Incorporating Loved Ones in Exposure-Based Treatment

Date:  Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Time:  9:30am to 12:30pm EST

Cost:  $200.00 per person

Location:  Zoom 

Workshop Description:

Support systems can make or break exposure progress. This workshop equips clinicians to thoughtfully incorporate partners, parents, siblings, and other key loved ones into exposure therapy—without compromising fidelity. Through case examples, role plays, and ethical discussion, we’ll explore how involvement can enhance motivation, accountability, efficacy and long-term generalization of gains. Designed for clinicians using exposure-based models (e.g., EXRP, PE, exposure-based treatment for anxiety disorders), this training emphasizes practical tools for navigating relational dynamics, cultural sensitivity, flexibility and ethical considerations throughout to optimize the treatment.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

· Identify when and how involving loved ones can enhance exposure outcomes

· Distinguish between helpful support and enabling behaviors in exposure work

· Apply strategies to coach loved ones in providing effective exposure support

· Discuss how to maintain ethical boundaries and client autonomy throughout the process

About the Presenter

Sophie Buinewicz, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety (CTSA) in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She has experience implementing evidence-based practices with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families in a range of environments, including outpatient, hospital-based and primary care settings.  Dr. Buinewicz has a strong clinical and research background in anxiety disorders and exposure-based therapies.  Her research focuses on mechanisms of change in cognitive behavioral therapy, particularly in the exposure component of the therapy, and optimizing treatment for youth with anxiety disorders.  At the CTSA, Dr. Buinewicz specializes in the treatment of OCD, PTSD, anxiety disorders and OC-spectrum disorders.

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.

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).