Online Webinar:

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a process-based treatment focused on strengthening psychological flexibility, a transdiagnostic process of change that refers to the ability to remain present while taking action towards meaningful life directions (Ong, Levin, Twohig, 2020). There is growing research support in the use of ACT with or without exposure in treating anxiety and obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (Bluett et al. 2014). ACT has been called an exposure-based treatment (Luoma, Hayes, & Walser, 2017): it may help prepare clients for exposure, and exposure may strengthen psychological flexibility (Thompson, Luoma, & LeJeune, 2013).

Drawing from the ACT model, participants will learn to conceptualize and create exposure exercises to maximize flexibility. We will explore common pitfalls in using ACT as a context for exposure and how to create ACT-consistent exposure exercises for clients who are skeptical of "acceptance" and appear disinterested when you try to engage them about values. The presenter will use practice-based data to support these principles (Thompson, Twohig, & Luoma, in press).

AUDIENCE: The audience is aimed at both clinicians who are new to exposure work, as well as experienced clinicians interested in ACT approaches to exposure.

REGISTRATION

Registration is online.

Scholarships: We reserve a number of partial scholarships for potential attendees who could not otherwise afford to come. We give particular priority given to those who would add diverse and under represented voices to our field. To submit an application, please click here.

CE CREDITS

1.5 CE credits for therapists (with the purchase of Professionals with CE Certificate ticket, completion of the Learning Activity Evaluation, and attendance of the entire workshop).

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After attending this training, you will be able to:

1. Describe how exposure may be used to strengthen ACT process psychological flexibility.
2. Discuss how to ACT principles can be used to increase flexibility in designing exposure exercises.
3. Explore common pitfalls of and client resistance to ACT.

WORKSHOP LEADER

Brian Thompson, PhD: Dr. Brian Thompson is a licensed psychologist and director for the anxiety clinic at Portland Psychotherapy. Brian completed his doctorate at the University of Montana, his pre-doctoral internship at the Portland VA Medical Center, and a post-doctoral fellowship focused on acceptance and commitment therapy under the supervision of Jason Luoma, PhD, (e.g., Learning ACT) and Jenna Lejeune , PhD, (e.g., Values in Therapy). 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 has held leadership positions, most recently as Past-President for the Oregon Chapter of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, and he was a consultant and therapist for a telehealth program focused on health anxiety through Regence. Brian is a lapsed blogger.

Refund/cancellation policy:

We charge a $15 administration fee for cancellations made by participants more than two weeks before the training event. For cancellations within two weeks of the training event, we will refund 50% of the tuition. Alternately, participants may elect to apply 100% of their tuition to a future training event. No refunds will be given after training events.

Special Accommodations:

Please contact us if you need accommodations to enable you to fully participate in the workshop. We will work with you and do our best to find a way to ensure your participation.

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