Helping Your Child Take Charge of Anxiety & OCD
A compassionate, evidence-based treatment program for children and teens ages 6 to 19.
Watching your child struggle with anxiety or OCD can be heartbreaking. The constant worries, the rituals that take over daily life, the fears that keep them from school, friends, or even simple joys—it’s overwhelming, and you just want to help.
But you don’t have to navigate this alone. Our specialized treatment program, designed for children and teens ages 6 to 19, provides young people with the skills, support, and confidence they need to take back control of their lives.
At the Anxiety Mastery Program, we believe that with the right tools and compassionate care, every child can learn to manage their anxiety or OCD and thrive. Our expert clinicians use proven, evidence-based treatment tailored to each child’s unique needs, all while providing guidance and support for the entire family.
If your child is experiencing overwhelming fears, worries, or compulsive behaviors that disrupt their routine, we’re here to help them—and you—find a path forward.
For more information, please call 617.674.5310
A Program Designed for Kids & Teens
Anxiety can look different in every child—but one thing is always true: It’s not just a phase, and they don’t have to struggle alone. Our program is designed specifically for children and teens ages 6 to 19 who are experiencing anxiety disorders associated with fears, such as separation anxiety disorder, specific phobias, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, selective mutism, illness anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), somatic symptom disorder, or avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).
You might notice your child:
- Worries excessively about school, friendships, or everyday situations
- Avoids activities they once loved due to fear or anxiety
- Has trouble sleeping because their mind won’t stop racing
- Experiences panic attacks or physical symptoms like stomachaches and headaches
- Struggles to participate in social situations
- Refuses to go to school
- Engages in compulsive behaviors (such as excessive handwashing, checking, or repeating actions) to ease their distress
- Won’t speak to unfamiliar people, despite having the ability to speak
- Avoids eating certain foods due to specific fears, such as vomiting or choking, that are not related to body image
If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and neither is your child. Our expert team understands the unique challenges that kids and teens face and provides the tools and support they need to build confidence and successfully manage their mental health.
Learn More About Kids and Anxiety
- What you need to know about anxiety in children and teens
- Dr. R. Meredith Elkins discusses school anxiety
- Dr. Jacqueline Sperling talks about managing fears and phobias in children
How Our Program Works: A Proven Path to Healing
When a child or teen is struggling with anxiety or OCD, early and effective treatment can make all the difference. That’s why our program provides short-term, intensive cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)—a proven approach to treating anxiety disorders in young people. Our treatment focuses on exposure and response prevention (ERP), also known as exposure therapy, which helps kids and teens gradually face their fears in a safe, supportive environment and is proven to be effective for children with anxiety or OCD.
One of the most powerful aspects of our program is its group-based format. Treatment is delivered in small groups, allowing kids and teens to learn, grow, and build confidence alongside peers who truly understand their struggles. This supportive setting helps young people stay motivated, practice new skills in real time, and see firsthand that they’re not alone.
To ensure that each child receives developmentally tailored care, our program is divided into two tracks:
- Child Track (ages 6-13)
- Adolescent Track (ages 14-19)
Both tracks maintain a high staff-to-patient ratio, ensuring that each child gets personalized attention and expert guidance. Our world-class team—including psychiatrists, psychologists, and doctoral student clinicians specializing in child and adolescent mental health—works closely with every young person to develop a treatment plan that meets their unique needs.
What To Expect: A Supportive & Engaging Environment
When your child is struggling with anxiety or OCD, you want treatment that truly works. Our program is built on exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy—the gold-standard approach to helping kids and teens understand, face, and manage their fears. Through tailored therapy, skill building, and family involvement, we help young people break free from anxiety and OCD’s grip and gain the confidence to take on the world.
Because anxiety and OCD affect the entire family, caregiver participation is a key part of our program. We provide education and support for parents so you can understand your child’s challenges, reinforce their progress, and feel confident in helping them navigate life beyond treatment.
What’s Included in Treatment?
- Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation – A deep understanding of your child’s needs so we can create a personalized treatment plan
- Tailored Exposure Therapy in a Group Setting – Kids and teens practice facing their fears in a safe, supportive environment
- Skills Groups for Kids– Building tools for managing anxiety at home, school, and beyond
- Skills Groups for Caregivers – Learning tools for your family and a space to connect with others having shared experiences
- Medication Consultation & Management – If needed, our experts provide guidance on medication options
- Weekly Family Sessions – Helping caregivers become active partners in their child’s progress
- Ongoing Symptom Tracking – Weekly assessments to monitor progress and adjust treatment as needed
- Graduate Support – Weekly exposure groups for program graduates to help maintain progress
Resources for Parents & Caregivers
It can be challenging for adults to know what to do when a child is struggling. Learn more about anxiety and related symptoms and what parents, caregivers, educators, and more can do to help.
Program Schedule
- 4 days per week for at least 4 weeks (with an average of 6-8 weeks).
- Families must be present in Massachusetts during intake and outpatient treatment.
Flexible & Accessible Care
Our program is designed to fit into your family’s life while providing the highest quality care. We offer a hybrid treatment model, combining the best of in-person and virtual care, which have been demonstrated to be equally effective, to ensure flexibility while maintaining high-quality support. Whether in person or online, our program provides structured, expert-led sessions to help young people make meaningful progress.
Mondays are in person at our clinic in Cambridge, Massachusetts, ensuring hands-on support and connection.
The rest of the program is delivered online, making treatment more accessible and allowing kids to apply skills in real-life situations.
Our research-backed results show that kids make the same progress whether treatment is in person or virtual.
Real Families, Real Transformation
When your child is struggling with anxiety or OCD, it can feel overwhelming—not just for them, but for your entire family. But there is hope, and there is help. Every day, we see young people regain confidence, overcome their fears, and take back control of their lives through our program. Don’t just take our word for it—hear from a family who has been where you are now and has seen the life-changing impact of treatment.
Real Stories of Success
“Participating in the Anxiety Mastery Program was life-changing for my son and our family. The program helped him return to school after a prolonged absence and taught us skills to parent more effectively.
Initially, I was concerned that so much of the program was virtual, especially since our son has significant ADHD. I quickly realized that the virtual format is actually preferable, and clinicians skillfully employ an incentive program to keep kids engaged. I was incredibly impressed by the program, and I don’t think we could have gotten our son back into school without it.”
Take the First Step: We’re Here To Help
You don’t have to figure this out alone—real help is available, and real change is possible. If your child is struggling with anxiety or OCD, the right support can make all the difference. Our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way, providing compassionate, evidence-based care that empowers kids and teens to take back control of their lives.
Contact Us Now
For further information about our program, to make a referral, or with questions about the application, please contact us:
Phone: 617.674.5310
Email: @email
Note: Please do not email any sensitive or protected health information.
Program Application
Caregivers, or patients if 18 or older, should complete and submit the program application below.
We review all potential patients to determine whether this program is likely to benefit each young person before scheduling an intake screening. Please note that admission is not offered until after the intake screening is complete.
Cost and Fees
Some components of this program are covered by insurance, and some services cannot be covered or reimbursed by insurance.
There’s an initial fee of $6,200 for the first four weeks of programming, with the option to extend treatment at the rate of $1,500 per week. Please note that scholarship funding is available for families with demonstrated need.
More information on insurance providers accepted by McLean Hospital may be found on the Mass General Brigham website. You may also find it beneficial to review McLean’s patient billing and financial assistance information.
Program Leadership
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the McLean Anxiety Mastery Program located?
The program is located at the Sancta Maria Nursing Facility at 799 Concord Avenue in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The program delivers care both online and in person.
For more information on directions and parking, please visit our Maps & Directions page.
Who benefits most from MAMP?
Our outpatient program focuses on treating children and adolescents with social anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, separation anxiety, and other similar conditions.
Individuals who are willing to attend the program and engage in the treatment receive the most benefit. In addition, those who practice the exposures assigned at home each night typically make greater gains by strengthening what they have learned.
Please note: MAMP is not appropriate for youth with active suicidal ideation or self-harm behaviors, substance misuse, symptoms of psychosis, aggressive and/or defiant behavior, eating disorders (other than avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder), or PTSD.
Is family involved in treatment?
There is a big emphasis on family involvement as we recognize that anxiety and OCD can impact the whole family.
The program includes weekly family meetings and weekly parent/caregiver guidance sessions. In addition, clinicians check in with and update caregivers regularly.
Is smoking permitted?
Our program is non-smoking.
Are cell phones allowed?
Cell phone use is strongly discouraged during treatment and in the waiting room to prevent disruption of the program and others.
Can former patients access their medical records?
All requests for medical records should be directed to McLean’s Health Information Management Department.
Are support groups offered?
To complement our programs’ services and encourage individuals’ initiatives in their own treatment course, many self-help groups are hosted by McLean.
We Are Here To Help
Call us today to find out how we can help set your child on the path toward health.
