale,” they often feel overwhelmed by options. SPACE training is unique because:

• It empowers parents: You don’t have to wait for your child to want therapy—you can start making changes today.

• It’s evidence-based: SPACE has been rigorously studied and shown to be effective for reducing child anxiety and OCD symptoms.

• It improves family life: Parents learn how to set boundaries, reduce stress in the household, and create a calmer environment.

• It works even if the child resists therapy: Since SPACE does not require the child’s direct participation, it’s ideal for families where kids are reluctant to engage in counseling.

SPACE Training and Holistic Counseling

At BrainBody Wellness & Biofeedback PLLC, we specialize in holistic counseling in Scottsdale. That means we don’t just focus on surface-level symptoms, but also on the root causes of emotional struggles. By integrating SPACE parent training with other therapeutic modalities like CBT, DBT, EMDR, and Brainspotting, our team offers comprehensive support for both parents and children.

Common Questions About SPACE Training

Is SPACE therapy or parent coaching?
SPACE is a structured parent-based intervention, sometimes described as “parent coaching,” but it is an evidence-based therapeutic program designed to treat child anxiety and OCD.

Do children attend SPACE sessions?
No, SPACE works directly with parents. In some cases, children may be included briefly, but the primary focus is on empowering parents to make changes.

How long does SPACE training take?
Most families see meaningful changes within 8-10 sessions, though results can be seen sooner depending on consistency and follow-through.

Is SPACE training available virtually?
Yes! We provide SPACE parent coaching online for families across Arizona, in addition to in-person sessions at our Scottsdale counseling office. We currently are offering SPACE 1:1 and our SPACE group is on hold.

Take the First Step Toward Helping Your Child

If you’ve been searching for:

• “SPACE training near me”

• “parent program for child anxiety in Scottsdale”

• “best anxiety treatment for kids”

• “parent coaching near me for childhood anxiety”

…you are in the right place.

At BrainBody Wellness & Biofeedback PLLC, our team of licensed counselors provides SPACE training in Scottsdale, AZ, and virtually throughout Arizona. We will guide you through the process of reducing accommodations, increasing supportive responses, and helping your child gain confidence and resilience.

Schedule a free consultation today with SPACE provider Lisa Johnson, LPC to learn more about how SPACE training can transform your family’s journey with childhood anxiety.