Students with Anxiety
Tailored Supportive Learning for NYC Students with Anxiety and Depression in School
Anxiety is not well understood or addressed in the traditional school environment in New York City, even though it interferes with learning for a significant number of students. Although public attention has focused on the increasing evidence of anxiety and depression in teens, the fact is that even very young children can experience anxiety symptoms that cause them to withdraw into themselves, making it nearly impossible for them to engage in academic or social development.
The right school environment makes all the difference for students with anxiety and depression. When students feel supported and their teachers understand how to avoid creating pressure situations that trigger anxiety, students quickly thrive. Among the anxiety schools in NYC, Academics West stands out for its commitment to addressing the full range of each student’s needs. We are accredited both therapeutically and academically to provide the support needed to succeed mentally, emotionally, and academically.
The success of our approach is revealed in our results: since our founding, 100% of our graduating students have been accepted into four-year college programs. This seems like an unattainable goal for many students who struggle with issues that interfere with learning and communication, but our unique approach makes it a reality. Quite simply, we are committed to our students’ success.
Overcoming the Challenges of Anxiety and Depression
To a certain degree, anxiety can be a necessary emotion that helps us appreciate risks and prepare for difficult tasks. But too much anxiety can have the opposite effect. A student plagued by disproportionate anxiety often becomes so fearful or uneasy that they become unable to focus and absorb information. They struggle to internalize the information they receive and to communicate their own thoughts in return. They may try to avoid school or decline to interact with others at school to the greatest extent possible. Or they may appear to be flourishing externally, while internally they are on the verge of collapse.
Anxiety can manifest in many forms, and it is crucial for anxiety schools in NYC to develop the right plan to address the individual student’s needs so that they can overcome the challenges. Depression issues are often intertwined with anxiety, so it is essential to understand the interaction in a student’s particular situation and establish a process for addressing concerns concurrently. Far too often, schools focus only on behaviors or expressions, not on ways to address the root causes of negativity.
At Academics West, we operate under a cross-disciplinary care model designed to assess and accommodate each student’s unique personality. We build on each student’s strengths. We work as a team to develop strategies to learn from setbacks and overcome obstacles, helping students become resilient learners prepared for a lifetime of new experiences.
Layered Anxiety
Anxiety issues are often segregated into categories. While this is an appropriate way to consider and address symptoms, it is essential to realize that many students are struggling with multiple forms of anxiety simultaneously. When parents, therapists, or educators address only part of the problem, students can become frustrated or depressed, and their self-confidence sinks even lower.
By addressing the needs of students therapeutically and academically in tandem, the team at Academics West is better equipped to find comprehensive, effective solutions than other anxiety schools in NYC. Some anxiety-related issues our students struggle with include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Social anxiety
- Selective mutism
- Separation anxiety
- Panic disorders
- Phobias
- Medication-induced anxiety
While some of these conditions tend to manifest at certain ages or in response to particular triggers, we know that symptoms can arise in unexpected situations, and we are always ready to provide the assistance our students need to succeed. Support will change at different points along every student’s developmental journey. The team at Academics West is always looking for opportunities to teach students how to overcome their anxiety and learn coping skills to challenge these persistent negative feelings. Over time, our students often learn to overcome and navigate their anxiety, gaining a feeling of accomplishment.
What Sets Academics West Apart from Other Anxiety Schools in NYC
Many schools have programs that assist students who learn best through non-traditional means. But these schools are not prepared to provide the therapeutic support necessary for the student’s overall success. Other schools boast well-trained, caring therapeutic staff but lack the commitment and resources to provide state-of-the-art academic support. Parents are often forced to choose between protecting their child’s mental and emotional health or encouraging their progress in learning and academic advancement.
We don’t think this should be an “either/or” proposition. At Academics West, we know that many students will achieve their goals and be happier and more confident doing so when the school environment addresses learning differences and therapeutic needs simultaneously. That is why we have assembled a staff with a depth and breadth of training designed to meet the full range of our students’ needs. Our multi-faceted support approach creates resilient learners who are ready to move forward.
Learn More About the Programs at Academics West
Anxiety often influences a student’s academic performance as much or more than other learning differences or issues. When not properly addressed, anxiety causes problems that can compound over time, leading to depression and interfering with mental health as well as scholastic progress.
Issues should not be addressed piecemeal, as many factors are interconnected. That is why we founded Academics West. Since the beginning, we have been dedicated to providing comprehensive support for students who are bright, thoughtful, and creative but struggle to progress in a traditional school environment. Our proprietary Clinically Informed Academics® (CIA) approach combines evidence-based clinical practice with research-based educational interventions to enable students to achieve their full potential.
The academic plan and environment differ for each of our students, so we invite you to talk to our team. To learn more about the benefits our multi-faceted approach could provide for your student and the family as a whole, fill out the contact form below or call us at 917-997-4690.