Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is often regarded as a highly-specialized form of treatment used for specific clinical presentations such as OCD and phobias.  Clients and clinicians alike are often intimidated by exposures, especially for those who usually gravitate towards mindfulness-based approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).  But there’s a way to blend these two modalities and tap into a less intimidating, wider application of exposures without formal training in ERP.  In this workshop, we’ll discuss how to guide clients through values-based, self-paced exposures to help them move through fear, realize their resilience, and access safety in unexpected places.  Participants will leave with a personalized “willingness hierarchy” that they can use as a model in their practice. 

Workshop Objectives

Participants will…

1. Understand the role of values from an ACT perspective
2. Identify several clinical benefits of using exposures in therapy
3. Distinguish a “willingness hierarchy” from a “fear hierarchy”
4. Create a custom willingness hierarchy they can use as a model in their practice

About the Speaker 

Grace Dickman, LCSW (she/her) is a white, cis, queer holistic trauma therapist with nearly 15 years of experience supporting individuals and communities in nonprofit social work and private practice.  She helps women, queer people, and creatives move through their trauma to bring themselves more fully into the world.  She specializes in OCD, anxiety, and LGBTQ+ identity issues.  She’s passionate about increasing public awareness of OCD, shouting from the rooftops about ACT, and using mindfulness-based practices to help everyone realize they can handle more than they think – especially when it’s in service of their values.