Separation anxiety therapy for kids, teens, & young adults
Evidence-based therapy that helps kids feel safe and confident, even apart.
Support for school refusal, clinginess, sleep difficulties, and fear of being away from caregivers.
Insurance accepted. Appointments often available within days.
Separation anxiety, at a glance
Separation anxiety, at a glance
4%
of children meet criteria for separation anxiety disorder
#1
most common anxiety disorder in children under 12
80%
of kids improve with evidence-based therapy
Understanding separation anxiety
When fear of being apart goes beyond a normal developmental phase.
Separation anxiety is normal in toddlers, but when it persists past age 6 or intensifies, it may be separation anxiety disorder. Children experience persistent distress about being away from caregivers that interferes with school, sleep, and social activities.
A licensed clinician evaluates whether your child's distress goes beyond typical attachment and considers overlapping conditions like generalized anxiety or school avoidance.
School refusal
Refusing to attend school due to fear of being away from a parent or caregiver.
Sleep disturbance
Difficulty falling asleep alone, nightmares about separation, or insisting on sleeping with parents.
Excessive worry
Persistent fear that something bad will happen to a parent or caregiver while apart.
Common signs of separation anxiety by age
Symptoms look different at every stage of development.
Young Children (4-7)
Clinginess at drop-off
Frequent meltdowns
Refusing to sleep alone
Stomachaches before school
School-Age (8-12)
Refusing to go to school
Calling or texting parents constantly
Worrying a parent will get hurt
Difficulty staying at friends' houses
Teens (13-17)
Avoiding sleepovers or camps
Excessive checking in
Physical symptoms before separation
Difficulty transitioning to independence
Young Adults (18–25)
Difficulty leaving home for college
Excessive homesickness
Avoiding travel or new experiences
Ongoing reliance on daily parent contact
Could it be separation anxiety?
Take a quick, clinically validated screening to better understand your child's symptoms.
GAD-7 Anxiety Screening
The GAD-7 is a brief, clinically validated tool used by healthcare providers to screen for generalized anxiety disorder. It takes about 2 minutes and can help you understand whether your child's worry may benefit from professional support.
This screening is not a diagnosis. A licensed clinician reviews the results and recommends next steps.
How separation anxiety therapy helps
Evidence-based strategies for building independence and reducing distress.
- Teaches coping strategies for separation distress
- Builds confidence through gradual exposure
- Gives parents tools to avoid accommodation
- Addresses school refusal with a structured plan
- Reduces physical symptoms like stomachaches
Why families choose Emora
Specialized pediatric anxiety care vs. general providers.
Other providers
Licensed pediatric and young adult clinicians
Generalist providers
Evidence-based CBT and exposure therapy
One-size-fits-all approaches
Parent-inclusive therapy model
Limited parent involvement
Virtual sessions from your child's safe space
Anxiety-provoking office visits
Insurance accepted
Insurance not always accepted
Built-in screening and progress tracking
Limited progress visibility
Get started in minutes
Three simple steps to connect with the right clinician.
- 1
Share what's going on
Answer a few questions about symptoms and goals.
- 2
Verify coverage
See insurance estimates and available times.
- 3
Start sessions
Meet your clinician and begin building skills.
Frequently asked questions
What parents and young adults ask most about separation anxiety therapy.
Real stories of growth
Every session is rated by parents. Our therapists maintain a 4.9+ average, because results matter.
Ann is an excellent therapist. She’s been helping my daughter through her anxiety and her thoughtful and insightful guidance has had a meaningful impact on my daughter and managing her anxiety.
Parent of an 11 year old
8 hours ago
Ann Marie Driver, LCMHC-A
She’s very charismatic and easy to talk to. My daughter told me she likes her
Parent of a 13 year old
9 hours ago
Katherine Vasquez Lugo, RMHCI
Catherine was warm and welcoming!
Parent of a 10 year old
12 hours ago
Catherine Campos, LCSW
My therapist was absolutely amazing I already can tell she is going to help me a lot!
An Adult client
16 hours ago
Laura Doocy, LPC-A
Milton is very understanding and listened to my son rattle on and on lol and they're was no rush.
Parent of an 11 year old
1 day ago
Milton Hernandez, LPC
JoeAnn Allen gave us key ways to handle some problems, we appreciate her very much
Parent of a 14 year old
1 day ago
JoeAnn Allen, RMHCI
Rating on behalf of my daughter. She's always in a better mood when she talks with Korina! ✨
Parent of a 14 year old
1 day ago
Korina Herrera, LMHC
My son connects so well with Nathalie. He was skeptical at first now he sets up 10 mind before the session in anticipation for their talk time.
Parent of a 10 year old
1 day ago
Nathalie Fernandez Mendez, LCMHC-A, LMHC
Richard was excellent during my child´s session today. He was very informative, attentive, and truly focused on our specific needs. You can tell he genuinely cares and takes the time to listen and understand. We’re looking forward to future appointments and seeing growth with his support.
Parent of a 6 year old
1 day ago
Richard Reyes, LPC-Associate
The coping mechanism you gave me felt extremely helpful
An Adult client
1 day ago
Marise Jimenez, RMHCI
Very attentive and caring. Took the time out to help us find the right therapist.
Parent of a 16 year old
1 day ago
Jennifer Guzman, LPC
great person easy to talk to. very attentive.
An Adult client
1 day ago
Dr. Joel Bell, PsyD
Sarah is incredible with my 7 year old. So great at building rapport and bringing in coping strategies.
Parent of a 7 year old
1 day ago
Sarah Newton, LMSW
Helped my child open up and feel more self confidence
Parent of a 6 year old
1 day ago
Korina Herrera, LMHC
Tips to help her calm down and positive self talk
Parent of a 6 year old
1 day ago
Korina Herrera, LMHC
Great session today. Love that my son felt like opening up about friendship issues and talk through options to conflict resolution
Parent of a 9 year old
2 days ago
Anita Plank, LCSW
Provider was very easy to talk to and my daughter felt safe speaking with her.
Parent of a 13 year old
2 days ago
Stephonia Llewellyn, LPC, LMHC,-QS
Ms. Williams was very thorough in her process and gave clear objectives of her style of therapy. I think her expertise and knowledge will be very beneficial for my daughter.
Parent of a 16 year old
2 days ago
Seairra Williams, LPC-A
Separation anxiety does not define your child
Structured, developmentally informed therapy can help build skills that last.
Not sure where to start? Book a clinical matching session.
