Date post: | 25-Apr-2015 |
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The Worry Jar The Worry Jar Technique: Technique: Help Your Help Your Child Overcome AnxietyChild Overcome Anxiety
By: Stephanie Margolese, Ph.D.By: Stephanie Margolese, Ph.D. Clinical PsychologistClinical Psychologist
http://http://www.drstephaniemargolese.com/www.drstephaniemargolese.com/
PurposePurpose
The Worry Jar is a creative and useful The Worry Jar is a creative and useful technique used to help manage anxiety technique used to help manage anxiety and worries.and worries.
The Worry Jar is a place for your The Worry Jar is a place for your child to put their worries.child to put their worries.
Just knowing that their worries are Just knowing that their worries are contained somewhere can free your contained somewhere can free your child from replaying them in their child from replaying them in their minds and can limit the time spent minds and can limit the time spent focused on worries.focused on worries.
Step #1: Create A Step #1: Create A Worry Jar Worry Jar
Find a real glass or plastic jarFind a real glass or plastic jar
Have your child decorate and label it Have your child decorate and label it (e.g., (e.g., Lisa’s Worry Jar)Lisa’s Worry Jar)
Step #2: Write Out Step #2: Write Out WorriesWorries
Help your child write out or draw each Help your child write out or draw each of his or her worries in a list on of his or her worries in a list on paper. paper.
Cut out each worry into its own strip Cut out each worry into its own strip of paper.of paper.
Fold each worry.Fold each worry.
Place all papers into the jar.Place all papers into the jar.
Have your child close the jar. Have your child close the jar.
Step #3: Schedule Step #3: Schedule Worry TimeWorry Time
Worry Time = a set time of day (10-15 Worry Time = a set time of day (10-15 minutes) dedicated for worrying. minutes) dedicated for worrying.
Set timer or alarm to indicate the start Set timer or alarm to indicate the start and end of worry time.and end of worry time.
During worry time, your child opens the During worry time, your child opens the worry jar, looks at his or her worries, worry jar, looks at his or her worries, and can “worry”. This time can be spent and can “worry”. This time can be spent alone or with a parent.alone or with a parent.
At end of worry time, your child closes At end of worry time, your child closes the worry jar to put worries away for the worry jar to put worries away for the day. the day.
What To Do…What To Do…
IfIf worries come up at other times of day: worries come up at other times of day: Write down the worryWrite down the worry Remind child to “save” the worry for worry time.Remind child to “save” the worry for worry time.
IfIf my child raises a new worry: my child raises a new worry: Write down the new worry and add it to the jarWrite down the new worry and add it to the jar Remember to save the new worry for worry timeRemember to save the new worry for worry time
IfIf my child is no longer worried about my child is no longer worried about something:something:
Have child rip up old worriesHave child rip up old worries Celebrate all successes at overcoming worries!!!Celebrate all successes at overcoming worries!!!
Questions or Questions or Comments?Comments?
Submit your feedback, questions, and Submit your feedback, questions, and comments to:comments to:
http://www.drstephaniemargolese.com/http://www.drstephaniemargolese.com/
THANK-YOU!THANK-YOU!
Best wishes,Best wishes,
Dr. StephanieDr. Stephanie