Current Newsletter

Volume 1, Number 2, October-December, 2001 Issue. 

Published Quarterly by J&L Mental Health Associates to encourage the use of research-based approaches for the treatment and prevention of anxiety disorders

Editors: James D. Cowart, Ph.D. and Leo A. Kominek, Ph.D.

Inside this issue:

Terrorism and Anxiety (full story)
by James D. Cowart, Ph.D.

"...in the first few days after the attacks on September 11, 2001, there was actually a decline in the number of clients calling for assistance. It was as if people were in shock and couldn't think about anything except the horrible scenes they were seeing on television. After about a week there was a surge in clients calling for an appointment, and that increase seems to be continuing."

Acceptance and Anxiety (full story)
by Leo A. Kominek, Ph.D.

"One of the most important and difficult skill one can hope to master in order to learn how to cope with an anxiety disorder is acceptance.  What is acceptance?"

Early Morning Anxiety and Monday Morning 'Blues'
(full story)
by Andrea Lanier, Group Facilitator

"Why do I experience anxiety so much worse in the morning when I wake up?  Why is my anxiety so much worse on Monday mornings?"

Tape Review (full review)
"Guided Instruction for Coping with Anxiety and Stress"
A review by the authors: Leo A. Kominek, Ph.D. and James D. Cowart Ph.D.

"The tape package was specifically designed for use with social anxiety, generalized anxiety, panic attacks and agoraphobia, as well as adjustment disorders with anxious mood and mixed depression and anxiety. It is also useful in helping individuals deal with excessive stress."

News Notes

  1. The Anxiety Support Group continues to meet on Tuesdays.  If you wish to attend this open group you can call Leo Kominek at (616) 321-7090 to register.
  2. Some special dates and presentations at the Anxiety Support Group Meetings:
  • Leo Kominek, Ph.D., will make a presentation on Depression and Its Treatment on November 27, 2001.
  • Andrea Lanier will present a talk on The Principles of Buddhism and its usefulness in dealing with anxiety on December 18, 2001.  This presentation will not have a religious focus.  Instead, it is intended to provide an insight as to how the teachings of the Buddha tie into the cognitions that generate anxiety.
  • There will be no Anxiety Support Group Meeting on December 25, 2001 or January 1, 2001.  The 1st group meeting for 2002 will convene on January 8th.
  1. The Anxiety Treatment Network of Southwestern Michigan will host an exhibit booth at the Kalamazoo Area Women's Festival on March 2, 2002.  It will be held at the Kalamazoo Valley Community College.
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