Anxiety: An Integrative Approach (2026 - 2028)

Overview

Everyone has anxiety at some time, as we are all faced with uncertainty about the future. A certain amount of anxiety is normal and an adaptive response that has evolved to allow us to avoid danger and to stay alive. Anxiety becomes maladaptive when it interferes with functioning and restricts our life choices.

Needs Assessment

Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent and cause substantial functional impairment; they constitute the most frequent mental disorders worldwide (WHO, 2022). In the US, an analysis of epidemiologic data concluded that there is a 21% twelve-month prevalence and 34% lifetime prevalence of anxiety (Szuhany, 2022). Social anxiety, generalized anxiety, panic, and agoraphobia are the most common anxiety disorders (Szuhany, 2022).

An integrative approach dissolves the artificial boundaries between classical psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, and non-pharmacological approaches. This course will cover a variety of integrative modalities, including nutrition, mind-body, movement, manual medicine, Ayurveda, East Asian Medicine, and much more. Explore the latest research and apply the learning in clinical case-based activities.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Describe the public health impact of anxiety on youth and adult populations.
  • Discuss brain circuitry related to anxiety and fear, as well as the sensitization leading to pathology.
  • Compare the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to the National Institute of Mental Health's Research Domain Criteria.
  • Identify symptoms and characteristics of anxiety disorders in children and adults.
  • List medical problems and disease states known to cause anxiety or are associated with anxiety.
  • Identify medications and dietary supplements that may contribute to feelings of anxiety or panic.
  • Assess the evidence for the safety and benefit of complementary and integrative approaches/practices in the treatment of anxiety.
  • Assess the evidence for the safety and benefit of supplements in the treatment of anxiety.
  • Assess the evidence for the effects of nutrition and physical activity on anxiety.
  • Apply and review integrative medicine approaches in a variety of patient cases with anxiety.

Target Audience

Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, and dietitians.

Curriculum

  • Overview
  • Integrative Approaches
  • Clinical Application
  • Exam

Completion Requirements

Complete all the coursework, course evaluation, and the course exam with a score of 70% or better. You are allowed unlimited re-attempts. Upon successful completion, you will be able to print your certificate of completion.

Disclaimer

This course does not constitute medical advice. Healthcare providers should exercise their own independent medical judgment.

All case studies and patient scenarios in this course are used for illustrative purposes. All depictions of persons (other than faculty) are models and not actual patients.

Anxiety: An Integrative Approach (2026-2028)
Disclosure & Education Credit Info

COM CME

Physicians

ACCME/AMA PRA Accreditation and CME Designation Statement

The University of Arizona College of Medicine — Tucson is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Arizona College of Medicine — Tucson designates this enduring material for a maximum of 6.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Current CME Approval Period: March 1, 2026 to February 29, 2028

Most Recent Review: November 15, 2025

Nurses

Nursing Continuing Professional Development Information

This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved by the Colorado Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

6.25 NCPD Contact Hours for RNs

Current Approval Period - NCPD: March 1, 2026 to February 29, 2028

Approval #: 203376129

Completion Requirements

Complete all the coursework, course evaluation, and the course exam with a score of 70% or better. Upon successful completion, you will be able to print your certificate of completion.

Relevant Financial Relationships Disclosure Information

University of Arizona College of Medicine — Tucson Continuing Medical Education adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others, are required to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

Dr. Alschuler has disclosed Advisor-Vitazan (Relationship has ended) | Honoraria-Nordic Naturals (Relationship has ended) | Honoraria-NFH, Inc. (Relationship has ended) | Honoraria-Gaia Herbs | Grant or research support-Pharmavite (Relationship has ended) | Honoraria-Optimal RX (Relationship has ended) | Other: Financial support for educational podcast-Kyowa|Other: Referral Commission-Fullscript | Other: Financial support for educational podcast-American Biosciences (Relationship has ended) | Other: Financial support for educational podcast-Essential Formulas | Other: Financial support for educational podcast-Integrative Therapeutics.

Dr. Kominos has disclosed the following: referral commission, Fullscript | Consulting-Nature’s Way (Relationship has ended).

All other individuals in a position to control the content of this CME activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others have disclosed that they have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that would constitute a conflict of interest concerning this CME activity.

Commercial Support

There is no commercial support for this activity.

Faculty / Authors

Noshene Ranjbar, MD; Medical Director, Integrative Psychiatry Clinic, Banner-UA Tucson; Medical Director, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic, Banner-UA Tucson; Co-Director of Integrative Medicine in Residency-Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Arizona. Faculty, Center for Mind-Body Medicine; Faculty, Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine

Lewis Mehl-Madrona, MD, Physician, Acadia Psychiatric Hospital, Bangor, ME; Physician, Family Medicine Residency, Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor, ME

Vivian A. Kominos, MD, FACC, ABOIM; Integrative Cardiologist at Kominos Integrative Cardiology, LLC, Clinical Assistant Professor, Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine

Lise Alschuler, ND, Professor of Clinical Medicine, University of Arizona; Assistant Director of the Fellowship in Integrative Medicine, Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine

Amelia Villagomez, MD; Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of Arizona; Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of Saskatchewan

Planning Committee

Vivian A. Kominos, MD, FACC, ABOIM; Integrative Cardiologist at Kominos Integrative Cardiology, LLC, Clinical Assistant Professor, Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine

Elizabeth Knight, PhD, DNP, FNP-C; Integrative Health Coach, Flower Power Health and Nurse Practitioner, Reed College

Molly K. Burke, MFA, CMT; Director of Online Education, Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine

Copyright

All rights reserved - Arizona Board of Regents.