Overview:
As mental health professionals, we know about the neuroscience of anxiety-based disorders more than any other disorders. With this knowledge, we can use evidence-based interventions to impact the brain & provide effective treatment for clients experiencing anxiety.
In this course, Dr. Pittman will teach you a neurologically informed, evidence-based approach to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that is accessible to clients of all educational levels.
You’ll learn how the amygdala and cerebral cortex influence the production of fear & anxiety and how to apply this knowledge. Humans are fearful & anxious creatures by nature. Thus, the goal of therapy is not to eliminate anxiety but to reduce it.
Dr. Pittman will explain the neuroscience of anxiety to enhance your understanding of which aspects of anxiety can be changed and which are a natural part of the human experience. Then you’ll leave with a goal-directed approach that focuses on realistic reductions in fear & anxiety that you can apply today.
Objectives:
- Describe the role of the amygdala in anxiety using clear, client-accessible language to enhance psychoeducation.
- Assess and identify when a client’s anxiety originates in the amygdala and guide them in understanding their fight, flight, or freeze response.
- Apply neurologically informed strategies such as relaxation, exercise, sleep, and exposure therapy to reduce anxiety symptoms and improve treatment outcomes.
Limitations:
This course presents current neuroscience and clinical research on anxiety, though some methods may require further validation through ongoing studies. It also includes brain-based interventions that may exceed some professionals’ training. Participants must ensure they practice within their legal and ethical scope and consult their licensing board when needed.
Commercial Disclosure:
Dr. Catherine Pittman receives royalties from her published books, including Rewire Your Anxious Brain, Rewire Your OCD Brain, and Taming Your Amygdala, published by PESI. These books may be referenced during the course as illustrative examples; however, their inclusion is for educational purposes only and does not constitute promotion. She also receives a speaking royalties and royalties for presenting live and recorded webinars for E Care Behavioral Health Institute. Dr. Pittman has no other relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations to disclose.
Course materials are only available to enrolled students.
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Dr. Catherine Pittman, HSPP
Catherine M. Pittman, Ph.D., HSPP, is a licensed clinical psychologist, and psychology professor at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN. A practicing clinical psychologist treating anxiety for over 30 years, she also is experienced in neuropsychological rehabilitation with individuals who have experienced brain injuries or strokes. In 2019, she was honored by Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana with a Service Award for her work in treating brain injury. Dr. Pittman practices neurologically informed CBT, and has conducted research in both fear conditioning and neuropsychology, preparing her well to explain the neurology of fear and anxiety. With Elizabeth Karle, Dr. Pittman authored Rewire Your Anxious Brain, a book recognized for its clear explanation of how to change both the amygdala and cortex in order to make the brain more resistant to anxiety. She also wrote Rewire Your OCD Brain with coauthor neuropsychologist William Youngs. She has been referred to as “the Amygdala Whisperer,” so it is no surprise that her most recent book is a workbook on overcoming anxiety titled Taming Your Amygdala, published by PESI.
National Approvals
eCare BHI, as the accredited and approved sponsor, maintains responsibility for all the programs and must abide by each board’s continuing education guidelines.

Professional Counselors — The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute has been approved by NBCC as an approved Continuing Education Provider. ACEP No. 6703. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC are clearly identified. E care Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Addiction Professionals — NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute is officially on file with NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) as an Approved Education Provider. They are formally known as NAADAC Provider #139138. Please note that E care Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.

Social Workers — Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute, #1706, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. E Care Behavioral Health Institute maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 06-03-2020 – 06-03-2026.

Psychologists — American Psychological Association (APA)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. E Care Behavioral Health Institute maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

CE Broker
CE Broker is a continuing education tracking system in which licensees track their compliance and report their completed CE hours credit (CE Broker Tracking #50-33336)
State Approvals
States that Accept ASWB-ACE Approved Providers |
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Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut |
Delaware | District Of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois |
Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland |
Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska |
Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio |
Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee |
Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin |
Wyoming |
States that Accepts NBCC Approved Courses: |
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Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut |
Delaware | District Of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Indiana |
Iowa | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Missouri | New Hampshire | New Jersey |
New Mexico | Ohio | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota |
Tennessee | Texas | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | Wisconsin |
- Nevada CPC’s and MFT’s accept ASWB-approved training
- North Dakota Board Of Counselor Examiners LAPC and LAPCS accept ASWB approved training
- Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists MHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council LPC and LPCS accept ASWB approved training
- Utah Division of Professional Licensing – CMHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Washington State Department of Mental Health MHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Wisconsin Council on Mental Health LPCS accepts ASWB-approved training
States that Accept NAADAC Approved Providers |
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Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | Delaware | Hawaii | Indiana |
Kentucky | Maine | Massachusetts | Minnesota | Montana | Nevada | New Jersey |
New Jersey | New Mexico | North Carolina | North Dakota | Oregon | Rhode Island | Tennessee |
Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wisconsin | Wyoming |
States that Accept APA Approved Providers |
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Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Delaware | District Of Columbia |
Florida | Georgia | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas |
Kentucky | Louisiana | Maryland | Massachusetts | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri |
Montana | Nebraska | New Jersey | New Mexico | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma |
Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | Tennessee | Utah | Vermont | Virginia |
Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming |