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Anxiety Treatment Program at Nova Southeastern University

Fort Lauderdale, FL

The Anxiety Treatment Center is dedicated to increasing the understanding and treatment of anxiety disorders. The mission of this clinic is to provide state of the art treatments with proven effectiveness. Services are available to children, adolescents, and adults.

State of the Art Treatment

Highly trained therapists in cognitive-behavior therapy are responsible for implementing the program for individuals with excessive anxiety. Cognitive-behavior therapy involves the application of findings from scientific research to help individuals change. The therapy places a strong emphasis on changing behaviors that lead to anxiety. In addition, the therapy also focuses on changing patterns of thinking that lead to more anxiety.

An emphasis is placed on evaluating change throughout therapy, so that progress can be monitored. Practice of the skills outside of session is also a big part of treatment. The therapist and client work together to determine the goals for therapy, the agenda for each session, home practice between sessions, the usefulness of each intervention, and how long to continue therapy.

What to Expect in Treatment

Some treatments may best be delivered in a short period, but with multiple sessions per week. Others may occur weekly. Therapy is problem focused to relieve the current anxiety. Most of the therapies involve facing fears, which can be a very difficult process. However, previous research with the therapies used in this clinic display strong reductions in anxiety over a relatively short period of time. Thus, most clients can expect to have relief of symptoms relatively quickly.

The initial visit to the clinic consists of an evaluation by the clinic staff to determine current feelings and symptoms. This comprehensive evaluation provides vital information to provide the best treatment to the client. The evaluation is then discussed with the client with both the therapist and client working together to determine the goals of treatment. Treatment is then initiated.

What do we Treat?

Social Anxiety

Social anxiety is concerned with excessive fear of being negatively evaluated by others. People with social anxiety feel they will be humiliated or embarrassed in many different situations. This fear leads the person with social anxiety to avoid situations in which their actions may be observed.

Panic Disorder

A panic attack is an intense fear reaction that is not in line with the true danger of the situation (it is a false alarm). For some people, worry about the return of panic often leads to the avoidance of situations in which help may not be available or from which escape is difficult.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder is primarily characterized by obsessions and/or compulsions. Obsessions are repetitive thoughts, impulses or images that are anxiety provoking. They occur against one's will, are intrusive and persistent and are, often, personally repugnant. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental rituals that the person feels forced or compelled into doing, in order to relieve anxiety.

Excessive Worry (Generalized Anxiety Disorder)

Normal worry is common, but for people with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, much of their day is spent worrying to the point where it interferes with normal functioning.

Specific Phobia

Some people have exaggerated fears of certain objects or situations. Examples of specific phobias include animals, air travel, blood and injections, heights, and driving.

HOW TO BECOME A CLIENT

We accept referrals from agencies and other professionals. Individuals are welcome to contact us directly via telephone at

954-262-5822

Nova Southeastern University

Maxwell Maltz Bldg.,

3301 College Avenue

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314-7796.