Course Description

This two-hour continuing education 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 (2023–2025), 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).This course is an NBCC and Florida Board approved course..

Please review the course materials prior to purchasing the course. Often, individuals will print a copy of the course worksheet to complete while they view the course material. Once you are ready to complete the course, please enroll in the course and complete the course requirements, including the course post-test and course survey. You will receive your certificate automatically for printing or downloading after achieving an 80% or higher on the post-test and completing the course survey. 

Alternative Therapies for Depression Course Text.pdf

Alternative Therapies for Depression and Anxiety Course Worksheet.pdf

Course Author:  Bryan Glazier, PhD, LMFT, LMHC,, FL Qualified MHC/MFT Supervisor 

Course Time/Location: 2 CE Hours, Location: www.directceu.com (web-based, asynchronous/home study) 

Course Text:  Alternative Therapist for Depression and Anxiety

Course Board Approval Statement(s): NBCC, Florida Board Approved

Directceu, llc has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7411. directceu, llc maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

directceu, llc (BAP # 50-17578) is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling. directceu, llc maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

 Financial Disclosure Statement

directceu, llc is committed to providing our professional colleagues with unbiased information. directceu does not accept commercial support and our course authors have no significant financial interests or other conflicts of interest pertaining to the material.

Learning Objectives:

Through the completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  1. Identify the role of complementary and alternative modalities within stepped-care models for depression and anxiety.
  2. Summarize empirical evidence supporting exercise, MBCT, yoga, tai chi, and qigong as adjunctive treatments.
  3. Describe mechanisms of action underlying light-based, neuromodulatory, and nutraceutical interventions.
  4. Evaluate clinical evidence and dosing parameters for omega-3 fatty acids, SAMe, saffron, and lavender oil.
  5. Discuss ethical principles, informed consent, and documentation standards for integrative behavioral health.
  6. Apply measurement-based care tools (e.g., PHQ-9, GAD-7, WHO-5) to track outcomes across interventions.
  7. Develop safety and risk-management plans for exercise, acupuncture, light therapy, and taVNS.
  8. Integrate evidence-informed adjunctive therapies into individualized treatment planning consistent with professional codes of ethics.

Course Syllabus:

Introduction to Integrative Behavioral Health

  • Definition of complementary and integrative care
  • Stepped-care framework and ethical positioning of alternative therapies

Exercise as Antidepressant and Anxiolytic Medicine

  • Evidence base, dosage, mechanisms, and clinical safety
  • Behavioral activation and telehealth exercise planning

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Mind-Body Programs

  • MBCT protocols, telehealth adaptations, relapse prevention
  • Yoga, tai chi, and qigong as mind-body interventions

Acupuncture and Light-Based Interventions

  • Mechanisms, parameters, and safety of BLT and PBM
  • Comparative effectiveness and implementation strategies

Nutraceuticals and Botanicals

  • Omega-3 fatty acids, SAMe, saffron, and lavender oil
  • Dosing, quality assurance, and client education

Neuromodulation and the Vagus Nerve

  • Physiology and clinical application of taVNS
  • Integration with psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy

Ethics, Informed Consent, and Measurement-Based Care

  • Professional codes (APA, ACA, AAMFT, NASW)
  • Documentation, safety screening, and outcome measurement