When Anxiety Becomes Physical is a new 2-hour online continuing education (CE/CEU) course that provides mental health clinicians a practical framework for understanding psychosomatic anxiety and the mechanisms through which psychological processes produce physical symptoms.
Somatic symptom presentations are common among individuals experiencing anxiety, yet they remain difficult for clinicians to conceptualize and treat effectively. Clients frequently present with persistent physical symptoms such as headaches, gastrointestinal discomfort, dizziness, chest tightness, or fatigue despite extensive medical evaluations that fail to identify a clear underlying cause. These presentations often lead to repeated healthcare utilization, increased health anxiety, and frustration for both clients and providers.
This course will review the diagnostic distinctions between somatic symptom disorder, illness anxiety disorder, and functional neurological symptom presentations while examining the neurobiological and cognitive mechanisms that contribute to symptom amplification.
Clinical assessment strategies are discussed with particular attention to differentiating medically relevant concerns from anxiety-driven symptom cycles and maintaining effective collaboration with medical providers. This course also explores evidence-based treatment approaches including cognitive behavioral strategies, psychoeducation, interoceptive exposure, and techniques aimed at improving emotional awareness and regulation.
Case examples drawn from clinical practice illustrate common challenges therapists encounter when working with clients who strongly believe their symptoms are medical in origin. Emphasis is placed on maintaining therapeutic alliance while helping clients develop more adaptive interpretations of bodily sensations and reducing the behaviors that keep the symptom cycle going. Personal reflection questions throughout the course invite clinicians to connect the material to their own practice.
Outline
- Introduction
- Section 1: Understanding Somatic Symptom Presentations
- Section 2: How Anxiety Produces Physical Symptoms
- Section 3: Clinical Assessment and Case Conceptualization
- Section 4: Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches
- Section 5: Therapeutic Challenges and Alliance Maintenance
- Section 6: Cultural Considerations and Long-Term Planning
- Conclusion
Course #21-64 | 2026 | 15 posttest questions | Mobile-Friendly
Course Directions
This course is text-based (reading), and the CE test is open-book (you can print the test to mark your answers on it while reading the course materials). Successful completion of this course involves passing an online test (80% required, three chances to take) and we ask that you also complete a brief course evaluation. Contact us with any questions – we are here to help!
About the Author
Gabriel Benaim, LMHC, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor based in Miami, Florida, specializing in anxiety disorders, trauma, and psychosomatic symptom presentations. He provides psychotherapy to adolescents and adults in both English and Spanish, with a clinical focus on the relationship between emotional distress and physical symptoms. His work integrates cognitive behavioral therapy, somatic approaches, mindfulness-based interventions, and culturally responsive care. Gabriel’s professional interests include psychosomatic anxiety, interdisciplinary collaboration with medical providers, and continuing education for healthcare professionals.
CE Information
Counselors
Professional Development Resources (PDR) has been approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5590. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. PDR is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Professional Development Resources is also approved by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners; the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling; the Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and MFTs; the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board for Professional Counselors; the Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors; the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice; the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors (#MHC-0135 – Note: New York counselors will receive 2 continuing education credits for completing this self-study course); the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Family Therapist Board; the South Carolina Board of Professional Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists (#193); the Tennessee Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists, and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists; the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors; the West Virginia Board of Examiners in Counseling; and is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635 – completions are reported within 24 hours).
Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs)
Professional Development Resources is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Professional Development Resources maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Professional Development Resources is also approved by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC ACEP #5590); the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB #1046, ACE Program); the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners; the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling; the Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and MFTs; the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board for Marriage & Family Therapy; the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice; the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists (#MFT-0100 – Note: New York MFTs will receive 2 continuing education credit(s) for completing this self-study course); the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Family Therapist Board; the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors, and Psycho-Educational Specialists (#193); the Tennessee Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists, and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists; the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists (#114); and is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635 – completions are reported within 24 hours).
Psychologists & School Psychologists
Professional Development Resources, Inc. is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Professional Development Resources maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Professional Development Resources is also approved by the Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners; the Florida Board of Psychology; the Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists; the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board for Psychology; the Michigan Board of Psychology; the New Hampshire Board of Psychologists; the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of self-study continuing education for licensed psychologists (#PSY-0145); the North Carolina Psychology Board; the North Dakota State Board of Psychologist Examiners; the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology; the Tennessee Board of Examiners of Psychology; the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists; the Wyoming Board of Psychology; and is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635 – completions are reported within 24 hours).
Social Workers
Professional Development Resources, #1046, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 6/12/2025 – 6/12/2028. Social workers completing this course receive 2 clinical continuing education credits. ACE format: Reading-based asynchronous distance learning.
Professional Development Resources is also approved by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners; the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling; the Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and MFTs; the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board for Social Workers; the Michigan Board of Social Work; the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice; the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers (#SW-0664 – Note: New York social workers will receive 2 continuing education credit(s) for completing this self-study course); the North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners; the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Family Therapist Board; the South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners; the Tennessee Board of Social Workers; the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners (#5678); the West Virginia Board of Social Work; and is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635 – completions are reported within 24 hours).
Target Audience: Psychologists, School Psychologists, Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists (MFTs)
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