Help Your Child Build Confidence and Independence
Join our Special NYU Research Collaboration with Cognitive Behavioral Associates
NYU Research Collaboration with Cognitive Behavioral Associates!
Is your child struggling in school and at home? Are they between the ages of 8-13? Do you need some financial assistance for therapy? This may be for your child!
Our first Independence Therapy study worked as well as medication, often in just two weeks. Now, we’re offering FREE therapy sessions and compensation for families participating in this next phase.
This FREE study is designed for children who may have:
- Trouble separating from parents
- Frequent anxiety or worry
- Difficulty sleeping alone
- Avoids social activities
- Struggles with independence
- Overly dependent on parents
- Families must live in New York State
If your child struggles with any of the above, this could be the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for. Participation includes FREE Independence Therapy sessions with expert licensed clinicians, plus compensation for family for participating in the research.
If this is your child, click Apply Now to fill out a short sign-up form. Our team will follow up within 2 business days to see if you qualify.
Apply NowWho This Study May Help
Who This Is For?
This study is a good fit for children who are:
- Anxious about separating from parents or attending school
- Having trouble sleeping alone or often seeking reassurance
- Avoiding social events, playdates, or new activities due to worry
- Relying heavily on parents to feel calm or make decisions
If your child relates to one or more of these, they may be eligible to participate.
Independence activities can include:
- Go for a walk around the neighborhood
- Climb a tree
- Ride a bike
- Build something
- Pick up groceries
- Run in the rain
- Cook something over a flame
- Attend an event
- Ride a public bus
- Go sledding
- Play sports at the park
- Go fishing
- Walk around with a blindfold
- Cut something open and see what’s inside
- Scooter
- Cut your hair
- Ride go-karts
- Go to the movies
- Fly a kite
Next Steps
How to Get Started?
If you think this study may be a good fit for your child, the first step is simple. There’s no obligation to participate after reaching out. This is just a chance to learn more and see whether the program makes sense for your family.
The study is six weekly sessions, online or in person.
- Click the Apply button below to fill out a short sign-up form.
- Our team will follow up to talk with you.
During this call, they’ll walk you through what the study involves, answer questions, and help determine whether the program is a good fit.
What is Independence Therapy?
Independence Therapy is an effective treatment for children who struggle to do things on their own and for parents who find themselves constantly stepping in to help. Independence Therapy was co-developed by one of the partners at CBA, Dr. Camilo Ortiz, and by one of our staff members, Dr. Matthew Fastman. Kids are asked to do fun and sometimes challenging tasks by themselves, and parents work with the therapist to manage their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors while loosening the reins.
If you are a mental health professional and would like training in Independence Therapy, please click here for an engaging, self-directed training!
Learn Morehow Independence Therapy can help
Benefits of Independence Therapy
For kids
- Reduced anxiety, fewer fears
- Greater self-confidence
- Increased resilience, bravery, and toughness
- More grown-up responsibilities
- Opportunities for creativity and fun!
For parents
- Greater confidence in your child
- More free time
- Less anxiety
Source: Let Grow Independence Challenge
Independence Therapy is Comprised of Four Parts
01The Value of Independence
Some independence is essential for kids! Here, we discuss why independence is so important for kids, and why kids are getting less of it. Why is it so hard to ‘let them go to let them grow’?
02Planning Independence Activities
This part is all about brainstorming and planning ‘independence activities (IAs).’ IAs are fun but challenging tasks for kids that involve a mild risk of discomfort or danger. They are unstructured and performed without any help from parents or teachers. Your child will be actively involved in choosing and planning the IAs and will be encouraged to creatively brainstorm and determine tasks that are fun and appealing. Your child will be asked to complete at least one IA at home per day after this session.
03Refining and Problem Solving
After kids get some practice with IAs, we ask: What changes can parents and children make to increase the power of IAs? Are there any obstacles to the successful completion of IAs, and what can we do about them?
04Managing the future
At the end, we think about life after treatment and plan to ensure continued independence practice in the child’s life.
Independence Therapy works
A recent study published in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders (authored by us!) demonstrates the effectiveness of Independence Therapy.
Independence Therapy was developed in collaboration with Let Grow. Let Grow’s school- and home-based programs help kids increase their independence, and they have gathered many real-life stories showing how helpful and exciting this can be!
Source: Let Grow Independence Challenge
frequently asked questions
FAQs
Independence Therapy sounds like it would help my child, but wouldn’t it be irresponsible of me to leave them unsupervised in the world?
Check out the facts and research on child safety, risk, and crime. Chances of some nefarious stranger taking your child are almost nil. Alarming stories catch your attention and sell quite well, but they are overwhelmingly exaggerated by the media. Watching your kids succeed will help you understand this!
Why would my kid agree to this? They’re too anxious!
Since kids get to choose the activities they do, they feel like a true collaborator in treatment. We want them to choose fun, acceptable activities so that they feel motivated to actually do them. Plus, kids have inherent developmental desires to be more independent—we will help them consider all of the cool new responsibilities that may come with more independence!
Will other parents judge me for giving my kid this freedom?
It’s possible, but that judgment would come from an unsupported, reactionary viewpoint. Letting your child be more independent is a research-backed idea, so you can feel confident knowing you are doing the right thing. We will support you through this during treatment.
Will my child get hurt?
All kids have the potential to get hurt when playing. There’s a little bit of risk in a lot of everyday activities that all kids must learn to navigate. We will work with you to ensure your child’s safety as much as it makes sense to, but mild danger is an important ingredient of this treatment. We will keep in mind your child’s physical and developmental limitations, teach them coping skills to help manage difficult emotions, and prepare them to handle tough situations on their own.
Independent Study – NYU Research Collaboration
Free Independence Therapy for anxious children ages 8–13. Families receive compensation for participation. Click Apply Now to fill out a short sign-up form, and our team will follow up within 2 business days.
Apply Now