Helping children feel more confident, safe, and resilient when away from their caregivers in the Cedar Park/Round Rock area.
Counseling for Children with Separation Anxiety
Marissa Barranco M. Ed., LPC -S /EMDR trained
512-877-8594
Does Your Child Struggle to Be Away From You?
Crying at school drop-off
Clinging
Following you around the house
Refusing babysitters
Sleeping with parents
Panic when separated
What Is Separation Anxiety in Children?
It's completely normal for young children to want to stay close to the people they love. Many babies and toddlers experience separation anxiety as they learn that parents can leave and come back. They may cry at daycare drop-off, want extra comfort at bedtime, or become upset when a parent leaves the room. These behaviors are a healthy part of development and usually improve as children grow.
However, for some children, separation anxiety becomes more intense or lasts longer than expected. Instead of gradually becoming more confident, they continue to experience overwhelming fear whenever they are apart from a parent or caregiver. Everyday situations like going to school, spending time with a grandparent, attending birthday parties, or sleeping in their own bed can become stressful for the entire family.
When Is Separation Anxiety More Than a Phase?
Separation anxiety may be more than a typical developmental stage when it begins to interfere with your child's daily life or your family's routines. If your child's worries have lasted for several weeks or months, seem more intense than other children their age, or are preventing them from participating in age-appropriate activities, it may be time to seek support.
Parents often tell me they feel like they're "walking on eggshells" because every goodbye ends in tears, panic, or a meltdown. If that sounds familiar, know that you're not alone—and there are effective ways to help your child feel more secure and confident.
Signs Your Child May Benefit From Therapy for Separation Anxiety
Your child may benefit from therapy if they:
Have frequent meltdowns or panic during school drop-offs or when separating from you.
Refuse to go to school, daycare, or activities because they don't want to be apart from you.
Constantly worry that something bad will happen to you or another loved one.
Follow you from room to room and become distressed when they can't see you.
Have difficulty sleeping alone or insist on sleeping with a parent because they feel afraid.
Avoid spending time with trusted caregivers, relatives, or friends.
Experience stomachaches, headaches, or other physical symptoms before separations.
Need frequent reassurance that you will return.
Struggle to enjoy activities because they're focused on staying close to you.
Separation anxiety can be exhausting for both children and parents, but it is highly treatable. Through play therapy, EMDR, and family therapy, I help children build confidence while giving parents practical tools to support their child's progress. Together, we'll strengthen your connection, reduce anxiety around separations, and help your child feel safe, secure, and ready to take on new experiences with greater independence.
What to Expect During Therapy
Beginning therapy can feel like a big step, and it's natural to wonder what the process will look like. My goal is to create a warm, supportive environment where both you and your child feel comfortable from the very first session.
Getting Started
We'll begin by talking about your concerns, your child's history, and the situations that are most challenging for your family. Together, we'll identify goals and create a plan that fits your child's unique needs.
Individual Sessions With Your Child
Most therapy sessions are one-on-one with your child. Using play therapy, EMDR (when appropriate), and other evidence-based approaches, I help children understand their feelings, build confidence, and develop healthy coping skills. Through play, children are able to express emotions and practice new ways of responding to anxiety in a way that feels natural and engaging.
Parent Sessions
Parents are an important part of the therapy process. Throughout treatment, we'll meet for parent sessions to discuss your child's progress, answer questions, and practice strategies you can use at home so that progress continues outside the therapy room.
At times, I'll invite you to join the last few minutes of your child's session. This gives me the opportunity to teach you the same skills your child is learning so you can confidently practice them together at home. When parents and children use the same language and strategies, children often feel more supported, and lasting change happens more quickly.
Family Play Therapy Sessions
When appropriate, I'll invite parents to join their child for family sessions that include play-based activities and therapeutic games. These sessions help strengthen the parent-child relationship, increase your child's sense of security, and give your family opportunities to practice new skills together. Because children learn best through experience, these shared activities can be a powerful way to build connection while reducing anxiety.
How Long Does Therapy Take?
Every child is different, and the length of therapy depends on your family's goals and your child's needs. Some families notice meaningful improvements after just a few sessions, while others benefit from working together over several months. We'll regularly check in about your child's progress and adjust our plan as needed.
My goal isn't for your child to stay in therapy forever. It's to help your child develop confidence, give you practical tools to support them at home, and help your family navigate separations with greater calm and connection.
How Will We Know Therapy Is Working?
Progress in therapy is often gradual, and you may not notice dramatic changes right away. That's completely normal. Healing and building confidence take time, and many of the first signs of progress are small but meaningful.
You might notice that your child recovers more quickly after a difficult goodbye, is willing to try something new with a little encouragement, or needs less reassurance throughout the day. Over time, these small steps begin to add up.
As therapy continues, many parents see school drop-offs become easier, bedtime routines become less stressful, and their child feel more confident spending time away from them. You'll also gain practical tools and a better understanding of how to respond to your child's anxiety in ways that support lasting growth.
Throughout the process, we'll regularly check in about your child's progress and adjust our approach as needed. My goal is to help your child build confidence one step at a time while giving your family the skills to continue making progress long after therapy has ended.
How I help children with Separation Anxiety….
I use play-based therapy techniques, along with EMDR when appropriate, to help your child's nervous system feel safe so they can build confidence, regulate big emotions, and become more comfortable with separation.
I work with all ages of children, but typically separation anxiety is found in younger kids.
I used play based techniques along with EMDR to help kid’s nervous system feel safe and connects.
I work with parents to help them navigate this along with all the emotions and frustrations that come along with it.
I collaborate with parents and children on a treatment plan that works for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
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I offer session with play based therapy techniques for children with separation anxiety and their families.
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Getting started is simple. Reach out through our contact form to schedule a 15 minute consult with me.
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I believe the strongest outcomes happen when children and parents work together. Through play therapy, EMDR, family sessions, and parent coaching, I help children build confidence while equipping parents with practical tools to support lasting change. My goal is to help your family move from feeling overwhelmed by anxiety to feeling more connected, confident, and at ease.
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You can reach me anytime via our contact page or email at marissa@mbcounselingtx.com I aim to respond quickly—usually within two business day.
Click to schedule an appointment
How I can help you…..
If saying goodbye is a daily struggle, you’re not alone.
Many parents come to me because every school drop-off, bedtime, or separation ends in tears or panic. Separation anxiety can leave everyone feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.
I help children and families work through separation anxiety in a warm, supportive way. Using play therapy and EMDR, I help kids build confidence while strengthening your connection with them. Together, we’ll understand what’s driving the anxiety and create simple, practical strategies to help your child feel safe and more independent.
This isn’t just about stopping meltdowns. It’s about helping your child feel okay being apart from you—and helping you feel calm and confident, too.
Whether your child struggles with school drop-offs, sleeping alone, or is clingy, therapy can help your family feel more at ease.
Please describe why you are reaching out to me today and please use general terms. Please do not include confidential or sensitive information in your description. Every effort for confidentiality is made, but please realize that electronic forms of communication can be vulnerable. Thank you.
EMDR trained and Theraplay Level One
To learn more about EMDR therapy, click to go to their association website..
Call or email to book a free 15 minute consultation at marissa@mbcounselingtx.com or 512-877-8594
“Every Human Being Has The Freedom to Change at Any Instant.”
— Victor Frankl
Good Faith Estimate
Good Faith Estimates are available upon scheduling or request….
I will complete a Good Faith Estimate for my clients as mandated by the Federal Law. I will include my standard fee, estimated range of fees, potential duration of treatment and any other pertinent information. A Good Faith Estimate is available upon scheduling and request. Please remember that may be subject to change based on client assessment and needs.
Please see the below link for my information:
https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers/understanding-costs-in-advance
Please click on the link for the documents and more information on GFE: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/model-disclosure-notice-patient-protections-against-surprise-billing-providers-facilities-health.pdf