Brain-Based Strategies to Treat Anxiety
Parts 1 & 2
CATHERINE PITTMAN
The past decade has brought new understanding about the neuroscience behind anxiety and fear. But how many of us can communicate this knowledge to clients in a clear, engaging way that actually enhances effective treatment? You don’t need to be a brain scientist to tap into the power of neuroplasticity and revolutionize your approach to treating anxiety. This workshop will explore brain-based techniques to stop the symptoms of anxiety, including panic attacks, rumination, and nausea. You’ll discover how to:
- Demystify the neurobiology of anxiety in a way that promotes clients mindfulness and engagement in treatment
- Help clients retrain their cortex to resist cognitions that ignite amygdala-based responding, using interventions such as cognitive defusion, and reconsolidation
- Use neurologically informed CBT techniques, helping clients understand how exposure and cognitive restructuring change their brains to manage anxiety-based disorders like OCD and PTSD
- Work with clients to overcome avoidance and resistance with strategies designed to leverage the different ways the amygdala and cortex learn
Continued with workshop 311
Catherine Pittman, PhD, HSPP, is a clinical psychologist and psychology professor at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, with more than 25 years of experience treating anxiety. A specialist in neuropsychological rehabilitation, she’s the coauthor of Rewire Your Anxious Brain.