The Big Book of Exposures: Innovative, Creative, and Effective CBT-Based Exposures for Treating Anxiety-Related Disorders

by Kristen S. Springer PhD, David F. Tolin PhD

Overview

As a clinician, do you suffer from “exposure phobia?” This breakthrough book offers 400 creative, innovative, and easy-to-implement exposure exercises to help you and your clients move past fears, energize treatment sessions, and improve client outcomes.

In cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposures are the gold standard for treating anxiety-related disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, and phobias. But if you’re like many therapists, you’ve likely encountered clients who are fearful or reluctant to exposure therapy. As a result, you may also shy away from doing exposures out of fear of worsening your client’s anxiety or rupturing the client/therapist rapport. So, how can you find a new approach for using this effective—yet intimidating—treatment?

The Big Book of Exposures offers unconventional new exposures to help you provide the most effective treatment possible. In addition, you’ll also find a comprehensive overview of exposure therapy; a rationale for its use in treating anxiety-related disorders; troubleshooting tips for dealing with common roadblocks, such as avoidance; and techniques for helping clients stay motivated during treatment.

With this essential resource, you’ll learn to create engaging and enjoyable exposure exercises to improve treatment outcomes and help your clients live better lives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781684033737
Publisher:	New Harbinger Publications
Publication date:	09/01/2020
Pages:	248
Sales rank:	645,315
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Kristen S. Springer, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist in Massachusetts with a private practice in the greater Boston, MA, area. She earned her doctoral degree from the University of Florida, and completed her postdoctoral clinical and research training at the Anxiety Disorders Center and the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the Hartford Hospital Institute of Living in Hartford, CT. She continued working at the Anxiety Disorders Center as a staff psychologist before opening her private practice where she specializes in the assessment and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders in adolescents and adults. Springer has authored several book chapters and scientific journal articles in the fields of anxiety, hoarding, OCD, and chronic pain. You can learn more about her at www.massanxietytreatment.com.


David F. Tolin, PhD, is founder and director of the Anxiety Disorders Center and the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the Hartford Hospital Institute of Living in Hartford, CT. He is adjunct professor of psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine, and maintains a private practice in the greater Hartford area. Tolin has authored more than 150 scientific journal articles, as well as the books, Face Your Fears and Doing CBT.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Part I An Overview of Exposure Therapy

Chapter 1 Anxiety, Avoidance, and Exposure 5

Chapter 2 Getting Clients on Board 15

Chapter 3 General Parameters of Exposure 27

Chapter 4 Helping Kids Climb the Exposure Ladder 53

Part II Getting Creative with Exposures for Anxiety and Related Disorders

Chapter 5 Specific Phobia 69

Chapter 6 Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia 105

Chapter 7 Social Anxiety Disorder 121

Chapter 8 Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder 139

Chapter 9 Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder 167

Chapter 10 Illness Anxiety Disorder 183

Chapter 11 Separation Anxiety Disorder 193

Acknowledgments 205

References 207

Index 221

Interviews

Springer resides in Foxborough, MA (Norfolk County); Tolin resides in Hartford, CT.

Editorial Reviews

Drawing from their extensive clinical experience and research expertise, Springer and Tolin have created an invaluable resource for both beginner and advanced clinicians who use, or who would like to use, exposure therapy in their practice. This practical guide is packed with evidence-informed, innovative recommendations for designing in vivo, interoceptive, and imaginal exposures for children and adults with a range of anxiety and related disorders. A ‘must-read’ for clinicians looking to expand their repertoire of clinical skills.”
—Susan M. Orsillo, PhD, professor of psychology at Suffolk University, and coauthor of The Mindful Way through Anxiety

Susan M. Orsillo

The Big Book of Exposures is a cornucopia of creative and effective exposure strategies for a range of anxiety disorders. The authors have cataloged hundreds of simple and effective exposures that they’ve tested in their own clinical practices. The exposures worked for them, and will work for you. If you’re in search of thoughtful guidance on designing and implementing exposures, add this book to your bookshelf. You won’t regret it.”
—Michael A. Tompkins, PhD, ABPP, codirector of the San Francisco Bay Area Center for Cognitive Therapy; assistant clinical professor at the University of California, Berkeley; and author of Anxiety and Avoidance

Michael A. Tompkins

Confronting feared situations is among the most powerful approaches to treating anxiety and related disorders. This well-written, accessible book is filled with practical tips for conducting exposure therapy for the most common anxiety-related problems. This book will even help therapists to overcome their own apprehension about using exposure therapy, by addressing frequently occurring misconceptions and myths concerning exposure.”
—Sir Read a Lot review

Sir Read a Lot

Exposure therapy—helping patients therapeutically face their fears—is the most effective intervention for treating clinical fear and anxiety, and Springer and Tolin have amassed a comprehensive, practical guide to using this technique. Complete with loads of creative exposure ideas and suggestions, this book is a must for any clinician working with anxious and fearful individuals.”
—Jonathan S. Abramowitz, PhD, professor of psychology at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and author of Getting Over OCD

Jonathan S. Abramowitz

Confronting feared situations is among the most powerful approaches to treating anxiety and related disorders. This well-written, accessible book is filled with practical tips for conducting exposure therapy for the most common anxiety-related problems. This book will even help therapists to overcome their own apprehension about using exposure therapy, by addressing frequently occurring misconceptions and myths concerning exposure. The Big Book of Exposures is essential reading for any therapist who treats anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), illness anxiety, and related problems—whether they are a student, novice clinician, or seasoned therapist.”
—Martin M. Antony, PhD, ABPP, professor of psychology at Ryerson University, and coauthor of The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook and The Anti-Anxiety Workbook

Martin M. Antony