Exposure therapy for autistic individuals with OCD and anxiety disorders

Date:  Monday, February 5, 2024

Time:  2:00pm to 5:00pm EST

Cost:  $200.00 per person

Location:  Zoom 

Workshop Description: Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference characterized by social communication difficulties as well as repetitive behaviors and restricted interests. Autism is highly prevalent among individuals with OCD and anxiety disorders, with an autism diagnosis estimated to be four times more likely in individuals with OCD compared to those without. The co-occurrence of autism and OCD and anxiety disorders can present a number of clinical challenges in both assessment and treatment, as there are several overlapping and distinct features to consider. For example, clinicians may have trouble distinguishing sensory hypersensitivities in autism from just-not-right or disgust experiences in OCD, or an insistence on sameness in autism from repetitive compulsive rituals in OCD. When these features co-occur, it can also be difficult to understand how to modify exposure therapy treatment plans to optimize outcomes.

This workshop will provide an overview of modifying exposure therapy for autistic individuals. It will include a discussion of diagnostic distinctions, factors that often complicate treatment in autistic individuals with OCD and anxiety disorders (e.g., rigidity, alexithymia, poor insight), and treatment modifications to address these factors, including communication changes, rapport-building strategies, involving family members, and using focused interests to increase motivation for change. This talk will aim to use a neurodiversity perspective, viewing autism both as a disability and a naturally occurring difference to be embraced.

About the Presenter

Andrew G. Guzick, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Guzick completed his bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Vassar College and his doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Florida. He went on to complete his doctoral internship at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM)/Texas Children’s Hospital and his postdoctoral fellowship at BCM, where he was also on the faculty for two years. Dr. Guzick’s clinical specialization is in cognitive behavioral therapy for youth and adults with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders, including exposure and response prevention (EX/RP) for OCD. He also has specialized training in parent-focused and family-based therapies for youth more broadly. His research has focused on understanding and optimizing exposure therapy for children and adults with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, low-cost and innovative methods to increase access to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), adaptations to CBT for anxiety among autistic youth, and patient-focused research for youth with misophonia and other problems related to sensory overresponsivity.

Target Audience

This presentation is intended for mental health professionals, researchers, and graduate students. The instructional level of this presentation is intermediate.

Continuing Education

THE PHILADELPHIA BEHAVIOR THERAPY ASSOCIATION (PBTA) IS APPROVED BY THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION TO SPONSOR CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS.  PBTA MAINTAINS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROGRAM AND ITS CONTENT.  THIS PRESENTATION PROVIDES THREE (3) HOURS OF CE CREDITS FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS.

PBTA IS ALSO AN AUTHORIZED PROVIDER FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS FOR PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS, AND CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS LICENSED IN THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA - THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES THREE (3) HOURS OF CE CREDITS. 

In order to receive continuing education credits, participants must:

  • attend each hour of the workshop (no late arrivals or early departures)
  • complete a course evaluation

If both of these requirements are met, you will receive a continuing education certificate after the conclusion of the workshop.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

  1. Describe overlaps and distinctions in obsessive-compulsive disorder and autism spectrum disorder presentations
  2. Integrate features of autism into an EX/RP case conceptualization
  3. Create treatment plans and EX/RP augmentations when working with an individual on the autism spectrum

Webinar workshop requirements:

  • You must have utilities, internet service, phone service, and an appropriately private location at your home or office in order to ensure HIPAA compliance.
    • The private location should be free of noise and distractions. (If you are the parent of young children, appropriate child care arrangements must be in place.)
  • You must agree to attend each hour of the video conference and agree to use video of yourself during the video conference in order to track attendance.
  • You must agree not to copy or distribute workshop materials provided to you in the course of the workshop.
  • Since authentic patient audio/video is utilized during the training, you must agree to abide by all applicable rules of confidentiality and HIPAA compliance, including but not limited to no audio or video-recording of the workshop in any form.

You will be asked to affirm the previous conditions and your agreement to them prior to the commencement of the workshop.

Instructions for Registration

Registrations are due one week in advance and must be completed in full. 

To register, complete the online registration.

If you need to withdraw your application for any reason, please email Dr. Sandy Capaldi. Note that workshop fees are non-refundable after the application due date (one week before the start of the workshop). 


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