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Introduction to Deconstructing Anxiety: Discover Your Core Fear

Clinical Events

Jun. 2, 2026

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM (EST)

Virtual Event
1.5 CE Credits
What if anxiety isn’t the problem… but a clue?After years of insight, why does anxiety still stick?In Deconstructing Anxiety™, discover the single core fear quietly driving it all—and the “chief defense” that may be keeping it alive.This isn’t another lecture. It’s a live, guided experience to uncover what’s beneath anxiety—and finally shift it at the root.90 minutes. Experiential. Transformational insight you can use immediately.

A 90-Minute Live Experiential Workshop

If your client is still stuck with anxiety—despite years of hard work–it’s not that you lack insight.

It’s that the real source of the problem hasn’t been found yet.

Deconstructing Anxiety is a groundbreaking, evidence-based approach for rapidly uncovering the root causes of anxiety. It puts forth–and demonstrates–the revolutionary idea that there is a single “core fear” at the root of all suffering, expressing itself in five universal themes of loss:
• abandonment (loss of love)
• loss of identity
• loss of meaning
• loss of purpose
• fear of death

Each of us develops a “chief defense” as our best attempt to protect ourselves from the core fear. While this defense does have its silver lining, it inevitably backfires, creating more of the fear it was supposed to protect us from.

The Deconstructing Anxiety model proposes a master key to healing–“doing the opposite of the chief defense”. This creates the necessary exposure to, not just any fear, but one’s core fear, the true root of suffering in our lives. With this precise prescription for healing, the core fear is revealed to be an illusion–we see that it is literally incapable of fulfilling on its threat. Such insight into the true nature of anxiety inevitably dissolves it and sets us free.

In this experiential training, you will be guided in the “Digging for Gold” process, to discover your own core fear. Participants will leave the training with sufficient skill to guide others through the process as well. Research shows these processes to have a “strong positive” effect on relieving anxiety and enhancing Fulfillment.

Come prepared for an exciting adventure into the deepest regions of the unconscious, where the hidden fears at the source of our challenges live, making them available for rapid and lasting transformation.

In this live, experiential workshop, you will be guided to uncover the single core fear at the root of anxiety. This core fear is the true culprit, the hidden secret, driving not only anxiety, but:

Avoidance patterns
Relational difficulties
Perfectionism
People-pleasing
Self-sabotage
Depression
Chronic dissatisfaction
Inner conflict of any sort.
This is not a lecture about anxiety.

It is a direct experience of the essential insight that makes lasting change possible.

Many self-aware people still struggle with anxiety because:

  • Insight alone doesn’t reach the emotional root
  • Symptom-focused approaches miss the organizing fear underneath
  • Anxiety isn’t the problem—it’s the messenger.

Deconstructing Anxiety works at the source.

When the core fear is seen clearly, anxiety no longer needs to escalate to get your attention.

This live interactive webinar is designed for behavioral health professionals, including:

  • Counselors
  • Social Workers
  • Psychotherapists
  • Marriage & Family Therapists
  • Psychologists
  • Substance Use Disorders Counselors
  • Case Managers
  • Physicians
  • Other Mental Health Professionals
Todd Pressman, PhDTodd Pressman, PhD

Todd Pressman, Ph.D., is an award-winning speaker, psychologist, and author. He is known internationally for his work on “Deconstructing Anxiety”. Graduating with degrees in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and Saybrook University, he has authored 3 widely acclaimed books and over one hundred published articles on the subject of human potential. He is also a highly sought-after media expert, having appeared on numerous television, radio, and podcast shows. His most recent book, Deconstructing Anxiety: The Journey from Fear to Fulfillment, was named one of the top 15 books on anxiety by a panel of mental health professionals.
In 1982, he traveled the world to study the great wisdom and healing traditions, including with a Zen master in Kyoto, a Jain family in Delhi, a Zoroastrian high priest in Mumbai, and a Sri Lankan firewalker. His education also includes an internship under Stanislav Grof, M.D (considered the grandfather of Transpersonal Psychology), mentoring by Stanley Krippner, Ph.D., and other notables in the field.
With a background deeply rooted in tradition (he was groomed by a father whose teachers were taught by Sigmund Freud), he has integrated this wide-ranging experience into a new program of psychological and personal development called “Deconstructing Anxiety”. His working model is based on Michelangelo’s ideal: to release the statue from the stone, the authentic Self from the overlays of imposed identity, into the discovery of purpose, meaning, and enduring fulfillment.

After this training, participants will be able to:

  • Define techniques for deconstructing the core fear and chief defense at the source of all suffering.
  • Identify the five core fears that reveal a path to profound freedom, high purpose, and enduring fulfillment.
  • Outline the principle of ‘doing the opposite’ of the chief defense to resolve anxiety.

1:00 – 1:05 pm – Introduction & Housekeeping
1:05 – 1:45 pm – Overview of the Deconstructing Anxiety theory
• Concept of the “Core Fear.”
• Concept of the “Chief Defense.”
• Principle of “Doing the Opposite” of the Chief Defense

1:45- 2:30 pm – Overview of the “Deconstructing Anxiety” Practices
• Digging for Gold: Finding the “Core Fear”
• Who are You Really? Finding the “Chief Defense”
• Other Practices for “Doing the Opposite”

Post Event: Exclusive Live Bonus Session (No CE Credits)

Integration, Clarification & Live Q&A — For Attendees Only

Stay with us immediately after the 90-minute workshop for a powerful, live bonus experience—available only to those who attend in real time.

This is where it all comes together.

In this interactive integration session, you will:

  •  Deepen and clarify what emerged during your Digging for Gold process
  •  Get your most important questions answered—live
  •  Understand what to do next after discovering your core fear
  •  Learn how to turn insight into lasting, real-world change
  •  Experience an additional guided exercise from the Deconstructing Anxiety™ model

This session is:
✔ Live
✔ Interactive
✔ Experiential
✔ Not recorded

Many participants say this is the most impactful part of the experience.

Optional to attend—but highly recommended.

 

All levels.

Registration Cost

Registration $35 | Jun. 2 | Virtual Event | 1.5 CE Credits | 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm ET

Registration Deadline:  Jun. 2, 2026

Cancellation Policy

All registrations are non-refundable. However, you may request a full credit toward a future training if:

  • You notify us at least 72 hours before the event start time.
  • Credit is valid for up to 6 months from the original event date.
  • No credit will be issued for no-shows or cancellations made on the same day.
  • When you register for an event, you agree to these terms

Please email info@clinicalevents.org to request a credit or reschedule.

A total of 1.5 CE credits are available.

Additional Approvals Pending.


ASWB ACE

Clinical Events, LLC, (provider # 2201) is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 11/01/2025 – 11/01/2028.

NBCC

Clinical Events, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved   Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7643 Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Clinical Events, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

NAADAC

This course has been approved by Clinical Events, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #320899, Clinical Events is responsible for all aspects of the programming.

NY State Board of Psychologists

Clinical Events, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0292.

NY State Board of Social Workers

Clinical Events, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0828.

NY State Board of Mental Health Counselors

Clinical Events, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0329.

NY State Board of Marriage & Family Therapists

Clinical Events, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0140.

NJ State Board of Social Workers & Professional Counselors

The New Jersey Social Work Examiners Board accepts ASWB ACE Provider credits. The New Jersey Professional Counselors Board accepts NBCC-approved CE provider credits.

All Other States Social Workers & Professional Counselors

All other states accept ASWB ACE Provider credits and NBCC-approved CE provider credits. Licensees are responsible for determining whether courses meet the CE requirements in their jurisdictions. States and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for credit.

Florida Certification Board

Clinical Events is approved by the Florida Certification Board (FCB) to offer continuing education programs (Provider # 5527-A).

Canada Social Workers

BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, and QC accept ASWB ACE-approved provider programs to meet licensure renewal requirements.  Licensees are responsible for determining whether courses meet the CE requirements in their province. Provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for credit.

Canada Counsellors

Clinical Events is an NBCC-approved provider.  Licensees are responsible for determining whether courses meet the CE requirements in their province. Provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for credit.

Please contact us if you would like to inquire about applicable approvals for your continuing education (CE) needs.

Each professional is responsible for understanding and meeting the specific CE requirements set by their individual licensing board or regulatory agency. We encourage you to reach out to your licensing body directly to confirm how our programs apply toward your licensure renewal.

Questions:  info@clinicalevents.org

In accordance with continuing education standards and requirements, the presenter discloses that they have no relevant financial relationships, affiliations, or conflicts of interest to report.