Transdiagnostic Treatments for Youth: Conquering Negative Thinking and Behavior (Part 2)

This two-part webinar series focuses on the transdiagnostic understanding and treatments for youth and conquering negative thinking and behavior including the relevance of neural circuitry.

The second part of this professional webinar series continues the discussion of the complex inter-relationship between the “primary” anxiety disorders, irritability and anger problems, depression, and ADHD.  Negative thinking is a transdiagnostic vulnerability represented across all of these mental health disorders.

The gold-standard psychological treatment for depression and anxiety is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and a primary strategy in CBT is to promote changes in habitual negative thinking. Integrated with the cognitive restructuring that promotes changing negative thinking are pivotal strategies such as tolerating discomfort, physiological awareness and psychological flexibility.

In addition, there is evidence for fundamental impairment in reward circuitry in depression. Impairment in reward anticipation closely relates to these concepts of habitual negative thinking.  Impairment in reward completion, (that is, anhedonia) diminishes the likelihood of seeking further rewards.  Current work focuses on the dimensionality of reward circuitry impairment as a) a risk for depression, b) the specificity of impairment in reward circuitry in depression, and the c) predictive value of impairment of reward circuitry for selecting treatments and outcomes.  Information from reward circuitry has led to refinements in cognitive restructuring and potential psychological augmentation strategies informed by neurophysiology.

Learning Objectives

1. Explain limitations in treatment studies and apply this knowledge to the literature
2. Describe impairments in reward circuitry and become aware of techniques for cognitive restructuring drawn from this neuroscience
3. Demonstrate two strategies for changing unhelpful thought habits to helpful thoughts, actions and emotions. 
4. Discuss strategies for generalization and relapse prevention.

Learning Level: Introductory to Advanced

This webinar is not eligible for CE credit.