Live Event

Day 1

Thu, Jan 15th, 2026

10:00am – 5:45pm US Eastern Time

Part of: Deconstructing Anxiety: A Deep Dive

Conference

$397

This event has already occurred.

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Conference Details

Deconstructing Anxiety: A Deep Dive

January 15 – 17, 2026 See agenda for times

Up to 20 CE hours available

3 Sessions

About the Event

The first day of the intensive introduces the foundational concepts of the Deconstructing Anxiety model. We begin by exploring the two primary drives of human experience: the drive for fear and the drive for fulfillment; before identifying the single “core fear” that underlies all suffering. Participants will examine how fear operates as an illusion, supported by research, and how we develop a “chief defense” as a primary strategy to avoid this fear.

We then uncover how this strategy inevitably backfires, reinforcing the very distress it was meant to prevent. The day culminates with the introduction of the Master Key to Healing: doing the opposite of the chief defense, along with the three core methods to implement this principle. Participants will then engage in the first two experiential “Exercises for Diagnosis,” “Digging for Gold: Finding the Core Fear,” and “Who Are You Really?: Finding the Chief Defense.” Ample time will be provided to practice these tools, reflect on how they manifest in our own lives, and gain a deeper understanding of how the theory sets the stage for effective resolution in the days ahead.

Live Event This is a live online event. It will be conducted via Zoom Webinar.

Live Event Instructor

Todd Pressman

Todd Pressman, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist and international seminar leader. He is widely known for his work with Deconstructing Anxiety. He graduated with degrees in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and Saybrook Institute. His books Deconstructing Anxiety: The Journey from Fear to Fulfillment, Radical Joy: Awakening Your Potential For True Fulfillment and The Bicycle Repair Shop: A True Story Of Recovery From Multiple Personality Disorder have all received high acclaim. In 1982, he traveled the world to study the great wisdom and healing traditions, including with a Zen master, a Jain family, a Zoroastrian high priest and a Sri Lankan firewalker. His education also includes an internship under Stanislav Grof, M.D. at the Esalen Institute. With a background deeply rooted in tradition (he was groomed by a father whose teachers were taught by Sigmund Freud), he has integrated this wide-ranging experience into a new program of psychological development called "Deconstructing Anxiety". His working model is based on Michelangelo’s ideal: to release the statue from the stone, the authentic Self from the overlays of imposed identity, into the discovery of freedom and fulfillment.

Target Audience

This live interactive webinar is intended for behavioral health professionals, including Psychologists, Social Workers, Counselors, MFT's and Addiction Professionals.

Learning Objectives

After taking this activity, you should be able to:

1 Summarize the basic tenets of Deconstructing Anxiety theory.
2 Explain why fear necessarily distorts objective truth.
3 Distinguish the three ways of “doing the opposite” of the chief defense.

Disclosure to Learners

CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity – including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests).

The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity's planners, faculty, and the reviewer:

Planners and Reviewers

The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

Faculty

There are no known relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Course Creator

Todd Evan Pressman, Ph.D. – No disclosures to report.

Commercial support

There is no commercial support for this distance-learning course.

Use our CE Approvals tool to look up your state requirements and how can help you meet them, or log in to your member account to show approvals relevant to your licensure.

Event Agenda

Agenda times are listed in US Eastern Time. That is 3 hours later than US Pacific Time. The event starts at 7:00am US Pacific Time.

10:00-10:45 a.m. Theoretical foundations of the “Deconstructing Anxiety” model

10:45-11:15 a.m. Exercise: “Digging for Gold”: Finding Your Core Fear

11:15-11:30 a.m. Break

11:30-11:50 a.m. Exercise: “Who are you Really?”: Finding Your Chief Defense

11:50-12:00 p.m. Q and A and practice of exercises

12:00-12:30 p.m. Lunch

12:30-2:00 p.m. Review of the Core Fear and Chief Defense

2:00-2:45 p.m. How to Heal Anxiety: “Doing the opposite” of the Chief Defense

2:45-3:45 p.m. Exercise: “The Alchemist”: Asking “What Happens Next?”

3:45-4:00 p.m. Break

4:00-5:30 p.m. Q and A and Further Practice of All Exercises

5:30-5:45 p.m. Homework

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If the activity must be cancelled by the provider, all attendees will receive an email notifying them of the cancellation. The email will also provide details about transferring the registration to another educational activity or receiving a refund of the registration fee. As always, you can contact our support team if you have questions or concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you register, you'll receive an email with the link and instructions to join the live event. The event will be hosted via Zoom Webinar. You may test your Zoom connection prior to the event at the Zoom Test page We recommend logging in 10-15 minutes early to be sure your connection is ready.

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