Help! My Child's Anxious – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Parenting is hard. And when anxiety enters the picture, it can feel impossible. If your child is struggling and you're not sure what to do next, this is the podcast for you. 

Join broadcaster Vanessa Feltz and her daughter, child therapist Saskia Joss, as they unpack the emotional rollercoaster of raising kids - especially when anxiety or emotional overwhelm start to take over. With a powerful mix of professional insight, real-life stories, and no-judgment honesty, each episode offers clear, compassionate advice to help you feel more equipped and less alone.

From school refusal and separation anxiety, tricky teens to bedtime battles, they tackle the hardest parenting moments with warmth, humour, and expert guidance - because while parenting doesn’t come with a manual, this podcast might be the next best thing.

Listen and subscribe on Global Player, download the app, or head to globalplayer.com.

Vanessa Feltz and childhood mental health expert Saskia Joss unpack the real meaning behind anxiety: why it happens, how it speaks through behaviour, and what it’s trying to signal - not just in children, but in all of us.

They explore how to spot the early signs of anxiety in young people, and share the essential first steps parents can take to support their child - without blame, shame or guilt. Vanessa also opens up about her own anxiety, including how it caught her off guard during her time on Strictly Come Dancing.

Whether you're a parent, carer, or just curious about mental health, this podcast blends expert insight with heartfelt conversation. Don’t forget to subscribe or follow, so every episode will appear automatically for you each week. 

This week, Vanessa Feltz and Saskia Joss dive into the emotional rollercoaster of separation anxiety. That all too familiar moment when a simple goodbye turns into a full-scale meltdown. Whether it’s school drop-off, bedtime or just stepping out of the room, they explore why some children struggle so deeply with separation, what’s really going on beneath the tears and how parents can support their children without losing their own sanity in the process.

Vanessa opens up about a memorable trip that brought separation anxiety to the forefront in her own family. And together with heartfelt stories, psychological insight and practical advice, the duo talk through the subtle signs of anxiety that parents often miss, the dos and don’ts when emotions run high and how to build confidence and trust in children who find goodbyes just too hard.

This week, Vanessa Feltz and her Child Therapist daughter Saskia Joss discuss bedtime anxiety. From not wanting to go to bed to being scared of sleeping alone, the duo breaks down what bedtime anxiety looks like in children and the first steps you can take to support your child. They also share what they did with their own children to try and ease the struggles of bedtime anxiety.

Broadcaster Vanessa Feltz teams up with her daughter, Child Therapist Saskia Joss, to break down the walls of social anxiety in children. Together, they explore what social anxiety looks like, how it shows up in everyday life, and—most importantly—how parents can help. Saskia offers expert tips and practical strategies, while Vanessa shares her personal experience as a mum and what she did to help her own children build confidence and social ease. We also ask the question where should and shouldn't you put jelly!?

Join us as we explore the hidden impact of bullying on children's mental health. From playground fears to silent anxiety, we unpack what kids really go through and how parents, teachers, and caregivers can help them feel safe, seen, and strong.

We'll also hear how Vanessa Feltz dealt with her child being bullied with help from a very special person.

Divorce can shake the foundation of a family — but how does it really affect children, especially when it comes to anxiety? In this episode, we explore what kids feel when their parents split, how anxiety shows up (even when it’s hidden), and what parents and caregivers can do to help.

Vanessa Feltz opens up about navigating her own divorce — reflecting on what she did well when it came to parenting and things that she regretted handling the way she did.

What happens when you leave for the hospital and come home with... a brand new baby? For many kids, it sparks anxiety, confusion and even the fear of being replaced. This week the dynamic duo discusses sibling anxiety! What to look out for and how to overcome it before the babies brought home. 

Vanessa shares what she did when she gave birth to Saskia to make sure her older child, Allegra, felt comfortable with the situation.

Is body image anxiety starting too young? In this powerful episode, Vanessa Feltz and child therapist Saskia Joss dive into the growing issue of body image struggles in children. Together, they explore why so many kids are feeling anxious about how they look and what parents can do to help.

Vanessa opens up about her own experiences with body image, sharing real stories from her childhood.

Why can’t siblings just get along? In this episode, Vanessa Feltz and Saskia Joss dive into the world of sibling rivalry, the fights, the jealousy, and the chaos in between. What’s really behind the bickering, and how can parents calm the storm? Tune in for laughs, insights, and real talk.