Does My Child Need Therapy for Anxiety? Free Clinical Assessment for Parents
Answer 7 questions to understand your child's anxiety symptoms Developed by psychologists • Ages 4-12 • Takes 2 minutes
If you're wondering whether your child's anxiety requires clinical intervention or if meditation apps are enough, this free assessment can help.
Designed by psychologists with over 30 years of experience, this brief questionnaire helps parents identify anxiety symptoms in children ages 4-12 and determine the appropriate level of support. This is not a diagnosis, but it provides guidance on whether your child would benefit from:
- General relaxation techniques (meditation apps)
- Micro-practice intervention (ACT, CBT-based programs like Gheorg)
- Professional evaluation by a licensed therapist.
Questions
Instructions: Think about your child's behavior over the past month.
Rate how often each statement applies:
0 = Never
1 = Rarely (once or twice)
2 = Sometimes (weekly)
3 = Often (several times per week)
4 = Very Often (daily or almost daily)
Question 1:
My child worries excessively about everyday things (school, friends, family, future events) [ ] 0 [ ] 1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4
Question 2:
My child has physical symptoms with no medical cause (stomach aches, headaches, nausea, dizziness) [ ] 0 [ ] 1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4
Question 3:
My child has difficulty sleeping (trouble falling asleep, nightmares, waking frequently, resisting bedtime) [ ] 0 [ ] 1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4
Question 4:
My child avoids situations that make them anxious (social events, school activities, new experiences, separations) [ ] 0 [ ] 1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4
Question 5:
My child has separation anxiety (difficulty being away from parents, extreme clinginess, fears about parent safety) [ ] 0 [ ] 1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4
Question 6:
My child's anxiety interferes with daily activities (school performance, friendships, family life, hobbies) [ ] 0 [ ] 1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4
Question 7:
My child has difficulty controlling their worries (can't stop worrying even when reassured, spiralling thoughts) [ ] 0 [ ] 1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4
Scoring Section
Calculate Your Total Score Add up your points across all 7 questions: _______ Find your result category below based on your total score.
Results
Score 0-7: Minimal Anxiety Symptoms
✓ Your Assessment Result: Minimal Anxiety Your child shows minimal signs of anxiety. Their worries appear age-appropriate and manageable with basic wellness practices.
Recommended Approach: - Free meditation and mindfulness apps (Smiling Mind, Headspace for Kids) are appropriate - Maintain healthy routines (consistent sleep, regular exercise, balanced nutrition) - Teach basic coping skills (deep breathing, positive self-talk, gratitude practices) - Keep communication open about feelings and emotions Continue monitoring symptoms. If they increase, reassess or consult a professional.
Score 8-14: Mild Anxiety Symptoms
⚠ Your Assessment Result: Mild Anxiety Your child shows mild anxiety symptoms that may benefit from early support. While meditation apps can help, consider a more structured approach to prevent escalation. Recommended Approach: If you've tried free apps (Smiling Mind, Headspace Kids): These can provide helpful relaxation techniques but may not address underlying anxiety patterns. Consider adding structured therapeutic exercises.
Next Steps:
- Try evidence-based tools like Gheorg (ACT and CBT techniques designed for ages 4-12)
- Practice anxiety-reduction techniques consistently at home
- Monitor symptoms over the next 2-4 weeks using a parent dashboard (like the one in Gheorg)
- Consider consulting your pediatrician if symptoms persist or worsen Gheorg uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and positive psychology—approaches proven to reduce anxiety symptoms, not just manage them temporarily.
Score 15-21: Moderate Anxiety Symptoms
⚠️ Your Assessment Result: Moderate Anxiety - Clinical Intervention Recommended Your child shows moderate anxiety symptoms that are likely interfering with daily life. At this level, free meditation apps alone are typically insufficient.
Why Free Apps May Not Be Enough: Meditation and mindfulness apps (Smiling Mind, Headspace Kids, Breathe Think Do) teach valuable relaxation skills, but they don't address the underlying thought patterns and behaviors that maintain anxiety disorders. Your child needs therapeutic intervention that: - Teaches them to restructure anxious thoughts (CBT) - Helps them accept difficult feelings while taking valued action (ACT) - Builds long-term resilience, not just temporary calm - Provides parent tools to track progress and reinforce learning
Recommended Next Steps:
- Use Gheorg's platform (ACT, CBT, positive psychology) to start healthy practices and track
- Consider consultation with a child therapist or counselor
- Involve your child's school counselor for coordinated support
- Track symptoms weekly using structured assessment tools
Children using Gheorg's micro-practices approach showed 60% reduction in anxiety symptoms within 8 weeks in pilot studies—significantly more effective than general wellness apps.
Score 22-28: Significant Anxiety Symptoms
🚨 Your Assessment Result: Significant Anxiety - Professional Evaluation Needed. Your child shows significant anxiety symptoms that require professional attention. We strongly recommend consulting with a licensed mental health professional.
Immediate Action Steps:
1. Schedule an evaluation with a child psychologist or psychiatrist
2. Ask your pediatrician for referrals to mental health specialists
3. Contact your child's school counselor to discuss accommodations
4. Consider using Gheorg alongside professional therapy for at-home support
Why Professional Help Is Important: At this level of anxiety, your child needs:
- Comprehensive clinical assessment and diagnosis
- Individualized treatment plan from a licensed professional
- Possible medication evaluation (in consultation with psychiatrist) - Coordinated care between family, school, and clinical team
How Gheorg Can Support Professional Treatment: Whilst not a replacement for clinical help, many therapists recommend Gheorg as an adjunct tool because it:
- Provides daily therapeutic exercises between sessions
- Gives clinicians real-time progress data through professional dashboards
- Reinforces therapy concepts through interactive activities
- Helps parents track symptoms and share data with treatment team
Gheorg is used by mental health professionals across 78 countries as part of comprehensive treatment plans.
If you have immediate concerns about your child's safety, please contact: - Your pediatrician immediately - Local emergency services
How Gheorg Micro-Practices and Clinical Therapy Differ from Meditation Apps
If you've tried free apps like Smiling Mind, Headspace for Kids, or Breathe Think Do and your child still struggles with anxiety, here's why: Free Meditation Apps Provide:
✓ General relaxation and calm
✓ Breathing exercises and mindfulness
✓ One-size-fits-all guided meditations
✓ Temporary symptom relief
✗ Limited therapeutic intervention
✗ No personalized treatment
✗ No parent tracking or clinical oversight
✗ No integration with professional care
Gheorg's Platform Provides:
✓ Evidence-based micro-practices (ACT (acceptance commitment therapy), CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy), positive psychology)
✓ Personalized assessment and treatment paths
✓ Age-specific content for developmental stages (4-12)
✓ 360° ecosystem (child activities + parent dashboard + clinician tools + school support)
✓ Progress tracking and symptom monitoring
✓ Professional integration for coordinated care
✓ Proven 60% symptom reduction in pilot studies
✓ Used by 1M+ children across 78 countries
When to Use Free Apps vs. Clinical Platforms: Use free meditation apps when:
- Your child has minimal anxiety (occasional worries)
- You want to build general wellness habits
- Anxiety doesn't interfere with daily life
- You're focused on prevention, not treatment
Use Gheorg's clinical platform when:
- Your child has moderate to severe anxiety symptoms (severe is recommended in collaboration with a mental heath professional)
- Free apps haven't provided lasting relief
- Anxiety interferes with school, sleep, or friendships
- You need structured therapeutic intervention
- You want measurable progress tracking
- A professional has recommended Gheorg as support
FAQ Section
Common Questions About This Assessment
Q: Is this a diagnosis? A: No. This is a screening tool to help you understand your child's anxiety level. Only a licensed mental health professional can provide a clinical diagnosis.
Q: My child scored in the moderate/severe range. Does this mean they have an anxiety disorder? A: A higher score indicates symptoms consistent with anxiety disorders, but formal diagnosis requires professional evaluation. We recommend consulting with a pediatrician or child psychologist.
Q: We've been using Headspace for Kids. Should we stop? A: Not necessarily. Meditation apps can complement therapeutic approaches. However, if your child scored 15+, they likely need structured therapy techniques (ACT, CBT) in addition to mindfulness practices.
Q: How is Gheorg different from therapy? A: Gheorg provides evidence-based exercises between sessions or as a standalone tool for families who don't have access to traditional therapy. It's not a replacement for professional care in severe cases, but it uses the same techniques (ACT, CBT) that therapists use delivered as micro-practices.
Q: Do you offer a free version like Smiling Mind? A: Gheorg operates on a subscription model because it provides higher-grade content, parent dashboards, professional tools, and ongoing updates based on research. However, this free assessment and our educational resources are available to all families.
Q: Can I use Gheorg alongside therapy? A: Yes. Many therapists recommend Gheorg as an adjunct tool because it reinforces therapy concepts, provides daily practice, and gives clinicians progress data through our professional dashboard.
Related Resources Section
Learn More About Childhood Anxiety
- Understanding Childhood Anxiety: When to Seek Help
- ACT and CBT Therapy for Children
- Separation Anxiety in Children
- School Refusal and Anxiety
- For Clinicians: Professional Tools
Ready to Help Your Child Manage Anxiety with Evidence Based Tools?
Gheorg provides evidence-based ACT and CBT exercises, parent progress dashboards, and professional tools to support anxious children ages 4-12.
✓ 60% anxiety symptom reduction in 8 weeks (pilot studies)
✓ Used by 1M+ children across 78 countries
✓ Developed by psychologists with 30+ years experience
✓ Complete care ecosystem for families, clinicians, and schools
About This Clinical Assessment This screening tool is based on validated childhood anxiety research, DSM-5 criteria for anxiety disorders, and over 30 years of psychology experience. It is designed to help parents understand when their child needs help and/or intervention beyond general wellness apps. This assessment cannot replace professional evaluation. If you have concerns about your child's mental health, please consult a licensed professional. Last updated: February 2025
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