Child Anxiety Therapy in Limassol, Cyprus
Evidence-based support for children aged 2–18
Anxiety Worry Phobias Separation Anxiety Selective mutism Social Anxiety
What is child anxiety?
Anxiety is the most common mental health difficulty experienced by children and young people. At Empathic Psychologist in Limassol, we provide evidence-based assessment and therapy for childhood anxiety disorders — helping children regain their confidence, manage worry and live fuller, happier lives.
Childhood anxiety involves persistent, excessive fear or worry that is disproportionate to the situation and significantly impacts a child's daily life, school performance or relationships. It is fundamentally different from the normal worries of childhood — more intense, more persistent and more disruptive.
Anxiety in children and young people includes several recognised presentations:
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) — persistent, wide-ranging worry about everyday situations including school, friendships, health and safety
Separation Anxiety Disorder — intense distress when away from caregivers, even briefly
Social Anxiety Disorder — significant fear of social situations, judgement or embarrassment
Specific Phobias — intense, disproportionate fear of a specific object or situation
Selective Mutism — speaking freely at home but unable to speak in school or social settings
Panic Disorder — recurrent panic attacks accompanied by persistent worry about further episodes
Anxiety disorders affect an estimated 6–10% of children and adolescents worldwide — making them the most prevalent childhood mental health condition. Without appropriate support, childhood anxiety tends to persist and can significantly affect a child's development,friendships and academic achievement. Early intervention leads to meaningfully better outcomes.
Signs your child may need support
Persistent worry about a wide range of everyday situations — school, friendships, health or safety
Separation anxiety — extreme distress when away from caregivers
Avoiding social situations, school events or activities out of fear of embarrassment or negative evaluation
Physical symptoms: stomach aches, headaches, muscle tension, difficulty sleeping
Frequent reassurance-seeking from parents or carers
Difficulty concentrating due to intrusive worried thoughts
Refusal to try new activities or experiences for fear of failure
Selective mutism — speaking freely at home but unable to speak in certain social settings (e.g., school)
If you are unsure whether your child's worry has crossed into anxiety — a free 15-minute consultation with Dr George Efraem can help clarify what your child may be experiencing.
How Dr George Efraem helps: our therapeutic approach
Our approach is grounded in established evidence-based practice and draws on multiple therapeutic frameworks, tailored to each child's individual profile, age and developmental stage.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
This is the most extensively researched treatment for childhood anxiety disorders, with robust evidence across multiple studies. Our CBT work helps children identify anxious thought patterns, test their fears in a gradual and supportive way (exposure), and build lasting coping skills.
Person-Centred / Child-Centred Therapy
We also integrate this approach to ensure the child feels genuinely heard, respected and in control of their therapeutic journey — a relational foundation that is essential for meaningful therapeutic change.
Creative Multimedia and Play Therapy
For younger children, this approach provides a developmentally appropriate way to explore and process anxious experiences through play, storytelling and creative expression. This therapy has extensively documented the therapeutic power of play as a natural language for children.
Third Wave CBT Therapies
For adolescents, these approaches — including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) — are used to help develop a different relationship with anxious thoughts, accepting uncertainty rather than fighting it.
Attachment-based Approaches
This approach is incorporated where the parent-child relationship is a significant factor in maintaining anxiety. Attachment theory and research highlight how secure attachment is a protective factor against anxiety disorders.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
These elements are integrated throughout to identify and amplify existing strengths and resources, supporting the child and family's sense of agency and hope.
Therapy Programmes for Child Anxiety
Child Therapy Programme (Ages 2–12)
For children aged 2–12 experiencing anxiety, therapy is delivered through our Child Therapy Programme — using CBT, play therapy and attachment-based approaches to help younger children understand their worries, build coping skills and restore confidence in daily life.
Adolescent Therapy Programme (Ages 12–18)
For young people aged 12–18 experiencing anxiety, therapy is delivered through our Adolescent Therapy Programme — using CBT, ACT and mindfulness-based approaches to build psychological flexibility, reduce avoidance and develop lasting resilience.
Parent-Child Empathy Programme
⭐Recommended for enhanced outcomes ⭐
As part of a holistic approach to child and family support, parents may also be recommended to attend our Parent-Child Empathy Programme alongside or following child therapy — building understanding of anxiety in children and developing practical strategies to support their child's recovery while strengthening the parent-child relationship.
*Available standalone or alongside child therapy
What to expect
Assessment at Empathic Psychologist begins with a thorough understanding of the child and family context — not just the presenting behaviour. Dr George Efraem takes time to understand the child's full developmental history, current stressors and the settings in which difficulties occur before formulating a clinical picture.
Following an initial free 15-minute consultation, Dr George Efraem conducts a comprehensive assessment (typically 2 sessions) using clinical interview, validated psychometric scales and collaborative feedback from parents and school where appropriate.
A personalised therapy plan is developed and shared with the family. Therapy typically runs 12–18 weekly sessions of 50 minutes, with regular progress reviews.
*Most families receive their first appointment within one week of getting in touch.
Free 15-min consultation
Discuss your child's needs with Dr George Efraem — no commitment
Comprehensive assessment
2 sessions using validated anxiety measures
Personalised therapy plan
Goals, approach and duration shared clearly with the family
Therapy — 12 to 18 sessions
Weekly 50-minute sessions with regular progress reviews
**Content is grounded in peer-reviewed research and evidence-based clinical guidelines. Sources available on request.
Ready to take the first step?
Call Now for a free 15-minute consultation with Dr George E. Agathokleous — most families receive an assessment appointment within one week.