Anxiety Disorders Programme

The Anxiety Disorders Programme was established at St. Patrick's University Hospital in April 2005 and caters for a wide range of anxiety disorders.

It is delivered by a multi-disciplinary team catering for adult anxiety sufferers, offering clients a combination of cognitive behavioural therapy, psychiatry, pharmacology, occupational therapy and psychology to assist them to manage the disorder.

In addition, specialised anxiety disorder assessments, individual cognitive behavioural psychotherapy and aftercare CBT groups are provided at the Dean Capel Clinic.

The aims of the programme include increasing knowledge and understanding through psycho-education, group and individualised psychotherapy. Additionally it provides anxiety sufferers the opportunity to learn skills and strategies to help overcome their difficulties.

It focuses on addressing the physical, psychological and behavioural aspects of the anxiety disorder using group and individual therapy. The therapeutic framework of the programme is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness Based Approaches.

The groups are run over three days allowing for goal work and continued therapy to take place outside of the active group setting. This is an important component of the programme which links in with your weekly goals set in group and individual therapy.

Group work focuses on the cognitive behavioural models for anxiety and working through the thoughts and behaviours that maintain the anxiety and distress. Goal planning, setting and review are a key feature of group work. Other groups include psychological approaches, relapse prevention, exercise and medical theoretical input.

Mindfulness Based Approaches education is an established component in the programme and has been integrated into the various cognitive models over the past five years. This is predominantly a meditative practice; however other aims include teaching patients to take care of themselves so they are able to live fuller and healthier lives.

The practice facilitates changes in the patient's perception of the source and nature of their difficulties, and their responses to them. Additionally, it promotes a way of being that helps patients manage and ‘be with' difficult sensations, emotions and cognitions.

Those attending the programme will also have available to them, individual Cognitive Behaviour Therapy sessions, individual Occupational Therapy Sessions and medical input on drug prescribing depending on their needs.

The level 1 programme is a 4 week rolling programme, but the time spent on the programme varies according to each individual's needs and response (usually 4 to 12 weeks). Most individuals will progress to level 2 for more individualised input.