Mission
Affiliated with the Institute for Mental Health Research and the Psychology Department, the Anxiety & Health Behaviors Lab conducts state-of-the-art research aimed at improving the treatment of anxiety disorders and related problems.
Approach
Using a translational research method, studies at the Anxiety & Health Behaviors Lab aim to (1) identify targets for intervention; (2) develop and pilot test novel therapeutic strategies; and (3) investigate the effectiveness of promising behavioral and integrative treatments in clinical trials.
Behavioral and Integrative Treatments
The behavioral interventions we study include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and exercise treatments (e.g., aerobic exercise, yoga). The term integrative refers to the combination of behavioral interventions with other behavioral interventions or medications. The medications we study target either direct symptom reduction (e.g., nicotine replacement therapy) or enhancement of the learning that takes place during behavioral interventions (i.e., “cognitive enhancers” such as d-cycloserine and yohimbine).
Anxiety Disorders and Related Problems
We study a range of anxiety disorders including specific phobia, panic disorder (with agoraphobia), obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Anxiety processes play a role in the maintenance of a number of health compromising behaviors. We study a range of these behaviors including smoking, overeating and physical inactivity. Please see the publications page for more details on completed studies.