Therapy Cafe (Audio Version) - Strengthening Young Brains: CBT for Children with Anxiety and OCD
Before you take the post-test assessment, make sure you've listened to the course content on your podcast app of choice.
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In this course, Marjorie Morrison, LMFT, LPCC discusses therapeutic approaches for treating anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in children and adolescents with experts Dr. Mona Potter, MD, and Dr. Katherine Boger, PhD, ABPP. The conversation covers evidence-based treatments, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy, emphasizing the mind-body connection, physical symptoms, and behavioral responses like fight, flight, or freeze. The likelihood and benefits of integrating virtual therapy, the importance of precise diagnostics, and the need for family and school involvement are highlighted. The experts delve into innovative approaches including the use of virtual reality, medication management, and creating supportive environments. Success stories and strategies for long-term resilience and independence in youth are also shared, underscoring the collaborative effort essential for effective anxiety management.
Content notice: Emetophobia (fear of vomiting) is discussed
1 hour CE. Recorded audio format
Course Overview
ESTIMATED COURSE LENGTH: 1 hour
CE CREDITS:1 hour continuing education/contact hours for social workers, psychologists, counselors, and marriage and family therapists
TARGET AUDIENCE: Mental Health Practitioners
LEVEL OF INSTRUCTION: Introductory
PREREQUISITE(S): None
INSTRUCTIONAL METHOD: Recorded audio format (non-interactive)
ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS: Closed captioning. To request further accessibility accommodations, please email support@psychhub.com.
COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS: To obtain your CE certificate, learners must listen to the full course, complete a participant evaluation, and obtain a score of 80% or higher on a post-test. Learners are expected to complete the quiz within 3 attempts. If unable to do so, the learner will need to re-review the course segments.
FINANCIAL/COMMERCIAL SUPPORT STATEMENT: This course has no commercial support.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST: This course has no potential conflict of interest or outside commercial support. Psych Hub's conflict of interest statement is found in the footer of the training center.
GRIEVANCE AND REFUND POLICIES: Grievance and refund policies are found in the footer of the training center.
PARTICIPATION COSTS: The cost to participate in this CE activity is included in the subscription registration fee.
COURSE CREATION DATE: 10/31/2024
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
1. Explain the core elements of CBT for anxiety and OCD in youth
2. Describe strategies for involving the family and school in care
3. Describe the role of medication in treatment and associated considerations
4. Understand level of care/treatment intensity
Course Outline
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Introduction to CBT for Youth Anxiety and OCD
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Overview of anxiety and OCD in youth
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Core principles of CBT and its effectiveness with young clients
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Introducing developmental considerations in treatment
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Understanding the CBT Triangle
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Exploring the interaction between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
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Identifying unhelpful thoughts and teaching thought restructuring
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Managing physiological responses and emotional regulation techniques
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Behavioral Techniques: Exposure Therapy
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Fundamentals of exposure therapy and inhibitory learning
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Developing exposure hierarchies for anxiety and OCD triggers
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Case examples: Creative and effective exposures for young clients
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Involving Family and School in Treatment
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Strategies for engaging family as active participants in treatment
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Working with schools to create supportive environments for youth
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Addressing family accommodation behaviors and promoting consistent support
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The Role of Medication in Treatment
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Overview of medication options and SSRIs for youth anxiety and OCD
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When and how to introduce medication in combination with CBT
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Communicating medication benefits, risks, and expectations with families
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Level of Care and Treatment Intensity
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Assessing treatment needs: mild, moderate, and severe cases
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Determining the appropriate treatment setting and frequency
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Adjusting care plans over time for sustainable progress
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Practical Tips for Clinicians
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Effective techniques for managing resistant behaviors
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Best practices for virtual vs. in-person therapy for young clients
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Creative approaches to sustain engagement and promote resilience
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Conclusion and Continuing Care
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Indicators of treatment success and signs of readiness for discharge
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Empowering families to support ongoing progress post-treatment
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Resources for continuing education and professional growth
CE Information
American Psychological Association (APA)
Psych Hub is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Psych Hub maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Psychologists completing this course receive 1.00 continuing education credits.Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
Psych Hub, #1750, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2024 – 08/20/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1.00 clinical continuing education credits.Social workers completing this course receive {ce_credit} clinical continuing education credits.
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
Psych Hub is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs. Psych Hub maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content. CAMFT Approval #1000074. Course meets the qualifications for 1.00 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
Psych Hub has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7051. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Psych Hub is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Counselors completing this course receive 1.00 continuing education hours.New York State Education Department - Licensed Mental Health Counselors (NYSED-LMHC)
Psych Hub, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0257. New York State licensed mental health counselors completing this course receive 1.00 contact hours.New York State Education Department - Marriage & Family Therapists (NYSED-MFT)
Psych Hub, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0109. New York State marriage and family therapists completing this course receive 1.00 contact hours.New York State Education Department - Psychology (NYSED-PSY)
Psych Hub, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0208. New York State licensed psychologists completing this course receive 1.00 contact hours.New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work (NYSED-SW)
Psych Hub, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0699. New York State social workers completing this course receive 1.00 contact hours.Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling
Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling Provider Number 50-45376. Participants completing this course earn 1.00 continuing education credits.Experts

Mona Potter, MD
After nearly two decades of training, clinical and administrative experience in the MGH/McLean/Harvard Medical School system, Dr. Potter, a board certified child and adolescent psychiatrist, co-founded InStride Health, a specialty treatment program for pediatric anxiety and OCD. Prior to InStride Health, Dr. Potter served as the Medical Director of McLean Hospital’s Child and Adolescent Outpatient Services. In this role, Dr. Potter co-built/led several clinical programs, including the McLean Anxiety Mastery Program (MAMP), School Consultation Service, and child/teen outpatient DBT program. Through her role on the leadership team of the McLean Institute for Technology in Psychiatry (ITP), she also focused on creative ways to leverage technology to enhance clinical care (e.g, virtual reality for anxiety and OCD exposure therapy). In her current role as Chief Medical Officer at InStride Health, Dr. Potter strives to bring together the best of academics, technology, and operations efficiencies to offer insurance-based access to care that works. When she’s not brainstorming and sharing ways to improve care delivery, she enjoys summiting mountains, coaching her children’s soccer and Lego League teams, and keeping the music alive while playing piano duets with her family.
Kathryn Boger, PhD, ABPP
Kathryn Boger, PhD, ABPP is a board-certified child and adolescent clinical psychologist who has devoted her career to helping children and teens with anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). She is passionate about improving care for youth with these disorders and decreasing their suffering through innovative, research-based treatment approaches. In 2013, she co-developed the McLean Anxiety Mastery Program (MAMP) at McLean Hospital, nationally recognized for providing empirically-supported intensive anxiety and OCD treatment. She also served as an Assistant Professor in Psychology at Harvard Medical School and has published peer-reviewed journal articles, delivered regional and national talks (including a TEDx), and provided training to hospitals, schools, and the community. She is the author of a children’s book, Step by Step, about facing fears and being brave. In 2021, Dr. Boger co-founded InStride Health with the mission of increasing access to insurance-backed, research-based care for children, adolescents, and young adults with anxiety and OCD.