These sessions provide a unique experience that extends beyond a typical book club format. An expert facilitator provides an overview and outline for reading, activities, assessments, discussions, brainstorming, breakout groups and debriefs. Participants provide added substance, insights, conversation, skills application and problem-solving to bring together a one-of-a-kind opportunity for growth and discovery.

In Rewire Your Anxious Brain, psychologist Catherine Pittman and author Elizabeth Karle offer a unique, evidence-based solution to overcoming anxiety, based in cutting-edge neuroscience and research.

Claire Ladaga

Claire is a certified corporate training facilitator based in Grand Rapids, MI. She has collaborated with colleges, businesses and the United States military to bring top-quality professional development to diverse groups of people across the nation. As a graduate of both Central Michigan University’s psychology program and the Young American College of Performing Arts, Claire combines her passion for cognitive science with her performing skills to maximize participant engagement and knowledge retention. Mental health awareness is one of her passions and she remains focused on sharing her deepen understanding of this important topic.

By the end of the training, participants should be able to:

Differentiate between amygdala- and cortex-based anxiety and how they manifest through thoughts, behaviors and physiological response.

Recognize how anxiety may manifest in unexpected ways in their coworkers and others and identify how well-intentioned “soothing” behaviors may actually be making their anxious responses worse.

Apply techniques to mitigate the effects of stress and anxiety both “in the moment” and long-term.

Differentiate between negative and positive self-talk and transform defeating self-talk into empowering coping thoughts.

Combine forces with other participants in order to brainstorm ways to develop a more amygdala- and cortex-friendly work environment using personal experience, workplace history and creative thinking.

February 10, 2021| Day One
2:00 PM-3:00 PM

Welcome! During this first meet-up participants will meet the facilitator and learn how anxiety in America is a mental health epidemic. Information will be shared about identifying anxiety, recognizing patterns and why it matters in the workplace. The facilitator will layout the reading timeline, review the exercise packet, provide digital resources and set participants up for success.

March 11, 2021 | Day Two
2:00 PM-3:00 PM

During this second meet-up the facilitator will provide a concept review and talk about the basics of an anxious brain. The conversation will include information about Amygdala-based and Cortex-based anxiety, why it happens, what it looks like and how to calm it. The session will wrap up with "office hours" -- time to address questions.

April 1, 2021 | Day Three
2:00 PM-3:00 PM

In this final session the facilitator will conduct an icebreaker poll and lead the discussion around a concept assessment and skill application. Participants will engage in a breakout room activity on what to do to "overcome and uplift" and then offer a debrief. The session will discuss creating a resilient workplace and how to put it all together for individuals, organizations and others. It will conclude with some words from the wise and a gratitude statement.