Transdiagnostic Understanding and Treatments for Youth: Conquering Negative Thinking and Behavior (Part 1)

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.

There is a complex inter-relationship between the “primary” anxiety disorders (social anxiety, Generalized Anxiety, Separation Anxiety), irritability, and Major Depression.  Negative thinking is a transdiagnostic vulnerability that is represented across all of these mental health disorders. Habitual negative thinking is associated with anxiety and depression symptoms in longitudinal and cross-sectional studies.

The onset of these two internalizing conditions—depression and anxiety—typically occurs in adolescence, which strongly points to a developmental contribution. This makes evidence-based treatment a compelling priority in adolescents. Furthermore, depression or anxiety in adolescence substantially increases the risk for impairment in adulthood.  These conditions may be two sides of the same coin. 

During Part 1 of this pragmatic webinar, the multifaceted relationship between co-occurring disorders is discussed focusing on depression and anxiety.  Various distorted thinking habits are explored using tailored, developmentally appropriate content for adolescents. Through case examples, specific strategies to encourage adolescents to recognize maladaptive thinking and ways to change their thoughts and behavior habits are covered. Specific strategies are demonstrated that include cognitive restructuring and multiple challenge questions, behavioral activation and mindfulness.

This webinar is not eligible for CE credit.