From Mr. Olszewski: "I thought it would be helpful to develop a series of podcasts that focus on the specific symptoms of each type, along with the most common school-based techniques that I use directly with students to help reduce the severity of their anxiety. Although there are many different types of anxiety treatments, including therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and medication, I have provided multiple strategies and coping skills a student can use anywhere, but specifically when they are in school. My hope is that high school students will listen and become familiar with a few practical strategies, which they can practice and implement to help reduce their level of anxiety." 

School-Based Strategies for Generalized Anxiety

In this episode Sarah Reeder, College and Career Readiness Counselor, and I cover the most common symptoms of generalized anxiety along with the difference between stress and anxiety. We discuss specific strategies and techniques that are effective to reduce the level of general anxiety someone may experience. The strategies presented include breathing exercises and the physiological sigh, mindfulness, body scan and dealing with automatic negative thoughts. The skills and techniques are provided to students for use while in school, but the strategies can be applied in most other settings as well. Full Transcript

School-Based Strategies for Generalized Anxiety

In this episode Sarah Reeder, College and Career Readiness Counselor, and I cover the most common symptoms of generalized anxiety along with the difference between stress and anxiety. We discuss specific strategies and techniques that are effective to reduce the level of general anxiety someone may experience. The strategies presented include breathing exercises and the physiological sigh, mindfulness, body scan and dealing with automatic negative thoughts. The skills and techniques are provided to students for use while in school, but the strategies can be applied in most other settings as well. Full Transcript

School-Based Strategies for Panic Attacks

In this episode Sarah Reeder, College and Career Readiness Counselor, and I cover the most common symptoms of panic attacks along with the various phases and timelines of a panic cycle. We discuss specific strategies and techniques that are effective to reduce the overall level of panic. The strategies presented include focusing on underlying anxiety, remaining in the environment and accepting the panic attack, the physiological sigh breathing exercise, normalizing the panic symptoms and dealing with automatic negative thoughts. The skills and techniques are provided to students for use while in school, but the strategies can be applied in most other settings as well. Full Transcript

School-Based Strategies for Test Anxiety

In this episode Sarah Reeder, College and Career Readiness Counselor, and I cover the topic of test anxiety along with the common symptoms experienced by students. We discuss specific strategies and techniques that are effective to reduce the overall level of test anxiety. The strategies presented include preparation, addressing underlying anxiety, visualization techniques, the physiological sigh breathing exercise, and dealing with automatic negative thoughts. The skills and techniques are provided to students for use while in school, but the strategies can be applied in most other settings as well. Full Transcript

An NHSD school social worker, Mr. Doug Olszewski is a licensed social worker with over 20 years of experience providing counseling supports for students in grades K-12. Most of his career has focused on high school-aged students, where he has worked with many students who have anxiety-related issues that impact their academic potential, social opportunities, and their participation and performance in extracurriculars, including sports and music. The most common anxiety related issues students may experience fall into one or more of the following categories: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Attacks and Test Anxiety.