WMHCA: Self-Compassion as Exposure

Presented By

3 CEs Recorded: Summer, 2024

Compassionate exposure therapy can provide much progress and hope for people struggling with anxiety disorders, phobias and OCD. Some therapists can be fearful or skeptical of practicing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy modalities like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Despite the high efficacy and positive treatment outcomes, sometimes this treatment is misunderstood or misapplied by clinicians. In this workshop, self-compassion is positioned as a main source for exposure and response prevention treatment for anxiety disorders, phobias and OCD. Studies on self- compassion have shown that a person's ability to be less critical and more self- compassionate directly correlates with therapy outcomes---across treatment frameworks. This course presents the practice of self-compassion as tool for distress tolerance and shame reduction. When an individual's self-beliefs impact their behaviors, working on self-compassion can be experienced with the same levels of distress as classical exposure therapy. This course integrates the principles of self-compassion with cognitive strategies presented in CBT. Learn more about using self-compassion exposure and response prevention in this training.

Objectives To gain more knowledge on self-compassion, CBT and ERP as it relates to anxiety disorders, phobias and OCD. To learn and be able to apply the (3) components of self-compassion and the CBT principles. To provide instruction on using a compassion-focused ERP model.

Outline ● Introductions (5 minutes) ● Experiential on self-compassion (5 minutes) ● Psychoeducation on Self-Compassion (20 minutes) ● Psychoeducation on Anxiety Disorders, Phobias & OCD (30 minutes) ● Psychoeducation on self-criticism in the anxiety and OC-cycle (10 minutes) ● Obstacles of self-compassion (20 minutes) ● Psychoeducation on CBT & ERP (40 minutes) ● Experiential (15 minutes) ● Self-Compassion as distress tolerance & response prevention (15 minutes) ● Values-based exposures (15 minutes) ● Questions (5 minutes)

EPDC CE Hours: 3

Presenter: Sarah Weber, MA, LMHC, ATR-P

Sarah Weber is a licensed mental health counselor and art therapist. She believes the therapeutic relationship to be a collaboration between the client and therapist. Sarah has worked in a variety of settings from community based to partial hospitalization and supports children, families and adults. Sarah is rooted in therapy frameworks including disability, feminist, humanistic, multicultural (cultural humility), and queer theories. She aims to be an ally through continuing education, living with specific values, educating others, and advocating for individuals in and outside the therapeutic space. Sarah practices a relational style of counseling, prioritizing non-judgment and mutual respect. Sarah integrates use of Art Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Exposure & Response Prevention, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Compassion Focused Therapy.