Psychologists Off the Clock

313. ACT-Informed Exposure for Anxiety with Brian Pilecki and Brian Thompson


Listen Later

In the treatment of anxiety, panic disorder, and OCD, exposure therapy has long been recognized as the gold standard. But what if there was an even more powerful approach to confronting your fears or trauma?

For this episode, we welcome two esteemed guests, Dr. Brian Thompson and Dr. Brian Pilecki to uncover the transformative impact of blending traditional exposure therapy with the principles of ACT.

Through practical examples from their groundbreaking book, ACT-Informed Exposure for Anxiety, we learn about the significance of acceptance, values, and how clinicians can incorporate ACT concepts into exposure sessions, emphasizing the power of creativity and psychological flexibility in the therapeutic process. This is a must-listen for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of cutting-edge anxiety interventions. Tune in for an experience that could radically change your relationship with anxiety forever!


Listen and Learn: 
  • What is traditional exposure therapy?
  • Why choose ACT-informed exposure therapy over traditional exposure therapy?
  • The impact of psychological flexibility 
  • How those who experience anxiety disorders may get caught up in rule-governed behavior 
  • How rule-governed behaviors are undermined by ACT-informed exposure
  • What exactly is creative hopelessness, and how is it applied to ACT-informed exposure for anxiety?
  • Is there a structure to ACT-informed exposure?
  • Examples of how exposure therapy incorporates ACT principles
  • The common obstacles that can show up for a client or therapist when doing ACT-informed exposure 

  • Resources: 
    • Brian Pilecki, Ph.D.
    • Brian Thompson, Ph.D
    • The Cruelest Cure - New York Times article by Lauren Slater
    • Act-Informed Exposure for Anxiety: Creating Effective, Innovative, and Values-Based Exposures Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy by Brian L. Thompson, Brian C. Pilecki and Joanne C. Chan 
    • Altered States of Context Podcast

    • Related Episodes: 
      • 77. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with Jill Stoddard
      • 287. Think, Act, Be with Seth Gillihan
      • 212. Stuff That’s Loud with Lisa Coyne & Ben Sedley
      • 188. Unwinding Anxiety with Judson Brewer
      • 181. Stop Avoiding Stuff with Matt Boone
      • 121. Be Mighty with Jill Stoddard
      • 309. Language of Emotions with Karla McClaren
      • Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

        See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

        ...more
        View all episodesView all episodes
        Download on the App Store

        Psychologists Off the ClockBy Debbie Sorensen, Jill Stoddard, Yael Schonbrun, Michael Herold & Emily Edlynn

        • 4.7
        • 4.7
        • 4.7
        • 4.7
        • 4.7

        4.7

        315 ratings


        More shows like Psychologists Off the Clock

        View all
        The One You Feed by Eric Zimmer

        The One You Feed

        2,547 Listeners

        Untangle by Untangle

        Untangle

        828 Listeners

        The Trauma Therapist by Guy Crawford Macpherson

        The Trauma Therapist

        537 Listeners

        Therapy Chat by Laura Reagan, LCSW-C

        Therapy Chat

        678 Listeners

        Good Life Project by Jonathan Fields / Acast

        Good Life Project

        3,324 Listeners

        Sounds True: Insights at the Edge by Tami Simon

        Sounds True: Insights at the Edge

        1,849 Listeners

        10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

        10% Happier with Dan Harris

        12,733 Listeners

        Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson by Rick Hanson, Ph.D., Forrest Hanson

        Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

        2,506 Listeners

        Therapist Uncensored Podcast by Sue Marriott LCSW, CGP & Ann Kelley PhD

        Therapist Uncensored Podcast

        1,394 Listeners

        The Michelle Chalfant Show — Life from the Adult Chair by Michelle Chalfant

        The Michelle Chalfant Show — Life from the Adult Chair

        1,540 Listeners

        The Couples Therapist Couch by Shane Birkel

        The Couples Therapist Couch

        285 Listeners

        The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy by Curt Widhalm, LMFT and Katie Vernoy, LMFT

        The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy

        242 Listeners

        Light Up The Couch by Clearly Clinical

        Light Up The Couch

        338 Listeners

        We Can Do Hard Things by Treat Media and Glennon Doyle

        We Can Do Hard Things

        41,514 Listeners

        Pulling The Thread with Elise Loehnen by Elise Loehnen

        Pulling The Thread with Elise Loehnen

        1,082 Listeners