Creating Systematic Desensitization Protocols for Clients with Phobia, Trauma, and Eating Disorders
Creating Systematic Desensitization Protocols for Clients with Phobia, Trauma, and Eating Disorders is organized by Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) / Association canadienne des ergotherapeutes (ACE) and will be held on Jun 13, 2024.
Description:
Exposure therapy can be an effective therapeutic tool for helping clients overcome fears and challenges (American Psychological Association, 2017). Systematic desensitization therapy is a systematic approach to exposure therapy that can help clients reach specific occupational goals. Effective approaches to systematic desensitization therapy involve a strong therapeutic alliance, a sense of trust, and the ability of the therapist to help inspire motivation and values-based action in their clients (e.g., Buchholz & Abramowitz, 2020). It also includes the ability to deliver basic psychoeducation around the avoidance-anxiety cycle, the ability to help clients use basic CBT strategies throughout their journey, knowledge of nervous system downregulation and relaxation strategies, and an ability to grade and fade challenges flexibly - all in the service of behavioural and task-specific goals. As such, occupational therapists are uniquely positioned to utilize systematic desensitization therapy to facilitate occupational participation.
This workshop will provide occupational therapists with the skills and knowledge to effectively use exposure therapy and systematic desensitization therapy with clients with phobia, trauma, and eating disorders. Psychoeducation around the avoidance-anxiety cycle and why exposure is important will be discussed. Motivational interviewing strategies for clients will be reviewed, along with connecting to client values and basic cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) approaches to managing destructive thinking that is creating a barrier to occupational participation. You will learn about basic nervous system downregulation strategies for managing anxiety grading challenges and fading support, as well as how to create a systematic desensitization protocol.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:
• Explain what exposure therapy and systematic desensitization therapy are, for which client base they can be used, and why they can be effective.
• Deliver basic psychoeducation around the avoidance-anxiety cycle.
• Use basic motivational interviewing strategies to help clients connect to their values and engage in therapy.
• Help clients with basic cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) strategies for managing destructive thinking that is creating a barrier to occupational participation.
• Help clients use basic nervous system downregulation and relaxation strategies for managing anxiety.
• Use elements of fading and grading in a systematic desensitization protocol.
• Create a systematic desensitization protocol for an avoidance-anxiety-based client issue, such as eating disorders, trauma, or phobia.
Additional details will be posted as soon as information is available.
