This one-hour lecture provides a comprehensive introduction to implementing exposure therapy form an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) standpoint for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The lecture begins by outlining the ACT model of OCD and reviewing research that supports a functional contextual approach to its treatment. Participants learn how to conduct ACT-informed assessment, tailor interventions to individual clients, and use differential diagnosis to guide treatment planning. The lecture then focuses on cultivating psychological flexibility through acceptance, cognitive defusion, values clarification, and present-moment awareness—skills that serve as the foundation for exposure work. Building on this base, the session teaches how to design and deliver ACT-based exposures for each disorder, highlighting how exposure in ACT differs from traditional fear-reduction approaches by emphasizing willingness, values-driven action, and openness to internal experiences. Attendees are introduced to strategies for implementing exposures in session and as homework.
Target Audience
This activity is intended for physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, counselors, and other mental health professionals.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this activity, attendees will be able to:
- Identify how functional contextual assessment and differential diagnosis inform individualized treatment planning.
- Demonstrate methods for cultivating psychological flexibility, including acceptance, cognitive defusion, values clarification, and present‑moment awareness, as foundational skills for ACT‑informed exposure therapy.
- Apply ACT‑consistent exposure interventions that emphasize willingness, values‑based action, and openness to internal experiences