What is SPACE (& Why We Love It!)
Authored by Mind Chicago co-owner and therapist, Dr. Lee Wells
At Mind Chicago, we’re always looking for effective, compassionate, and research-backed ways to support families navigating childhood and young adult anxiety. One of the approaches we’ve come to truly love—and recommend often—is Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE). Developed by Dr. Eli Lebowitz and his team at Yale, SPACE is a parent-based treatment program that helps families support their children with anxiety, OCD, and related challenges without requiring the child or young adult to be in the therapy room (yes, parents only!).
What is SPACE Exactly?
It’s a structured parent-based therapy that empowers caregivers to make meaningful shifts in how they respond to their child’s anxiety and OCD. Anxiety often pushes parents to accommodate—whether that’s providing constant reassurance, participating in avoidance, or stepping in to manage difficult situations. While accommodations are well-intentioned, they can unintentionally reinforce anxiety and OCD. SPACE helps parents reduce these accommodations in a supportive, gradual, and compassionate way, signaling to their child: “We believe in you. You can handle this.”
WHY WE Love it!
One of the reasons we love SPACE at Mind Chicago is that it opens doors for families who feel stuck. Maybe your child isn’t ready for individual therapy. Maybe therapy hasn’t felt like a good fit so far. Or maybe you, as a parent, just want a more active way to help your child day-to-day. SPACE says: You don’t have to wait. Parents can get started right now.
And it’s not just for kids. SPACE has been thoughtfully adapted for young adults who are struggling with what’s often called “failure to launch”—when anxiety or OCD makes it hard to live independently, take next steps, or feel confident out in the world. Parents in these situations often feel torn between wanting to help and wanting to step back. SPACE helps families find that balance, so young adults can move toward independence without feeling pushed off a cliff.
Treatment matters
This feels especially important as we recognize OCD Awareness Week (October 12–18, 2025). OCD is more common than people think, and it’s often misunderstood. A few facts stand out:
OCD can show up at nearly any age, but in kids it most often begins between 7 and 12—and can appear as early as age 6.
Many children and teens live with symptoms for years before seeing a mental health professional.
Kids with OCD are also more likely to have other conditions like tic disorders, ADHD, or other anxiety disorders.
That means many families are managing anxiety and OCD at home long before treatment begins. And this is where SPACE shines. Parents can step into a role that truly makes a difference, even before (or alongside) their child receiving direct therapy. Families often tell us they feel more hopeful, less stuck, and more connected after learning and practicing SPACE.
At Mind Chicago, we believe parents are powerful allies in their child’s growth. SPACE isn’t about forcing independence or “fixing” your child. It’s about creating the steady, supportive environment they need to take brave steps forward. During OCD Awareness Week—and all year long—we celebrate approaches like SPACE that give families practical tools, hope, and a way to walk the journey together.
