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Who We Are ...

Founded in 1999, the Pediatric Anxiety Research Center at Bradley Hospital has set the standard for treating youth with anxiety-based disorders by integrating cutting edge research with quality care.

Leading Anxiety-focused Research

PARC anxiety-focused research spans multiple domains, including service development, Novel Technologies, Training Innovations and Treatment Optimization. As we continually strive to provide the best possible care to our patients, we ensure that our treatment informs our research, and our research enhances our treatment. See below to find out more about how we are achieving this.

Treatment Center of Excellence

PARC has provided assessment and treatment for children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other anxiety disorders since 1999. PARC includes leading mental health professionals, researchers in the pursuit of life-changing research, and educators with a passion for patient-centered care. Each of anxiety.

Exposure Therapy

Exposure therapy is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that is evidence-based, safe, and effective to treat anxiety and OCD. Exposure therapy entails coming into planned contact with things that make us scared or anxious. We do this process gradually over time, depending on children's needs and preferences.

TREATMENT FOR ANXIETY DISORDERS

AGORAPHOBIA

Agoraphobia may be diagnosed when a child avoids certain places or situations because they are worried about having a panic attack.

BODY

DYSMORPHIC DISORDER

A body-image disorder involving persistent and intrusive thoughts about a perceived flaw in one’s appearance. These thoughts often consume a lot of time and energy, interfere with functioning, and cause significant emotional distress.

DERMATILLOMANIA (SKIN-PICKING DISORDER)

Also known as excoriation, is characterized by repetitive picking at one’s own skin to the extent of causing damage.

GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER (GAD)

People with GAD may feel like they are always worried, may ruminate often, and may experience physical symptoms of anxiety such as muscle tension, stomachaches, and difficulty sleeping.

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)

Intrusive thoughts called "obsessions" and ritualized, repetitive behaviors called "compulsions" that children feel they must perform in highly systemized ways.

PANIC

DISORDER

Diagnosed when children experience spontaneous, seemingly out-of-the-blue panic attacks and are preoccupied with the fear of having another panic attack.

PHOBIAS

Strong fears of objects or situations. Examples of phobias that are common in children include fears of animals, the dark, loud noises, storms, and needles.

SELECTIVE

MUTISM

When a child is unwilling or unable to speak aloud at all or in certain situations without a medical cause.

Separation

Anxiety Disorder

Excessive anxiety and recurrent worries of separation or anticipation of separation, refusal to leave home, sleep problems, stomachaches, and irrational fears.

Social

Anxiety

Disorder

Significant worry in social or performance situations, resulting in avoidance behavior. The child may experience fear in a particular social situation.

TIC

DISORDERS

Sudden, rapid, recurrent movements or vocalizations that are generally experienced as irresistible. Tics are classified as either motor tics or vocal tics and can be simple or complex.

TRICHOTILLOMANIA (HAIR-PULLING DISORDER)

Recurrent pulling out of one’s own hair, resulting in noticeable hair loss with accompanying emotions distress.

By the Numbers

2,500+

Patients Treated in Outpatient Clininc

24/7

Emergency Care Availability

90+

Years of Exceptional Service

450+

Care Providers Trained