Anxiety can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to face it alone. The Nebraska Medicine Anxiety Subspecialty Treatment (AnxST) Program offers group therapy options designed to give patients proven skills and supportive connections. Each group is based on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), one of the most effective treatments for anxiety.
Caring and evidence-based care
Every group uses CBT, a proven therapy that helps patients build resilience and reduce anxiety. Group sessions also provide an encouraging setting where patients can share experiences and learn from others.
Integrated with the AnxST program
Enrollment in most groups requires an intake evaluation through the Anxiety Subspecialty Treatment Program. This ensures every patient’s care plan is coordinated and supported by the full AnxST team.
Nebraska Medicine provides focused group programs for different needs
CBT for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Who can join
- Patients of Nebraska Medicine and UNMC with a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder.
Goals:
- Learn strategies to manage excessive worry and generalized anxiety.
- Build stress-management skills.
- Practice relaxation techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing and progressive muscle relaxation.
- It is hosted for 11 weekly sessions led by a clinical psychologist with structured psychoeducation.
Thursdays, 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. New groups start every three months. - Located in person at the Specialty Services Pavilion, 5th floor, Psychology. A Zoom option is available within Nebraska when in-person attendance is not possible.
- How to register: Call the Department of Psychology at 402.559.5031.
CBT for social anxiety disorder (SAD)
Who can join:
- Patients age 15 or older with a diagnosis of social anxiety disorder or social phobia.
Goals:
- Learn ways to cope with fears in social situations.
- Develop strategies to manage concerns about others’ opinions.
- Reduce stress and practice skills for building social confidence.
- It is hosted for three to four weekly sessions led by a clinical psychologist with guided learning
- Mondays, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. New groups begin on the first Monday of every month via Telehealth (Zoom).
How to register:
- Call the Department of Psychology at 402.559.5031.
CBT for anxiety (introductory group)
Who can join
- Anyone experiencing anxiety or referred by a provider.
Goals:
- Learn how changes in thoughts and behaviors reduce anxiety.
- Build tools to manage fear and stress.
- Strengthen skills to stay in control during difficult situations.
It is four weekly sessions led through electronic materials and guided discussion. - Wednesdays, 8:30 to10:00 a.m. Sessions run during the first four weeks of the month via Telehealth (Zoom). Participants may start any week.
How to register:
- Call the Department of Psychiatry at 402.552.6007 or sign up at any front desk in Poynter Hall.
Writing Exposure for PTSD Treatment
Goal:
- To achieve symptom reduction in PTSD symptoms within 4 sessions using the evidence-based treatment of Written Exposure Therapy for PTSD (Sloan & Marx, 2019).
Who may join the Writing Exposure for PTSD Group?
- This group is appropriate for patients who have been given a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by their referring provider and are actively re-experiencing a traumatic event.
What is the Writing Exposure for PTSD Group?
- This 4 week closed group involves an evidence-based written exposure exercise, detailing the events of their trauma in a guided and structured way.
- Patients have the ability to address additional traumatic events if necessary.
- Exclusions are current substance use disorders, active suicidal ideation, and/or current psychosis.
- Patients need to able to sit and write for 30 minutes.
Where is Writing Exposure for PTSD Group?
- Telehealth
- Group begins the first Tuesday of every month. Participation is 4 consecutive weekly sessions on Tuesdays 10:00 AM-11:00AM.
How to register for the Writing Exposure for PTSD Group?
- Call 402-559-5031.
- REFERENCES: Sloan, D.M, & Marx, B.P. (2019). Written exposure therapy for PTSD: A brief treatment approach for mental health professionals. American Psychological Association: Washington DC.