Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the gold-standard behavioral treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). However, its core mechanism—deliberately triggering distress while blocking safety behaviors—presents unique ethical challenges for mental health clinicians.

Consultation is a cornerstone strategy for supporting the implementation of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in mental health settings, yet the ethical challenges unique to this role are not well addressed by existing guidelines. This presentation examines five key areas where ethical dilemmas commonly arise in CBT consultation — role clarity, power dynamics, professional and cultural differences, confidentiality and privacy, and mandated reporting — illustrating each with case examples drawn from real implementation experiences. Attendees will leave with practical tools to strengthen the ethical foundation of their consultation practice and support high-quality, equitable delivery of evidence-based care.

Consultation is a cornerstone strategy for supporting the implementation of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in mental health settings, yet the ethical challenges unique to this role are not well addressed by existing guidelines. This presentation examines five key areas where ethical dilemmas commonly arise in CBT consultation — role clarity, power dynamics, professional and cultural differences, confidentiality and privacy, and mandated reporting — illustrating each with case examples drawn from real implementation experiences. Attendees will leave with practical tools to strengthen the ethical foundation of their consultation practice and support high-quality, equitable delivery of evidence-based care.

CBT is underpinned by specific cultural values, and for it to be effective for clients from diverse backgrounds, it should be culturally adapted. Indeed, individual therapists have developed guidelines for adaptation of therapy. Dr. Farooq Naeem's research group has adapted CBT for clients from various backgrounds, including African-Caribbeans, South Asians, Middle Eastern and the Chinese, using a mixed-methods approach. Research findings reveal positive outcomes across 25 RCTs that test the Southampton adaptation framework for cultural adaptation of CBT. This presentation will include education on the historical perspectives on cultural differences that underpin the model and describe the model of adaptation. Implementation of this model into clinical practice will also be discussed. Special attention will be given to adaptations for Middle Eastern populations, including specific clinical recommendations and considerations when delivering CBT to these populations.

While the majority of female/assigned female at birth individuals do not experience significant menstrual cycle effects on their mood, approximately 5% experience intense and debilitating changes (i.e., premenstrual dysphoric disorder, PMDD) and at least 50% of those with mood disorders and other forms of psychopathology experience cycle-based worsening of their symptoms (i.e., premenstrual exacerbation, PME). Clinicians need to understand how to assess and treat menstrual cycle-related effects on mood and psychopathology. Dr. Peters will provide an overview of how changes in ovarian hormones can affect mood and behavior, information on assessment including the rationale for prospective daily symptoms tracking, and pragmatic strategies to adapt CBT and DBT skills to reduce the impairment and distress from PMDD/PME.

This training is designed for experienced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) clinicians who want to enhance their effectiveness in supervising clinicians developing competence in CBT. Participants will learn how to use the Cognitive Therapy Rating Scale–Revised (CTRS-R) to assess supervisee skills in alignment with the core components of competent CBT practice. The training will also focus on providing developmentally appropriate, structured feedback to support supervisees’ clinical growth and skill development.

Anxiety and opioid misuse commonly co-occur across the continuum of severity, ranging from opioid medication misuse through severe opioid use disorder. Management of these co-occurring conditions is challenged by interacting symptoms and the influence of substance-related risks and effects on treatment mechanisms (e.g., fear extinction learning). The overarching goal of this presentation is to provide guidance for providers in recognizing and treating this co-occurrence, including management of common treatment challenges and collaborating with interdisciplinary treatment teams. Attendees will learn about specific assessment and treatment strategies as well as practical tips for addressing potential conflicts between behavioral therapy approaches for anxiety and substance misuse.