Using Interoceptive Exposure in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Strengthen Psychological Flexibility
November 2, 2026 | 12:00pm-2:00pm PST (GMT-8)
w/ Brian Thompson and Brian Pilecki, PhD
About The Workshop
In Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), exposure involves creating contexts in which clients struggle to help them expand behavioral repertoires and is an effective method for strengthening psychological flexibility (Thompson, Twohig, & Luoma, 2021; Thompson, Pilecki, & Chan, 2023). Interoceptive exposure is a subset of exposure therapy focused on bodily sensations. In interoceptive exposure, clients practice discreet exercises such as hyperventilation and spinning to expand behavioral repertoires while remaining in contact with uncomfortable sensations. ACT-informed interoceptive exposure can be useful in clients with whom bodily sensations trigger a behavior narrowing response, such as panic disorder, OCD, and illness anxiety disorder (Meuret et al., 2012; Twohig et al., 2018).
In this hands-on workshop, participants will engage in interoceptive exposure exercises to contact core ACT processes. Through case presentations and role-play, the presenters will demonstrate how to adjust interoceptive exposure exercises to balance evoking contextual cues that narrow psychological flexibility (e.g., bodily sensations, thoughts) with client willingness, and then to strengthen ACT processes by gradually increasing the difficulty while matching client willingness.
Meet Your Instructors
Brian Thompson, PhD
Dr. Brian Thompson is a licensed psychologist and director of the anxiety clinic at the Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, and Training Center in Portland, Oregon. Brian completed a post-doctoral fellowship focused on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) under the supervision of Jason Luoma, PhD, (e.g., Learning ACT) and Jenna Lejeune, PhD, (e.g., Values in Therapy). He has been studying ACT and ACT approaches to exposure for over 15 years. Passionate about evidence-based treatment, he specializes in working with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (OCRD). In addition to working full-time as a clinician, Brian has published in peer-reviewed journals on Third Wave approaches to anxiety and OCRD, organized and contributed to professional trainings (e.g., workshops, symposia, panel discussion) on related topics, and offers consultation to professionals on integrating ACT and newer models of exposure in clinical work. He is a Past-President for the Oregon Chapter of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science. Brian is an author of ACT-Informed Exposure for Anxiety: Creating Effective, Innovative, and Values-Based Exposures Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Brian Pilecki, Ph.D.
Dr. Brian Pilecki is the Clinical Services Manager and an Associate Scientist at the Portland Institute of Psychedelic Science, a subsidiary of Portland Psychotherapy Therapy Clinic, Research, and Training Center. He is an active researcher and a study therapist on several clinical trials including the investigation of the use of MDMA-assisted therapy for the treatment of social anxiety disorder Brian is also an instructor for Fluence, a leading psychedelic training organization where he provides training to psilocybin facilitators in Oregon or to study therapists in clinical trials across the country. He provides psilocybin facilitation to individuals and groups in the state of Oregon, and is co-founder of Perspective Retreats which offers group psilocybin retreats in the Netherlands. Brian is a co-founder of Portland Integration Network, a network of professionals offering specialized care related to psychedelics in Oregon. He is also the author of the book ACT-Informed Exposure for Anxiety and co-host of Altered States of Context, a podcast about psychotherapy and psychedelics.
AUDIENCE
This workshop is intended for mental health professionals (psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, licensed professional counselors, etc.) and students enrolled in a graduate-level health or mental health program at all levels of expertise and working with any population in any treatment setting.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After attending this training, participants will be able to:
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Utilize interoceptive exposure with clients
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Explain how to strengthen core ACT processes using interoceptive exposure
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Assess using ACT willingness ratings to guide treatment
REGISTRATION
Registration is online. Presentations will be recorded and sent to anyone who registers for the event.
SCHOLARSHIPS
We reserve a number of partial scholarships for potential attendees who could not otherwise afford to come. We give particular priority given to those who would add diverse and under represented voices to our field. To submit an application, please click here.
CE CREDITS
Portland Psychology Clinic, Research & Training Center is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Portland Psychotherapy, Clinic, Research & Training Center maintains responsibility for all programs and content.
This workshop grants 2 CE credits for therapists with the purchase of Professionals with CE Certificate ticket and live attendance of the entire workshop. Credit will not be given for only watching the recording.
REFUNDS/CANCELLATIONS: We charge a $15 administration fee for cancellations made by participants more than two weeks before the training event. For cancellations within two weeks of the training event, we will refund 50% of the tuition. Alternately, participants may elect to apply 100% of their tuition to a future training event. No refunds will be given after training events.
SPECIAL ACCOMODATIONS: Please contact us if you need accommodations to enable you to fully participate in the workshop. We will work with you and do our best to find a way to ensure your participation.
