Better help for parents of anxious kids and teens
DEB AGNEW
Anxiety Specialist
Strategic Psychotherapist
Clinical Hypnotherapist
As parents, we don't want to see our children suffer. Sometimes, inadvertently our reassurances, accommodations, accidental rewards and modelling actually work counter to our good intentions and make anxiety worse. Let me be very clear - parents are NOT to blame for their child's anxiety. This is not your fault. Parents do however have a huge positive influence in making things better.
The real problem is that our current mental health system often leaves parents out of their child's anxiety care, despite being their most influential support. The traditional child therapy model is slow, expensive, inconvenient, with limited results. It relies on therapists to 'fix' your child, while parents receive minimal guidance. And when it comes to your child actually seeing a counsellor or psychologist, you typically only get 10 minutes at the end of the session to discuss their progress, leaving you in the dark about how to reinforce learning and develop vital skills at home. You're essentially left out of the loop.
Licensed Therapist, Deb Agnew, BSc Psych, Dip Psy & Dip Hyp
Welcome to Better Anxiety Help
I'm Deb Agnew, and I specialise in treating anxious kids and teens and their overwhelmed parents and carers.
With a compassionate, tailored approach, I work with parents to navigate the unique challenges of anxiety, providing the tools and support needed to create lasting, positive change for both children and their families.
I’m a qualified Solution-focussed Strategic Psychotherapist and Clinical Hypnotherapist. I studied at the Institute of Applied Psychology in Sydney, one of the world’s leading institutions at the forefront of the strategic approach, with the most comprehensive qualifications available today.
I have a 4-year Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Canada’s esteemed McGill University. I've completed post-graduate training, certification and accreditation from Yale University in SPACE therapy (Supportive Parenting of Anxious Childhood Emotions), an innovative and effective, parent-based treatment program for kids and adolescents with anxiety and OCD.
In addition to my private practice, I work at the Black Dog Institute, a world-leading mental health research organisation, promoting the prevention and treatment of anxiety and depression, particularly in young people. I've gained valuable insight into evidence-based treatments and the unique needs and challenges facing children, adolescents, teens and parents with mental health issues, as well as the value of digital and face-to-face blended care models.
As a mother of two teenage boys, I truly understand the challenges parents face. I’ve been there —having navigated my own child's struggles with anxiety and depression. This experience has given me a deep and very personal understanding of what families need to heal and thrive.
Ease General Anxiety
Help your child better manage the unknowns of life, take back control and confidently confront life's obstacles with newfound resilience and ease.
Conquer Social Anxiety
Support children and teens to step outside their comfort zone, be okay with discomfort and connect authentically to others.
Thrive in the Face of Performance Anxiety
Whether it's at school, in sports, or in any high-pressure scenario, your child will learn how to 'handle it' effectively and speak to themselves in ways to overcome apprehension and harness their abilities.
Put an End to Separation Anxiety
Empower your child to courageously and independently handle ambiguity and new challenges, stepping outside their comfort zone and moving away from caregivers with confidence.
Let Go of Perfectionism
Support your child to overcome all-or-nothing thinking and embrace progress over perfectionism. Develop realistic expectations and flexibility, paving the way for increased self-confidence, improved emotional well-being, and a more balanced approach to challenges.
Relieve Panic Attacks
Equip your child with the tools and strategies to reset and reboot their nervous system and reclaim a sense of control and calm at times of distress and panic.
Overcome Trauma and Phobias
Help your child release traumatic memories and phobias, reframe experiences and meet fears head on.
Recover from Depression
Anxiety and depression often go hand in hand. Action and activity are key to successful treatment. Your child's best defence is a hope and belief that things can improve and change. Help them move from a victim mentality and reframe their thoughts.
Manage Obsessive Compulsive Behaviours
Help your child to identify and challenge irrational thoughts, beliefs and the triggers that contribute to their obsessive thinking and behaviours. Empower them to take control of their obsessive tendencies.
Soothe Insomnia and Sleep Problems
Help your child shut down their racing mind come bedtime and develop healthy habits around sleep.
3 Easy Steps to Feeling Better
1. Do your Research
2. Book a FREE 20-min Consultation Call
2. Book a FREE 20-min Consultation Call
Therapy is a very mixed bag. You’re not comparing apples to apples. If you are ‘shopping’ for services, you should be warned that not all hypnosis or psychotherapy is created equally. There is a VAST discrepancy amongst practitioners regarding efficacy and qualifications. And not all practitioners are registered or endorsed by an industry peak body. The right therapist makes ALL the difference.
2. Book a FREE 20-min Consultation Call
2. Book a FREE 20-min Consultation Call
2. Book a FREE 20-min Consultation Call
Therapy needs to work for everyone, so it's best to test the waters. A FREE 20-min telehealth consultation, either by phone or Zoom, will help you decide if this is right for you and your child or teen. You'll get immediate answers to your questions, see if we connect and decide if it's a good fit and ticks all your boxes.
3. Get Ready for a Better Outcome
2. Book a FREE 20-min Consultation Call
3. Get Ready for a Better Outcome
Join me online for your appointment. Change begins with you. I’ll work with you and your child or teen to develop a treatment plan that’s tailored to your personal goals and unique needs. I’ll also give you both an audio recording of the hypnosis component so you can listen to it on your phone and practice it at home. Repetition is the mother of skill.
Amplify the results - get better
Get full session recordings downloaded to you and your teen's smartphone. How does that sound? Practice makes progress. You get to amplify the effects of the LIVE Broadcast session by relistening to recordings between visits. We know that creating new habits and creating new neural pathways in the brain requires time, repetition and practice. This allows you and your child to change limiting beliefs and ingrain new ways of thinking between appointments and solidify new healthy habits and behaviours.
"I am truly grateful for Deb's assistance and the transformative impact she had on my wellbeing. Her dedication, skill, and compassionate approach made a significant difference in my life, and the life of my child's."
NINA GU
Book a FREE Consultation Today
