Integrating psychological and biological approaches to anxiety disorders : Best practices within a family context

This review attempts to integrate information and methods from CBT, family therapy and pharmacotherapy orientations, in the treatment of six adult anxiety disorders, and separation anxiety in pediatric populations. Anxiety disorders have been under-recognized and undertreated, in part because practitioners of different orientations have too often worked in isolation from one another. Both CBT and pharmacotherapy are evidence-supported treatments. However, the effectiveness of CBT can be enhanced if it is provided within a family therapy context. Similarly, medications can be an important treatment partner in the management of anxiety disorders.