Best Practice Psychological Therapy for Anxiety: Practical Strategies for GPs
Educational Activities (EA)
20.0
Reviewing Performance (RP)
Measuring Outcomes (MO)
Brief Overview
This interactive, discussion-based session — facilitated by Clarity Psychology — focuses on evidence-based approaches to recognising and managing anxiety disorders commonly seen in general practice, including OCD, somatic symptom disorder, and generalised anxiety disorder.
The session takes a real-world, case-based approach, exploring the kinds of patient presentations GPs encounter daily. Participants will work through typical cases, discuss brief in-consultation strategies, and gain clarity on when to manage within general practice versus when to refer for psychological treatment.
The goal is to create an open, collegial space for shared learning — helping GPs feel more confident and equipped to identify, support, and refer patients with anxiety using best-practice, evidence-based principles.
Program Details
Here are specific learning outcomes for your informal GP chat:
Knowledge:
- Recognise the key features that distinguish clinical anxiety disorders from normal stress responses
- Understand when psychological intervention is most beneficial and how it complements medical management
- Know what information helps psychologists provide the best treatment (for more targeted referrals)
Skills:
- Use a few simple, time-efficient questions to assess anxiety severity in consultations
- Offer basic anxiety management strategies that patients can use while waiting for psychology appointments
- Communicate with patients about what to expect from psychological treatment
Attitudes:
- Increased confidence in managing anxiety presentations in primary care
- Better understanding of psychology services as collaborative partners rather than just "referral destinations"
- More positive outlook on their ability to provide meaningful support for anxiety within general practice constraints
These outcomes focus on practical, immediately applicable improvements to how GPs approach anxiety in their everyday consultations, while building stronger working relationships between primary care and specialist psychology services.
Program Outcome
Many GPs report uncertainty in differentiating normal stress from anxiety disorders that require intervention.
There is a knowledge gap around when to manage anxiety within general practice versus when to refer to a psychologist or specialist service.
GPs often seek practical, evidence-based strategies that can be applied within a short 15-minute consultation.
Improved understanding of best-practice psychological therapies can enhance confidence, reduce referral hesitation, and improve patient outcomes.
- Strengthen GP understanding of anxiety presentations and differential diagnosis.
- Develop confidence in distinguishing normal stress from anxiety disorders requiring intervention.
- Build practical skills for brief psychological strategies that can be used effectively within a standard consultation.
- Improve awareness of evidence-based therapies for anxiety (e.g., CBT, exposure, and behavioural techniques).
- Clarify when and how to refer to psychologists or other mental health specialists for optimal patient outcomes.
By completing this activity, participants will be able to:
Identify common anxiety presentations and differentiate them from normal stress responses.
Apply brief, evidence-based strategies within short GP consultations to manage anxiety symptoms.
Recognise when to initiate treatment in general practice and when to refer to a psychologist.
Collaborate effectively with mental health professionals to ensure continuity of care.
Reflect on their own confidence and approach to anxiety management, identifying areas for further learning or support.
We collect informal feedback from participants at the end of each session, asking what was most useful, what could be improved, and what topics they would like covered in future discussions. This open, conversational feedback approach helps ensure the content remains practical and relevant to the realities of general practice.
Feedback is reviewed and incorporated into future sessions to refine case examples, adjust the level of clinical detail, and focus on areas where GPs indicate they need more support or clarity. This ongoing, participant-driven process ensures the activity stays responsive, engaging, and aligned with real-world learning needs.
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Delivery Method & Format
0 Hours total Duration
In Person
Interactive Learning: Workshop, Case-based Discussion (focuses on active participation and applying knowledge)
CPD Home (Accreditor)
Suited for
Practitioners
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