Trauma and Anxiety Disorders Clinic

Clinic Procedures

Initial Phone Screen

 

 When you first contact the clinic,  you will speak with a staff member who will describe the clinic and its services in more detail, and will ask you several questions about the kinds of problems you're having.  If appropriate, an initial evaluation will then be scheduled.

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Evaluation

 The clinic conducts a thorough, comprehensive assessment, which includes one or more detailed, structured interviews by staff members.  The interview typically takes approximately three hours and focuses primarily on anxiety difficulties. The interview also examines current and previous psychological functioning and past treatment experiences. In addition, you will complete a set of questionnaires to provide further information.

Our assessments are detailed and thorough because anxiety disorders are complex and often anxiety symptoms of various disorders can overlap. The evaluation procedure helps to determine the nature of the disorder. Based on our assessments, center staff are then able to make appropriate recommendations or referrals, including treatment at the Trauma and Anxiety Disorders Clinic, treatment at another clinic or agency or by another mental health professional, or no treatment at all.  In cases where treatment is indicated, the evaluation also provides information that aids staff in planning appropriate treatments.

Each client will receive detailed feedback concerning the results of his or her assessment. These assessments may also provide information about anxiety for research purposes. All assessment information, both for clinical and research purposes, is strictly confidential.
Treatment The clinic offers state-of-the-art cognitive-behavioral treatments for anxiety disorders in both individual and group formats, and tend to be goal-oriented and short-term.  The treatment most commonly offered is exposure therapy, in which clients confront their fears in a gradual and controlled way; research has  consistently shown this to be a very effective treatment for anxiety disorders.  Treatment may also include information about anxiety, relaxation training, and/or changing maladaptive thinking patterns.  The length of treatment varies depending on the type and severity of the disorder, but most treatment programs are completed within 10-12 weekly sessions.

Exclusion Criteria Unfortunately, the clinic is not able in most cases to treat individuals with active suicidal or homicidal ideation, active serious substance abuse problems, or psychosis.  In these cases, appropriate referrals will be made.