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.

The Courtyard Marlborough, 75 Felton Street, Marlborough, MA 01752

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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:

Leonard Doerfler is a clinical psychologist who has over 40 years' experience conducting cognitive­ behavioral therapy and in training mental health professionals how to implement this form of psychotherapy. He was formerly on the faculty of Assumption University and the UMass Chan Medical School where he taught graduate students and psychiatric residents how to conduct CBT. He has extensive experience in providing CBT for anxiety and depressive disorders, substance use disorder, PTSD, and psychosocial problems related to serious medical illness (such as heart attack and other life-threating illnesses).