Anxiety, Back to School, and Tools to Help Support Your Children
Presenter: Dr. Vicki Nguyen
October 1, 2020

Presentation Outline:

Anxiety:

• Why does anxiety exist? The good, the bad, and the ugly…
• When anxiety goes from normal to abnormal, and what to listen for

How to Support My Child in an Unpredictable Time:

• Family meetings
• Reflective listening
• Validating feelings
• Parental self-care
• Putting thoughts on trial
• Seeking clarity, not making assumptions
• New routines
• Choosing curiosity over anxiety

Screens:

• Be adaptable!
• Encourage off-screen outlets for your children by exploring their motivation for on-screen outlets
• It’s okay to set rules, but…
  • Spell them out clearly
  • Be consistent (and if you make changes, explain why!)
  • Monitor your own screen behaviors

At-Home Learning Environments:

• Practice self-compassion
• Engage your child in establishing their school space and ask them what they need
• Separate sleep space from work space
• Practice good self-care to set your child up for success
• Check in with them and ask how they need help

Remind your children that they are brave!  Celebrate the wins and praise their effort!

• Therapy Dallas website (you’re already here!) – click here to explore
• Karen Young – www.heysigmund.com
• Lori Gottlieb: Dear Therapist’s Guide to Staying Sane During a Pandemic