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 an intermediate workshop for therapists who seek to implement the concepts covered in, 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:
- Using 2 specific case examples, describe how an ACT-informed case conceptualization can guide designing exposure exercises to target ACT psychological flexibility processes.
- Using examples of client feedback, identify core ACT psychological flexibility processes that were strengthened during exposure.
Suggested readings
Bluett, E. J., Homan, K. J., Morrison, K. L., Levin, M. E., & Twohig, M. P. (2014). Acceptance and commitment therapy for anxiety and OCD spectrum disorders: An empirical review. Journal of anxiety disorders, 28(6), 612-624.
Chapters 4-6 from 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
Video of previous introductory event described at https://philabta.org/event-5306935 will be shared with registrants who missed it as optional viewing.
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 INTERMEDIATE.
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 one and a half (1.5) 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 (e.g., masters level licensee in another state) and are licensed in state other than PA or practice outside of the USA please confirm with your respective board if this meets criteria for CE for your specific non-PA state or region.
- APA guidelines do not permit PBTA to issue partial CE credits.
- No refunds are provided for CE programs. No exceptions allowed. Registrants can cancel 7 days before the event by logging into account used to register.
- 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
