Working with Anxiety:
From Symptom to Symbol

A two-day experiential workshop with Dragana Djukic
Organised by the Psychosynthesis Trust

6–7 February 2027 · 10 am–5 pm GMT each day
Online via Zoom · 12 CPD hours · From £195

For qualified counsellors and psychotherapists, and trainees who have completed their first two years of training.

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Overview

Anxiety is one of the most common and complex presentations in clinical practice. While often experienced as distressing and limiting, anxiety can also be understood as carrying important psychological meaning.

This two-day experiential workshop integrates Psychosynthesis theory and practice with insights from neuroscience, Polyvagal Theory, and mindfulness-based approaches to working with anxiety.

The workshop is structured as a progressive journey—from understanding and regulating anxiety to deeper self-awareness, exploring the meaning of anxiety, and supporting personal growth and self-realisation.

There will be an optional follow-up session (2 CPD) on Friday 26 February at 6.30 pm for participants to reflect on how they are applying the workshop material in their work. A booking link will be sent out after the first day.

Day One: Anxiety as a Symptom
Stabilisation and Regulation

The day focuses on understanding anxiety as a clinical presentation and on developing practical strategies to support stabilisation and regulation.

Learning Objectives

By the end of Day One, participants will be able to:

  • Differentiate fear from anxiety and recognise anxiety as a primary emotion.

  • Identify key forms of anxiety: natural, neurotic, existential, and transpersonal.

  • Recognise how anxiety manifests across the body, emotions, thoughts, and behaviour through the lens of Psychosynthesis psychological laws, and how it can be regulated through awareness and the practice of dis-identification.

  • Work with the physical symptoms of anxiety through stabilisation and regulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the vagus nerve, including breathing and somatic techniques.

  • Work with the emotional and cognitive aspects of anxiety through mindful awareness, recognition of thought patterns, and the cultivation of curiosity and kindness.

  • Support behavioural change by addressing avoidance, gently expanding the comfort zone, and fostering the development of strong, skilful, and good Will

Day Two: Anxiety as a Symbol
Meaning and Self-realisation

The second day explores anxiety as carrying meaning and holding potential for growth, building on stabilisation and regulation to deepen self-awareness and support personal growth and self-realisation.

Learning Objectives

By the end of Day Two, participants will be able to:

  • Understand anxiety as both a protective response and a potential catalyst for growth.

  • Recognise anxiety as carrying meaning rooted in developmental and relational experience.

  • Understand the role of the Survival Personality and subpersonalities, and their effect on anxiety.

  • Recognise anxiety as an expression of inner conflict at the threshold of personal growth.

  • Apply the Ideal Model technique to support the emergence of Authentic Personality qualities and to strengthen the connection with the transpersonal Self.

  • Integrate this perspective into clinical practice with sensitivity and containment.

Learning Outcomes

  • Learn to attune to somatic signals, felt-sense shifts, and the body’s imaginal intelligence in clinical decision-making.

  • Increase awareness of the relational, energetic and unconscious dynamics that shape the shared therapeutic space.

  • Gain confidence in engaging with symbols, synchronicities and spontaneous imagery as therapeutic guides.

  • Support clients through phases of unravelling, deep inner movement, and liminality.

  • Integrate insights into practice.

Learning Approach

This experiential workshop combines:

  • Presentations and conceptual input.

  • Guided experiential and somatic practices.

  • Reflective enquiry and small-group discussion.

  • Role-playing practicums and clinical integration.

Overall Aim

The aim of this workshop is to help participants build clarity, confidence and clinical depth in their work with anxiety—by integrating stabilisation and regulation with a deeper understanding of anxiety as a meaningful and potentially transformative human experience.

Practical Information

  • The Zoom link will be provided after registration.

  • Participants will receive supporting handouts before the workshop.

  • A certificate of attendance confirming 12 CPD hours will be issued for professional records.

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