Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE)

SPACE is an evidence-based treatment developed by Eli Lebowitz at Yale University that helps parents reduce their child’s anxiety by changing how they respond to it. Rather than working directly with the child, SPACE is conducted through parent-only sessions, where caregivers learn to gradually decrease “accommodations” (such as reassurance or avoidance) that unintentionally reinforce anxiety, while increasing supportive, confident responses that communicate belief in the child’s ability to cope. Research shows that this approach is effective in reducing child anxiety symptoms, even without the child attending sessions, making it a practical and well-supported option for families.