New Virtual SPACE Group Starting July 2026. FAQ Video coming soon.
SPACE Groups
Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions
Anxiety affects not only children, but entire family systems. Often, children are struggling with worry, avoidance, reassurance-seeking, or emotional distress, while parents are simultaneously trying to figure out how to help without accidentally reinforcing anxious patterns. You may notice that anxiety has slowly started shaping family routines, bedtime habits, school mornings, or even decisions about what activities your child feels able to participate in. Many families describe feeling emotionally exhausted by the amount of reassurance, preparation, or avoidance that anxiety can create over time. SPACE can help with this.
Anxiety affects not only children, but entire family systems. Often, children are struggling with worry, avoidance, reassurance-seeking, or emotional distress, while parents are simultaneously trying to figure out how to help without accidentally reinforcing anxious patterns. You may notice that anxiety has slowly started shaping family routines, bedtime habits, school mornings, or even decisions about what activities your child feels able to participate in. Many families describe feeling emotionally exhausted by the amount of reassurance, preparation, or avoidance that anxiety can create over time.
What is SPACE?
Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) is a parent-based treatment model developed by Dr. Eli Lebowitz at the Yale Child Study Center that helps parents learn how to respond to anxiety in supportive ways while gradually reducing accommodations that may unintentionally maintain anxiety over time.
SPACE is a strong alternative for families with children with anxiety and/or OCD who may not easily engage in traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT. For example, children may be reluctant to start therapy, may refuse sessions, or may have difficulty attending consistently. In SPACE, parents attend sessions and children do not.
Is SPACE Evidence-Based?
Yes, SPACE is evidence-based. There is a strong body of research showing it's an effective tool in treating anxiety and parent accommodation patterns.
The goal is not simply to teach coping skills, but to help families gradually build confidence, flexibility, and the ability to tolerate anxiety without avoidance taking over daily life.
Children can absolutely learn to become more flexible and confident over time, and many families describe feeling relieved to finally have a shared language and roadmap for responding to anxiety together.
Who is the Program Designed For?
The SPACE Program is designed for parents of children and teens (ages 6 - 18) who may experience...
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
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Separation Anxiety
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Social Anxiety Disorder
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Panic Disorder
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
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School Refusal
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Specific Phobias
Is SPACE a Good Fit?
While SPACE is a great tool for any parent’s toolkit, it is especially helpful for families with children who may not easily engage in traditional CBT approaches. SPACE is all about how parents respond to anxiety. Children do not participate in the SPACE group itself, but benefit from the strategies parents put in place at home. Review the Readiness Checklist here to consider the factors
Program Cost
$1,095
6 - Weekly Group Sessions
All families participate in six weekly, 1-hour sessions that are fully online. A new group is scheduled for Wednesday evenings from 5:30p to 6:30p - July 1 - August 5, 2026.
2 - Individual Parent Sessions
All families participate in two individual sessions (in addition to group sessions) to review specific anxiety behaviors and discuss a more tailored approach to treatment. Individual sessions can occur online or in-person (NW Tucson). They will be scheduled separately upon enrollment.
All Materials
All group materials will be shared digitally in advance. Hard copies can be sent for an additional fee.
Additional Details
A deposit ($495) is due at time of enrollment. Remaining payments are divided across the duration of the program and are due at the conclusion of each group session.
Additional consultation calls beyond the two included in the program fee can be scheduled for an additional fee ($175/50-minutes).
Because group spots are intentionally kept small and reserved specifically for enrolled families, refunds are not available once the program begins. This policy helps support group consistency and ensures that participating families have a stable and committed treatment environment.
If a session is missed, families will still receive any relevant materials or handouts from that week. Unfortunately, no full group make-up sessions will occur if a group session is missed. However, parents are welcome to utilize an individual session to cover missed content or book an additional individual session beyond the two that are offered as part of the program.
Should the group not meet enrollment by June 26, 2026, the group will be postponed and all refunds will be returned to families.
Alternative Resources
Maybe you're thinking a group isn't the right fit for you right now.
There are other options available.
Independent Book Read
Breaking Free of Childhood Anxiety & OCD by Dr. Eli Lebowitz is an outstanding resource for families who want to learn and implement SPACE on their own.
Individual, 1x1 Sessions
Contact Dr. Meyer using the Contact Form to discuss individual, 1x1 sessions following the SPACE treatment program.