How to use exposure to best treat anxiety disorders and phobias

Prof. Stéphane Bouchard, Psychologue

Theoretical Foundations and Clinical Insights for Mastering Exposure

Adult Psychotherapy Cognitive / Behavioral Anxiety

Overview

Exposure therapy is one of the most common and effective psychotherapeutic techniques. Yet, as straightforward as the fundamental concept may seem, its clinical application requires considerable nuance and skill. Which type of exposure therapy is most appropriate for different clinical scenarios? How can we effectively explain cognitive models to our clients? What strategies can be employed to manage the risk of dissociation?

To help you master exposure therapy in psychotherapy, Professor Stéphane Bouchard has meticulously designed this course with a strong emphasis on theoretical and technical rigor. He delves into the current scientific understanding of brain function, exploring the neurological and cognitive mechanisms activated in response to perceived threats, alongside the processes of avoidance, learning, and reward. This valuable information is intricately linked to practical strategies, making it directly applicable to your clinical work with clients.

Professor Bouchard also describes the psychological models associated with each major anxiety disorder, providing detailed guidance on crafting exposure scenarios and employing specific clinical techniques. Throughout this course, he offers practical suggestions tailored to the nuances of treating phobias, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, OCD, GAD, and PTSD.

By the end of this training, you will possess a deep understanding of how to implement exposure therapy effectively, enhancing your therapeutic approach and optimizing outcomes for your clients.

Download the program

  • 5h30 of continuing education
  • 28 lessons that last from 5 to 15 minutes each
  • 1 certificate of achievement
  • 1 power-point
  • 1 bibliography
  • 1 course evaluation
  • 7-day money back guarantee
  • Unlimited access
  • 97% of participants who completed the satisfaction survey declare they would recommend this course to a colleague

Accreditation

Ordre des Psychologues du Québec
Canadian Psychological Association
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
Collège des médecins du Québec

For physicians who practice psychotherapy, training recognized by the Ordre des psychologues du Québec is automatically considered as activities adopted by the Collège des médecins, in accordance with Article 3 of the Regulation.

For physicians who do not practice psychotherapy, the College evaluates each recognition request based on the following criteria:

  • the relevance of the activity to the practice of the profession
  • the skills and experience of the trainer
  • the quality of the content and its adequacy with the physician's practice
  • the pedagogical framework of the activity
  • the quality of the documentation provided
  • compliance with the training objectives set out in the regulation
  • the presence of a certificate of participation or an evaluation

About the expert

Picture of Stéphane Bouchard

Prof. Stéphane Bouchard is Canada Research Chair in Clinical Cyberpsychology and full professor of clinical psychology at the University of Quebec in Outaouais. As a registered psychologist and scientist-practitioner, he has dedicated over two decades to developing clinically useful interventions and conducting rigorous research on telepsychotherapy and virtual reality treatments for anxiety disorders, PTSD, pathological gambling, and other mental health conditions.

Prof. Bouchard pioneered research on telepresence in videoconferencing psychotherapy, demonstrating that the subjective experience of "being together" remotely predicts therapeutic alliance strength more powerfully than technical quality. His randomized controlled trials have established non-inferiority of telepsychotherapy across panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, and major depression, with very large effect sizes maintained at 12-month follow-up.

His research program encompasses treatment efficacy studies, experimental investigations of therapeutic mechanisms, technology security protocols, and ethical frameworks for remote intervention. Prof. Bouchard has published extensively on alliance-building in virtual contexts, environmental management strategies, and patient selection criteria for videoconferencing modalities.

He has received numerous distinctions including the prestigious Adrien Pinard Prize for significant contributions to psychology. Prof. Bouchard's work bridges rigorous empirical research with practical clinical application, providing mental health professionals with evidence-based protocols for delivering psychotherapy remotely while maintaining the therapeutic rigor expected in face-to-face practice.

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Learning objectives

  1. Understand the research on the treatment of anxiety disorders and phobias
  2. Identify the key ingredients involved in exposure
  3. Integrate exposure into cognitive behavioral psychotherapy for phobias, panic disorder, social anxiety, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-compulsive disorder and Post-traumatic stress disorder

Learning material

This workshop includes theory as well as clinical examples. It includes videos ranging from 5-15 minutes in length. The PowerPoint of the workshop can be downloaded.

Syllabus

  • PowerPoint
  • 1. Presentation

  • Key factors in anxiety disorders

  • 2. The bio-psycho-social model (basics of anxiety), and the anxiety equation
  • 3. The trap of avoidance and the basics of the amygdala
  • 4. Memory reconsolidation, the implications of psychotherapy in anxiety and the simplified transdiagnostic model

  • Information on effectiveness

  • 5. The goals and debates of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)

  • Exposure as an element of CBT

  • 6. Ten commandments of CBT and the myths surrounding CBT
  • 7. CBT strategies for anxiety disorders

  • Application and mechanism

  • 8. The aim of exposure for anxiety disorders and the various forms
  • 9. The intensity of exposure and it's nuances
  • 10. Example of a study on exposure and anxiety

  • Phobias: model, protocol and application

  • 11. Specific phobia model and examples

  • PDA: model protocol and application

  • 12. The panic disorder model
  • 13. Examples of stimulis for exposure to panic disorders

  • SAD: model, protocol and application

  • 14. Social phobia model and protocol
  • 15. Example of social phobias and exposure

  • GAD: model, protocol and application

  • 16. General anxiety disorder model and protocol
  • 17. Avoidance behaviours of general anxiety disorder
  • 18. Concrete example of cognitive exposure with GAD
  • 19. Exercise for exposure of a patient with GAD

  • OCD: model, protocol and application

  • 20. Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD) model explained
  • 21. OCD protocol and exposure exercices for satination OCD and violence and verification OCD
  • 22. Exposure for hoarders, and cognitive exposure for OCD

  • PTSD: model protocol and application

  • 23. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) model and protocol
  • 24. Warnings about exposure and PTSD, and cognitive exposure for PTSD
  • 25. Examples of exposure with PTSD, In vivo exposure and reducing the risk of dissociation

  • Broadening the scope: VR, therapist’s adherence

  • 26. CBT in virtuo (virtual reality)
  • 27. The myths surrounding exposure

  • Conclusion

  • 28. Takeaways and conclusion
  • Bibliography


Audience

This training is intended for mental health professionals.

Your comments

"A great course. Thank You!!"
A psychologist (Canada)

Registration

Download the program

  • 5h30 of continuing education
  • 28 lessons that last from 5 to 15 minutes each
  • 1 certificate of achievement
  • 1 power-point
  • 1 bibliography
  • 1 course evaluation
  • 7-day money back guarantee
  • Unlimited access

Ask a question

Do you have a question? Then email us at contact@asadis.net

Frequently asked questions

  • Is there an evaluation at the end of the course?

    To validate the achievement of the learning objectives, a final evaluation in the form of true/false questions is required. It must be completed in order to obtain the certificate of completion.

    In addition, an optional self-assessment is offered at the beginning and end of the course, allowing you to measure your progress on the targeted skills.

    These evaluations are not graded and are intended primarily to support your professional reflection.

  • How long do I have access to the course?

    After your registration, the course is accessible anytime and from anywhere with unlimited access.

  • When does the course start?

    That is entirely up to you! When you buy a course, you'll receive an access link that you can activate when you want.

  • Is there a student rate?

    Yes there is! Learn more and request your student discount.

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The courses offered by ASADIS are accredited by different professional organisations. In addition, ASADIS is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. ASADIS maintains responsibility for the program.

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