In this episode, I open up about the emotional and practical work of supporting a young child through high anxiety — and what it means to stay grounded as a parent when your child’s fear takes over. With thanks and insight from psychologist Sean Larsen, hypnotherapist Catherine Williams, and family counsellor Erica Spink, I explore how “bottom-up” fear works in a child’s nervous system, why storytelling can be more powerful than reassurance, and how gentle exposure and family balance helped our son heal.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

Simple family moments that restore connection — nature play, empathy, and advocacy

How a mild infection triggered deep anxiety in a six-year-old

Why logic doesn’t calm body-based fear

How storytelling can re-train a child’s brain

The emotional load of co-regulation and the need for parental balance

The small daily shifts that made a difference: softer mornings, more play, less pressure