Separation Anxiety Treatment in Utah — For Kids, Teens & Adults
Evidence-based separation anxiety treatment in Utah — compassionate, comprehensive care for children, adolescents, and adults who struggle to feel safe when apart from those they love.
Why Choose NBCG for Separation Anxiety Treatment
Separation anxiety is often thought of as a childhood condition — but it affects people of all ages. When fear of being separated from a loved one becomes persistent, excessive, and disruptive to daily life, it crosses into a clinical disorder that deserves real, professional attention.
Whether you're a parent whose child is struggling to attend school, a teenager whose anxiety is straining relationships, or an adult whose fear of separation is affecting your career or partnership — NBCG's Utah-based team has the expertise to help. We offer a full continuum of care including therapy, medication management, family support, and advanced treatment options, all in one place.
Separation anxiety is real — and it looks different at every age.
Separation anxiety disorder (SAD) involves excessive fear or distress about being separated from attachment figures — typically a parent, partner, or caregiver. Unlike developmentally normal separation anxiety in young toddlers, the clinical form is disproportionate, persistent, and significantly interferes with everyday functioning.
Not just a phase
While some separation anxiety is developmentally normal in early childhood, persistent and impairing fear — especially in school-age children, teens, and adults — is a diagnosable condition that responds well to treatment.
The worry loop
Separation anxiety is driven by catastrophic thinking about what might happen to a loved one — or to oneself — while apart. These fears feel urgent and real, even when the person knows logically they are unlikely.
School refusal & avoidance
In children and adolescents, separation anxiety is one of the most common drivers of school refusal. Avoidance provides short-term comfort but worsens anxiety over time — making early intervention especially important.
Adults are affected too
Adults with separation anxiety may struggle to travel for work, sleep alone, or function independently from a partner or parent. It's often unrecognized and untreated — but highly responsive to the right care.
Who We Treat
Children & School Age
- Difficulty separating from parents at drop-off
- Refusal to attend school or activities
- Frequent stomachaches or headaches before separations
- Nightmares about being separated from family
- Inability to sleep alone or away from home
- Clinging, crying, or tantrums at transitions
Teenagers & Adolescents
- Avoiding school, sleepovers, or overnight trips
- Excessive worry about parents' safety when apart
- Difficulty with independence or leaving home
- Frequent calls or texts to check in on loved ones
- Anxiety about going to college or transitioning out of home
- Co-occurring depression, social anxiety, or OCD
Adults & Parents
- Excessive worry about a partner's or child's safety
- Inability to travel, work away, or sleep separately
- Panic when a loved one doesn't respond quickly
- Overprotective parenting driven by personal anxiety
- Relationship strain from fear of abandonment or loss
- History of loss, trauma, or attachment disruption
Common Symptoms of Separation Anxiety Disorder
Separation Anxiety Treatments We Offer
Psychological & Neuropsychological Testing
A thorough evaluation clarifies the diagnosis, identifies co-occurring conditions (such as OCD, ADHD, or depression), and ensures your treatment plan is built on a precise understanding of what's driving the anxiety — across all ages.
Learn More →Mental Health Therapy (CBT & Exposure)
Cognitive behavioral therapy with gradual separation exposure is the most effective psychological treatment for separation anxiety at any age. Therapists work with individuals and families to reduce avoidance, build coping skills, and restore independence safely.
Learn More →Parental & Family Support
For children and teens, parents are an essential part of treatment. Our Bridges Family Support Program equips parents with evidence-based strategies to respond to their child's anxiety in ways that encourage growth — without reinforcing avoidance.
Learn More →Psychiatric Medication Management
For moderate to severe separation anxiety, SSRIs and other evidence-based medications can significantly reduce fear and distress. Our board-certified psychiatric providers evaluate appropriateness for all ages and monitor progress carefully over time.
Learn More →Integrated Care Planning
Separation anxiety rarely exists in isolation. At NBCG, your full clinical team communicates and coordinates across therapy, psychiatry, and family support — so every piece of your care is working in the same direction.
Learn More →Ready when you are — for testing, therapy, family support, or medication management.
The NBCG Difference
At NBCG, we go beyond a single treatment to provide comprehensive, connected mental health support for the whole family — at every stage of life.
Multiple locations across Northern Utah, serving children, adolescents, and adults
A team of licensed psychologists, therapists, and board-certified psychiatric providers with experience treating separation anxiety across the full lifespan
Family-centered care through our Bridges Family Support Program — equipping parents and caregivers with the tools to support recovery at home
Integrated approach combining CBT, gradual exposure, family therapy, medication management, and TMS — coordinated under one clinical team
Evidence-based, patient-centered treatment plans tailored to age, developmental stage, and individual history
Skip the back-and-forth.
If you're ready to get help, you can schedule your first appointment directly with one of NBCG's expert providers.
Book an Appointment Now →Not quite ready to book? Fill out our contact form and we'll reach out.
If separation anxiety has persisted despite therapy or medication, NBCG also offers advanced outpatient options including ketamine infusions in Utah for adolescents and adults. Ask your provider whether these treatments may be right for you or your child.
We Accept Most Insurance
Our NBCG team goes above and beyond to verify your insurance benefits, investigate coverage, and complete prior authorizations — so you'll know your costs upfront and can begin treatment with confidence and affordability.
Request a Consultation
One of our team members will reach out to talk through your options and answer any questions you may have — for your child, your teen, or yourself.
To schedule an appointment, please call
(801) 823-3109Locations & Services
Logan, UT 84321
- ABA & Autism Services
- Speech Therapy
South Ogden, UT 84403
- ABA & Autism Services
- Thrive Learning Center
- Speech Therapy
South Ogden, UT 84403
- Psych & Neuropsych Testing
- Mental Health Therapy
- Psychiatric Med Management
- TMS, Spravato, & Ketamine
Layton, UT 84041
- Mental Health Therapy
Bountiful, UT 84010
- Psych & Neuropsych Testing
- Mental Health Therapy
- ABA & Autism Services
- Speech Therapy
- Psychiatric Med Management
- TMS, Spravato, & Ketamine
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
- Psych & Neuropsych Testing
- Mental Health Therapy
- Psychiatric Med Management
- TMS, Spravato, & Ketamine
West Jordan, UT 84084
- ABA & Autism Services
- Psychiatric Med Management
Independence begins with one conversation.
Whether you're seeking help for your child, your teenager, or yourself — our team is here to meet your family exactly where you are.
Indications for Treatment
The providers at Neurobehavioral Center for Growth (NBCG) offer psychiatric evaluation and treatment in Utah for a range of mental health conditions across the lifespan, including Separation Anxiety Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), School Refusal, OCD, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and ADHD. Treatment is determined based on individual psychiatric evaluations and developmental needs, and may include therapy, family support, medications, and advanced outpatient options.
Important Safety Information
Psychiatric medications are only available by prescription and should be taken as directed by a healthcare provider. A provider at NBCG can help determine if medication is appropriate for your child, teen, or adult family member. Patients' responses to medications may vary, and ongoing monitoring is necessary to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Common side effects may include drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, changes in appetite, or mood fluctuations. Some medications carry risks such as dependency, withdrawal symptoms, or rare but serious adverse effects. It is important to discuss all potential risks and benefits with your provider.
Medications for mental health conditions should not be discontinued without consulting a healthcare provider. If you or your child experiences severe side effects, worsening symptoms, or thoughts of self-harm, seek immediate medical attention.
