6 Ways To Help A Teenager With Anxiety

by revityteam | Jul 7, 2025 | TMS Therapy Articles

• Anxiety disorders are common in teens and can show up in subtle ways, including mood shifts, sleep changes, or social withdrawal.
• Support from family and open communication are key to helping teens manage their anxiety.
• Lifestyle habits, including sleep, movement, and mindfulness, can have a profound impact.
• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a fast, effective option for teens who haven’t found relief through traditional treatments.

Anxiety in teenagers can feel overwhelming for both the teen and the family trying to support them. When your teen is dealing with sleepless nights, avoiding social situations, or having trouble concentrating at school, it can be hard to watch them struggle. 

At Brain Health Center, we’re committed to offering real solutions, from daily strategies you and your teen can try at home to advanced treatments like accelerated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy. 

This guide explores how to help a teenager with an anxiety disorder with compassion, clarity, and care.

Understanding Anxiety in Teenagers

Anxiety disorders—like generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and panic disorder—are among the most common mental health conditions in teens. Anxiety in teens often starts between the ages of 13 and 18 and can take many forms. While it’s natural for teens to feel nervous about school, friendships, or big life changes, persistent and intense worry may signal something more than day-to-day nerves. 

Common triggers for anxiety in teens may include:

• Academic pressure and high expectations
• Social challenges or fear of rejection
• Family conflict or changes at home
• Major life transitions (like moving or divorce)
• Social media and online comparison

Some signs and symptoms of anxiety in teenagers are:

• Frequent headaches or stomachaches
• Sleep disturbances or fatigue
• Irritability or emotional outbursts
• Avoiding school or social activities
• Racing thoughts or trouble concentrating
• Physical tension, restlessness, or nail biting

Recognizing these signs is the first step toward providing support and helping your teen feel more in control.

What Helps Anxiety In Teenagers?

Helping a teenager with an anxiety disorder starts with connection, patience, and proactive support strategies.

Below are six ways parents, guardians, and caregivers can support a teen who’s struggling with anxiety. These steps help build trust and provide tools to navigate daily challenges.

1. Establish Open Dialogue

Many teens avoid talking about anxiety out of fear they’ll be misunderstood. Creating space for honest, judgment-free conversation builds trust and emotional safety.

Let your teen know you’re available to talk, but don’t push them to open up before they’re ready. Ask open-ended questions like “What’s been on your mind lately?” and avoid jumping straight to solutions. Sometimes, being heard is the most powerful support.

Try this: Establish regular “check-in” times to take the stress out of conversations.

2. Validate Their Feelings

Validation helps teens feel seen and supported, even if you don’t fully understand what they’re experiencing.

Avoid phrases like “You’re overreacting” or “There’s nothing to worry about.” 

When teens feel dismissed or misunderstood, their anxiety can intensify. Simple affirmations, such as “It makes sense you’d feel anxious about that,” help build trust and open the door to deeper conversations. Over time, this emotional support can make a meaningful difference in how they process and manage their feelings.

3. Encourage Healthy Coping Tools

Teach your teen coping strategies for anxiety and help them explore what works for them. 

When teens feel empowered to choose their own tools, they’re more likely to stick with them.

Healthy coping tools for teenagers with anxiety might include:

• Deep breathing or grounding techniques
• Keeping a journal to process emotions
• Listening to music, drawing, or creative hobbies
• Using calming apps or guided meditations

Remind your teen that anxiety doesn’t have to control their day, and some tools can help.

4. Limit Screen Time (Especially Before Bed)

Too much time online can increase anxiety, especially when that time is spent on social media.

Encourage digital boundaries, like no screens an hour before bed, and model healthy tech use in your own habits. Blue light exposure and overstimulation can make it harder for your teen to unwind and sleep well, which can exacerbate anxiety.

Try creating a relaxing evening routine together, like reading or listening to music, to help signal that it’s time to wind down. You can also keep devices out of the bedroom at night to support better sleep hygiene and mental clarity the next day.

5. Create a Supportive Daily Routine

Structure provides stability during stressful times.

Help your teen establish a predictable daily routine that includes time for rest, study, fun, and physical activity. A balanced routine provides a greater sense of control over their daily life and can empower them to feel ready for the unexpected.

Even simple habits—like waking up at the same time each day or setting aside 10 minutes for journaling—can create anchors that promote calm. Invite your teen to help build the routine so they feel a sense of ownership over it, which increases the likelihood that they’ll stick with it.

6. Involve Mental Health Professionals

If anxiety is interfering with your teen’s ability to function day to day, it’s time to bring in support.

Therapists, counselors, and pediatric psychiatrists can help teens develop effective coping strategies and address the underlying causes of their issues. In some cases, medication may be helpful. For teens who haven’t found relief through therapy or medication alone, alternative treatments like TMS offer a promising solution.

Seeking professional help can feel intimidating, but it’s an important step toward better mental health. Let your teen know that asking for support isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a strength, and they don’t have to go through this alone.

What Lifestyle Changes Can Help With Anxiety?

Healthy habits play a major role in reducing anxiety symptoms over time.

Simple lifestyle changes, such as getting better sleep or spending time outdoors, can have a big impact on anxiety. When practiced consistently, these habits help teens build resilience, feel more in control, and cope with anxiety in healthier ways.

While these changes aren’t a quick fix, they lay the foundation for long-term emotional stability. For teens, daily routines that support mind and body can make stressful moments more manageable.

Here are some practical, teen-friendly habits that can support mental wellness and reduce the intensity of anxious feelings over time.

Helpful Lifestyle Practices

• Engage in regular physical activity.
  Encourage your teen to engage in movement they enjoy, like walking the dog, dancing, or playing a sport. Exercise boosts mood, reduces stress hormones, and promotes better sleep.
  
• Practice mindfulness and meditation.
  Try simple mindfulness techniques together, such as deep breathing exercises or using guided meditation apps. These practices help teens slow racing thoughts and stay grounded in the present moment.
  
• Follow a consistent sleep schedule.
  Set a regular bedtime and wake-up time, even on weekends, to support better rest. Teens should aim for 8–10 hours of sleep to support emotional regulation and improve their energy levels.
  
• Eat a balanced diet.
  At regular meal times, offer a variety of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Limiting caffeine and sugary snacks can help reduce anxiety spikes throughout the day.
  
• Journal to identify thought patterns.
  Encourage your teen to write down anxious thoughts and reflect on whether they are realistic or helpful. This practice builds awareness and creates space for more balanced thinking.
  
• Build strong social connections
  Support opportunities for your teen to spend time with friends, join a club, or engage in group activities. Positive social interactions help reduce feelings of isolation and boost a sense of belonging.

When to Seek Help

When lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough, professional support, including therapy or medical interventions, can help guide your teen toward recovery.

If your teen’s anxiety is interfering with daily life (school, relationships, sleep, or their ability to function), it’s time to seek professional support. 

While occasional worry is common, ongoing or intense anxiety may require therapy, medication, or advanced treatment options like TMS. The earlier your teen gets help, the sooner they can start feeling better.

TMS Can Offer Rapid Anxiety Relief

When anxiety continues despite traditional treatments, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) may be the next step.

At Brain Health Center, we specialize in TMS therapy for anxiety and depression. Our non-invasive approach utilizes magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain involved in mood regulation, without the side effects associated with medication.

If there are any symptoms of depression, our accelerated 5-day TMS program is designed for teens and adults seeking fast and effective results. We can treat up to three different conditions during the 5 day treatment, like anxiety, ADHD, OCD, etc.  It’s safe, well-tolerated, and doesn’t require a psychiatric referral. Whether you’re local or traveling for treatment, we offer compassionate care in a calming, spa-like environment, not a cold, clinical space. If there are no depression symptoms, it is recommended to do daily anxiety treatments for 36 treatments; takes 6-8 weeks to complete.

Helping a teenager with anxiety takes patience, empathy, and the right tools. But with consistent support and the right resources, healing is possible. You don’t have to navigate it alone, and neither does your teen.

Ready to explore accelerated relief from anxiety? Contact us today to take the first step toward healing.

• Learn more about TMS for anxiety

FAQ

What is the best way to overcome anxiety?

The best way to overcome anxiety involves a mix of coping tools, healthy lifestyle choices, and support from mental health professionals. In some cases, advanced therapies like TMS may offer faster results.

What is the 3-3-3 rule for anxiety?

The 3-3-3 rule is a grounding technique that helps calm anxious thoughts. It involves naming three things you see, three things you hear, and moving three parts of your body. This brings your mind back to the present.

Effective ADHD Treatment Without Medication: Options for Better Focus

by revityteam | Jun 18, 2025 | TMS Therapy Articles

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common mental health condition that affects approximately 6% of adults in the United States. It’s often associated with kids, but plenty of adults live with it too, bouncing between thoughts, struggling to sit through meetings or classes, losing track of tasks, or feeling overwhelmed by the noise in their own heads.

Stimulants are typically the most common medication used to manage it; for some, they help a lot. But not everyone wants to rely on drugs long-term. If you’re one of them, you may wonder if it’s possible to treat ADHD without medication in adults. 

Below, we’re looking at some of the most effective non-medication treatments for ADHD, including how options like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) are helping people feel more focused without relying on stimulants. We’ll also talk about why a tailored approach matters and how working with the right team can make a noticeable difference in how you move through your day. So, if you’ve been curious about what can help with ADHD without medication, this is a good place to start.

Understanding ADHD

ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how the brain handles focus, activity levels, and self-regulation. It often shows up as mental restlessness, trouble finishing tasks, difficulty staying organized, or acting quickly without thinking through the consequences. Some people experience more issues with attention, others with hyperactivity or impulsivity, and many experience a mix of both.

Symptoms can start in childhood but frequently continue into adolescence and adulthood. In adults, ADHD can look like constantly jumping between tasks, losing track of time, struggling with follow-through, or feeling mentally scattered even during quiet moments. It can influence how someone works, connects with others, and manages everyday responsibilities.

What Causes ADHD?

ADHD develops from a combination of factors influencing how the brain grows, functions, and processes information. It’s not caused by one specific thing and doesn’t look the same for everyone. But over time, research has uncovered patterns that help explain why some people are more likely to develop ADHD than others.

Here are some of the most commonly recognized contributing factors:

• Genetics: ADHD often runs in families, meaning that if a parent or sibling has it, there’s a higher chance others in the family will too. 
• Brain development and structure: Brain imaging studies have found differences in the size and activity of certain areas involved in attention, impulse control, and executive functioning. These differences can affect how the brain processes focus and decision-making.
• Dopamine regulation: Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control attention, motivation, and the brain’s reward system. People with ADHD often have different patterns of dopamine activity, which may explain symptoms like distractibility or difficulty finishing tasks.
• Premature birth or low birth weight: Babies born early or with low birth weight seem to have a higher risk of developing ADHD. Experts believe that these early developmental challenges might impact how the brain forms and functions over time.
• Environmental factors: Exposure to toxins like lead, especially during pregnancy or early childhood, has been linked to a higher risk of ADHD. There’s also ongoing research into how prenatal stress and substance use may play a role.

No two people with ADHD have the exact same story, and we might never know the exact reason why it develops in each case. However, knowing your predisposing factors and taking them into account can help you find more relevant treatments that match how your brain works and what your daily life actually looks like. 

How Is ADHD Diagnosed?

Diagnosing ADHD starts with a detailed assessment of symptoms, history, and how those symptoms affect daily life. For children, the process usually involves input from parents, teachers, and caregivers, along with structured behavioral questionnaires and a clinical evaluation. A provider will look at how the child functions across environments, noticing things like difficulty following instructions, staying seated, or managing emotional reactions.

In adults, diagnosis often begins with a conversation about focus, organization, memory, impulsivity, and how these challenges show up day-to-day. Many adults were never diagnosed as kids, so the assessment may also explore past school experiences, job history, and relationships to get a fuller picture.

A proper diagnosis typically involves:

• A clinical interview with a licensed professional
• Standardized questionnaires or rating scales
• A full review of medical, developmental, and psychiatric history
• Reports from people who know the individual well (parents, teachers, partners)

Providers must take the time to look at the whole picture, not just symptoms, when diagnosing ADHD. That makes it easier to seek personalized support and, if the person wants it, find the right ADHD treatment without meds.

Common ADHD Treatments

ADHD can be treated in several ways, and the most effective plans often combine different approaches based on the person’s age, lifestyle, and goals. While some people do well with one type of treatment, others benefit more from a combination that supports behavior and brain function.

Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral therapy focuses on building everyday skills to manage attention, reduce impulsivity, and create more structure. It’s especially helpful for kids, but adults can benefit just as much, especially when symptoms show up in work, relationships, or routines.

For children, therapy often includes parent training to help caregivers create consistent systems at home. That might mean setting clear expectations, using positive reinforcement, or breaking tasks into smaller steps to avoid overwhelm. In adults, behavioral training may focus more on managing time, organizing responsibilities, or creating routines that support focus and follow-through. 

Medication

Medication is one of the most common treatments for ADHD in both children and adults. The most frequently prescribed options are stimulant medications, which work by increasing activity in areas of the brain responsible for focus and self-regulation. 

There are also non-stimulant medications available, which work differently but may be a better fit for some people based on health history, age, or side effects. Medications don’t cure ADHD, but they can reduce symptoms enough to make daily life feel more manageable.

What Are The Risks of ADHD Medication?

Those interested in how to treat ADHD without medication typically worry about the side effects of these drugs. While medication can help with focus and regulation, it also comes with potential downsides that are important to consider.

Stimulants like Adderall or Ritalin are often the first to be prescribed. When they work well, they can sharpen focus and quiet the mental noise. But some people experience side effects like trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, increased anxiety, or irritability. In some cases, they may cause mood swings or a feeling of being overstimulated, especially if the dosage isn’t quite right.

Non-stimulant medications are also an option, and they tend to act more gradually. Still, they can bring their own side effects, like low energy or nausea. Some people also report feeling emotionally flat or disconnected, which can be challenging to manage over time.

These aren’t risks to fear, but they are worth paying attention to. For some, medication works great. For others, the side effects outweigh the benefits. If you’ve been feeling unsure or uncomfortable with how medication affects you, or you just want something different, there are other options that support the brain in a more natural, less intrusive way.

ADHD Treatment Without Drugs

If you or your child has been recently diagnosed with ADHD, your first question was probably, “Can you treat ADHD without medication?” The short answer is yes. While medication works well for some, there are methods available that don’t involve side effects or long-term prescriptions. These approaches focus on building skills, improving communication, and supporting the brain without medication. Here are some of the most effective options available today:

Talk Therapy

Talk therapy provides a safe space to sort through the emotional side of ADHD. That might mean processing frustration, low self-esteem, or the stress that builds up from feeling like you’re always behind or misunderstood. For adults, therapy can also help unpack long-term patterns, like perfectionism, procrastination, or difficulty managing relationships.

Family Therapy

In many cases, ADHD influences the dynamics at home. For children diagnosed with ADHD, family therapy helps everyone understand what’s happening beneath the surface and learn how to respond more effectively. Instead of getting stuck in a cycle of tension or frustration, families work together to create structure, improve communication, and support each other more constructively.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

TMS is a non-invasive treatment that uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in focus and self-regulation. It’s FDA-approved and backed by research to support people with ADHD in a drug-free way.

Treatment is done in sessions, usually over several weeks, and there’s no medication involved. Many people describe feeling calmer, more focused, and clearer-headed as treatment progresses. 

Tips For Managing ADHD Without Medication

When you’re pursuing ADHD treatment without medication, everyday habits matter. The goal is to find small, meaningful changes that make things feel a little steadier and a little clearer. These are some tools that many people find helpful:

• Meditation: A few minutes of quiet focus can help train your brain to pause instead of jumping to the next thing. It can be with guided meditations, breathing exercises, or even following your breath for 10 slow counts to help calm mental chatter.
• Yoga: Yoga allows you to move your body while staying grounded in the present. It’s especially helpful when you’re feeling restless or disconnected. 
• Exercise: Movement is one of the most natural ways to boost focus and regulate energy. The best part is that any type of movement, like walking, biking, playing a sport, or dancing around the house, counts. The key is finding something you actually enjoy and will come back to consistently.
• Nutrition: What you eat affects how you feel and function. Balanced meals with protein, fiber, and healthy fats can help keep your energy and mood stable throughout the day. For some people, being mindful of sugar or caffeine also makes a big difference.

While no single approach will cure all ADHD symptoms, these habits can be part of a daily rhythm that supports focus, clarity, and calm. The more you build in these supports, the more manageable ADHD can feel, without needing to rely on medication.

Find Fast ADHD Relief With TMS

There’s no one right way to manage ADHD. For some, medication helps. For others, it’s not the path they want to take, and that’s okay. If you’ve been looking into how to treat ADHD without medication in adults, TMS is an avenue worth considering.

TMS uses gentle, FDA-approved magnetic pulses to stimulate the parts of the brain involved in focus and self-regulation. It’s backed by substantial research, and it’s completely non-invasive. 

At The Brain Health Center, every treatment plan is built around you. You’ll meet one-on-one with a provider who listens, takes your goals seriously, and creates a plan that fits your life. If you’re ready to try something different, we’re here. Contact us today and see how TMS can help you improve symptoms of ADHD, without drugs. 

Is TMS Covered by Insurance?

by revityteam | Jun 5, 2025 | TMS Therapy Articles

OCD Treatment For Kids: Learn The Options

by revityteam | Jun 4, 2025 | TMS Therapy Articles

Mental health conditions aren’t exclusive to adults. Kids can struggle too, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of those conditions that often goes unnoticed longer than it should. It involves recurring thoughts or urges that are hard to control, along with actions that the person feels they must do repeatedly until they “get it right.” For children with OCD, this might look like obsessive thoughts and behaviors that take over their routines, cause distress, and affect how they function at school, at home, and in their relationships.

The good news is that OCD is treatable. With the right care, kids can find relief and learn new ways to respond to their thoughts and urges. In this article, we’re discussing OCD treatment services for kids, how symptoms can be managed effectively, and why personalized approaches backed by clinical research can make a real difference.

What Is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

Mental health conditions are classified into a few different categories: mood disorders, anxiety disorders, behavioral disorders, developmental disorders, and more. OCD falls under anxiety disorders: it’s a condition that causes a pattern of upsetting thoughts, called obsessions, and repetitive behaviors, called compulsions.

In kids, this can show up in ways that are sometimes easy to miss. Obsessions might involve fears about germs, harm coming to a parent, doing something wrong, or things feeling “off” somehow. Compulsions are the actions they feel they must repeat to quiet those fears. That might look like constant handwashing, arranging objects over and over, repeating certain phrases, or asking the same questions again and again.

None of these behaviors is voluntary or controllable. Kids with OCD don’t “act out” because they want to. Instead, the urge feels impossible to ignore, and trying to resist it only makes the anxiety stronger. Over time, this cycle can take up a lot of mental space and start affecting how they function at school, at home, or around friends.

Because OCD doesn’t always look the same from child to child, it often goes unnoticed or gets mistaken for something else, like ADHD, a learning disability, or behavioral problems. This means that getting an accurate diagnosis from someone who truly understands how this condition works is the most crucial first step toward finding OCD treatment for kids that works. 

Common OCD Symptoms In Kids

OCD causes stressful thoughts and behaviors that feel impossible to ignore. These patterns can be persistent, overwhelming, and hard to explain, especially for kids who don’t yet have the language to describe what’s going on inside. Symptoms fall into two categories: obsessions and compulsions.

Obsessions

Obsessions are intrusive thoughts or urges that cause anxiety or distress. Kids don’t want these thoughts and often feel confused or scared by them. Common obsessions include:

• Fear of germs, contamination, or illness
• Worry about harm coming to themselves or loved ones
• Preoccupation with symmetry, order, or exactness
• Intrusive thoughts involving violence or inappropriate topics
• Fear of saying or doing something “bad”
• Anxiety around numbers, colors, or objects having “good” or “bad” meanings
• Magical thinking (believing thoughts or actions can influence events in unrealistic ways)

Compulsions

Compulsions are the behaviors or rituals kids feel they have to perform to reduce the anxiety triggered by obsessions. These actions aren’t soothing; they’re driven by a need to prevent something bad or to feel “just right.” Compulsions in children might look like:

• Repeating actions or movements
• Excessive handwashing, cleaning, or grooming
• Arranging objects in a specific way
• Hoarding seemingly unimportant items
• Repeating words, sounds, or phrases
• Touching or tapping objects a certain number of times
• Rigid rules around daily tasks, such as getting dressed or eating
• Physical tics or movements linked to anxiety
• Asking the same question over and over for reassurance

What Triggers OCD In A Child?

No one thing triggers OCD in children; like any mental health condition, a child might develop OCD due to a combination of environmental, social, and biological factors. While the exact cause isn’t fully understood, experts point to a few possible influences.

First, evidence suggests that brain structure and function may play a role. Certain parts of the brain involved in decision-making, emotion regulation, and habit formation seem to not only function differently but also look different in kids with OCD. Genetics also seems to play a role; children with a family history of OCD or other anxiety disorders are often more likely to develop these conditions than kids without a family history. 

There’s also some evidence suggesting that OCD symptoms in kids can appear suddenly after a streptococcal throat infection. This is sometimes called PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections). In these cases, the immune response may affect the brain in a way that triggers obsessive-compulsive symptoms. That said, this connection is still being studied, and not all researchers agree on how strong or consistent it is.

What is clear is that kids don’t choose OCD behaviors, and they can’t “snap out of it.” So, when it comes to OCD treatment for adolescents and children, the most important step is getting them the right kind of support without guilt or blame.

How Is OCD Diagnosed In A Child?

Before exploring OCD treatment for kids, the first step is getting a clear diagnosis. OCD signs and symptoms aren’t always obvious, especially when they happen mostly in the child’s mind. 

A diagnosis usually starts with a detailed conversation about the child’s thoughts, behaviors, and daily routines. To be diagnosed with OCD, a child must have obsessions, compulsions, or both, and these symptoms need to cause noticeable stress or interfere with school, social activities, or family life.

Specialists may use a structured tool like the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) or its child version to better understand the severity of symptoms. These tools don’t give a yes or no answer, but they help guide the clinical picture and ensure important patterns aren’t missed. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, the next step is creating a treatment plan that actually fits the child and is flexible, supportive, and grounded in real science.

How To Help A Child With OCD

If your child has been diagnosed with OCD, therapy and/or medication might be necessary, but daily support at home and school also plays a major role in how well treatment for OCD in kids works. Here’s what you can do:

• Stick to all healthcare, therapy, and school support appointments. Consistency is important in reducing anxious thoughts.
• Talk to your child’s school about their diagnosis so teachers can help reduce classroom stress and avoid unnecessary discipline or confusion.
• Identify and share your child’s triggers with anyone involved in their care, including educators and caregivers.
• Make it easy for your child to talk about their symptoms and avoid judging them or punishing them when they express distress or repeat behaviors.
• Reinforce strategies from therapy. For example, if your child is practicing a new coping skill, encourage it at home and acknowledge their effort.
• Let your child know ahead of time if plans or schedules are changing to help reduce anxiety.
• If possible, connect with other parents going through the same thing. It can be helpful to share ideas and compare notes.

How Do You Treat OCD In A Child?

When looking at how to treat OCD in a child, the goal is to reduce unpleasant thoughts and feelings and help them regain control over their mind and actions. OCD can be overwhelming, but diagnosing it at a young age also means that they can learn how to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life before symptoms progress.

OCD therapy for kids often includes therapy, and in some cases, medication or advanced tools like TMS. What works best depends on the child’s specific symptoms, how intense they are, and how much they interfere with daily life. Here are some of the main approaches:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy, is one of the most common and effective types of talk therapy for OCD in children. CBT focuses on helping kids recognize patterns in their thinking and behavior. For example, a child may notice that they always feel anxious after touching a doorknob and then need to wash their hands repeatedly. A CBT therapist can help them understand this cycle and develop healthier coping methods. Sessions often involve role play, visual aids, and age-appropriate strategies to help kids stay engaged. Depending on the child’s age, parents can also be involved to support what’s being worked on in therapy.

Exposure and Response Therapy

ERP is a specific form of CBT designed specifically for OCD, and it’s widely considered the gold standard in treatment. During ERP, the child is gently and gradually exposed to the source of their anxiety, like touching something “contaminated” or leaving a toy slightly out of place, and then trying not to complete the compulsion that usually follows. The goal is to help their brain learn that nothing bad happens when they don’t follow through on the ritual. ERP is very structured and always guided by a trained clinician. Over time, it helps reduce the power of obsessions and compulsions and gives the child more confidence to face situations that used to feel impossible.

Medication

Medication can be helpful for some children with moderate to severe OCD, especially when therapy alone isn’t enough. The most common type prescribed is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which target the brain circuits involved in anxiety and obsessive thinking. These medications don’t eliminate OCD, but they can make symptoms more manageable and allow the child to get more out of therapy. When a child needs medication for OCD, dosing is carefully adjusted based on the child’s age, weight, response, and tolerance. Medication may be a short-term or long-term part of treatment, depending on how the child responds.

TMS

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic pulses to activate parts of the brain involved in OCD. The FDA approves it for adults, and it’s being used more frequently in adolescents who haven’t responded well to therapy or medication. TMS doesn’t require sedation or medication, and sessions are quick, usually under 20 minutes, so they aren’t disruptive to the child’s daily activities. 

Brain Health Center administers TMS using technology developed through Stanford research and treatment plans customized for each child. Many families consider TMS when other options haven’t worked or when they’re looking for an alternative to long-term medication.

Explore OCD Treatment For Kids At Brain Health Center

OCD can be incredibly disruptive for children, affecting how they think, feel, and interact with the world around them. Fortunately, there are treatments available that can help them regain confidence, reduce distress, and start participating more fully in everyday life. And at Brain Health Center, we specialize in creating personalized transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) plans built around your child’s unique needs, symptoms, and goals.

TMS is a noninvasive treatment backed by science and approved by the FDA for adults. We apply this evidence-based technology with a specialized approach for adolescents with zero anesthesia or medication. It doesn’t disrupt daily life, meaning kids can return to school or other activities immediately after a session.

Our Utah clinic serves local families and visitors seeking high-quality, cost-effective care in a supportive and professional setting. If you’re looking for OCD therapy for kids that’s personalized, based on clinical research, and built with your child in mind, we’re here to help. Reach out to schedule a consultation today. 

What is Inpatient Depression Treatment?

by revityteam | May 21, 2025 | TMS Therapy Articles