SPACE for Parents

Supportive Parenting For AnxiousChildhood Emotions (SPACE)

When a child struggles with anxiety or OCD, parents often feel stuck—wanting to help, while also noticing that repeated attempts to make anxiety go away can sometimes make life feel smaller over time.

SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) is an evidence-based, parent-focused treatment for childhood anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It helps caregivers support their child’s emotional growth by changing how they respond to anxiety—without requiring the child to participate in therapy.

Developed by Eli Lebowitz, PhD at Yale University, SPACE supports parents in taking a steady, values-guided stance that communicates confidence, connection, and belief in their child’s ability to handle discomfort.

Our Approach: Integrating SPACE and ACT

At The OCD and Anxiety Center for Change, our work is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT and SPACE share a strong focus on psychological flexibility—helping families move toward what matters, even when anxiety, fear, or uncertainty are present.

Rather than trying to eliminate anxious thoughts or feelings, both approaches emphasize responding differently to discomfort so it has less influence over daily life. Through SPACE, parents learn to model willingness, values-based action, and confidence in their child’s ability to experience hard emotions while still engaging in meaningful activities.

This integration allows parents to validate emotions without reinforcing avoidance, support bravery without pressure, and set compassionate limits that help anxiety loosen its grip over time.

What Is SPACE?

Parent-focused treatment that changes the family’s response to anxiety.

SPACE is a structured, research-supported approach that helps families respond to anxiety more flexibly—rather than organizing routines around avoidance or attempts to control anxious thoughts and feelings.

Parents learn how to:

Respond with warmth while holding clear, steady boundaries
Reduce patterns that unintentionally give anxiety more control
Communicate confidence in their child’s ability to experience discomfort
Support values-based “brave behavior” without pressure or force

SPACE helps families move toward what matters, even when anxiety is present. Children do not need to attend sessions for SPACE to be effective.

SPACE Services Offered

SPACE services are offered in both group and individual formats.

Parent Groups
Supportive, structured parent groups where caregivers:

Learn the core principles of SPACE
Practice supportive statements and limit setting
Receive guidance, feedback, and encouragement
Connect with other parents facing similar challenges

Individual Parent Sessions
One-on-one SPACE coaching tailored to your family’s needs, including:

Personalized accommodation mapping
Customized language and implementation plans
Support for complex anxiety or OCD presentations
Flexible pacing and focused problem-solving

Learn More About SPACE

Official SPACE website: https://www.spacetreatment.net
Recommended reading: Breaking Free of Child Anxiety by Dr. Eli Lebowitz
Parent-friendly videos:

Ready To Get Started?

You don’t have to wait for anxiety to disappear before life can move forward. SPACE helps parents take a calm, compassionate stance that allows children to build confidence through experience—not avoidance.

The message children receive is simple and powerful:

“I know this is hard, and I believe you can handle it.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my child doesn’t want to come to therapy?

Children do not need to participate in SPACE for it to be effective. Parents are the agents of change, and many families experience meaningful improvement through parent-focused work alone.

Will reducing accommodations make my child’s anxiety worse?

Anxiety may increase briefly as accommodations change. From an ACT perspective, this reflects anxiety having less control over decisions. Parents reduce accommodations gradually and compassionately while staying aligned with their values.

Is SPACE the same as tough love?

No. SPACE emphasizes empathy, emotional validation, and connection, while also setting clear, compassionate limits around anxiety-driven behaviors.

How long does SPACE treatment usually take?

SPACE is typically time-limited, often 8–12 sessions depending on family needs and format.

How do I know if SPACE is right for my family?

SPACE may be a good fit if anxiety has begun to control routines, reassurance keeps increasing, or your child resists therapy. A consultation can help determine whether SPACE or another approach is the best fit.

Why SPACE Helps

Research shows that when family routines are organized around reducing anxiety—such as offering repeated reassurance or helping children avoid distress—anxiety can become more central in daily life.

SPACE helps parents reduce accommodation while increasing supportive, values-consistent responses. As parents change their stance, children are given repeated opportunities to learn:

“I can feel anxious and still do hard things.”

Research has shown that SPACE can:

Reduce anxiety and OCD symptoms
Increase child independence and flexibility
Improve family functioning and reduce conflict
Be as effective as child-focused CBT in many cases

Who is SPACE For?

SPACE is helpful for parents and caregivers of children and teens experiencing:

Generalized anxiety
Separation anxiety
Social anxiety
School avoidance or refusal
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Anxiety-related emotional dysregulation

It is also a strong fit for:

Parents who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or burnt out
Families where anxiety has taken over routines
Children or teens who refuse or resist therapy

SPACE for Parents

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Supportive Parenting For AnxiousChildhood Emotions (SPACE)