Does your child struggle with fears and worries, phobias, separation anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, or other anxiety-related challenges? Do you find yourself wondering how to help your child push through those fears so they can become more resilient, independent, and confident in everyday life?
Many children experience anxiety, and when they do, it often impacts the entire family. Anxious children frequently create anxious parents. At the same time, anxious parenting — often done out of love and the desire to protect — can unintentionally reinforce anxiety in children. When a child is highly anxious, parents may find themselves constantly adjusting their behavior to avoid triggering their child’s distress. Over time, this can lead to families feeling like they are “walking on eggshells,” unsure what might set off the next worry, meltdown, or avoidance pattern. Parents may begin to feel frustrated, helpless, or uncertain about how to respond in a way that actually helps their child grow stronger.
If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Many families face these same challenges, and the good news is that there are practical, research-supported ways to help anxious children learn to face fears and build confidence.
Join us on April 18, 2026 from 6:00pm-7:30pm for an Integrative Dining Experience at The Brass Onion, where parents will have the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed meal while also learning practical tools for helping anxious children. This event is designed to be both educational and supportive, giving parents a chance to connect with other families while learning strategies that can make a meaningful difference at home.
During this discussion, we will cover the basics of childhood anxiety from a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) perspective, one of the most effective and well-researched approaches for treating anxiety in children and adolescents. You will gain a clearer understanding of what anxiety is, why it develops, and how it shows up in children’s behavior, thinking, and emotions. We will talk about common patterns that maintain anxiety, including avoidance, reassurance seeking, and family accommodations.
Parents will also learn how to remain emotionally steady and physically neutral when their child becomes anxious, while still communicating empathy and understanding. This balance is important because children need to feel supported, but they also need encouragement to face challenges rather than avoid them.
In addition, we will introduce Cognitive Behavioral parenting strategies that help children gradually build courage and confidence. These strategies focus on helping children face fears in manageable steps, reducing dependence on parental reassurance, and strengthening their ability to handle difficult emotions. The goal is not to eliminate anxiety completely — anxiety is a normal part of life — but to help children learn that they are capable of handling it.
By the end of the evening, parents will walk away with a better understanding of childhood anxiety, practical tools they can begin using immediately, and greater confidence in how to support their child’s growth toward resilience and independence.
If your child’s anxiety has been affecting your family and you are looking for guidance, encouragement, and practical strategies, we invite you to join us for this meaningful and supportive evening.
LOCATION
The Brass Onion, 5501 W 135th St, Overland Park, KS 66224.
We’re grateful for our Integrative Dining partnership with Brass Onion—a collaboration rooted in a genuine commitment to the emotional well-being of both staff and guests.
INTEGRATIVE DINING
Integrative Dining is an initiative that brings mental health into existing restaurant settings. By partnering with restaurants, we offer accessible, stigma-free mental health experiences alongside dining, allowing guests to nourish both body and mind in a welcoming, communal environment.
INSTRUCTOR
Randy Floyd, LSCSW, Founder
Randy is the founder of Midwest Anxiety. He is a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker who is an optimist and passionate about helping people focus on what they can do rather than what they can't do. Randy believes building a strong therapeutic relationship and tapping into a person's strengths are the most essential components of the therapeutic experience. Randy is passionate about changing the way we do mental health. He is focused on making mental health normal, a positive experience. He is also adamant about doing mental health differently. Randy believes the "old ways" suggest mental health is for the "broken" or "mentally ill." Randy believes that "Everyone Struggles." Sure. Some people struggle more than others, but everyone struggles with something. With this belief, Randy is focused on providing a wide range of programs and services to help people be mentally well ;) Go give Randy a fist bump on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
FEE
$25.00 per person. This fee covers admission to the event only and does not include food or drinks purchased at The Brass Onion.
REGISTRATION
Seating is very limited to 7 participants. To guarantee a seat, please register early.