3 CE CONTACT HOURS: approved by NY State Board for Psychologists, Psychoanalysts, Social Workers, & Mental Health Counselors

As helping professionals, we know all too well how debilitating anxiety can be on our clients’ ability to lead full and joyful lives. Often their own self-critical thinking, avoidance and reliance on

safety behaviors only exacerbate their pain. We also know that COVID 19 has doubled the increase in for mental health problems for those who had the virus.

Course Description:

This highly interactive, experiential workshop teaches participants how to engage, even the most anxious client, with practical, “doable” skills that will increase our clients’ confidence and ability to overcome anxiety. This workshop will teach clinicians how to help clients identify, manage and combat symptoms, as well as insidious, unhelpful thought and behavior patterns. By enhancing clients’ problem-solving abilities and overcoming avoidance; clinicians will finally be able to help clients enhance their confidence and succeed in moving forward from the trap of anxiety. There will be a brief presentation of what the latest research reveals about we know of how COVID 19 has impacted how the human brain functions and the link to mental illness. In addition, a rare opportunity to discuss case examples of how we are seeing this manifest in our clients.

Teaching Methods:

•This course is geared toward adult learners.

•This highly interactive Workshop employs didactic, as well as experiential learning. The use of PowerPoint & various forms of media will be used for instructional purposes to allow for different participant learning styles and creativity.

•Interactive activities such as role-play and will allow participants to practice intervention skills and techniques that are taught in the Workshop.

•Discussion of how to apply treatment techniques and case examples that illustrate this will occur throughout.

Learning Objectives: 

• Participants will learn to help clients identify and redirect their attention to understanding anxiety instead of “beating themselves up for,” being anxious about being anxious.

• Participants will review the various causes of anxiety and what keeps clients in a perpetual, vicious cycle of avoidance and worry.

• Participants actively engage in learning and practicing concrete treatment interventions that interrupt the vicious cycle of anxiety and avoidance behaviors.

• Participants will learn to teach their clients problem-solving skills that result in solutions to decreasing avoidance and anxiety.

• Participants will learn controlled breathing visualization and progressive muscle relaxation techniques proven to be useful in treating anxiety.

• Participants will be able to provide strategies for clients to let go of ‘safety behaviors,” and have increased confidence in their abilities to master and manage their feelings.

• Review and explore methods to challenge cognitive distortions as they related to anxiety

Ellen Blaufox, LCSW-R is a licensed, clinical, social worker with more than 25 years of experience and expertise working with children, adolescents, adults and families who live with chronic stress, mental illness, and are survivors of trauma. Currently in private practice, Ms. Blaufox was Clinical Director of the Mann and Goldsmith Residential Psychiatric Treatment Facilities at the Jewish Board, for more than ten years. During her time at the Jewish Board, Ellen had the opportunity to participate as a Core Team Member in the National Child Traumatic Study Network Learning Collaborative with the founders of Trauma Focused – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She is an experienced TF-CBT practitioner, supervisor and consultant. Additionally, Ellen was a Core Team Member of the implementation of the Sanctuary Model on the Westchester Campus of the Jewish Board where she led multi-disciplinary teams in the adaptation and implementation of the Sanctuary Model from an adult modality to address the needs of adolescent populations. She also collaborated with the Creators of SPARCS (Structured Psychotherapy for Adolescents Responding to Chronic Stress) in implementation of a pilot program for the Jewish Board.

Live Interactive Webinar - ZOOM - 3 CE’s - New York State Board Approved for Social Workers, Psychologists and Mental Health Counselors

Date: Tuesday October 31
10:00 am – 1:15 pm
Tuition: $90

Zoom - Online