Dianne Taylor Dougherty – Anxiety and Panic Disorder: Expressive and Mindfulness-Based Interventions

Outline

Anxiety and Panic: Assessment and Diagnostic Considerations

• DSM-5® classification of anxiety disorders
• Differential diagnosis and isomorphic conditions
• Assessment tips for ambiguous presentations
• Dangers of misdiagnosis

Neuroscience of Anxiety and Panic

• Nexus between trauma and onset of anxiety disorders
• Heritability and brain function
• The role of neuroplasticity in treatment and healing
• Pharmacological considerations

Clinical Tools: Evidence-Based Interventions to Calm the Anxious Mind

• 7 first-session techniques for immediate symptom reduction
• How to incorporate the expressive arts and MBSR interventions into your treatment plan
• The 5 essential steps for healing
• Neuroaesthetics: Look for objective facts in subjective places
• How to utilize low skill/high sensitivity exercises to access information

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Improve client self-talk and problem solving, decrease rumination
• Limitations of using CBT alone for anxiety disorders
• How to incorporate expressive therapies along with CBT and other modalities

Bibliotherapy

• How to use “reading therapy” with anxious clients
• What the research tells us about the benefits of bibliotherapy
• Recommendations and guidance for getting started

Art, Writing, Drawing

• Creative tools for helping clients move through emotions
• How to “decode” symbols, stories and metaphor
• Neuroaesthetics: Looking for objective facts in subjective places

Movement-Based Interventions

• Activate clients’ inner healing processes
• Neurophysiology of movement
• Increase energy and awareness

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

• 3 MBSR techniques to use right away
• Mindful labeling and observation
• Reduce tension, stress and acute reactive response to anxiety

Clinical Considerations

• Who is a good candidate for expressive therapies?
• Engaging the skeptical client
• Tips for the clinician who “isn’t creative”
• Multicultural factors
• Limitations of the research and potential risks