NOW ENROLLING! Contact Erin to secure your spot - 608-291-0107
Starting April 12th, 2026 from 6-7:30
Anxiety Buster: CALM Paws
The evolution of my work with kids and families facing anxiety.
Starting April 12th. Limited spots.
Built from tried-and-true activities from my Anxiety Buster book, tweaked with real client feedback.
For parents of children ages 8–12.
A 10-week small-group parent program where we bring together your real questions into practical tools. You will gain the confidence to help your child feel calm, capable, and in control.
CALM Paws is a parent program. Children do not attend. Parents learn the tools and use them with their child at home.
Some kids feel everything deeply. That does not mean something is wrong with them.
It means that they need support tailored to how their brain and body operate. At CALM Paws, you, as parents, are the experts on your child, and I, as an anxiety specialist, will collaborate with you to create a User’s Manual for your home. We will address key topics in a structured yet collaborative manner. I will ensure that we cover what matters most throughout the process.
Who it’s for:
✔️ Children ages 8–12 who worry, ruminate, or have intense emotional reactions
✔️ Parents who’ve tried common strategies that don’t stick & want consistency that actually works
✔️ Families ready for nervous-system-friendly tools at home. No rescuing, just trusting the small wins.
What makes it different:
✔️ 100% parent-focused (child does not attend). You are the expert; we will figure it out together.
✔️ Real-life synthesis of parents’ real questions/concerns from thousands of hours of parent sessions. PLUS, kid-tested stories/activities from Anxiety Buster.
✔️ Weekly “Paw Practice” sheets you will actually use.
✔️ Inspired by my former therapy dog’s calming presence (Buster!)
Parents learn the CALM Paws framework in group sessions and practice it with their child between meetings.
The CALM Paws Protocol
A gentle, step-by-step framework for kids’ developing brains. Bottom-up nervous system first, then tools that can stick. Within this, you will master the VET principle: Validate feelings naturally (unscripted), Empower with encouragement and choices, Trust through small wins so you see your child can handle it (without feeling a need to rescue). This builds your confidence so you can stay consistent, trust the process, and get real results.
Quick, kid-friendly grounding and breathing so anxiety doesn’t escalate. Always starting with the nervous system.
Help your child recognize and label worries. Naming tames the amygdala. Validate – “that sounds tough.”
Gentle thought-checking exercises designed for 8–12 year olds. Empowering them with choices and encouragemnt in order to start building trust
Small, doable exposure and problem-solving together. No need to rationalize because you can provide consistent support to see it works.
PAWS – Pause, Affirm, With Support, Succeed 🐾
This is the daily home rhythm that turns skills into habits. As you gain confidence you will know how to repond everytime. You will find yourself in a new way of being.