Professional version
Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Panic (Clark, 1986)
A licensed copy of Clark's (1986) cognitive-behavioral model of panic that outlines a framework to address the key components of panic disorder.
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Overview
The Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Panic identifies catastrophic misinterpretation of body sensations as a criticial maintenance factor which serves to exacerbate and prolong panic.
Why Use This Resource?
Understanding the underpinnings of panic disorder is important for effective intervention. This resource helps clinicians:
- Understand what maintains panic disorder.
- Explain key aspects of panic disorder, such as intense fear and the use of safety-seeking behaviors.
- Develop appropriate case formulation for clients struggling with panic disorder.
Key Benefits
Insight
Deepens understanding of how panic disorder is maintained.
Education
Acts as an informative client handout.
Discussion
Promotes exploration of key factors in panic disorder.
Learning
Supports clinician knowledge and supervision.
Who is this for?
Panic Disorder And Panic Attacks
Ideal for mental health professionals working with clients experiencing panic disorder and panic attacks.
Integrating it into your practice
01
Learn
Understand more about the cognitive behavioral model of panic.
02
Organize
Use the model as a template to organize your case formulations.
03
Educate
Use your knowledge of the model to explain maintenance processes to clients.
04
Discuss
Engage clients in discussions about their beliefs and behaviors.
05
Tailor
Customize interventions based on individual maintenance mechanisms.
06
Reflect
Use in supervision to discuss case conceptualizations and treatment plans.
Theoretical Background & Therapist Guidance
This handout presents Clark's (1986) Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Panic. The expanded model identifies the critical mechanisms of panic which include: catastrophic misinterpretation of bodily sensations (which lead to a feeling of anxiety and exacerbation of bodily symptoms) and safety-seeking behaviors (which prevent disconfirmation of threat beliefs).
What's inside
- A graphical depiction of the model.
- Insights into key maintenance mechanisms.
- Guidelines for using the resource with clients.
FAQs
Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks, alongside ongoing worry about having more attacks or their consequences.
It is a framework explaining how panic attacks are maintained by various factors, particularly the catastrophic misinterpretation of bodily sensations.
Clinicians use it to guide their case formulation, helping them to effectively target their interventions.
How This Resource Improves Clinical Outcomes
By applying the model, therapists and clients benefit from:
- Targeted interventions focusing on key maintenance mechanisms.
- Enhanced client engagement through increased understanding of their difficulties.
- Improved treatment outcomes by addressing core psychological features.
Clinicians Who Use This Resource Also Use
References And Further Reading
- Clark, D. M. (1986). A cognitive approach to panic. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 24, 461-470.
- Salkovskis, P. M., Clark, D. M., & Gelder, M. G. (1996). Cognition-behaviour links in the persistence of panic. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 34(5-6), 453-458.
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