OCD SPECTRUM SERVICES

SPACE Therapy

A family-based, evidence-backed approach that empowers parents to reduce their child’s anxiety by changing how the family responds to anxious behaviors.

What Is SPACE Therapy?

SPACE Therapy combines cognitive and behavioral approaches to identify what keeps a problem going and how to change it. SPACE Therapy is focused, active, present-oriented, and goal-based.

Rather than only exploring the past, SPACE Therapy looks at the patterns that maintain distress today and helps clients practice new ways of thinking, responding, and behaving.

Thoughts

Identify and reduce accommodation behaviors that unintentionally reinforce a child’s anxiety.

Behaviors

Build supportive, non-accommodating responses that encourage the child’s independence and resilience.

How SPACE Therapy Works

SPACE Therapy is built on four core principles that make it a powerful option for families of anxious children and adolescents.

Focused

SPACE targets specific accommodation patterns and works toward clear, measurable goals that parents and the therapist define together.

Active

Treatment includes practical exercises, communication scripts, and real-life practice, equipping parents with concrete tools to use at home.

Parent-Focused

SPACE focuses on what parents can do now to change the patterns that maintain their child’s anxiety, rather than dwelling on past causes.

Evidence-Based

SPACE is supported by clinical research from Yale University and is recommended for childhood anxiety, OCD, and related conditions.

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SPACE Therapy at OCD Spectrum

OCD Spectrum offers SPACE Therapy for families with anxious children and adolescents. Our trained therapists work closely with parents to identify accommodation patterns and develop supportive, non-accommodating responses. The goal is to help families build lasting change, even when the child is reluctant to participate in therapy.

Cognitive Therapy

Helps clients notice unhelpful thinking patterns, challenge distorted interpretations, and develop more balanced ways of responding.

Behavioral Therapy

Focuses on changing actions and habits that maintain distress, emphasizing practice, new learning, and healthier responses in daily life.

Become Your Own Therapist

Our goal is to equip you with practical tools to manage anxiety and move forward with confidence long after therapy ends.

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"Our goal is to help parents become confident, supportive guides for their anxious children, reducing accommodation and building resilience that lasts."

OCD Spectrum Clinical Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about SPACE Therapy or starting treatment at OCD Spectrum? We have answered the most common ones below.

SPACE Therapy is designed for parents of children and adolescents (typically ages 4–18) who struggle with anxiety, OCD, or related conditions. It is especially helpful when the child is reluctant to attend therapy or when family accommodation is a significant factor in maintaining anxiety.
No. One of the unique strengths of SPACE Therapy is that it works directly with parents, so the child does not need to participate in sessions. This makes it an excellent option for children who refuse therapy or are not ready to engage in treatment themselves.
SPACE Therapy is typically delivered over 12–20 sessions. The exact number depends on the child’s level of anxiety, the degree of family accommodation, and the family’s progress. Your therapist will work with you to set realistic goals and adjust the pace as needed.
Yes. OCD Spectrum offers telehealth SPACE Therapy sessions for families in Pennsylvania. Research supports the effectiveness of telehealth delivery for parent-based interventions, and many families find it more convenient than in-person sessions.
Accommodation refers to the ways parents and family members adjust their behavior to help a child avoid or reduce anxiety, such as providing reassurance, avoiding anxiety-provoking situations, or completing tasks for the child. While well-intentioned, accommodation can unintentionally maintain and worsen anxiety over time. SPACE Therapy helps parents recognize and gradually reduce these patterns.
No referral is needed. You can contact OCD Spectrum directly to schedule an initial consultation. The intake process includes a brief screener to help match your family with the right therapist and treatment approach.

Help Your Child Build Lasting Resilience

SPACE Therapy can help your family reduce accommodation, respond to anxiety in supportive ways, and take meaningful steps toward your child’s independence.