Recorded Mini Workshop #2: ACT Tips for Fostering Acceptance in Exposure Therapy (2023 CONVENTION RECORDING)

Brian Pilecki, Ph.D.

Clinical Psychologist
Portland Psychotherapy
Portland, Oregon

Brian Thompson, Ph.D.

Licensed psychologist
Portland Psychotherapy
Portland, Oregon

Recorded on Friday, November 17, 2023

1.5 CE Credits Awarded

$15 Student ABCT Members / $25 ABCT Members / $35 Non-Members

All prices listed in US currency

Abstract:

ACT-informed exposure, an acceptance-based cognitive behavioral treatment, has been shown to be comparatively as effective as traditional exposure in the treatment of anxiety disorders (Arch et al., 2012; Twohig et al., 2018). As the ability to be open and present with discomfort is as important in traditional exposure work as it is in ACT, CBT therapists can benefit from integrating an ACT understanding of acceptance into traditional exposure without necessarily needing to learn the full ACT model. This workshop offers practical tips on how the process of acceptance, or what is often called “willingness” in ACT, can be targeted to facilitate exposure and enhance learning.

This workshop will provide a theoretical overview of willingness in ACT and demonstrate common interventions to initially orient clients to willingness that potentially can strengthen this crucial process in ways that are helpful in conducting successful exposure therapy later on. The presenters will also emphasize how paying attention to willingness during exposure, such as by using quantitative ratings similar to SUDS, can help bring attention to when clients are struggling with avoidance behaviors during exposure practice and develop an internal sense of how willingness may fluctuate. This workshop will also address how acceptance can be applied to feelings of joy, social closeness, or accomplishment that occur in exposure therapy, as some clients may have a tendency to avoid positive emotions just as often as they avoid negative ones. ACT has an abundance of metaphors, experiential exercises, and activities to strengthen acceptance or willingness that may benefit all exposure therapists. Participants will also develop a greater understanding of how ACT’s perspective on willingness can be used in case conceptualization to troubleshoot when clients are struggling with exposure work.

Outline:

- Importance of acceptance in exposure therapy 

- Acceptance or willingness within the ACT psychological flexibility model 

- Case conceptualization 

- Clinical interventions for enhancing acceptance/willingness 

- Tracking willingness during exposure to assess client engagement

- Willingness/acceptance with positive emotions 

- Troubleshooting common client difficulties with acceptance/willingness 

- Summary and wrap-up

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this workshop, the learner will be able to:

1. Describe how acceptance is framed from an ACT perspective.

2. List acceptance-based interventions that complement traditional exposure therapy.

3. Respond to common client barriers using an acceptance lens.

4. Use willingness scores to track client engagement during exposure practice.

5. Long-term goal: Demonstrate strategies for orienting clients to practicing acceptance during exposure therapy.

6. Long-term goal: Expand repertoire of clinical interventions in helping clients effectively engage in exposure work.

Recommended Readings:

1. Thompson, B.L., Pilecki, B.C., & Chan, J.C. (2023). ACT-informed Exposure for Anxiety Disorders: Creating Effective, Innovative, & Values-based Exposures Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Context Press.

2. 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, 612-624.

3. Twohig, M.P., Abramowitz, J.S., Smith, B.M., Fabricant, L.E., Jacoby, R.J, Morrison, K.L., Lederman, T. (2018). Adding acceptance and commitment therapy to exposure and response prevention for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 108, 1-9.

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All attendees will receive a certificate of completion when the course requirements are satisfied. Certificate of completion is included in the cost of the webinar

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For more information, contact:

Rachel Lamb, ABCT Membership and Marketing Manager
212-647-1890 ext. 209
rlamb@abct.org

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