An Introduction to the Unified Protocol
A Flexible, Practical Approach for Treating Emotional Disorders
Friday, May 8, 2026 | 9 am – 4:30 pm ET
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About this workshop
Discover why clinicians (even those who don’t usually love a structured treatment!) are integrating the Unified Protocol (UP), an evidence-based, transdiagnostic approach, into their practice and how it can strengthen your clinical toolkit.
The UP is a practical, flexible approach that helps people handle strong emotions in ways that fit with their life goals. Instead of focusing on just diagnoses, the UP helps clients change their relationship to their emotions as a whole.
The UP isn’t just another CBT protocol; it’s a unifying framework grounded in the science of why symptoms persist and how to create meaningful change across a wide range of diagnoses and concerns. Over 70 clinical trials have shown that the UP is effective for reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, decreasing functional impairment, and increasing the use of adaptive emotion regulation strategies.
This training will provide you with the knowledge and skills to start using or to enhance your use of the UP. You’ll learn about all eight UP modules and how they can help your clients develop new beliefs about their emotions, learn skills to manage emotions skillfully, and increase their willingness to experience and navigate their emotions. We will discuss practical ways to flex the UP to fit your client, your clinical style, and the realities of delivering treatment in real-world settings (e.g., navigating the “crisis of the week,” issues with homework compliance, how to know if your client is actually improving).
This workshop is designed to give you both the “why” and “the how,” so you understand the science and rationale behind the UP and also have the scripts, metaphors, and session outlines to feel more confident using it. It will be interactive with skill demonstrations, live polling, and plenty of opportunities for Q&A.
Learning objectives for each session
Meet your instructors
Jacqueline R. Bullis, Ph.D., received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Boston University under the mentorship of Dr. David Barlow. She is a licensed clinical psychologist at McLean Hospital with a faculty appointment at Harvard Medical School. Her interests include how to increase access to evidence-based mental health care. In this capacity, she trains practitioners worldwide and works with organizations to develop impact-focused, scalable mental health solutions. She served as the clinical lead and research advisor for Mass General Brigham's implementation of digital behavioral health interventions in primary care, outpatient psychiatry, and employee assistance programs for eight years and is the co-director of the digital CBT clinical at McLean Hospital. Dr. Bullis has authored numerous publications on evidence-based treatments for anxiety disorders and is co-author of the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders, an Oxford University Treatments That Work series.
Meet your instructor
Melanie Smith, PhD, LMHC, CEDS-C (she/her) is the Clinical Director of CBT of Central & South Florida and is the co-founder of CBT Training & Consultation. Additionally, she is a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and Approved Consultant (CEDS-C) and became a Certified Therapist & Trainer of the Unified Protocol in 2014. She is the co-author of the Unified Treatment Model for Eating Disorders & Comorbidity: An Adaptation of the Unified Protocol, and was responsible for the training and ongoing supervision of hundreds of clinicians implementing this approach in community-based intensive treatment programs. Dr. Smith serves on the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp) Curriculum Committee and is the Education Chair of iaedp's South Florida Chapter. Additionally, she is the Education and Professional Development Chair of the CBT Alliance of Florida. Dr. Smith has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals focused on the development, adaptation, and dissemination and implementation of evidence-based, transdiagnostic treatments and has presented and lectured at professional and academic conferences nationally and internationally.
Workshop schedule (ET)
- 9:00 am Introduction to the Unified Protocol
- 10:00 am Module 1: Motivational Enhancement
- 15 min break
- 10:45 am Module 2: Psychoeducation
- 11:30 am Module 3: Mindful Emotional Awareness
- 12 pm – 1 pm Lunch
- 1:00 pm Module 4: Cognitive Flexibility
- 1:45 pm Module 5: Emotional Behaviors
- 2:15 pm Module 6: Interoceptive Exposure
- 15 min break
- 2:45 pm Module 7: Emotion Exposures
- 3:30 pm Module 8: Relapse Prevention
- 4:15 pm Q&A
Fidelity and flexibility
Translating the Unified Protocol into a cohesive, skills-based group format
Who is this for?
Mental health professionals and students of varying degrees of experience and backgrounds who want to expand their skills with a flexible, transdiagnostic framework they can use across diagnoses and presentations.
6 CEs available through APA¹
This workshop is eligible to receive up to 6 CE credits for practicing clinicians. Credits are awarded only for verified attendance and successful completion of a quiz with a passing score of at least 75%.
30-day on-demand access
After the live event concludes, you retain access to the workshop recording and accompanying materials for 30 days.
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CE Info and other fine print
¹Offers 6 CE credits for US-licensed psychologists
The Unified Protocol Institute (UPI) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. UPI maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Offers 6 CE credits for US social workers
ASWB ACE credit is currently not offered for this course. However, many social work licensing boards accept CE hours issued by APA-approved sponsors; acceptance is determined by each state board and you can confirm with your state licensing board in advance of registration. If you are unsure how to do so or have any questions, please reach out to us and we can assist: hello@unifiedprotocol.com.
State Licensing Note:
UPI is an APA-approved CE sponsor; however, some states have additional requirements regarding APA sponsorship. The Unified Protocol Institute is not approved by the New York State Education Department as a CE provider. Please check with your state licensing board to confirm whether APA-sponsored CEs will meet your licensure requirements.
Please contact us at hello@unifiedprotocol.com
There is no known commercial support for this program.