A 360-degree Approach to Work with Anxious Teens: Utilizing Ancillary Support to More Adequately Address Anxiety"

Anxiety develops out of an evolutionary human response to stress. While anxiety is a normal and evolutionary response to stress, rates of anxiety diagnoses are steadily on the rise in teens–even more so during the pandemic. According to the NIH,1 in 3 adolescents ages 13-18 will experience an anxiety disorder diagnosis. When anxiety levels become unhealthy and even debilitating, affecting a teen’s daily functioning, it is important to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. While CBT has proven effective in the therapeutic setting, what happens outside of the clinician’s office is a significant contributor to successful treatment outcomes. This session will offer clinicians a framework for a comprehensive approach to working with anxious teens, understanding Anxiety Disorders and identifying and engaging ancillary supports such as teachers, school counselors, administrators, social workers, other support staff, and even parents and caregivers. Attendees can expect to learn a global approach to treatment that goes beyond therapeutic techniques and offers a way for clinicians to gain a 360 degree view of addressing this growing mental health issue.