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Deconstructing Anxiety: Cracking the Code of the 5 Core Fears

CE Hours 3

About this course

There are many psychotherapeutic approaches for anxiety disorders that have been shown to be effective (Bandelow et al., 2015), with Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) generally better than other approaches (van Dis et al., 2020). The Deconstructing Anxiety model is a new synthesis of evidence-based techniques, highlighting the common themes that have been empirically demonstrated as most helpful. This model teaches clinicians how to identify the root causes of anxiety, rather than addressing more superficial layers of the problem. Employing CBT, psychodynamic, mindfulness and positive psychology approaches, this model aims to address the resistances that keep anxiety alive, and transform them into a sense of purpose, meaning and fulfillment. The program presents a method for discovering the single “core fear” (i.e., “schema” in CBT) at the root of all anxiety, helping clients find this core fear when they appropriately deconstruct a problem. Core fears have been proposed for social phobia (Moscovitch, 2009) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (Gillihan et al., 2012) and are viewed as necessary to address for treatment to be effective. Psychodynamic theory postulates that we develop our primary defenses to protect ourselves from these fears, but always at a great cost. This leaves us constantly holding vigil, on the lookout for the resurfacing of the threat. When this process spins out of control, an anxiety disorder develops. Various approaches are offered to address the anxiety disorders based on the clinician’s assessment, and include an emphasis on exposure therapy (CBT), as well as mindfulness, and a process for taking actions toward a positive future (learned optimism) to enhance “flourishing” and establish “flow.” Seminar participants will learn how to use different evidence-based approaches to treat anxiety under this framework.

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the core fear/chief defense model of anxiety.
  • Analyze the five core fears and the primary and secondary defenses we develop in response to them.
  • Demonstrate how to identify a client’s unique core fear and chief defense.

Learning Levels

  • Intermediate to advanced

Target Audience

This self-paced course is intended for mental health professionals, including Psychologists, Social Workers, Counselors, MFT's and Addiction Professionals.

Course Instructor(s)

  • Todd Pressman, PhD

    Todd Pressman, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist and international seminar leader. He is widely known for his work with Deconstructing Anxiety. He graduated with degrees in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and Saybrook Institute. His books Deconstructing Anxiety: The Journey from Fear to Fulfillment, Radical Joy: Awakening Your Potential For True Fulfillment and The Bicycle Repair Shop: A True Story Of Recovery From Multiple Personality Disorder have all received high acclaim. In 1982, he traveled the world to study the great wisdom and healing traditions, including with a Zen master, a Jain family, a Zoroastrian high priest and a Sri Lankan firewalker. His education also includes an internship under Stanislav Grof, M.D. at the Esalen Institute. With a background deeply rooted in tradition (he was groomed by a father whose teachers were taught by Sigmund Freud), he has integrated this wide-ranging experience into a new program of psychological development called "Deconstructing Anxiety". His working model is based on Michelangelo’s ideal: to release the statue from the stone, the authentic Self from the overlays of imposed identity, into the discovery of freedom and fulfillment.

Disclosure

DISCLOSURE OF RELEVANT FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity ― including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity. The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity’s planners, faculty, and the reviewer: PLANNERS AND REVIEWER The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships. FACULTY The faculty of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

References

  • Aghababaei, N. et. al. (2016). Predicting subjective well-being by religious and scientific attitudes with hope, purpose in life, and death anxiety as mediators. Personality and individual Differences, 90, 93-98.
  • Bandelow, B. et. al. (2017). Treatment of anxiety disorders. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 19(2), 93-107. doi: 10.31887/DCNS.2017.19.2/bbandelow.
  • Bhattacharya S, Goicoechea C, Heshmati S, Carpenter JK, Hofmann SG. Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety-Related Disorders: A Meta-Analysis of Recent Literature. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2023 Jan;25(1):19-30. doi: 10.1007/s11920-022-01402-8. Epub 2022 Dec 19. PMID: 36534317; PMCID: PMC9834105.
  • Foa EB, Bredemeier K, Acierno R, Rosenfield D, Muzzy W, Tuerk PW, Zandberg LJ, Hart S, Young-McCaughan S, Peterson AL, McLean CP. The efficacy of 90-min versus 60-min sessions of prolonged exposure for PTSD: A randomized controlled trial in active-duty military personnel. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2022 Jun;90(6):503-512. doi: 10.1037/ccp0000739. PMID: 35771512.
  • Foa, E.B. & McLean, C.P. (2016). The Efficacy of Exposure Therapy for Anxiety-Related Disorders and Its Underlying Mechanisms: The Case of OCD and PTSD. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 12, 1-28.
  • Hofmann, S. & Gomez, A. (2017). Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Anxiety and Depression. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 40(4), 739-749. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2017.08.008.
  • LaFreniere, L & Newman, M. (2020). Exposing worry’s deceit: Percentage of untrue worries in generalized anxiety disorder treatment. Behavior Therapy, 51 (3), 413-423.
  • LaFreniere LS, Newman MG. Probabilistic Learning by Positive and Negative Reinforcement in Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Clin Psychol Sci. 2019 May;7(3):502-515. doi: 10.1177/2167702618809366. Epub 2018 Nov 19. PMID: 31448183; PMCID: PMC6707536.
  • LaFreniere LS, Newman MG. The impact of uncontrollability beliefs and thought-related distress on ecological momentary interventions for generalized anxiety disorder: A moderated mediation model. J Anxiety Disord. 2019 Aug;66:102113. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2019.102113. Epub 2019 Jul 13. PMID: 31362145; PMCID: PMC6692212.
  • Moon, H.G. (2019). Mindfulness of death as a tool for mortality salience induction with reference to Terror Management Theory. Religions, 10 (6), 353.
  • Wong, P. T. P. (2017). Meaning-centered approach to research and therapy, second wave positive psychology, and the future of humanistic psychology. The Humanistic Psychologist, 45(3), 207–216.

CE Process Info

Content

  • Materials
    2 parts
    • Webinar Recording
    • Session Materials
  • American Psychological Association (APA)

    CE Learning Systems, LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CE Learning Systems maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

  • Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)

    CE Learning Systems, (Provider #1020), is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 02/23/2022 – 02/23/2025. Social workers completing this course receive 3 clinical continuing education credits.

  • National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)

    CE Learning Systems has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5951. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CE Learning Systems is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

  • New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work (NYSEDSW)

    CE Learning Systems SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0060.

  • New York Education Department Board of Creative Arts Therapy (NYSEDCAT)

    CE Learning Systems (d/b/a CE-credit.com), is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists. #CAT-0008

  • New York Education Department for Licensed Mental Health Counselors (NYSEDLMHC)

    CE Learning Systems, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0072.

  • New York Education Department Board for Licensed Psychoanalysts (NYSEDLP)

    CE Learning Systems, LLC dba CE-credit.com & AddictionCounselorCE.com is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychoanalysts #P-0031.

  • New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology (NYSEDPSY)

    CE Learning Systems dba CE-Credit.com & AddictionCounselorCE.com is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0016.

  • New York State Education Department's State Board for Marriage and Family Therapy (NYSEDMFT)

    CE Learning Systems dba CE-Credit.com & AddictionCounselorCE.com is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Marriage and Family Therapy as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0045.

FAQs

  • Can I contact you for more help?
    Yes! You can use the Contact Us button to send us a message or you can give us a call at +1 888-459-1680.
  • What do I have to do to complete the course?
    To complete the course, review the course objectives, then review the material, and then pass the exam with a score of 75% or greater and lastly complete an evaluation.
  • How do I get my certificate?
    Your certificate(s) will be available to download immediately when you pass the course exam and complete the evaluation.
Deconstructing Anxiety: Cracking the Code of the 5 Core Fears
You Have Completed This course
$57
You are enrolled
  • CE Hours
    3
  • Type
    Self-Paced
  • Publication Date
    Aug 18th, 2023

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