A Practical Guide for Treating Anxiety in Group and Individual Settings
The National Institute of Mental Health recommends this manual as a complete guide for treating anxiety disorders. Written for therapists, counselors, and group leaders, this resource provides state-of-the-art treatment strategies and action-oriented client activities for a wide range of anxiety conditions. It helps professionals apply cognitive-behavioral interventions with clarity and confidence so participants can make meaningful, lasting progress through group anxiety treatment and individual care.
This manual is designed for flexible use in individual therapy, group sessions, workshops, and worksite programs. Support groups will also find it helpful as a clear, practical framework for structured learning and skills practice.
What This Manual Covers
This evidence-based resource presents practical, step-by-step guidance for addressing:
• Panic disorder
• Social anxiety
• Generalized anxiety
• Agoraphobia
• Specific phobias, including fear of flying
The sample treatment plans with behavioral goals and measurable objectives make this manual especially valuable for clinicians working with managed-care requirements. Material can be adapted for therapy, training, and psychoeducational settings.
The authors provide:
• Assessment tools and reproducible worksheets
• Relaxation scripts and CBT-based cognitive restructuring
• Exposure strategies to safely confront fears
• Techniques for challenging catastrophic thinking
• Lifestyle and wellness recommendations
• Support strategies for family and friends
• Relapse-prevention skills and maintenance plans
Sessions in this manual directly correspond to the chapters in Overcoming Panic, Anxiety & Phobias, allowing clients to reinforce therapy content through at-home reading and practice.
Resource Materials Included
The Resource section offers time-saving tools for clinicians, including:
• Writing Treatment Plans and Measuring Outcomes
• Treatment Plans for Managed Care Programs
• Bibliography
• Whole Person Associates resources
Also available: Reproducible Digital Worksheet Masters (PDF) for use in sessions (only available with purchase).
Next Steps for Treating Panic and Anxiety in Groups
Strengthen your clinical toolkit with additional resources that complement the strategies in this manual. These titles support deeper skill-building, reinforce CBT-based anxiety treatment, and provide practical tools for both therapists and clients.
Explore these related resources:
• Overcoming Panic, Anxiety & Phobias
• Coping with Anxiety Workbook
• Mindfulness Skills Workbook: Remedies for Worry, Anxiety & Stress
