Introduction
On February 9th 2024, Dr. Martin Antony delivered a 90-minute webinar on different approaches to treating comorbidity among people with anxiety-related disorders and depression. This on-demand workshop is a recording of that presentation.
Workshop Outline
Anxiety and related disorders are conditions characterized by excessive fear and anxiety. These include conditions that are classified as anxiety disorders in DSM-5-TR (e.g., panic disorder, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias) as well as certain other conditions (e.g., obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, illness anxiety disorder). Anxiety and fear can arise in response to perceived danger or threat, either present or anticipated. Anxiety and related disorders can be understood in terms of their emotional, cognitive, and behavioural components, with different disorders being distinguished based on their specific features (e.g., anxiety and fear triggers; anxiety-related predictions, behavioural responses). Although they are classified as distinct conditions, anxiety and related disorders typically co-exist, with almost 50% of individuals with one of these conditions also experiencing another. Further, around three quarters of individuals with one anxiety-related disorder experience either another anxiety-related disorder or depression.
Content
This presentation will discuss different approaches to treating comorbidity among people with anxiety and related disorders, including (1) using a standard treatment for the most significant problem only (e.g., treating problem A and then evaluating the impact of treatment on problem B), (2) treating conditions sequentially (e.g., using a standard treatment for problem A followed by a standard treatment for problem B), (3) treating conditions concurrently (e.g., combining strategies from standard treatments of both problem A and problem B), (4) using standard transdiagnostic treatments designed to target features that exist across emotional disorders like problem A and problem B, and (5) using a case formulation approach to develop an individually tailored treatment for your client. The presentation will help to answer questions such as:
How can I select which problem to focus on in treatment?
When is it important to focus on multiple problems vs. just the most significant one?
What are the most widely used transdiagnostic treatments for anxiety and related disorders?
How can I use case formulation to develop an individually tailored treatment that is likely to help my client?
Content
Learning Objectives
At the end of the session, attendees will learn to:
Describe how comorbidity can impact upon treatment outcome in cognitive-behavioural therapy for anxiety and related disorders.
Describe evidence-based transdiagnostic approaches for treating anxiety and related disorders
Describe how case formulation can be used to develop an individually tailored treatment plan for a client.
About the Presenter
Dr. Martin M. Antony is Professor and Chair in the Department of Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University and provincial clinical and training lead for the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program. Previously, he was founding director of both the Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic and the Psychology Residency Program at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and a past president of the Canadian Psychological Association and the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies.
Dr. Antony has published 33 books and over 300 scientific articles and chapters in areas related to cognitive-behavioural therapy and anxiety-related disorders. He has given more than 425 presentations to audiences across four continents, and has been interviewed, featured, or quoted more than 450 times in various print, radio, television, and online media outlets, including BBC News, CBC, Chatelaine Magazine, CNN, CTV, the Globe and Mail, National Post, New York Times, O (Oprah) Magazine, Prevention Magazine, Reader’s Digest, Scientific American Mind, Toronto Star, USA Today, Washington Post, and many others.
Training Modalities
The workshop will include didactic content as well as opportunities for Q&A.
Who should attend
This presentation is suitable for any clinician who works with individuals with anxiety and related disorders, or students from a range of mental health professions. Some knowledge of cognitive-behavioural therapy will be an asset, but is not required.
Continuing Education (CE) Credits
Bespoke Mental Health Canada is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Bespoke Mental Health Canada maintains responsibility for the program.
After viewing this workshop live on February 9th, 2024, participants have the option to complete an evaluation form in order to be eligible to receive a certificate confirming the number of credits awarded. This certificate will be sent via email.
Participants who view this workshop as a pre-recorded event will need to complete an additional workshop knowledge quiz in order to be eligible to receive CE credits.
Participants who complete this workshop are eligible to receive 1.5 CE credits.
Fees
Professionals: $60 CAD +tax
Students*: $48 CAD +tax
* Proof of student status may be required in order to qualify for a student rate.
Key References
Barlow, D.H., & Farchione, T.J. (Eds.) (2018). Applications of the unified protocol for transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders. Oxford University Press.
Barlow, D.H., Farchione, T.J., Sauer-Zacala, S., Latin, H.M., Ellard, K.K., Bullis, J.R., Bentley, K.H., Boettcher, H.T., & Cassiello-Robbins, C. (2018). Unified protocol for transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders (therapist guide). Oxford University Press.
Barlow, D.H., Sauer-Zacala, S., Farchione, T.J., Latin, H.M., Ellard, K.K., Bullis, J.R., Bentley, K.H., Boettcher, H.T., & Cassiello-Robbins, C. (2018). Unified protocol for transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders (workbook, 2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Kuyken, W., Padesky, C.A., & Dudley, R. (2009). Collaborative case conceptualization: Working effectively with clients in cognitive-behavioral therapy. Guilford Press.
Norton, P.J. (2012). Group cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety: A transdiagnostic treatment manual. Guilford Press.
Norton, P.J., & Antony, M.M. (2021). The anti-anxiety program: A workbook of proven strategies to overcome worry, panic, and phobias. Guilford Press.