Alternative Therapies for Depression and Anxiety

Course overview

This course provides behavioral health professionals with an evidence-based overview of integrative and complementary therapies for depression and anxiety. Drawing from recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses it explores how exercise, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), yoga, tai chi, qigong, acupuncture, light-based therapies, omega-3 fatty acids, botanicals, and non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) can be ethically and effectively incorporated into stepped-care treatment models. . Participants will learn to evaluate efficacy, safety, acceptability, and phase-specific indications for each modality while emphasizing informed consent, documentation, and measurement-based care. The course highlights emerging biological mechanisms, such as neuroplasticity, vagal tone, inflammation, and circadian regulation, and provides practical frameworks for integrating adjunctive treatments alongside psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. Emphasis is placed on client-centered care, collaborative decision-making, and ethical competence across professional codes (APA, ACA, AAMFT, NASW)..