SPACE Method
Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE)
In today’s stressful world, it is not uncommon for parents to subconsciously pass anxiety along to their children. While every individual and family is unique, in families where anxiety management is a concern for multiple generations, the Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) method pioneered by Dr. Eli Lebowitz of the Yale Child Study Center has proven efficacious in randomized, controlled clinical trials. Marina Gonzalez-Ang has learned directly from Dr. Lebowitz and is trained by the Yale Child Study Center in this approach to helping anxious kids.
One of the primary reasons that Marina is a leading proponent of the SPACE approach is that, in her experience, kids will often avoid engaging in cognitive behavioral therapy in the way that it is designed to function. SPACE provides an alternative which, for many young people, may be as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy and medicine, by working with parents to take a closer look at the family system and how and when anxiety takes over.
Typically, this model runs for 12 sessions. During these sessions, Eastern Massachusetts parents who are a good fit for the approach will learn the skills necessary to help their kids gain the ability to sit with discomfort – because there will undoubtedly be times in life that each of us will be uncomfortable. The point is not to run from discomfort in fear, but to accept it as an inevitability that is okay, and manageable.
Working with Marina in the SPACE model, parents will explore any potential ways in which the family may be unintentionally facilitating a negative behavior. Beyond identifying and eliminating patterns which perpetuate unwanted behaviors, parents can create a roadmap in which little interventions will reinforce one another and add up to big change.
It is never too late to make a positive change in your family. Please contact Marina to get started.
Marina Gonzalez-Ang, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Marina Gonzalez-Ang is a licensed mental health counselor who specializes in helping children, adolescents, adults, and families recognize, reduce, and manage anxiety. Serving clients in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, Gonzalez-Ang began her private practice in 2023.
Prior to founding her private practice, Gonzalez-Ang successfully counseled many youth struggling with anxiety and a variety of related relationship issues, including trauma, special education needs, and school avoidance/absenteeism. Gonzalez-Ang spent years working with families in their homes to address the many complexities of relationships and family systems.
Informed by her own experiences with taming anxiety as a child, Gonzalez-Ang is recognized as an extraordinarily supportive counselor with a talent for breaking down barriers to progress with children and parents alike. Gonzalez-Ang holds an M.A. in counseling psychology from Lesley University and a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts.
Gonzalez-Ang is a leading proponent of the Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) method pioneered by Dr. Eli Lebowitz of the Yale Child Study Center; this approach focuses on empowering parents to change their own behaviors in ways that will help their child(ren) overcome anxiety. Marina is a newly trained EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapist. In addition to practicing the SPACE method and traditional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Gonzalez-Ang enjoys sharing yoga’s anxiety-reducing benefits with interested clients.
She resides with her family in Medford, Massachusetts and together with her two children, she enjoys skiing, baking, and making homemade ice cream.
Professional Credentials
- Licensed mental health counselor in Massachusetts (10081) and New Hampshire (5507)
- Specialty: children, parent, and family anxiety management
- M.A. in counseling psychology, Lesley University
- B.A., University of Massachusetts
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) Therapist.
- Trained in Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE),
Yale Child Study Center
- Trained in cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety, Beck Institute
- Trained in family therapy, Therapy Training Boston (Watertown, Mass.)
- Trained in yoga for anxiety and depression, Soulful Yoga Therapy (Salem, Mass.)
- Graduate certificate in trauma studies (counseling and psychology), Lesley University
Contact Marina Gonzalez-Ang to discuss how she can help you or your family, or learn more about counseling options.
To be contacted for a FREE Consultation, fill out an intake form HERE.
photo credits: Jenna Brown Photography www.jennabrownphoto.com
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