IN PERSON-Friday, April 10, 2026, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM-Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia with Leonard A. Doerfler, Ph.D.

IN PERSON-Friday, April 10, 2026, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM-$229 including CEUs

Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia

Leonard A. Doerfler, Ph.D.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an important strategy for helping individuals who experience panic disorder with agoraphobia. Avoidance behaviors are central features of this disorder because these behaviors reduce anxiety in the short run, but over time they tend to make fear and distress worse. Panic control therapy helps individuals confront their anxiety-provoking situations, activities, and cognitions in a safe environment to reduce fear and anxiety and improve quality of life.

This workshop is designed to increase participants' knowledge of (a) how principles of cognitive­ behavioral therapy are used to treat panic disorder and agoraphobic avoidance, (b) different types of CBT interventions (e.g., cognitive restructuring, interoceptive and situational exposure), (c) how to conduct a functional analysis of an individual's panic and agoraphobia, (d) how to implement these strategies with clients, and (e) how to troubleshoot common obstacles.

Following this training the participants will understand:

·         The principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy for panic and agoraphobia and how these principles are used to address both panic attacks and agoraphobic avoidance

·         The foundational skills of how to conduct a functional analysis that guides decisions about using various intervention techniques to address the client's presenting problems (e.g., psychoeducation, breathing retraining, cognitive restructuring, interoceptive and situational exposure)

·         How to implement these cognitive-behavioral therapy skills with clients and to trouble shoot common problems that tend to occur with these interventions

Your Trainer:

Suzy Langevin, LICSW, LADC I, Director of Training and Professional Development at Open Sky Community Services, is committed to making the best evidence-based tools and supports available to both Open Sky employees and the broader provider community through the Bridge Training Institute. Ms. Langevin has presented regionally and nationally on implementing evidence-based treatment modalities, including the Stephanie Moulton Symposium, NAADAC National Webinar Series, and the Massachusetts Psychiatric Rehabilitation Collaborative Annual Conference. She has extensive training and fidelity coding experience in Motivational Interviewing and is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT).

She had provided training and consultation in a variety of evidence-based treatment modalities to mental health providers, school systems, community groups and state agencies, where feedback has included, “Suzy is very knowledgeable and provides practical insight on how to apply the skill learned in real life situations. Her training approach is upbeat, engaging, and informative.”

In her more than decade long tenure at Open Sky, she served as Director of Dual Diagnosis Services, where she developed a model for services for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders within the agency’s community mental health programming. She also previously worked to implement and supervise the provision of Illness Management and Recovery (IMR) services across adult and adolescent treatment settings and the development and opening of The Bridge Counseling Center, Open Sky’s outpatient division. In 2014, Ms. Langevin was awarded the ABH Excellence in Outcomes Award as a member of the CR for PTSD group. She was selected to the Worcester Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Worcester Class of 2021.

In addition to her work at Open Sky, Ms. Langevin has experience in a diverse range of settings, including emergency mental health, juvenile justice, residential treatment, and hospital inpatient care.