The Anxiety Epidemic: Strategies for Treating Anxiety Disorders in Youth & Adults

Location:  Billerica, MA - Courtyard by Marriott, Billerica

Anxiety is now considered the most common, costly and chronic emotional condition in the U.S. Eighty percent of all medical visits are emotionally based, with anxiety as the source of many somatic symptoms and complaints. Why is anxiety on the rise and how can we provide effective interventions?

This workshop provides a blueprint for understanding how, why and when anxiety arises in many youth and adults. We will examine skills and strategies for helping clients manage anxiety. Seven key DSM anxiety disorders will be addressed with emphasis on the effective interventions and recommendations for each type of anxiety. The disorders include: separation anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety, specific phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder. Child, adolescent and adult case examples will be used to illustrate the interventions.

This practical workshop will draw from numerous therapy paradigms such as psychodynamic, family systems, narrative, mind-body, cognitive-behavioral, solution focused and positive psychology. Interventions will include insight-oriented interpretations, relaxation exercises and mindfulness practices, homework assignments, behavioral health recommendations, structured therapy protocols and self-help programs. Workshop participants will:

• Use the "3 ingredients blueprint" as a guide in anxiety treatment
• Name and diagnose seven anxiety disorders
• Apply effective therapy strategies for each anxiety disorder
• Describe positive goals and outcomes of anxiety treatment

This workshop will benefit social workers, mental health counselors, marriage & family therapists, educators including special educators, school guidance counselors, college counselors, early childhood specialists, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, and other mental health professionals. Workshop format includes lecture, demonstrations, experiential exercises, case examples and video illustrations.

Instructor:

Dr. Paul Foxman is Founder and Director of the Center for Anxiety Disorders in Vermont. His teaching draws from over 30 years of experience in hospitals, community mental health centers, graduate schools in psychology, and private practice. Dr. Foxman is the author of Dancing With Fear and The Worried Child as well as other publications on the topic of anxiety including a co-authored casebook, Conquering Panic and Anxiety Disorders. He trains nationally and internationally and has been featured on radio and television. He is known for his depth of knowledge and clarity, sense of humor, and engaging speaking style.