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Anxiety Unpacked: An Integrative Model for Understanding and Treating the Root Causes of Anxiety

Oct. 24, 2026

10:00 AM - 1:15 PM (EST)

Virtual Event
3 CE Credits
Most therapists work with anxiety daily, yet many have never been taught a clear, systematic way to assess and treat it. This training offers a practical, clinically grounded framework that helps clinicians know what to listen for in anxious clients and how to respond with targeted interventions matched to the anxiety’s underlying need.

Anxiety is the most commonly diagnosed mental health condition in the United States, and rates have risen dramatically in recent years. As a result, clinicians across settings are treating anxiety every day — often with limited clarity about why certain interventions work for some clients but not others.

Despite decades of research and a wide range of evidence-based approaches, many clients continue to struggle. This is often because anxiety is treated as a one-size-fits-all problem, when in reality, it is driven by three distinct underlying root causes, each with its own motivations, defenses, and treatment needs.

Anxiety Unpacked™ is a comprehensive, integrative model developed through decades of clinical experience and extensive exploration of existing anxiety treatments. It offers clinicians a clear way to conceptualize anxiety at its source — not just its symptoms — and provides targeted strategies for treating each anxiety type effectively.

In this training, participants will learn how anxiety is driven by three core root causes, how each manifests differently in clients, and how each employs a unique internal “objection” that resists change and preserves anxiety. Understanding these patterns allows clinicians to intervene more precisely, reduce treatment stagnation, and help clients make meaningful, lasting progress.

Session Highlights
  • Learn a clear, evidence-based, clinically actionable framework for conceptualizing anxiety based on three distinct root causes.
  • Accurately differentiate catastrophizing, control-based anxiety, and anxiety maintained by distorted core beliefs through clinical indicators and client presentation.
  • Recognize the key objection utilized by each anxiety type to preserve anxiety.
  • Go beyond symptom management with targeted, evidence-based interventions matched to each anxiety type.
  • Increase confidence and effectiveness when working with anxious clients.
  • Includes practical strategies clinicians can apply immediately in session.
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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
Noelle McWard, LCSW

Noelle McWard is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 30 years of clinical experience. She is the founder and practice owner of Counseling Solutions in Chicago, IL, and has served as a continuing education provider for mental health professionals for the past decade. Noelle has taught at the graduate level at Loyola University Chicago’s School of Social Work and is a regular contributor to Psychology Today through her blog, Unpacking Anxiety. Her work has also been featured in Psychotherapy Networker, MindBodyGreen, and other mental health publications. Noelle developed the Anxiety Unpacked framework through her clinical practice and has been training therapists across the United States in its application for nearly 10 years. She is the author of Anxiety Unpacked: Discover Your Type and Recover Your Peace and is passionate about helping both clinicians and clients better understand the roots of anxiety.

After this training, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the neurobiology of anxiety and why we are wired to feel it.
  • Recognize five universal truths of anxiety.
  • Identify the three root causes underlying all anxiety presentations.
  • Distinguish how each root cause manifests through distinct characteristics, patterns, and traits.

10:00 -10:05 am – Introduction
10:05-10:30 am –Overview of the neurobiology of anxiety
10:30-11:00 am – Five Universal Truths of Anxiety
11:00-11:30 am – Overview of the Anxiety Unpacked Model
11:30-11:45 am – Break
11:45-12:15 pm – Treatment strategies for catastrophizing
12:15-12:45 pm – Treatment strategies control
12:45-1:05 pm – Treatment strategies for distorted beliefs
1:05-1:15 pm – Q&A

All levels.

Registration Cost

Registration $67 | Oct. 24 | Virtual Event | 3 CE Credits | 10:00 am – 1:15 pm ET

Registration Deadline:  Oct. 24, 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 starts.
  • 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 [email protected] to request a credit or reschedule.

A total of 3 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:  [email protected]

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.