Evaluating a Personalized Trans-Diagnostic Group Therapy for Anxiety
| Status: | Enrolling by invitation |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Anxiety |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Psychiatry / Psychology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - Any |
| Updated: | 4/17/2018 |
| Start Date: | February 5, 2018 |
| End Date: | December 2019 |
This study is examining the impact of a therapy group for all anxiety disorders provided by
the Stanford Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences's Psychosocial Treatment Clinic
on anxiety symptoms, impairment, and access to quality mental health care.
the Stanford Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences's Psychosocial Treatment Clinic
on anxiety symptoms, impairment, and access to quality mental health care.
Anxiety disorders are prevalent, impairing, and often precede other psychiatric and medical
comorbidity (Kessler et al, 2005). Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and
Commitment Therapy (ACT) are effective, evidence-based treatments for anxiety disorders that
can be delivered in either a group or individual format (Deacon & Abramowitz, 2004; Arch et
al 2012). Traditionally, group therapy has been delivered a single diagnosis at a time. This
presents challenges to care delivery, however, because a sufficient number of patients with
the same diagnosis and the same availability in their schedule must be assembled in order to
start a group. Fortunately, CBT and ACT can be used to target key trans-diagnostic constructs
such as excessive worry, avoidance, and fear of negative evaluation that may occur in many
anxiety diagnoses. Indeed, emerging research suggests these constructs may be closer to the
etiological dysfunction in anxiety disorders than the diagnoses themselves and may therefore
be the best treatment targets (Craske, 2012). Because of this, there is now movement towards
trans-diagnostic approaches that flexibly apply core principles of CBT and ACT to any anxiety
disorder.
Group therapy is a cost-efficient and effective care delivery model that is also generally
acceptable to patients with anxiety disorders. However, individual therapy is often preferred
(Sharp et al, 2004), perhaps due to greater personalization of care relative to standard
group therapy. To address this concern the investigators aim to use a pre-treatment
assessment to develop a personalized plan for each patient entering a trans-diagnostic
anxiety group.
In order to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach, patients enrolled in the group who
consent to participate in research will complete assessments of anxiety and related symptoms,
quality of life, and cognitive function before and after therapy.
comorbidity (Kessler et al, 2005). Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and
Commitment Therapy (ACT) are effective, evidence-based treatments for anxiety disorders that
can be delivered in either a group or individual format (Deacon & Abramowitz, 2004; Arch et
al 2012). Traditionally, group therapy has been delivered a single diagnosis at a time. This
presents challenges to care delivery, however, because a sufficient number of patients with
the same diagnosis and the same availability in their schedule must be assembled in order to
start a group. Fortunately, CBT and ACT can be used to target key trans-diagnostic constructs
such as excessive worry, avoidance, and fear of negative evaluation that may occur in many
anxiety diagnoses. Indeed, emerging research suggests these constructs may be closer to the
etiological dysfunction in anxiety disorders than the diagnoses themselves and may therefore
be the best treatment targets (Craske, 2012). Because of this, there is now movement towards
trans-diagnostic approaches that flexibly apply core principles of CBT and ACT to any anxiety
disorder.
Group therapy is a cost-efficient and effective care delivery model that is also generally
acceptable to patients with anxiety disorders. However, individual therapy is often preferred
(Sharp et al, 2004), perhaps due to greater personalization of care relative to standard
group therapy. To address this concern the investigators aim to use a pre-treatment
assessment to develop a personalized plan for each patient entering a trans-diagnostic
anxiety group.
In order to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach, patients enrolled in the group who
consent to participate in research will complete assessments of anxiety and related symptoms,
quality of life, and cognitive function before and after therapy.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 18+
- Enrolled in a trans-diagnostic group therapy for anxiety disorders in the Stanford
Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences' Psychosocial Treatment Clinic.
- English fluency
Exclusion Criteria:
- Unable to provide informed consent
- Acute safety concerns (e.g., suicidality requiring a higher level of care)
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