Creating Plans That Work

Anxiety’s negative impact on learning, school attendance, and the subsequent development of depression and substance use is well-documented.  In order to effectively support students returning to school after an absence—and to proactively interrupt the cycle of anxiety and depression that leads to absenteeism and isolation—clinicians benefit greatly from accurate information and interventions that focus on skill-building. Though most of us know the obvious signs of anxiety, how it chronically (and perhaps covertly) impacts a student and family is often missed and misunderstood. The solutions offered can feel cliched and ineffective; sadly they often include the very same patterns that escalated the anxiety and depression in the first place.     This workshop will address the skills families need to tackle this problem. How can we think preventatively, knowing that anxious and disconnected students are at high risk? How do schools best collaborate with parents who are often overwhelmed and frustrated? What’s the role of an outside provider, and how can we best communicate? Most importantly, how can we create plans for anxious and depressed students that move them forward, rather than “doing the disorder”?