Treating Anxiety From an Integrated Approach A Collaborative Approach to Care April 6, 2019 * Tex-CHIP Training Series

Treating Anxiety Through Counseling

Understanding Provider Role in Treating Anxiety Informal versus Formal Assessment. Clinical interview and brief assessment. Many brief symptom checklists only screen for generalized anxiety disorder and panic symptoms not social anxiety, PTSD, phobias, or OCD.

Considerations when Interacting with Clients Understand that clients have their own interpretation of their anxiety symptoms and reactions to these symptoms (e.g., fear, shame, confusion, resignation, overwhelmed, hopeless). Importance of communicating empathy for their struggle, emphasizing strengths, and challenging stigma related to mental health issues. There is often comorbidity of anxiety with other diagnoses. Often anxious individuals are highly motivated to feel better and want to understand their symptoms. Some clients with anxiety may have a history of “self-medicating” with alcohol or other drugs or food. Avoidance is a common coping mechanism

Our Treatment Plan Healthcare Domain: Behavioral Health Provider: LPC Objective: Decrease symptoms as indicated by client report of: (a)Loss of relationship (b)Daily functioning impairment (c)Excessive worry (d) Avoidant behavior   Goals: a)  Teach Stephanie how to better manage anxiety symptoms to improve her daily functioning through the implementation of the Cognitive Model. b) Explore dysfunctional behaviors and core beliefs and how they might be interfering with Stephanie’s work performance. c)  Medication management and diagnosis education. Interventions: Psychoeducation  Cognitive Model b)  Self-monitoring

Measuring Outcomes/Success Administering Beck Anxiety Inventory at regular intervals to track reduction in symptoms Pay attention to client’s subjective description of how they are feeling and functioning Goal is for client to learn to effectively manage anxiety symptoms which typically results in a reduction in the severity and frequency of symptoms. Important that client understands that treatment won’t eliminate anxiety completely.

Communication Needed From Other Providers If symptoms aren’t getting better, discuss with treatment team. Does treatment plan need to be modified? Consider other contributing factors (e.g., environmental factors, personality disorder, health issues, medication). Case Manager- can provide Stephanie with resources Psychiatrist- can make medication changes/adjustments Primary Care Doctor- can address/rule out health issues Psychiatric Nurse- can provide medication education Psychologist- can conduct additional assessment if needed