PRESENTED BY: CINDY BALLOU, PSY.D.

When our children are anxious, our natural parental instinct is to step in, protect them, and make the discomfort go away as quickly as possible. It is incredibly painful to watch a child struggle with fear, and our immediate reactions are almost always driven by deep love and a desire to provide comfort. Unfortunately, many of the well-intentioned things we do to help in the moment can unintentionally make anxiety stronger and more persistent over time. This workshop is designed to help parents identify these common behavioral traps and understand the psychological mechanisms that cause helpful gestures to backfire. By attending this session, you will gain a clearer understanding of the anxiety cycle and learn how to shift your parenting responses so that you are supporting your child's emotional growth rather than reinforcing their fears.

During this presentation, we will explore the most common parental responses to childhood anxiety, including excessive reassurance, accommodation, and avoidance. We will discuss how constantly reassuring an anxious child that everything will be fine can prevent them from developing their own internal sense of safety and self-soothing. Furthermore, we will examine the concept of parental accommodation, which occurs when we alter our family routines, expectations, or environments to help a child avoid the things that scare them. While avoiding a stressful situation provides immediate relief for both the parent and the child, it ultimately teaches the child's brain that the feared situation is indeed dangerous and that they are incapable of handling it. Dr. Cindy Ballou will guide you through the process of recognizing these subtle accommodations in your daily life and show you how to gradually reduce them.

This workshop moves beyond identifying mistakes to focus on practical, empowering alternatives that build long-term resilience. You will learn how to validate your child's feelings without agreeing with their anxious thoughts, allowing them to feel heard while still encouraging them to face their challenges. We will discuss concrete, evidence-based communication strategies that foster confidence, independence, and active coping skills. By learning how to tolerate your own discomfort as a parent while your child navigates difficult moments, you will model the very bravery you wish to see in them. You will leave this session with a clear, actionable framework for responding to anxiety in ways that strengthen your child's coping skills and foster a sense of mastery over their fears.

Cancellation & Refund Policy
Cancellations must be submitted by 8:00 AM on the Friday before the event to be eligible for a refund.
Cancellations received by the deadline will receive a refund less any applicable processing fees. Cancellations received after the Friday 8:00 AM deadline are not eligible for a refund. To cancel your registration, please use the cancellation link provided in your registration confirmation email.