Making Sense of Anxiety
Sessions: 4
Lecture: 4h 0m
Certificate: 8+ hrs
100 CAD
The escalating levels of anxiety in our children begs for an explanation as well as a solution. Dr. Neufeld sheds light on this age-old problem, paving the way for natural interventions that can actually get to the root causes as opposed to just managing symptoms. This course brings a fresh and promising perspective to one of our most troubling and perplexing human problems. Although the focus is on children, this enlightening material will benefit anyone suffering from anxiety.
As is the case with all our courses, this course features lectures by Dr. Neufeld, carefully curated support for enriched study, study aides, the opportunity to ask questions of trained faculty or course facilitators, a year's access to the campus to enable study at one's own pace, and a certificate of attendance upon completion. For more information, consult the 'about our courses' page.
COURSE SUMMARY
Well over a century ago, psychologists pinpointed the problem of anxiety as pivotal to making sense of ourselves. With recent discoveries, the time has finally come to put the puzzle pieces together to solve this riddle. In this course, Dr. Neufeld uncovers this dynamic in children using the lenses of today's sciences of attachment, emotion and neuroscience. The picture that emerges from his integrative synthesis resonates with current research as well as natural intuition. The resulting solutions are surprising, not in that they are counter intuitive but rather that they run counter to the prevailing practice. The focus of this course is the anxiety of our children and what we can do about this, both as a society and as the adults responsible for them. The dynamics and insights, however, apply to all ages.
The course is divided into two parts: theory and application. The first three sessions are dedicated to unfolding a model of anxiety that has universal application. Given that anxiety is such an enigma, shedding light on its roots is absolutely essential to addressing the problem. Once the key insights are mastered, the implications and applications flow rather logically.
The theory part of the course revolves around three conceptual keys that unlock the necessary insights. These keys come from three diverse scientific fields of knowledge: neurobiology, attachment and vulnerability. Only in bringing all these insights together does anxiety reveal its secrets.
SUITABILITY/APPLICABILITY
This course is designed for all those involved with children and youth: parents, teachers, helping professionals. Although the focus is children, the dynamics and insights apply to individuals of any age. In fact, although most participants come for their children, they end up with significant insights about their own anxiety and how to best deal with it. Helping professionals will learn how to treat the anxiety of children effectively and without depending upon medication. Helping professionals also learn how to work through the parents in addressing the anxiety of their children. Teachers will gain insights about their own role in the anxiety problem and what they can do to reduce the anxiety of their students. Parents will learn how to address the roots of the issue and so reduce the symptoms and dysfunction of anxiety.
SAMPLE TOPICS
- the true meaning of anxiety
- how to recognize anxiety in all its various manifestations
- how anxiety-based problems are related to agitation-based and attention problems as well as adrenalin-seeking behaviour
- some appropriate and inappropriate ways we alarm our children
- the role of attachment in fueling anxiety
- the role of development in managing anxiety
- seven common themes in our obsessions and compulsions
- why what alarms us can also blind us to the source of alarm
- how emotional and perceptual defenses lead to alarm-system dysfunction
- why anxiety is increasing in our children and why alpha children are more anxious
- why current discipline methods tend to be anxiety producing
- why some children are conscientious, careful and concerned and others are reckless, careless and fearless
COURSE OUTLINE
The course is structured into 4 sessions with each session including approximately one hour of instructional video by Dr. Neufeld.
- Session One - Neuroscience of Anxiety
Anxiety is explored as the conscious tip of a hidden alarm system that requires development and vulnerable feeling for optimal functioning. Three possible outcomes of alarm are described, with implications for personality and functioning. - Session Two - Anxiety, Attachment & Vulnerability
Anxiety is viewed through the science of attachment and an understanding of human vulnerability. - Session Three - Working Model of Anxiety
Insights are combined to create a working model of anxiety. How alarm is manifest depends largely on its intensity and degree of defendedness. Seven classical types of obsessions and compulsions are explored. Six reasons for the escalating anxiety of our children are presented, with implications for prevention and intervention. - Session Four - Addressing Anxiety
Six surprising solutions are described for reducing the anxiety in our children, with parents being a child's best bet for making a lasting difference.
Inquiries
If you have questions or require additional information that you cannot find on our website or FAQ page, you may contact our office on our Inquiries page.
Charity & Non-Profit Status
The Neufeld Institute is a registered Canadian charitable organization under the name Neufeld Institute Foundation and is also registered as a NPO in British Columbia. If you would like to make a contribution to us, please go to our donation page.
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Vancouver, BC V6M 1L3
Canada