Separation Anxiety

Understanding fear of separation and building confidence, safety, and independence

Separation anxiety involves intense fear or distress when being away from people we feel emotionally attached to. While some level of separation anxiety is developmentally normal in young children, it can become problematic when the fear is persistent, overwhelming, or interferes with daily life.

Separation anxiety can affect children, adolescents, and adults. It may involve worry about harm coming to loved ones, fear of being alone, difficulty leaving home, or strong physical symptoms when separation is anticipated.

At SGI Psychology in Preston (Northern Suburbs of Melbourne), our psychologists provide effective, evidence-based support for individuals and families experiencing separation anxiety.

How separation anxiety can present

Separation anxiety may look different at different ages. Common experiences include:

  • intense distress when separating from loved ones

  • fear that something bad will happen during separation

  • reluctance or refusal to attend school, work, or social activities

  • difficulty sleeping alone

  • frequent reassurance seeking

  • physical symptoms such as stomach aches, headaches, nausea

  • persistent worry about safety

  • clinging behaviours or avoidance of independence

  • panic symptoms when separation is anticipated

In adults, separation anxiety may appear as difficulty being alone, constant checking on loved ones, or avoiding activities that require independence.

Why separation anxiety develops

Separation anxiety can develop following:

  • stressful life events or change

  • illness, injury, or loss

  • trauma or frightening experiences

  • family stress

  • insecure attachment experiences

  • temperament and sensitivity to threat

Often, it is maintained by cycles of fear and reassurance that unintentionally reinforce anxiety.

How therapy helps

Psychological support can help:

  • understand how anxiety works in the brain and body

  • reduce fear and catastrophic thinking

  • build emotional regulation skills

  • increase tolerance for separation

  • gently build independence and confidence

  • support parents in responding effectively

  • strengthen secure attachment

  • reduce avoidance patterns

Therapy is gradual, supportive, and paced to ensure safety and trust.

Approaches we use

Your psychologist may draw from:

  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

  • Parent-guided interventions for children

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Attachment-informed therapy

  • Mindfulness-based strategies

  • Gradual exposure techniques

  • Emotional regulation skills

Where appropriate, we work collaboratively with parents, schools, and other health professionals.

Our location

SGI Psychology is based in Preston, in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, offering:

  • in-person psychology appointments

  • Telehealth sessions Australia-wide

Book an appointment

If separation anxiety is affecting your child, your family, or yourself, you can:

With the right support, confidence and independence can grow.

Book a Session