Have you ever had an anxious client who, after doing everything you knew how to do, was still just as anxious? 

 

In this workshop we will focus on a practical, “what-works” approach developed over 10 years in clinical practice and based on evidence-based theories of psychotherapy (Internal Family Systems, ACT, Motivational Interviewing, Polyvagal Theory, Mindfulness etc.), with a focus of helping clients from the first session. We will cover a wide variety of techniques that will go beyond basic relaxation and deep breathing and will incorporate cognitive, somatic, hypnotic, guided imagery, and more. Participants will be exposed to the use of stories and metaphors as quick and powerful communication tools for explaining complex anxious processes. 

 

The goal of the workshop is for participants to develop a practical way of assessing anxiety that clients will be able to understand and use in their own treatment. Zachary will share how to identify the different factors that cause anxious feelings and how to target those factors directly. We will examine how to process clients’ stories and beliefs about their anxiety and how to identify the secondary gains. In addition, we will explore a brief overview of how treating panic disorder is different from treating other anxiety disorders and the critical things to know about panic attacks.

 

The specific DSM-5 Diagnoses that apply to this training include: Generalized Anxiety Disorders; Unspecified Anxiety Disorders; Panic Disorders; Adjustment Disorders with Anxiety; and Major Depressive Disorder with Anxious Distress.

 

1. Create a powerful experience for clients that builds their motivation and hope for treatment beginning in the first session. 

2. Complete an anxiety assessment that identifies the aspects of anxiety to be targeted during treatment. 

3. Describe the client's stories and beliefs about their anxiety and how to identify secondary gains in anxiety and worry.

4. Differentiate why the content of what a person is anxious or worried about doesn't matter so much as the process of how they experience anxiety.

5. Utilize a strengths-based perspective to educate and empower clients about how their particular anxiety works and how they have the inner resources to change.

6. Identify at least 5 specific metaphors and stories that can be immediately grasped by patients.

7. Identify specific body-based (somatic) skills and how to apply them quickly in session to reduce anxiety in the moment and in the long-term.

8. Identify specific cognitive skills that help patients break the worry cycle in the moment.

9. Apply cognitive and somatic methods that utilize hypnosis and guided imagery.

10. Distinguish how treating panic disorder is different from treating other anxiety disorders and the critical things to know about panic attacks.

 

Research: This workshop is based on the following evidence-based and promising practices for anxiety-specific interventions: Internal Family Systems, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness-Based CBT, Ericksonian Hypnosis, Polyvagal Theory, David Burn's TEAM-CBT model and more.

 

Target Audience: social workers, mental health practitioners, creative arts therapists, marriage and facility therapists, psychologists, addiction professionals, case managers, and other interested individuals.

 

Content Level:  beginning and intermediate