Presented by Annell Ovalles (she, her), MPH
BU doctoral candidate in Clinical Psychology
Recorded May 2026
This presentation will focus on understanding and managing anxiety during times of uncertainty. We will begin by exploring the biopsychosocial mechanisms that contribute to ongoing stress and anxiety, offering a framework for understanding why these experiences are so common and persistent. Building on this foundation, participants will be introduced to practical, skills-based strategies drawn from ACT, CBT, and DBT. Emphasis will be placed on learning how to respond to anxiety, develop effective coping strategies, and engage more fully in the present moment. Attendees will leave with concrete tools they can apply in their daily lives.
Annell Ovalles is a third-year doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at Boston University studying mechanisms of tailored treatments for pain, depression, anxiety, and PTSD, with a focus on how psychosocial factors in ethnic and racial minorities influence pathology and therapeutic change. She is a clinical trainee at McLean Hospital, providing short-term, skills-focused therapy, conducting structured assessments for acute depression, anxiety, trauma-related, and personality disorders, and delivering evidence-based interventions (CBT, DBT, ACT) while co-facilitating interdisciplinary skills groups. She currently leads a research project adapting an app-based CBT intervention for the Hispanic/Latinx community to ensure cultural and linguistic appropriateness.