Trauma-Focused CBT for Weather Related Anxiety with Molly Shaffer, LPC
Stormy skies, loud thunder, and high winds can do more than just disrupt a day at the park - they can spark fear and anxiety in children. You might be noticing that your child is on high alert when the weather changes, and you’re not alone!
Weather-related anxiety is a common but often overlooked concern for many families. Whether it’s a fear of lightning, tornados, or even just dark clouds, these worries can interfere with a child’s sense of safety and daily life.
Molly Shaffer, LPC
At Compassionate Counseling St. Louis, we get calls from parents just like you - they see their child worry about changing weather, avoiding going places if its too cloudy outside, or asking you frequently about the forecast. The good news is that the team at Compassionate Counseling St. Louis works with kids and teens who experience weather anxiety.
Today we are connecting you with our Senior Therapist at Compassionate Counseling St. Louis, Molly Shaffer, LPC to learn a little bit more about how she works with kids who experience weather-related anxiety.
What are some common symptoms or behaviors you see in clients struggling with weather-related anxiety or trauma?
I often see increased emotional struggles in the kids and teens I work with. This might look like increased worry or fear related to weather (if there are dark clouds, rain or a bad forecast). They may display mood swings or irritability if weather changes or if there is an unwanted weather type like rain or high winds. Some become hypervigilant to loud sounds like thunder or even sirens if the previous traumatic experience involved emergency personnel.
Another thing that I notice is behavioral patterns in response to weather-related anxiety. You might notice that your child repeatedly asks or wants to check on the weather predictions or do a lot of reassurance seeking for safety. They may also show some avoidance behaviors like avoiding going outside, going in a car or traveling if weather seems unpredictable. And they might display some increased dependence or clinging to parents during storms, which can also include sleep disturbance (during a storm or a fear that a storm may begin).
How do you assess if TF-CBT is the right fit for a client dealing with weather-related anxiety or trauma?
When deciding if TF-CBT is the right approach there are a number of things to take into consideration. Utilizing my clinical judgement and understanding of the clients trauma background (or lack of), their trauma experience, current symptoms and functioning. When screening, I do look for symptoms of PTSD (avoidance, intrusive thoughts, hyperarousal) to determine if it is storm related anxiety or more trauma responses that are occurring. I do also try to consider a child's/family readiness to engage in this highly structured exposure type of approach (especially when considering the trauma narrative component).
How old does a child need to be to be able to use TF-CBT with them?
TF-CBT is utilized with children, adolescents and young adults from the ages of 3-21 years old.
How do you involve caregivers or family members in the TF-CBT process when treating children affected by weather-related anxiety or trauma?
Parent/caregiver involvement is a big component to the TF-CBT approach. Initially parents are provided much psychoeducation on trauma and its effects to help them understand the difference between anxiety and trauma, recognize potential trauma responses, and understand what their child is experiencing.
Parents are also taught many of the regulation skills the child is working on in session so that continued practice can occur at home, but also to support caregivers in difficult moments and increase coregulation!
Parent are also involved in conjoint sessions where the child can share the trauma narrative (part of the desensitization process) to normalize the experience and response, to practice coping skills together and build connection, support and future safety plans
What is one tool you love for helping kids with big feelings help regulate when storms are coming?
I feel like there are so many!! I do like to suggest that kids create a safe space in their home - a "calming corner" and in this space include as many of their calming strategies to help them feel safe and increase regulation. Some things that coud be included in a calming corner might include a weighted or favorite blanket, stuffed animals, or fidgets.
I also think distraction techniques can be very helpful. These techniques could include coloring and drawing a calm scene, using noise canceling headphones during loud storms or even headphones to play calming music or sounds.
Interested in working with Molly?
At Compassionate Counseling St. Louis, we offer free 15-minute phone consults to answer your questions, understand your concerns, and help you figure out if we’re the right fit. You don’t need to make a big commitment just to get started - we’re happy to talk through what you’re looking for and how we can help.
Ready to learn more or schedule your free consult?
You can contact Compassionate Counseling St. Louis for your free consultation call right here or give us a call - we’ll walk you through the next steps and make it easy to get started.
If you are noticing your child feeling extra concerned when the weather changes, we’d love to talk about how St. Louis therapy at Compassionate Counseling St. Louis can help your child. Reach out to us at hello@compassionatecounselingstl.com. As anxiety experts providing St. Louis therapy, we love working with kids, teens, college students and parents to help manage their anxiety, stress, and anger. Compassionate Counseling St. Louis is located in Clayton, MO and works with families by offering both in-person counseling and online therapy throughout St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Ladue, University City, Town and Country, Webster Groves, Creve Couer, Kirkwood, Richmond Heights, and Brentwood. We also provide online therapy Missouri -wide to teens and college students. You can set up your first free consult on this website, on our consultation page.