On September 10, in collaboration with Nashoba Brooks School, Concord Academy hosted two talks by psychotherapist and presenter Lynn Lyons, LICSW, about effective approaches to addressing and preventing anxiety. With irreverent humor as well thorough grounding in research and her own clinical practice of 28 years, Lyons stressed the importance for children, educators, and parents alike to understand how the self-reinforcing cycle of anxiety is triggered and perpetuated, and how well-intended responses of accommodation do not reduce, but rather heighten, anxiety.

In the afternoon, faculty and staff from both schools attended a professional development session that focused on creating plans for anxious students that support action rather than avoidance. In her evening workshop for parents, Lyons discussed approaches to helping teens learn the important skills of tolerating uncertainty and discomfort and shared concreted strategies for helping families handle current anxiety and prevent the development of anxiety and depression later in life.

Learn More

Visit Lyons’ website to watch her videos for parents and learn more about her books, including Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents and Playing with Anxiety: Casey’s Guide for Teens and Kids.