The Journal

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What Is Family Accommodation?

Have your family’s routines started revolving around your child’s anxiety or OCD? Learn what family accommodation is, why it develops, how it can unintentionally maintain anxiety, and how parents can respond in more helpful ways.

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What Is SPACE Treatment? A Parent’s Guide to Helping Children Without Reinforcing Anxiety and Avoidance

Many parents describe feeling as though they are constantly walking on eggshells. They may find themselves reorganizing routines, avoiding certain situations, or spending large amounts of time trying to prevent distress before it escalates. These efforts come from love and a desire to help. The problem is that some of the things families do to reduce anxiety in the short term can unintentionally strengthen it over time.

SPACE treatment was developed to help families change those patterns.

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SPACE treatment Virginia Lindahl SPACE treatment Virginia Lindahl

How Reassurance Can Reinforce Anxiety and OCD in Children

When a child is anxious, offering reassurance often feels like the most natural response in the world.

Parents want to comfort their child, reduce distress, and help things feel manageable again. In the moment, reassurance often works. A child may calm down temporarily after hearing things like:

  • “You’re going to be okay.”

  • “Nothing bad is going to happen.”

  • “I’m sure everything will work out.”

  • “Yes, I checked already.”

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