Email UpdatesThis interactive webinar is designed for both behavioral health and medical professionals who care for patients experiencing somatic anxiety—from situational worry about a symptom or health concern to more persistent and impairing presentations.
The webinar will begin by exploring how somatic anxiety can become the “elephant in the room” during clinical encounters, influencing communication, clinical encounter satisfaction for both patients and professionals, as well as treatment decisions and clinical outcomes. Participants will learn practical ways to recognize and address subclinical presentations to reduce escalation and more entrenched patterns.
The webinar will then examine moderate and more severe presentations, reviewing diagnostic criteria for Somatic Symptom Disorder. The webinar will also discuss pragmatic strategies for assessment and management of somatic anxiety that interferes with the clinical management of health conditions. Through case examples, speakers will illustrate common clinical presentations and demonstrate how standard medical and behavioral health care can be adapted to address somatic anxiety while maintaining a collaborative, patient-centered approach.
The webinar will also explore the impact of somatic anxiety on team-based care, with particular attention to consultation, communication, and collaborative care planning for patients who struggle with persistent health-related concerns. Throughout the session, participants will be encouraged to share their own clinical experiences and reflect on how the concepts and strategies presented could be applied to a specific patient or clinical situation.
The goal is to leave participants with a clearer framework for recognizing somatic anxiety and practical tools for responding effectively across the continuum of severity. This webinar is hosted by the Center for Integrated Primary Care at UMass Chan Medical School.