Anxiety Disorders Specialist Course

Lesson 1 • Diagnostic Classification Systems

Introduces major diagnostic frameworks used to classify anxiety disorders. Enables accurate application of diagnostic criteria in clinical settings.

Lesson 2 • Neurobiology of Anxiety

Covers brain structures, neurotransmitter systems, and HPA axis involvement in anxiety. Links neurobiological mechanisms to observable clinical symptoms.

Lesson 3 • Epidemiology and Prevalence

Examines global prevalence rates, demographic patterns, and burden of anxiety disorders. Contextualises clinical work within public health significance.

Lesson 4 • Psychological Models of Anxiety

Presents cognitive, behavioural, and psychodynamic explanatory models. Provides theoretical scaffolding for evidence-based treatment selection.

Lesson 1 • Cultural and Contextual Considerations

Examines how culture, identity, and social context shape anxiety presentation and help-seeking. Ensures culturally responsive assessment practices.

Lesson 2 • Differential Diagnosis

Addresses distinguishing anxiety disorders from each other and from medical or other psychiatric conditions. Reduces diagnostic error through systematic rule-out procedures.

Lesson 3 • Case Formulation Development

Integrates assessment data into a coherent biopsychosocial formulation. Connects predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating factors to treatment targets.

Lesson 4 • Validated Assessment Instruments

Reviews psychometrically sound self-report and clinician-rated scales. Enables appropriate instrument selection and score interpretation for each disorder.

Lesson 1 • Generalised Anxiety Disorder

Covers excessive worry, cognitive features, and somatic symptoms defining GAD. Distinguishes GAD from normative worry and other anxiety presentations.

Lesson 2 • Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia

Examines unexpected panic attacks, anticipatory anxiety, and avoidance behaviour. Clarifies the relationship between panic disorder and agoraphobic avoidance.

Lesson 3 • Separation Anxiety and Selective Mutism

Addresses anxiety disorders presenting across the lifespan, including adult separation anxiety. Expands diagnostic recognition beyond paediatric-only assumptions.

Lesson 4 • Social Anxiety Disorder

Details fear of negative evaluation, performance anxiety, and social avoidance patterns. Differentiates social anxiety disorder from shyness and avoidant personality.

Lesson 1 • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Covers obsession and compulsion cycles, insight levels, and OCD subtypes. Establishes OCD's distinction from anxiety disorders while noting clinical overlap.

Lesson 2 • OCD-Related Disorders

Examines body dysmorphic disorder, hoarding, trichotillomania, and excoriation. Identifies shared and distinct mechanisms across the OCD spectrum.

Lesson 3 • Adjustment Disorders with Anxiety

Addresses anxiety responses to identifiable stressors that do not meet full disorder criteria. Guides appropriate clinical response and monitoring strategies.

Lesson 1 • Relapse Prevention and Maintenance

Addresses consolidation of CBT gains and preparation for future anxiety challenges. Equips clients with self-directed maintenance strategies post-treatment.

Lesson 2 • Cognitive Restructuring Techniques

Covers identification and modification of maladaptive thoughts and core beliefs. Builds skills in Socratic questioning and thought record completion.

Lesson 3 • In Vivo and Imaginal Exposure

Applies exposure principles to real-world and imagery-based practice formats. Develops clinician skill in guiding and processing exposure exercises.

Lesson 4 • CBT Model and Psychoeducation

Establishes the cognitive-behavioural model and its application to anxiety maintenance. Teaches delivery of psychoeducation as a therapeutic and engagement tool.

Lesson 1 • Mindfulness-Based Interventions

Examines MBSR and MBCT protocols adapted for anxiety treatment. Develops clinician competency in teaching mindfulness practices to anxious clients.

Lesson 2 • Metacognitive Therapy

Introduces Wells's metacognitive model targeting beliefs about worry and rumination. Provides an alternative framework for GAD and OCD presentations.

Lesson 3 • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Skills

Applies DBT distress tolerance and emotion regulation skills to anxiety management. Addresses high-distress presentations where standard CBT requires augmentation.

Lesson 1 • Benzodiazepine Use and Risks

Addresses appropriate short-term use, dependence risk, and tapering protocols. Equips clinicians to discuss benzodiazepine risks and alternatives with clients.

Lesson 2 • Combined Pharmacotherapy and Psychotherapy

Evaluates evidence for combined treatment versus monotherapy across anxiety disorders. Develops skills in coordinating care between prescribers and therapists.

Lesson 3 • Second-Line and Adjunctive Medications

Examines buspirone, TCAs, beta-blockers, and augmentation strategies. Guides clinicians in understanding when second-line options are clinically appropriate.

Lesson 4 • First-Line Pharmacological Agents

Reviews SSRIs and SNRIs as primary pharmacological treatments for anxiety disorders. Covers mechanism of action, dosing principles, and expected response timelines.

Lesson 1 • Anxiety with Comorbid Depression

Addresses the high co-occurrence of anxiety and depression and its treatment implications. Develops transdiagnostic and sequenced treatment approaches.

Lesson 2 • Treatment-Resistant Anxiety

Defines treatment resistance and reviews augmentation, switching, and intensive options. Equips clinicians to systematically address non-response and partial response.

Lesson 3 • Anxiety in Older Adults

Examines late-life anxiety features, medical comorbidity, and age-adapted treatment. Addresses underdiagnosis and barriers to treatment in older populations.

Lesson 4 • Anxiety in Chronic Medical Illness

Examines anxiety comorbid with chronic pain, cardiac, and respiratory conditions. Adapts treatment approaches to medically complex clinical contexts.