Anxiety Disorders

This book is a practical guide to addressing family accommodation in the treatment of childhood anxiety. Accommodation refers to changes that parents make to their own behavior to help a child avoid or alleviate anxiety (e.g., sleeping next to their child at night, providing repeated reassurance). The book deals with addressing accommodation within the context of a broader treatment strategy that includes additional interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, as well as addressing accommodation as a stand-alone parent-based treatment. There is consensus among experts and acknowledgement among practitioners that family accommodation is a key aspect of child anxiety, with major impact on clinical course, severity of symptoms and impairment, family distress, and treatment outcomes. Yet, most treatment programs do not focus on this important element of childhood anxiety, and most clinicians feel ill-equipped to effectively address accommodation in their clinical work. After briefly reviewing the relevant research on accommodation in child anxiety, this concise and easily accessible primer focuses on the practical and pragmatic aspects of addressing parental accommodation in the treatment of child anxiety. The book includes rich clinical illustrations and many suggestions for how to broach the topic of accommodation with both parents and children including a wealth of easily understood metaphors to approach the topic in an empathic and nonjudgmental manner. Therapists working with anxious children and their families will find useful tips and numerous suggestions for addressing accommodation in every part of the treatment process.Less

In this title, the authors review psychosocial treatments for anxiety disorders, focusing on the scientific basis and demonstrated outcomes of the treatments. Cognitive-behavioral therapies are highlighted, as they have been the most frequently investigated approaches to treating anxiety disorders. Individual chapters feature specific phobias: social phobia, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. The book is rich in clinical material and integrates science and clinical practice in an effort to help practitioners to improve the effectiveness of their work with anxious clients. Recently developed psychosocial treatments for anxiety disorders reflect the systematic influence of scientifically generated knowledge, and these new treatments yield strong results. Research in such areas as information processing, cognition, behavioral avoidance, and the physiological components of anxious arousal has increased our knowledge of mediators that cause and maintain anxiety disorders.Less

In recent years, there has been a movement away from traditional disorder-specific manuals for the treatment of psychological disorders and toward treatment approaches that focus on addressing psychological processes that appear to cut across disorders. These “transdiagnostic” evidence-based treatments may prove to be more cost-efficient and have the potential to increase availability of evidence-based treatments to meet a significant public-health need. Among clinicians, the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP), developed by Dr. David Barlow and colleagues, is the most recognizable and widely used transdiagnostic treatment protocol with empirical support for its use. This book provides clinicians with a “how to” guide for using the UP to treat a broad range of commonly encountered psychological disorders in adults. Each chapter covers a specific emotional disorder but important transdiagnostic processes are highlighted and discussed in relation to treatment. Case studies are employed throughout to illustrate the real-world application of this unique cognitive behavioral protocol and to instruct clinicians in the nuts and bolts of assessment, case formulation, and treatment in accordance with a transdiagnostic perspective. Most of the chapters are authored by current or former unified protocol team members who are all thoroughly familiar with the UP and will be writing about cases they themselves have treated.Less

This book outlines the principles and practice of Brief Psychoanalytic Therapy. An introductory chapter distills those aspects of psychoanalysis that provide a basis for the approach. Special attention is given to how a therapist may promote a patient’s development by registering and containing emotional states that the patient is unable to manage alone. This is followed by an overview of themes and variations in six forms of brief psychodynamic therapy. The remainder of the book is concerned less with theory than with clinical practice. Treatment and Adherence Manuals detail the specifics of therapist orientation and technique, and a formal research study comparing the approach with Interpersonal Therapy is reported. Case histories of individual treatments unfolding over time are complemented by detailed examination of short sequences of patient–therapist dialogue from transcribed sessions. What emerges is a picture of a psychoanalytic treatment that, while brief, is disciplined and coherent in its concentrated focus on analyzing the transference and countertransference in the therapeutic relationship.Less

Shyness and social anxiety are common emotions experienced by children and teenagers. When intense, they often result in the avoidance of social situations and can significantly impair a child's functioning and emotional development. Left untreated in its clinical state, Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is a serious condition often lasting into adulthood. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is highly effective in treating adults with SAD and has been successfully adapted for the treatment of youth. This therapist guide presents a group treatment program for adolescents aged 13 to 18 that uses well-tested CBT techniques. In this program, groups of 5 to 7 youths with excessive shyness or social anxiety learn how to cope in social situations. Cognitive restructuring exercises help participants understand their anxiety and re-examine thinking that may contribute to their distress. Other exercises teach social and problem solving skills, and also increase self-esteem and assertiveness. Behavioral exposure exercises give participants the opportunity to practice these skills by systematically confronting them in feared or avoided social situations. This guide offers practical instruction on how to apply this program, as well as information on the theory and research on which it is based. It provides session outlines for adolescent group therapy, including sample dialogues, role-playing scenarios, and homework assignments. It also addresses individual therapy and provides tips for conducting the treatment with children aged 8 to 12.Less

Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent forms of psychopathology across the life span. Although the onset of such disorders may occur at almost any point, in many cases they begin in childhood. In this title, the editors have brought together many of the field's most respected and innovative researchers and challenged them to take a fresh look at the major factors that contribute to the etiology and maintenance of anxiety disorders in childhood and across the life span. The result is a collection of chapters that will stimulate further theoretical and empirical efforts regarding these important issues.Less

Designed to be used in conjunction with clinical visits, this workbook helps patients plan an exercise program and provides strategies for following through with exercise goals. The workbook is structured to help prevent mood disturbances from blocking the very activities that can help patients feel better. During the course of this program, situational factors are introduced that have been shown to interfere with establishing a successful exercise routine. With therapist guidance, patients learn how to overcome these factors, as well as how to organize the environment so that exercise is successful and rewarding. In addition to information on how to start and maintain an exercise program, this workbook comes complete with worksheets and logs for scheduling and tracking physical activity. Strategies for managing thinking patterns are also provided to help boost motivation and break through barriers to exercise.Less

This therapist guide provides guidance for care providers who want to apply exercise-based interventions to their treatment of patients with mood and anxiety disorders. The interventions described can be applied in a variety of settings ranging from primary care to specialty care in the context of psychological, psychiatric, nursing, or social work settings. Treatment is organized around a weekly prescribed activity program, with an emphasis on teaching patients strategies for staying motivated and organized in order to ensure adherence to the program. In addition to the actual exercise prescription, treatment is directed toward helping individuals get the most out of exercise by programming post-exercise cognitive processing and exercise-friendly activities. Introductory chapters of this guide describe the intervention and how to initiate it with patients, while later chapters focus specifically on using exercise to combat depression, including bipolar disorder, as well as stress, worry, and panic. This manual provides an integrated approach to establish exercise programs targeting mood and anxiety disorders and also provides useful cognitive and behavioral interventions designed to support these programs.Less

Exposure is the most important component of therapy for anxiety disorders and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) in children and adolescents. Unfortunately, few clinicians offer this treatment, making it very difficult for youth and their families to seek effective care. In this installment of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy’s Series on Implementation of Clinical Approaches, Whiteside, Ollendick, and Biggs deliver a succinct yet comprehensive guide to the use of exposure therapy with youth suffering from anxiety and OCD. Within the heart of this book, clinicians will discover a clear step-by-step model, illustrated with sample dialogue, for engaging their young patients in this most effective treatment. Detailed case examples bring to life the application of all forms of exposure (in vivo, imaginal, and interoceptive) to a wide range of anxiety and OCD presentations. Beyond teaching the mechanics for implementing exposure, the authors present a clinical model for understanding how exposure works, synthesizing the key issues from current competing theories. This model can enhance the ability of clinicians to apply exposure to new and more challenging presentations. In addition, the authors review common challenges to implementing exposure in real-world settings to assist clinicians in overcoming frequently encountered barriers. Clinicians can feel confident in the validity of the approach as the authors concisely review the foundation of history and research supporting exposure. Within this compact book, clinicians will find a comprehensive guide to build their expertise in the delivery of exposure therapy for children and adolescents suffering from anxiety disorders or OCD.Less

It's Only a False Alarm is a workbook for children and adolescents ages 8–17 who are undergoing treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Designed to be used in conjunction with the program outlined in the corresponding Therapist Guide, this online workbook contains easy-to-read psychoeducational material to help children understand their disorder and how to overcome it. It is filled with interactive worksheets and forms, as well as at-home exercises designed to help children relieve their anxiety and manage their OCD-related symptoms. Whether they are fearful of contamination or obsessed with symmetry, children will benefit from the exposure exercises found in this workbook, and that not performing their rituals and habits cannot result in catastrophe. It also includes graphs and an “OCD Thermometer” to provide children with a visual reminder of their progress over time.Less

This practical guide meets the need of non-psychologists in primary care, who frequently see patients with anxiety states in their practice. This title shows how to teach patients self-help psychological skills to control their anxiety, avoiding the need to resort to treatment with tranquillizers with their potential problems of side-effects and physical dependence. Presented with many case studies, this title takes into account recent developments in psychological care of patients in general practice.Less

This Therapist Guide presents information on the nature of social anxiety, empirically supported cognitive–behavioral techniques used to treat it, how to best implement these techniques, and how to deal with the problems that arise during treatment. The authors strive to offer a complete treatment that is informed by individual case conceptualization within an evidence-based practice framework. Socially anxious individuals commonly view anxiety as an all-or-nothing experience: Some people have excessive social anxiety, and others—healthy people—do not experience social anxiety. It is helpful for clients to begin to think of social anxiety on a continuum. In this treatment, collaborative empiricism is operationalized as an active therapist and active client working together to overcome social anxiety. The therapist brings expertise about social anxiety and cognitive–behavioral therapy. The client brings expertise about herself and the motivation to make changes in her life. For this treatment to be successful, the therapist must be comfortable with clients who may become extremely anxious.Less

Written for clients, this workbook teaches that social anxiety is a normal part of life, but it can sometimes have a negative impact. The important question is not whether someone experiences social anxiety but to what degree and how often. The term social anxiety disorder describes the distress and interference that comes along with severe social anxiety. Information is presented on the nature of social anxiety, empirically supported cognitive–behavioral techniques used to treat it, how to best implement these techniques, and how to deal with the problems that arise during treatment. The attempt is to offer a complete treatment that is informed by individual case conceptualization within an evidence-based practice framework. This third edition includes case examples that represent diverse clients across race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and gender identity.Less

This online Second Edition of this therapist guide is designed to give mental health professionals the necessary tools to assess and treat social anxiety disorder in their patients. Although the components of the program remain unchanged, the guide has been updated to include clearer instructions for facilitating treatment, specifically for conducting in-session exposures and cognitive restructuring exercises. Helpful information for structuring treatment (suggested number of sessions for each chapter, session outlines, lists of materials needed, and homework assignments) is also included. Less

Written by renowned researchers, this Therapist Guide provides all the information needed to help clients ease their anxiety and conquer their fears. Whether they are afraid of dentists, dogs, or driving, therapists can teach clients the necessary skills to overcome their phobia in as little as a few weeks. The strategies outlined include exposure exercises and cognitive restructuring techniques. The corresponding Workbook includes blank forms and records for tracking progress and allows the client to extend the therapeutic experience outside of the office. Together, both books form a comprehensive package that has proven to be the most effective and successful treatment available for specific phobia.Less

This workbook can help patients conquer fears or phobias in as little as a few weeks with the proven strategies outlined to change negative thoughts and use exposure exercises to confront and overcome feared objects or situations. Patients can track their progress by completing user-friendly monitoring forms and learn techniques for dealing with physical sensations of fear. Written by renowned researchers, this program has proven to be the most effective treatment for specific phobias of everything from spiders to driving to dentists. Less

This online therapist guide is specifically designed for working with adolescents with panic disorder and agoraphobia. It features the program developed at the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders at Boston University and targets patients aged 12-17. It is comprised of 12 sessions to be delivered over an 11-week period. Adolescents learn about the nature of panic and anxiety and how to challenge their panic thoughts. Exposure sessions help them face their fears and stop avoiding situations that cause heightened anxiety. An adaptation chapter addresses how to modify the program for intensive (8 day) treatment, as well as how to tailor the treatment to different ages. Each session includes an optional parent component and an appendix provides handouts for parents. A corresponding online workbook is specifically designed for adolescent use, with easy to understand explanations and teen-friendly formsLess

Written and revised by the developers of the program, this online resource provides therapists with all the tools necessary to deliver effective treatment for panic disorder and agoraphobia. It provides step-by-step instructions for teaching clients the skills to overcome their fear of panic and panic attacks, as well as case vignettes and techniques for addressing atypical and problematic responses. The program, now organised by skill, instead of by session, makes treatment able to be tailored to the individual, also includes a completely new chapter for adapting the treatment for effective delivery in 6 sessions within primary care settings.Less

This online version of the Mastery of Your Anxiety and Panic, Client Workbook has been updated to include strategies and techniques for dealing with both panic disorder and agoraphobia. The program outlined is based on the principles of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and is organised by skill, with each chapter building on the one before it. It covers the importance of record-keeping and monitoring progress, as well as breathing techniques and thinking skills. The main focus of the treatment involves learning how to face agoraphobic situations and the often frightening physical symptoms of panic from an entirely new perspective. Self-assessment quizzes, homework exercises, and interactive forms allow patients to become active participants in treatment and to learn to manage panic attacks, anxiety about panic, and avoidance of panic and agoraphobic situations.Less

This online resource outlines a time-limited treatment for those dealing with panic disorder and agoraphobia. If a patient primarily seeks treatment from a family doctor, this guide will be useful. Based on the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), the program described can be delivered by a general practitioner or other health or mental health care provider in the primary care setting in up to six sessions. A modified version of the more intensive 12-session program that currently exists, this treatment represents an introduction of the skills and techniques for overcoming panic disorder that patients can easily learn and continue on their own.Less