Outline
DAY 1
Defining anxiety in its many and varied presentations
- Recognising anxiety across the lifespan
- Reviewing the DSM5 diagnostic criteria
- Common features and symptoms of anxiety
Distinguishing ‘Anxiety’ from ‘Fear’
Differential diagnoses / Seeking Medical assistance / Referral
Recognising co-morbid psychological disorders
Living with anxiety
Aspects of anxiety treatments
Cognitive model of anxiety
Safety behaviours
Worry in anxiety
Intrusive thoughts
Steps in treatment
- Assessment & Assessment Instruments
- Case Conceptualisation
- Psychoeducation
DAY 2
Developing client awareness, teaching cognitive skills, and treating behaviours
- Identifying what is the real problem
- Identifying and understanding triggers
- Addressing avoidance
- Addressing safety behaviours
- Negative and catastrophic thinking
- Cognitive errors and erroneous beliefs
- Perfectionism and procrastination
- Assurance-seeking
- Worry management and rumination
- Memory reconsolidation
- Motivation to change
- Exposure experiences
- Use of imagery
Metacognitive Awareness
- Processing the ‘Rational’ versus the ‘Emotional’
- Understanding and changing ‘Self-Talk’
Challenging Metacognitive Beliefs
- Identifying metacognitive beliefs
- Exploring and addressing metacognitive beliefs
- Negative metacognitive beliefs
- How to challenge metacognitive beliefs
Exploring the Self as worry-free
Mindfulness Interventions
- Evidence and benefits
- Mindfulness-based interventions
- Mindfulness without meditation
- Detached Mindfulness
- Applied Relaxation
- Yoga
Medications for Anxiety
Online resources and books
Objectives
- Recognise and assess anxiety using valuable assessment instruments
- Make a clear case conceptualisation for each client
- Appropriately share the most current and helpful psychoeducation with your clients
- Help clients recognise and manage their triggers
- Skilfully address worry, avoidance, safety behaviours, and negative self-talk
- Identify and address erroneous and unhelpful metacognitive beliefs
- Use exposure therapy in meaningful, successful ways