Margaret Wehrenberg – The Ten Best-Ever Anxiety Treatment Techniques

Outline

Neurobiological Basis of Panic, Worry & Anxiety

• Why & how psychotherapy works to “use the brain to change the brain”
• Pragmatic application of neuroscience to provide effective treatment
• Presentation of anxiety when comorbid with depressions
• Identify lifestyle contributions to anxiety
  • Impact of cannabis, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco/vaping, sugar
  • Physical conditions that mimic panic
• Explore potential uses for medication
  • When to refer for medication
  • Discontinuing medication under medical guidance

Purpose of Worry

• FOUR reason worry persists and the methods to manage those
• Cognitive interventions to reduce persistent rumination
• Eliminating worry: TWO methods to “contain worry”

Techniques That WORK to Modulate Physiology

• FOUR important lifestyle changes to reduce anxiety
• Treatment approaches that change brain function for long lasting recovery
• Activate the brain’s Default Mode Network (DMN) to increase cognitive flexibility & creative problem solving
• The right way to teach & use diaphragmatic breathing
• Use the Protocol, Predict, Prepare & Plan, to eliminate panic
• Develop the FOUR competencies of stress management
  • Eliminate stressors – Impact of constant technology use
    • Screen time, gaming, texting
    • Respond to new fears created/ exacerbated by social media
  • Managing time & environment
  • Managing attitude
  • Rest & relaxation: Including the powerful Attention Restoration Theory
• Use the powerful, science-based protocol for memory reconsolidation to create successful exposures
• Change catastrophic thinking
• Utilize Mindful Awareness techniques to improve social anxiety fear
• Apply the “3 C’s” model to construct treatment for social anxiety
• Employ techniques for mindfulness to improve the response to exposure methods

Techniques for Treating Cognitive Problems of Anxiety & Panic

• The best thought-replacement methods for worry & rumination
• Identify the person with “Too Much Activity”
• Tools to reduce generalized anxiety in the highly active person
• Cognitive approaches that can intervene on anxiety-producing perfectionism and procrastination that interact with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Techniques for Managing Social Anxiety

• Address the relationship between the desire for significance & social anxiety in Millennials and the iGeneration
• Special considerations for treating different age groups, from children to aging clients
• Identify negative internal dialogue & apply methods from rational emotive therapy to counteract that
• Structure cognitive change through planned “counter-cognitions”
• Construct “In vivo exposure” techniques that optimize recovery from social anxiety at every age
• Utilize Emotional Freedom Techniques & “Tapping In” to diminish anticipatory anxiety

Limitations of the Research & Potential Risks