Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health disorders experienced by people in the United States. However, given their complexity, they are also one of the most misunderstood. While these disorders can be quite debilitating, appropriate assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning are critical to the recovery process.
Instilling mental health professionals with the knowledge and skills to work with individuals struggling with anxiety supports competent practice. Too often, novice mental health providers are ill-equipped to fully address the complexity of anxiety disorders. These chapters are a proactive approach to better preparing those who are new to the field and/or are wanting to refresh/update their current knowledge.
The chapters introduce the reader to a variety of topics. The chapters include introduction to anxiety and the nervous system, building blocks of anxiety, assessing anxiety, and cognitive and behavioral interventions. The chapters were written to build upon one another. Thus, skipping a chapter and jumping ahead can be problematic as the reader may have missed foundational material in the prior chapters.
I would also like to acknowledge that as part of this open educational resource product, there were several mental health providers that peer-reviewed these chapters. I would like to extend a deep gratitude for their time, edits, and constructive feedback.
Sandra Yudilevich, PhD, LICSW
Sandra Yudilevich Espinoza has B.A. from Stony Brook University, an M.S.W. from New Mexico Highlands University, a Certificate in Minority Mental Health from the University of Washington, and a Ph.D. from The University of Georgia. Ms. Yudilevich Espinoza’s extensive practice history includes work in mental health, medical social work, and Hospice settings. Most recently, Ms. Yudilevich Espinoza held a tenure-track position at Salem State University where she taught graduate social work specializing in Advanced Human Behavior in the Social Environment, Assessment of Psychopathology, Advanced Social Work Practice, and Death, Dying and Bereavement. Currently, Ms. Yudilevich Espinoza is in private practice as a therapist, and prior to that was the Director of Psychosocial Support Services for a large Hospice and Palliative Care organization.
Dave Shannon, LICSW
Dave Shannon is a psychotherapist in private practice in Boston, MA, specializes in LGBTQ health and in working with individuals and groups healing from trauma and abuse, sexual addiction and homo/bi/transphobia. He practices a blend of Mindfulness, Sensorimotor and Relational-Cultural therapies. Dave also provides clinical supervision and consultation to mental health trainees and clinicians, and he is a member of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy Board of Directors.
Scune Carrington, LICSW
Scune Carrington is a bilingual, strategic health social work practitioner, entrepreneur and quality improvement coach with a passion for innovative technology, health equity and integrated care. She currently works at a primary care association and has a private psychotherapy practice. Scune holds a BA from the Umass-Amherst, an MSW from Boston College, where she was the recipient of the Dean’s leadership award. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Health Science at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Will Halpin, MPH, LICSW
William Halpin is a public health social worker who has worked over 20 years as a clinician, public health curriculum developer, and educator in community mental health and hospital settings in Boston, MA, specializing in LGBTQAI+ health, people living with HIV/AIDS, complex PTSD, and substance abuse treatment. He maintained a private practice in Boston for eight years, and currently in Central Massachusetts where he continues to serve the LGBTQAI+ community, and survivors of developmental and complex trauma.
Ed Tucker, PhD
Ed Tucker received his BA from Emory University in Atlanta, GA, his JD from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, and his MSW and Ph.D. from Florida International University in Miami, FL.
Ed was a full-time faculty member for the School of Social work at Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida, for more than a decade. Before entering academia, he worked for several years in community behavioral health. He also maintained a private practice.
Ed’s therapeutic counseling modalities include Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART).
John Schatzel, LICSW
John Schatzel is the President and Clinical Director of Schatzel Counseling Group, PC; an outpatient mental health group practice. He has specialized training in DBT, EMDR, and the forensic treatment and evaluation of sexually dangerous persons. He has contributed to various published works as a researcher, editor, and interviewer. He also has acted as a consultant around the use of DBT and its application within various clinical settings. John focuses on the following populations as part of his therapeutic practice: SUD, Mood Disorders, Trauma, Personality Disorders, and Gender Dysphoria/Matters related to Gender Identity.
