This presentation will describe anxiety and how it can be adaptive, and when and how it becomes problematic. Participants will learn about the rise of problematic anxiety in youth, what makes people vulnerable to suffering from anxiety disorders, and why some people develop anxiety while others don’t. Attendees will also learn about the various types of anxiety disorders and the negative impact they can have when they are left untreated. The presentation will describe cognitive and behavioral strategies for anxiety and how to implement them in schools. Participants will learn strategies to identify and manage distress, avoidance, and accommodation related to anxiety in schools.

Workshop Objectives:

This session will help participants

1. understand normal and problematic anxiety and how to distinguish between them;
2. learn about rise of problematic anxiety in youth and understand what makes people vulnerable to suffering from anxiety problems;
3. understand and identify the various types of anxiety disorders and the impact of untreated anxiety;
4. learn about cognitive and behavioral therapy (CBT) strategies for anxiety; and
5. learn how to identify and manage distress, avoidance, and accommodation of anxiety in schools using CBT strategies.

Prerequisite Knowledge

None.

Practical Tools

Participants will learn a range of specific tips on what to do and what not to do to help youth effectively manage anxiety and avoidance in schools.