Katie Lear, child anxiety therapist and founder of Davidson Child Anxiety Counseling
From our founder, Katie Lear

I was that kid, too.

I was an anxious, non-athletic, creative, nerdy kid who would probably be called "twice exceptional" by today's standards. I was diagnosed with OCD at 7, but ERP (exposure and response prevention) wasn't a thing in the 90s, so it took years of therapy to figure out anything that worked.

I didn’t feel like I fit in most places. But I discovered theater early, and those rehearsal rooms became a kind of refuge: a place where I wasn’t just struggling to get by. I felt valued, and like I really belonged.

That experience shaped everything I do now. Through evidence-based therapy—and yes, sometimes through shared interests like D&D—I work to create spaces where kids feel understood, capable, and valued for their uniqueness.

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Child smiling and being playful during a therapy session
in the room with us

Facing your fears is hard work…but it can also be fun!

If it were easy, nobody would need therapy. But there’s something powerful about realizing you can do things your anxiety once told you were impossible. Once kids experience that, they’re often motivated to keep going.

And yes, therapy here can be genuinely fun. Our clients tend to be bright, creative, and a little quirky, which makes them a joy to work with.

You’ll often find us bonding over anime, fantasy novels, or whatever niche topics a child is interested in. We use those interests to build trust, and to get creative in how we help kids face fears and reach their goals.

Once that foundation is there, parents often notice a shift: kids are trying hard things on their own with more confidence. That’s when we know we’re on the right track.

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"Katie [founder] is compassionate and highly skilled. She truly cares about her clients and has made a real difference in our lives."

Justin S.

our approach

What sets us apart.

01

Science-based

CBT, ERP, play therapy, and drama therapy. It's playful and creative, and every bit of it is grounded in research.

02

Skill-focused

We're not just playing Uno here. Your kid will leave with real tools they can use right now and for years to come.

03

Purpose-built

We’re dedicated to helping kids navigate anxiety and OCD, especially when they’re feeling stuck in more general therapy.

04

Parent-facing

No mystery behind closed doors. You will always know the plan, the goals, and how your kid is doing along the way.

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meet the team

The therapists your kid will get to know.

Katie Lear, child anxiety and OCD therapist in Davidson, North Carolina

Katie Lear

LCMHC, RPT, RDT
Founder & NYT-Reviewed Author

Katie specializes in OCD and is IOCDF-certified in ERP. She combines evidence-based treatment with creative arts therapy and the kind of geeky enthusiasm that makes a kid who's into fantasy novels or D&D feel immediately understood.

Heather Page, child anxiety therapist in Davidson NC

Heather Page

LCSW
Therapist

Heather specializes in anxiety disorders and childhood grief. She uses CBT and creative arts therapy because she's seen how much faster kids open up when their hands are busy (building, drawing, making something) while they talk.

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Take the first step

Your kid deserves a therapist who gets it.