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Exposure therapy is the gold standard intervention for anxiety and obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. Since the early success of exposure, many theories have been created to understand and explain its mechanism. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has emerged as a useful framework for understanding how to conceptualize and use exposure. Within the past 10 years, research has demonstrated the effectiveness of exposure therapy within an ACT context (Bluett et al., 2014). This is a beginner workshop for therapists who are interested in learning more about conceptualizing exposure through the ACT model. The presenters offer concrete and practical tips for orienting clients to and engaging in ACT-informed exposure, including discussing a rationale with clients, conducting exposures, and trouble-shooting problems during treatment. This workshop is based on a recent book by the presenters, ACT-Informed Exposure for Anxiety: Creating Effective, Innovative, and Values-Based Exposures Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
CONTINUING EDUCATION (CE) Learning Objectives
Following this virtual workshop, participants will be able to:
- Orient clients to ACT-informed exposure
- Design exposure exercises to maximize client success in practicing psychological flexibility
- Design exposure exercises that strengthen ACT processes.
Suggested readings
Bluett EJ, Homan KJ, Morrison KL, Levin ME, Twohig MP. Acceptance and commitment therapy for anxiety and OCD spectrum disorders: an empirical review. J Anxiety Disord. 2014 Aug;28(6):612-24. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2014.06.008. Epub 2014 Jun 23. PMID: 25041735.
Thompson, B. L., Pilecki, B. C., & Chan, J. C. (2023). ACT-Informed Exposure for Anxiety: Creating Effective, Innovative, and Values-Based Exposures Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. New Harbinger Publications.
About Presenters
Brian Pilecki, PhD: Dr. Brian Pilecki is a clinical psychologist at the Portland Psychotherapy Clinic that specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders (OCD, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder), trauma and PTSD, and matters related to the use of psychedelics. Brian completed his doctorate at Fordham University in Bronx, NY and completed his pre-doctoral internship at the Weill-Cornell Medical center at New York Presbyterian Hospital. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and practices from an orientation based in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Brian also has extensive experience in the areas of mindfulness and meditation and incorporates them into his therapy with clients. He is an active researcher and has published on topics such as anxiety disorders, mindfulness, and psychedelic-assisted therapy. At Portland Psychotherapy, Brian is also involved in research in his specialty areas, including a clinical trial investigating the use of MDMA-assisted therapy to treat social anxiety.
Brian Thompson, PhD: Dr. Brian Thompson is a licensed psychologist and director of the anxiety clinic at the Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, and Training Center in Portland, Oregon. Brian completed a post-doctoral fellowship focused on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) under the supervision of Jason Luoma, PhD, (e.g., Learning ACT) and Jenna Lejeune, PhD, (e.g., Values in Therapy). He has been studying ACT and ACT approaches to exposure for over 15 years. Passionate about evidence-based treatment, he specializes in working with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (OCRD). In addition to working full-time as a clinician, Brian has published in peer-reviewed journals on Third Wave approaches to anxiety and OCRD, organized and contributed to professional trainings (e.g., workshops, symposia, panel discussion) on related topics, and offers consultation to professionals on integrating ACT and newer models of exposure in clinical work. He is a Past-President for the Oregon Chapter of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science. Brian is an author of ACT-Informed Exposure for Anxiety: Creating Effective, Innovative, and Values-Based Exposures Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Target Audience
This presentation is intended for licensed mental health professionals and advanced graduate student trainees seeking licensure and with some clinical experience. The instructional level of this presentation is BEGINNER.
Continuing Education
- Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
- This program provides two (2) hours of CE credits for psychologists*.
- * Yes, PBTA does offer CE to psychologists licensed in the state of New York
- PBTA is also an authorized provider of CE credits for Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Clinical Social Workers licensed in the state of Pennsylvania.
- If you are not a psychologist and are licensed in state other than PA please confirm with your respective board if this meets criteria for CE for your specific non-PA state.
- APA guidelines do not permit PBTA to issue partial CE credits. No refunds are provided for CE programs. No exceptions allowed.
- ZOOM VIDEO LINK WILL BE SENT TO REGISTRANTS 2 DAYS BEFORE & MORNING OF EVENT
- Contact PBTAcontinuingeducation@philabta.org if you need any learning accommodations no later than one week before event.
- All events are Eastern Time Zone
