Amplification of Positivity to Enhance Social Connections in Anxiety and Depression

Open to people ages 18-55

1. Score on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 is 10 or higher and/or score on the Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS) is 8 or higher.
2. Social Connectedness Scale Revised (SCSR) < 90
3. Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) - Social Domain ≥ 5
4. Between the ages of 18-55, inclusive.
5. Have signed informed consent document(s) indicating that the participant understands the purpose of and procedures required for the study and is willing to participate in the study.
6. Have sufficient proficiency in English language to understand and complete interviews, questionnaires, and all other study procedures.

1. No telephone or easy access to telephone.
2. Any substance use disorder in the past 6 months except subjects with mild alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, and marijuana use disorders will be permitted in the study, and given referrals for substance use treatment which may occur concurrently.
3. Bipolar I or Psychotic disorders.
4. Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury with evidence of neurological deficits, neurological disorders, or severe or unstable medical conditions that might be compromised by participation in the study.
5. Current and regular use (more days than not during the past 30 days) of a medication that could affect brain functioning, such as anxiolytics, antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, beta-blockers, sleep medications, opioids/codeine, migraine medications.
6. MRI contraindications including: cardiac pacemaker, metal fragments in eyes/skin/body (shrapnel), aortic/aneurysm clips, prosthesis, by-pass surgery/coronary artery clips, hearing aid, heart valve replacement, shunt (ventricular or spinal), electrodes, metal plates/pins/screws/wires, or neuro/bio-stimulators (TENS unit), persons who have ever been a metal worker/welder, history of eye surgery/eyes washed out because of metal, vision problems uncorrectable with lenses, inability to lie still on one's back for 60 minutes; prior neurosurgery; tattoos with metal dyes, unwillingness to remove body piercings, and pregnancy.
7. Non-correctable vision or hearing problems, as some tests require intact sensory functioning.
8. Concurrent psychosocial treatment: Participants completing ongoing empirically supported treatments, e.g., Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) targeting the presenting problem will be required to meet 12-week stability criteria so that symptom changes as a result of other psychosocial treatments are not confounded with changes due to the research.
9. Inability to complete the initial assessment battery or treatment sessions.
10. Clinical conditions assessed by the interviewer that necessitate more imminent clinical care (e.g., active suicidal ideation): These criteria are in place so participants with these other, more several symptoms can be referred for appropriate mental health services.