Day I: Overcoming Disabling Thoughts Special Focus: Applying Positive Psychology - Anger, depression, and anxiety contribute to poor health outcomes in medical, dental, and behavioral settings. However, research and clinical experience demonstrate that the application of positive psychology can fundamentally improve health outcomes.
This 6-hour program is designed to provide health professionals and educators with key insights and tools to apply positive psychology in healthcare, educational or family settings to help overcome disabling thoughts and enhance happiness and well-being.

Day 2: Treating Six Forms of Anxiety - This program includes key insights, diagnoses, brain-related aspects, and psychological interventions for generalized anxiety disorder, mixed anxiety and depression, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder and agoraphobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Day 1

1. Identify recurrent disabling thoughts that can undermine self-care.
2. List several approaches to manage disabling thoughts that contribute to maladaptive anger, depression, anxiety and dysfunctional relationships.
3. Outline ways to apply positive psychology to promote character strengths, sources of wellbeing and goal-setting.
4. Outline ways to apply positive psychology to promote the three blessings, acts of kindness, and the passion to know, savoring, and gratitude.
5. Outline ways to apply positive psychology to promote forgiveness, humor and sources of meaning and purpose.

Day 2

1. Identify diagnostic features and effective treatments of generalized anxiety disorder.
2. List features and treatments of mixed anxiety and depression.
3. Name treatments for social anxiety disorder in children and adults.
4. Cite psychological features and interventions for panic disorder and agoraphobia.
5. State how OCD is diagnosed and treated.
6. Describe advances in the behavioral management of PTSD.
7. Describe transdiagnostic approaches to treating anxiety-related disorders.

Jaime L. Kurtz, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology at James Madison University. Dr. Kurtz is an expert in the study of positive psychology, decision-making, and in ways to enhance well-being. Her research has examined the effects of stress, awareness and practical ways to enhance positive emotions.

Mark Schneider, Ph.D., is an expert in behavioral medicine. Dr. Schneider has taught at Brown Medical School and Harvard University School of Medicine. His research and clinical skills include the treatment of anxiety-related disorders.

Nestled in Historic Charleston, the Francis Marion Hotel offers a prime location for an enriching seminar experience combined with the charm and elegance of this renowned Southern city. Situated on King Street, the hotel is surrounded by vibrant shops, exceptional dining, and cultural landmarks. Just a short walk away, attendees can explore iconic attractions such as the Charleston City Market, Rainbow Row, and Waterfront Park. The hotel's central location makes it easy to immerse yourself in the rich history, architecture, and hospitality that define Charleston.

Participants completing this program also receive complimentary 6-hour programs by Dr. Kurtz 1) The Epidemic of Loneliness, 2) The Habits of Happy People, 3) Five Pathways to Becoming the Best Version of Oneself, 4) Practical Ways to Optimize Health and Wellbeing, and 5) The Psychobiology of Hope and by Dr Schneider 1) Bullying, 2) Pain Free: Focus on Headache, Fibromyalgia, and Back and Neck Pain, 3) Principles of Managing Pain: Non-Drug Interventions, and 4) Understanding Type 2 Diabetes..

Day 1: Overcoming Disabling Thoughts: Special Focus: Applying Positive Psychology

• Identifying Disabling Thoughts
• Key Insight: the habit of "what if" thinking perpetuates the condition; why the disorder is often misdiagnosed.
• Diagnosis: excessive and persistent worry, high levels of arousal, poor concentration, fatigue and somatic symptoms.
• Abandonment and Instability: Cognitions concerning emotional instability and unpredictability.
• Mistrust and Abuse: Thoughts concerning hurt, abuse, and humiliation.
• Emotional Deprivation: Beliefs undermining affection, warmth, and empathy.
• Social Isolation: "I expect to be lonely, isolated, and different from others." Isolation- and loneliness-related expectations.
• Entitlement: Narcissistic beliefs and expectations.
• Grudge: Maintaining grudges and incapacity to forgive or apologize.
• Meaning/Purpose: "I struggle to find meaning in my life" Lack of life purpose.
• Pessimism: Pervasive pessimism and its aftermath.
• Fear of Failure: Inferiority-related cognitions.
• Insufficient Self-Control/Discipline: Lack of attainable and sustainable goals.
• Depressive Thoughts: Three key cognitions that sustain depression.
• Anxiety: Disabling worry driven by a negative "what if" mindset.
• Perfectionism and Self-Criticism: Setting unobtainable standards for self and others.
• Developing Resilience to Disabling Thoughts
• Facilitating Anger-Resistance: applying acceptance-based psychology to accept what cannot easily be changed in others.
• Improving Depression-Resistance: cultivating optimism by viewing problems as temporary, solvable and impersonal.
• Developing Anxiety-Resistance: doing something every day that scares you - the power of confronting one's fears.
• Enhancing Social Intelligence: how to obtain feedback from peers and confidants to improve social reasoning.
• Enriching Relationships: why suppressing strong emotions does not enhance well-being; communicating in a way that leads to meaningful change.
• Applying Positive Psychology
• Identifying Character Strengths
• Enhancing Social Support
• Identifying Sources of Wellbeing
• Setting Goals for Life and Happiness
• Practicing the Three Blessings
• The power of surprising acts of kindness
• The Passion to Know
• Experiencing Flow: engaging present-centered activities
• Savoring: expanding positive emotions
• Gratitude: thanksgiving as a mindset
• The Self-Gift of Forgiveness

Day 2: Treating Six Forms of Anxiety

• 1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Diagnosis: persistent worry, arousal, fatigue and somatic symptoms.
• Sustaining Factors: the habit of"what if" thinking.
• Brain: how fears are amplified and perpetuated.
• Treatment: individual and group CBT, cognitive restructuring in real time, enhancing engagement and power of the intervention.
• 2. Mixed Anxiety and Depression
• Diagnosis: how persistent anxiety and sadness are identified.
• Brain: neurotransmitters and antidepressants.
• Treatment: applying CBT to alter how we think, feel and act.
• 3. Social Anxiety Disorder
• Diagnosis: social cognitions, avoidance, and withdrawal.
• Brain: the social brain, fears and the limbic system.
• Treatments for Children and Adults: CBT, social skills training, benefits of virtual reality.
• 4. Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia
• Diagnosis: acute stress and triggering fears.
• Brain: the fear network, somatic focus, and impaired sleep.
• Treatment: overcoming internalizing and core fears.
• 5. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Diagnosis: intrusive obsessions and compulsions); avoidance.
• Brain: prefrontal cortex (mindsets) and basal ganglia (habits).
• Treatment: Exposure and Response Prevention
• 6. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Diagnosis: intrusive memories, threat, numbing, trauma avoidance, and insomnia.
• Brain: role of hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex.
• Treatment: Prolonged Exposure: learning how via new extinction-based protocols and trauma-focused CBT.