Dr. Stefan G. Hofmann

The Diagnosis and Treatment of Social Anxiety and Panic Disorder

Oslo: November 10 - 11, 2006

Day 1, Panic Disorder: I will give an overview of the revolution in the treatment of Panic Disorders, and provide training in how to conduct an empirically-validated and highly efficacious cognitive behavioral treatment for panic disorder. The following topics will be covered: The diagnosis and what distinguishes this disorder from other anxiety disorders, theoretical models connecting neuroscience and psychological treatment.

Day 2, Social Phobia: I will provide training in how to conduct an empirically-validated and highly efficacious cognitive behavioral treatment for social phobia. The following topics will be covered: The diagnosis and what distinguishes social phobia from other anxiety disorders, theoretical models connecting neuroscience and psychological treatment.

Both Day 1 & 2, Clinical Training: The main focus of both workshops will be clinical. I will describe the targeted treatment procedures and illustrate them with excerpts from videotaped sessions. Participants will learn how to deliver the treatment procedures through role plays of each component of the treatment, and through participation on various exercises and discussions in group.

Both Day 1 & 2, Empirical Research: Dr. Hofmann will present updates on the most significant recent; (a) epidemiological studies, (b) randomized clinical trials, (c) translational research, (d) empirical studies on mediators or mechanisms of change, (e) cost-analysis, (f) pharmacological augmentation, as well as discuss current and future research questions, both for panic disorders and social phobia. All of the above within an academic conservative approach, paying attention to methodological limitations.

Learning objectives:

1. An overview of the revolution in treatment of anxiety disorders
2. The connection between neuroscience and psychological treatment of anxiety disorders
3. Childhood, school phobia, shyness and social anxiety - how to break the cycle
4. Addressing comorbidity: How to handle personality disorders and depression in treating anxiety disorders
5. How to establish a solid therapeutic alliance, orient to- and illicit commitment to treatment, and reduce the probability of drop-out
6. How to reduce the probability of relapse
7. An overview of recent and ongoing empirical research
8. The main focus and goal of both workshops is to learn assessments, treatment planning and targeted clinical strategies in the treatment of panic disorders and social phobia

Resource Page (Registered users only) »

Stefan G. Hofmann, Ph.D., Professor of psychology at Boston University and director of the program for social anxiety at the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders. Dr. Hofmann's primary research interests is social phobia, panic disorders, schizophrenia, and psychophysiology. He is the editor for Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, associate editor for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and a consulting editor for the International Journal of Psychology. Dr. Hofmann has been editor of several books, such as "From Social Anxiety to Social Phobia: Multiple Perspectives" and "Treating Chronic and Severe Mental Disorders: A Handbook of Empirically Supported Interventions". Dr. Hofmann's latest book "The Art and Science of Psychotherapy" was released in December 2006. Dr. Hofmann is one of the worlds most innovative and leading researchers in the field. Dr. Hofmann's homepage »

Target audience:

This seminar will be useful for everyone working clinically with children/youth or adult patient groups with social phobia or panic disorders. This seminar is also relevant for treatment teams developing competence (e. g. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, DBT) in the treatment of serious and complex disorders.

Participants will receive an invitation to social and cultural activities. On the resource page for the workshop, a web-forum will be set-up for practical questions to Evidence and professional discussions and exchange for the attendees.

Course approvals:

Evidence is approved as a non-profit continued education provider by the the Norwegian Psychological association (NPF), the Norwegian Medical Association (Dnlf), the Norwegian Nurses Council (NSF) and the joint association of social educators, child welfare specialists and social workers (FO).

Applications for CME credits will be re-submitted. Feel free, to contact us with a request, and we might submit an application of CME credits approval from the professional organization of your country. The main target group for this workshop is psychologists and MDs.