Online

Thursday, June 13, 2024
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

What time is this for me?

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 involves 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 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.

Preliminary workshop agenda

Learning objectives

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

1. Explain what exposure therapy and systematic desensitization therapy are, for which client base they can be used, and why they can be effective.
2. Deliver basic psychoeducation around the avoidance-anxiety cycle.
3. Use basic motivational interviewing strategies to help clients connect to their values and engage in therapy.
4. Help clients with basic cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) strategies for managing destructive thinking that is creating a barrier to occupational participation.
5. Help clients use basic nervous system downregulation and relaxation strategies for managing anxiety.
6. Use elements of fading and grading in a systematic desensitization protocol.
7. Create a systematic desensitization protocol for an avoidance-anxiety based client issue, such as eating disorders, trauma, or phobia.

Target audience

Occupational therapist clinicians, occupational therapist educators, occupational therapist assistants, students in occupational therapy programs, and students in OTA/PTA programs who wish to increase their knowledge and skills in using exposure therapy and systemic desensitization with clients who are experiencing avoidance-related anxiety, such as phobia, trauma or eating disorders, that is creating a barrier to occupational participation. Peer support workers and other mental health professionals are also welcome to attend.

Please note: Each participant is responsible to ensure they apply the information within the context of their licensure, provincial/territorial legislations, institution regulations, scope of practice, etc.

Client age group

Adolescents (13-19 years old), Adults (20-64 years old)

Areas of practice

Education & Fieldwork, Forensic Mental Health, Health Promotion & Wellness, Mental Health, Occupational Therapist Assistant, Psychotherapy, Return to Work

Workshop level

Intermediate (3-5 years of experience in this specific practice area) 

Please note: Participants with more or less than this stated level of experience are welcome to attend the workshop. The workshop content will be geared towards those with 3-5 years of experience.

Presenter

Michelle Scott, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Michelle Scott is an occupational therapist working in mental health in Toronto. She worked in non-profit and hospital settings before starting her private practice in Sept 2018. She has been working full-time as a sole proprietor in her mental health practice, Prevailing Minds, since May 2019. She works primarily with clients with eating disorders, but she also supports clients with depression, anxiety, phobias, trauma, and substance issues. She focuses on helping clients set specific, behavioural goals, and she incorporates community-based, task-specific interventions where possible. Outside of her practice, she is also involved in promoting evidence-based drug policy in Toronto. She is interested in psychedelic-assisted therapy, nature-based therapies, the role of activism in therapy, and existential approaches to therapy.

Registration fees

Early bird rates: Registration and payment completed by March 6, 2024

Regular rates: Registration and payment completed after March 6, 2024

Registration deadline: June 13, 2024 at 9:59 a.m. (Eastern Time)

Please note that CAOT does not offer group registration fees. 

*It may be more cost effective to become a CAOT Member or Associate rather than pay the non-member rate. See “Can a non-member register for a Workshop?” in our Professional Development FAQs to know which membership category you are eligible for.  

Included in your registration fee:

Online workshop, access to the recording for a period of 14 days following the workshop, electronic copy of presentation slide handouts, opportunity to network and make connections with other occupational therapists interested in this topic, electronic certificate of attendance.

Cancellation/refund policy

All cancellation/refund requests must be sent in writing to education@caot.ca. All cancellation requests received by May 29, 2024 will be given a full refund minus a $50.00 administrative fee. All cancellation/refund requests between May 30 and June 5, 2024 will be given a 50% refund. No refunds will be given after June 5, 2024. Substitutions and transfers requests received by June 5, 2024 are permitted and are subject to a $50.00 administrative fee.

If you are exceptionally unable to complete the workshop, please reach out to education@caot.ca by 25 days following the end of the workshop for extended access to the recording (up to one month after the end of the workshop) or a one-time transfer to another offering of the same workshop if currently open for registration. 

CAOT reserves the right to modify the workshop title, description, registration dates and information on the workshop webpage. CAOT will notify participants on or before May 3, 2024 if there is insufficient registration by that date and reserves the right to cancel a Workshop due to insufficient registration up until May 17, 2024. CAOT reserves the right to modify the offering, interrupt Workshops, change the timing of a Workshop, cancel a Workshop or change the technology for the Workshop due to the presenter no longer being able to present the Workshop, severe weather, power failure, building closures or other special circumstances that are beyond the control of CAOT by notifying participants as soon as possible. If the Workshop is cancelled by CAOT, registrants will receive a full refund of the registration fee. CAOT will not be responsible for other costs or expenses incurred by registrants as a result of any such changes.

  Professional Development FAQs