Child Anxiety Therapy in Calgary
Worry, fear, and anxiety are among the most common reasons Calgary parents reach out to us. Whether your child is refusing school, having meltdowns, or lying awake at night with worry, we are here to help!
Does any of this sound familiar?
Childhood anxiety doesn't always look like worrying. It can show up as stomach aches, anger, clinginess, or a child who simply refuses to go to school. Here are some of the signs parents describe when they call us:
School Refusal
Meltdowns every morning, complaints of feeling sick, or flat-out refusing to get in the car. Often dismissed as "just being difficult" when anxiety is the real cause.
Clinginess & Separation Anxiety
Difficulty being away from parents, distress at drop-off, or needing constant reassurance that everything will be okay.
Anger & Meltdowns
Anxiety often comes out as irritability or explosive behaviour - especially when a child feels trapped or overwhelmed by something they can't control.
Excessive Worry
Asking "what if" constantly, worrying about things other kids don't seem to notice, or catastrophizing small problems into big ones.
Avoidance
Refusing social situations, new experiences, or anything outside their comfort zone - and becoming distressed when pushed.
Perfectionism
Tearing up work that isn't "right," refusing to try new things for fear of failure, or becoming disproportionately upset by mistakes.
Physical Symptoms
Stomach aches, headaches, or nausea with no medical explanation — often worse on school days or before social situations.
Sleep Problems
Trouble falling asleep, coming to parents' room at night, nightmares, or lying awake worrying once the busyness of the day quiets down.
Social Anxiety & Friendship Struggles Dreading group situations, going quiet around peers, or avoiding playdates and birthday parties.
A Note On School Refusal
School refusal is a distressing thing for a parent to experience and it is one of the most common reasons families contact us. If your child is having daily meltdowns before school, complaining of stomach aches or headaches on school mornings, or has stopped attending altogether, you're not alone.
School refusal is almost always anxiety-driven. The school environment, which can include performance pressure, tricky social dynamics, separation from parents, and unpredictability, can feel genuinely overwhelming to an anxious child. The avoidance provides temporary relief, which reinforces the anxiety, making the next school day harder. Left unaddressed, the pattern tends to get worse rather than better.
The good news is that school refusal responds well to early intervention. Children who get therapeutic support, whether through play therapy or talk-based counselling, learn to tolerate the discomfort of anxiety rather than avoid it, and most are able to return to school successfully.
How We Help Support Anxious Children
There's no single "right" approach to childhood anxiety - the best fit depends on your child's age, personality, and what they're going through. We offer two different approaches:
Play Therapy for Anxious Children
Ages 4–12 (most common)
Younger children often can't explain their anxiety in words, but they can show it through play. Play therapy gives children a safe, structured space to express and process their worries through sand tray, art, and imaginative play, all guided by a Registered Play Therapist.
Play Therapy is best for children who struggle to talk about feelings, and younger children.
Child CBT Counselling for Anxiety
(Ages 6 –17 - talk & skills-based)
Older children and teens often benefit from a more direct approach and learning to understand their anxiety, challenge unhelpful thoughts, and build practical coping strategies. Our psychologists use evidence-based approaches, including CBT tailored for children.
CBT is best for children who can reflect on their thoughts and feelings, teens, or those dealing with specific fears or worries.
Not sure which is right for your child? That's exactly what the free 15-minute consultation is for! We'll talk through what's going on and recommend the approach that fits best.
What to Expect When You Reach Out
1. Free 15-minute phone consultation (Optional)
Schedule a call with us, tell us what's going on, and we'll recommend the right approach for your child.
2. Initial parent intake session
Before your child's first appointment, we meet with you privately to understand their history, your concerns, and your goals for therapy.
3. Child therapy sessions
Your child meets with their therapist weekly in a warm, child-friendly space. Sessions are 50 minutes and designed to feel safe and comfortable.
4. Regular parent check-ins
We update you on your child's progress every few sessions and give you practical strategies to support them at home between appointments.
Frequently Asked Questions
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If your child's anxiety is affecting their daily life, such as their school attendance, friendships, sleep, or family life, it's worth getting support. You don't need to wait until things reach a crisis point.
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We support children ages 4 to 17. Our approach adapts to your child's developmental stage - younger children typically work through play-based methods, while older children and teens engage in more direct counselling and skill-building.
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It's normal for children to feel a little uncertain about starting therapy, and some children need a few sessions to warm up. But our approach is gentle and child-led, meaning we follow your child's pace. We don't push children to confront fears before they're ready. Most parents notice their child becoming more comfortable and open within the first few sessions.
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Yes - honesty works best, framed in a child-friendly way. You might say something like "we're going to meet someone whose job is to help kids with big feelings" or "it's like a place where you can play and talk about things that feel hard." We're happy to give you age-specific guidance on this during your free consultation.
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Many extended health plans cover sessions with a Registered Psychologist or Registered Play Therapist under "psychological services." We recommend checking your plan directly. We provide detailed receipts for reimbursement after every session.
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Every child is different. Many children with anxiety make meaningful progress in 8–16 sessions, while others benefit from longer support. We review progress with you regularly and adjust the plan as your child grows. You're never locked into a set number of sessions.
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Play therapy uses play, art, and sand tray to help children express and process anxiety non-verbally - it's especially effective for younger children or those who struggle to talk about feelings. Child counselling is more direct, using conversation and evidence-based techniques like CBT to help children understand and manage their anxiety.
Have questions?
We’re here to help!
Email us: office@bluebirdpsychology.ca
Call us: (587) 288-6884Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with one of our psychologists here.
We are located at 277, 200 Rivercrest Dr. SE in Calgary, AB