Depression vs. Anxiety: Are You Making the Right Diagnosis?
This intermediate-level training will include discussion, experiential activities, and real-world clinical applications. Participants leave with greater confidence and a structured approach to making accurate differential diagnoses.
Course Overview
Differential Diagnosis: Depression vs. Anxiety equips counselors and social workers with practical strategies to distinguish between two of the most common—and frequently overlapping—mental health conditions. Using the metaphor of "The Heart That Sinks / The Heart That Races," this interactive workshop explores the emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and physiological features that differentiate depression and anxiety while recognizing where symptoms overlap.
Participants learn how untreated anxiety can resemble depression, how untreated depression can present as anxiety, and how to improve diagnostic accuracy using research-supported assessment tools, including the PHQ-9, GAD-7, and a practical "Big 10" clinical decision tree. Through discussion, experiential activities, and real-world clinical applications, participants leave with greater confidence and a structured approach to making accurate differential diagnoses.
What people are saying about this trainer:
“That was maybe the best virtual training I've experienced. Not too long, but long enough to present solid material; not too many interactive things, but enough to keep me engaged. Jim was clearly very knowledgeable but also humble and receptive to our ideas as colleagues. I appreciated the dad jokes :)”
Audrey T.
“It was wonderful. I'm so glad I was able to attend. Thank you so much for the information. Loved the interactive training.”
Lorie K.
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
1. Differentiate core symptom patterns and features of depression vs. anxiety
2. Use a clinical decision tree to improve diagnostic accuracy
3. Apply differential diagnosis principles to improve clinical decision-making.
Jim Still-Pepper, MA, LSW
Jim Still-Pepper, MA, LSW, serves as Director of the Learning Lab at Quality Moments Behavioral Health in Toledo, Ohio. He recently retired from Allwell Behavioral Health Services Inc., where he served as Director of Community-Based Clinical Services following more than three decades of leadership and clinical practice in community mental health.
Throughout his career, Jim has focused on strengthening behavioral health practice and improving the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents through clinical training, professional development, and effective interventions.
Jim is the founder of Still Light Seminars LLC, a motivational training and consulting company, and has provided training nationally and internationally. He also serves as an adjunct instructor at Ashland University’s Founders School of Continuing Education, where he develops online courses focused on behavioral interventions and student mental health. Jim has authored or co-authored seven books and nearly 100 articles. His creative work—including poetry, artwork, and photography—has also been featured in galleries, magazines, and greeting cards.
