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Deconstructing Anxiety: A New Approach to Understanding and Treating Anxiety Disorders

Sep. 26, 2026

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

Virtual Event
3 CE Credits
Anxiety treatments work—yet not for everyone. The Deconstructing Anxiety model goes deeper, uncovering the single “core fear” that fuels anxiety across disorders. Integrating CBT, psychodynamic, mindfulness, and positive psychology techniques, this approach helps clients dismantle defenses, transform resistance, and move from fear to freedom. Learn practical, evidence-based methods to identify root causes, reduce anxiety, and foster purpose and fulfillment in your clients.

Many psychotherapeutic approaches for anxiety disorders are effective (Bandelow et al., 2015), with Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) generally better than other approaches (van Dis et al., 2020). The Deconstructing Anxiety model is a new synthesis of evidence-based techniques, highlighting empirically demonstrated common themes as most helpful.This model teaches clinicians how to identify the root causes of anxiety, rather than addressing more superficial layers of the problem.Employing CBT, psychodynamic, mindfulness and positive psychology approaches, this model aims to address the resistances that keep anxiety alive, and transform them into a sense of purpose, meaning and fulfillment.The program presents a method for discovering the single “core fear” (i.e., “schema” in CBT) at the root of all anxiety, helping clients find this core fear when they appropriately deconstruct a problem. Core fears have been proposed for social phobia (Moscovitch, 2009) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (Gillihan et al., 2012) and are viewed as necessary to address for treatment to be effective. The psychodynamic theory postulates that we develop our primary defenses to protect ourselves from these fears, but always at a high cost. This leaves us constantly holding vigil, on the lookout for the resurfacing of the threat. When this process spins out of control, an anxiety disorder develops. Various approaches are offered to address the anxiety disorders based on the clinician’s assessment, and include an emphasis on exposure therapy (CBT), as well as mindfulness, and a process for taking actions toward a positive future (learned optimism) to enhance “flourishing” and establish “flow.”Seminar participants will learn to use different evidence-based approaches to treat anxiety under this framework.

Session Highlights
  • Discover the single “core fear” at the root of all suffering
  • Learn how our best strategies for resolving the fear backfire
  • Discover the ”Master Key to Healing: Doing the Opposite”
  • Unravel the “Resistance to Resistance”
  • Embark on a Vision Quest to transform fear into Fulfillment

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:

  • Demonstrate how to identify a client’s unique core fear and chief defense.
  • Describe the core fear/chief defense model of anxiety.
  • Analyze the five core fears and the primary and secondary defenses we develop in response to them.

10:00 -10:05 am – Introduction

10:05-10:30 am – Introduction, Overview of various approaches for anxiety disorders

10:30-11:00 am – Evidence-based techniques, identifying causes of anxiety

11:00-11:30 am – Addressing resistances with CBT, mindfulness and positive psychology

11:30-11:45 am – Break

11:45-12:15 pm – Transforming fear and anxiety into a sense of purpose, meaning and fulfillment

12:15-12:45 pm – Effectively identify and treat the underlying causes of anxiety disorders, leading to better outcomes for patients.

12:45-1:05 – Lack of knowledge and skills among mental health professionals to effectively identify and treat the underlying causes of anxiety disorders, leading to suboptimal outcomes for patients.

1:05-1:15 – Q&A

All levels.

Registration Cost

Registration $67 | Sep. 26 | Virtual Event | 3 CE Credits | 10:00 am – 1:15 pm ET

Registration Deadline:  Sep. 26, 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 [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.

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