020. Practical Tools to Thrive Against Anxiety and Stress in Challenging Times
PRESENTERS
CREDENTIALS
CE CREDITS
LEVEL
Summary
We live in a time of political unrest, violence, economic instability, and loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, Americans report high levels of prolonged stress and anxiety. This workshop will present a skills-based approach to address stress and anxiety by changing the brain. Based on clinical neuroscience, we will discuss how the brain responds to stress, worry, fear, and anxiety; identify the two pathways to anxiety in the brain; explain how to counteract those responses by resisting anxiety versus igniting it; and how psychologists and other licensed mental health professionals can apply evidence-based techniques that calm the sympathetic nervous system and reconsolidate brain changes. Finally, we will summarize how to develop a growth mindset utilizing gratitude, locus of control, hope, and optimism to build resiliency.
Learning Objectives
Participants will:
- Explain basic neuroscience related to brain changes (neuroplasticity) in the treatment of stress and anxiety to clients in a way they can understand
- Describe how the parasympathetic nervous system works to calm stress and anxiety using polyvagal theory and the power of connection
- Apply evidence-based strategies for both amygdala-based and cortex-based anxiety
- Compare and contrast a growth vs. fixed mindset and utilize strategies to build resiliency, such as lifestyle changes, Christian spiritual practices, and positive emotions
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