Among Therapists: Practical Tips

In this episode, Dr. Barbara Rothbaum explains how to process emotional hot spots in prolonged exposure therapy for trauma. Emotional hot spots processing can be compared with a relief massage, where a knot is targeted and processed in order to be relieved of tension.   Faculty: Barbara Rothbaum, Ph. D. Host: Jessica Díaz, M.D. Script Editor: David Barragán, M.A.   See more about "Learning Prolong...

Join us in this episode as Dr. Miranda Morris, Ph. D., explores the power of language in ACT treatment interventions for depression. Discover how therapists can use language to foster present moment awareness, promote acceptance, and help clients align with their values.   Faculty: Miranda Morris, Ph. D. Host: Jessica Díaz, M.D. Script Editor: David Barragán, M.A.   Learn more about ACT for Depres...

In this episode, Dr. Stephanie Vaughn explores the first stage of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) treatment. In stage one of DBT, three main types of behavior are targeted: life-threatening, therapy-interfering, and quality-of-life-interfering behaviors. Dr. Vaughn also explains several DBT goals that are put into practice during stage one. These include keeping the client in their environment,...

In this episode of our series "Interviews With DBT Experts: From Trauma to Eating Disorders" , Dr. Kirby Reutter joins Dr. Mark Carlson and Dr. Dennis Hannon to explore how to apply emotion regulation and mindfulness in the treatment of chronic pain. They describe practical skills like "just noticeable change" and SMART goals as ways to build momentum with small, manageable steps, and shift the fo...

Discover the transformative power of values in therapy! Join Dr. Brian Pilecki as he explores the significance of values within acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Learn practical strategies to help clients clarify their values and live more purposeful lives aligned with their authentic selves.   Faculty: Brian Pilecki, Ph. D. Host: Jessica Díaz, M.D. Script Editor: David Barragán, M.A.   Lea...

In this episode, Dr. Kirby Reutter explores the powerful metaphor of the garden of emotions. Learn how this metaphor guides clients to nurture their emotions rather than trying to control them. Join us as we uncover the transformative potential of nurturing emotions on the path to healing. Tune in and embark on a journey of growth and resilience.   Faculty: Kirby Reutter, Ph. D. Host: Jessica Díaz...

In this episode of our series "The ACT for OCD Toolbox: A Guide for Therapists," we discuss how to set behavioral commitments as opportunities to practice acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) processes between sessions. It's important to align the action plan with the client's values, to support their motivation over the course of treatment.   Faculty: Kate Morrison, Ph. D. Host: Jessica Díaz,...

In this episode our ACT expert, Dr. Sonja Batten, explains the role of mindfulness from an ACT perspective. Mindfulness is a core ACT component, and is understood as purposeful, nonjudgmental observation of whatever is occurring in the present. This episode also explores how mindfulness can be distinguished from similar practices such as meditation, and why it is located on the opposite pole from...

In this episode, Dr. Sonja Batten shares grounding skills for trauma therapy. You'll learn practical techniques for remaining present and navigating triggers, as we explore the effectiveness of grounding in promoting resilience and healing.   Faculty: Sonja Batten, Ph. D. Host: Jessica Díaz, M.D. Script Editor: David Barragán, M.A.   Learn more about " ACT for PTSD:The Case of Deborah, an Army Vet...

In this episode, our DBT expert Dr. Kirby Reutter examines the foundational concepts and ideas of DBT as applied to trauma and its related conditions. In doing so, he outlines the core of the DBT perspective, and how concepts such as dialectics and skills are put to work with this population. This application of dialectical behavior therapy to trauma is known as trauma-focused DBT or TF-DBT.   Fac...

In this episode, Dr. Diana Hill dives into the world of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Discover how being present can transform the way we approach anxiety and binge eating.   Faculty: Diana Hill, Ph. D. Host: Jessica Díaz, M.D. Script Editor: David Barragán, M.A.   Learn more about ACT for " Binge Eating and Anxiety: A Clinical Case " and earn 1.25 CE credits. Prefer to read? Here's a t...

Discover effective strategies for safety planning and stress management! Basing his viewpoint on a case study, Dr. Dennis Hannon explores the importance of safety plans, the thermometer metaphor for distress levels, and a skills toolkit to address depression from a DBT perspective. Join us as we delve into valuable techniques to enhance therapeutic outcomes.   Faculty: Dennis Hannon, Ph. D. Host:...

In this episode Dr. Michelle Woidneck explores two exercises, the million dollars and the loaded die, for explaining the concept of acceptance experientially in session for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. Faculty: Michelle Woidneck, Ph. D. Host: Jessica Díaz, M.D. Script Editor: Jazmin Soto, L.Psy. Learn more about ACT for "Binge Eating and Anxiety: A Clinical Case" and earn 1.25 CE...

Dr. Jessica Borushok presents a clinical case of panic disorder with agoraphobia, treated with acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Here, our faculty member shares practical strategies to address values and defusion processes.   Faculty: Jessica Borushok, Ph. D. Host: Jessica Díaz, M.D. Script Editor: David Barragán, M.A.   Learn more about Values and Defusion Exercises in ACT for Panic Disord...

Dr. Kirby Reutter shares practical strategies for addressing a case of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using a dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) approach. Learn how to use the safe place, the container, and the mindfulness reflections exercises to promote psychological stabilization in your clinical work.   Faculty: Kirby Reutter, Ph. D. Host: Jessica Díaz, M.D. Script Editor: David Barragán...

In this episode, Dr. Barbara Rothbaum shares a step-by-step guide to implementing imaginal exposure for clients with trauma. Imaginal exposure is a process of revisiting traumatic memories in order to effectively reprocess, and ultimately reduce the strength of, the emotions associated with those memories.   Faculty: Barbara Rothbaum, Ph. D. Host: Jessica Díaz, M.D. Script Editor: David Barragán,...

In this episode, DBT expert Dr. Stephanie Vaughn describes the main functions of telephone coaching, or intersession contact. These include skills generalization, validating the need for additional contact, relationship repair, helping clients to process a previous individual or group session, crisis coaching, and intervening in suicidal or other risky behavior.   Faculty: Stephanie Vaughn, Psy. D...

In this episode of our series "Interviews With DBT Experts: From Trauma to Eating Disorders", Dr. Kirby Reutter joins Dr. Mark Carlson and Dr. Dennis Hannon to discuss how to introduce distress tolerance skills to clients with chronic pain. They focus on how clients can proactively develop these skills while distinguishing them from avoidance or distraction.   Faculty: Kirby Reutter, Ph. D. Host:...

In this episode of our series "The ACT for OCD Toolbox: A Guide for Therapists," we discuss introducing the concept of acceptance, also known as willingness, as a transition from control to the problem. Dr. Kate Morrison uses such metaphors as clean vs dirty pain, and one dial-one switch, to explain how willingness works in the treatment of OCD.   Faculty: Kate Morrison, Ph. D. Host: Jessica Díaz,...

In this episode our ACT expert, Dr. Sonja Batten, explains the role of mindfulness from the ACT perspective. Mindfulness is a core ACT component, and is understood as purposeful nonjudgmental observation of whatever is occurring in the present. This episode also explores how mindfulness is distinguished from similar practices such as meditation, and why it is located on the other pole from being o...

This episode examines the most common concerns about intersession contact from a DBT perspective. Dr. Stephanie Vaughn explains how to address them and provides practical advice on how to avoid them from a therapist perspective. Establishing limits, maintaining an open discussion on the topic, and providing a clear rationale are critical aspects to keep in mind before providing intersession contac...

In this episode, Dr. Barbara Rothbaum talks about imaginal exposure, a common treatment for PTSD. Imaginal exposure is a process through which the client revisits the traumatic memory and recounts it multiple times, in order to make sense of and emotionally process the experience. Faculty: Barbara Rothbaum, Ph. D. Host: Jessica Díaz, M.D. Script Editor: David Barragán, M.A. See more about "Learnin...

In this episode of our series "Interviews With DBT Experts: From Trauma to Eating Disorders", Dr. Kirby Reutter joins Margaret Mullen to discuss the application of DBT for psychosis. They look at how mindfulness can be adapted to this population to promote acceptance and reduce distress. Faculty: Kirby Reutter, Ph. D. Host: Jessica Díaz, M.D. Script Editor: Jazmin Soto, L.Psy. Learn more about "DB...

In this episode of our series "The ACT for OCD Toolbox: A Guide for Therapists," we talk about how to do behavioral tracking. Dr. Kate Morrison walks us through the self-monitoring form, which helps clients to gain insight into their obsessions, compulsions, and rituals, and respond to them more adaptively and flexibly. Faculty: Kate Morrison, Ph. D. Host: Jessica Díaz, M.D. Script Editor: Jazmin...

This episode examines the ACT perspective on acceptance and willingness for treating trauma clients. They are seen as a functional alternative to control and avoidance, which are at the center of maintaining PTSD symptoms over time. Encouraging clients to engage in these new patterns requires therapists to help them understand the rationale behind acceptance and how it can improve quality of life....