Overview
Anxiety disorders affect up to 10% of children and adolescents, and some evidence suggests an increase in prevalence during and following the COVID pandemic. When left untreated, anxiety disorders are associated with increased risk of depression and substance misuse later in life, as well as impairment in school, at home, and socially.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy, and particularly exposure therapy has been classified as a well-established treatment for anxiety in youth. Exposure therapy involves guiding a child or adolescent in gradually facing anxiety-provoking situations and supporting caregivers in the treatment process.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss the effectiveness of exposure therapy
- Describe the rationale and key principles of exposure therapy with children and adolescents within a developmental context
- Identify at least 3 applications of exposure therapy for various anxiety presentations, such as social anxiety, generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, and phobias
- Describe at least three strategies for enhancing exposure therapy
- Outline interventions that effectively incorporate parents and caregivers in treatment
This event is a fantastic opportunity to expand your knowledge and learn effective strategies for supporting young individuals with anxiety disorders. Register now to secure your spot and gain valuable insights into treating anxiety disorders in youth.
Presenter
Anthony Puliafico, Ph.D. is an associate professor of clinical psychology in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Columbia University. He serves as Director of the Columbia University Clinic for Anxiety and Related Disorders (CUCARD) -Westchester, an outpatient clinic specializing in the treatment of anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders in children, adolescents and adults. His clinical work and research have focused on the treatment of pediatric OCD, school refusal, and adapting treatments for young children with anxiety. Dr. Puliafico regularly co-authors publications and lectures on the treatment of pediatric anxiety disorders. He is the co-author of "The OCD Workbook for Kids."
