About this workshop
Mastering Exposure with the Unified Protocol is a three-hour training for licensed mental health professionals who want to deepen their implementation skills around exposure-based intervention. Exposure is among the most evidence-supported components of transdiagnostic CBT and one of the most frequently underutilized. This workshop focuses on translating the theoretical rationale for emotional approach and avoidance reduction into confident, practical clinical technique.
Participants will examine how the Unified Protocol conceptualizes exposure as a core transdiagnostic mechanism that applies across anxiety, depression, and related emotional disorders. Rather than disorder-specific protocols, the UP frames exposure in terms of reducing unhelpful emotion-driven behaviors and building tolerance for uncomfortable emotional experiences. The training covers how to build, sequence, and debrief exposure exercises within this framework, with attention to matching tasks to individual avoidance patterns.
The workshop emphasizes practical application. Participants will work through case examples, examine common obstacles to doing exposure including therapist-side barriers, and practice identifying when exposure activities are well-matched to treatment targets. Topics include developing strong exposure rationales with clients, addressing safety behaviors during exercises, and supporting client motivation to engage with feared or avoided situations and emotions.
This training applies to individual and group implementations of the Unified Protocol across a range of clinical settings and emotional disorder presentations.
Learning objectives
By the end of the session, clinicians will be able to…
Meet your instructor
At the Unified Protocol Institute, all of our trainers are practicing Unified Protocol therapists. Our team is backed by deep academic ties and brings decades of experience to the UPI’s educational programs. We are bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and real-world impact, equipping therapists to enhance their skillset through the use of evidence-based, flexible intervention.
Joel Wyatt, PhD, received his PhD in Clinical Psychology from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. He is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in trauma-focused treatment, working with military service members, veterans, and their families. Dr. Wyatt is an expert trainer in the Unified Protocol and serves as the Director of Outreach. He routinely uses the Unified Protocol (UP) in his clinical practice, administering the UP in a massed-treatment format. Further, he routinely gives presentations and workshops on the UP. He trains mental health professionals from a variety of fields and developmental levels, from novice trainees to seasoned licensed professionals in the UP. Aside from work with the Unified Protocol Institute, Dr. Wyatt is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL. He serves as the Training Program Manager for the Road Home Program: The Center of Excellence for Veterans and their Families at Rush. His scholarly interests include military culture and evidenced-based psychotherapies delivered in accelerated or massed formats.
Workshop schedule (ET)
- 12:00–12:10: Welcome, Framing, and Learning Objectives
- 12:10–12:40: Core Modules and Mechanisms of the Unified Protocol
- 12:40–1:10: Exposure Theories: Emotional Processing Theory and Inhibitory Learning
- 1:10–1:25: Break
- 1:25–1:55: Generating Exposure Ideas
- 1:55–2:45: Planning, Executing, and Debriefing Exposures
- 2:45–3:00: Summary, Q&A, and Take-Home Tools
Fidelity and flexibility
Practical tools for implementing exposure within the Unified Protocol framework
Who is this for?
This intermediate-level workshop is for licensed mental health professionals with foundational familiarity with the Unified Protocol who want to strengthen their exposure implementation skills.
3 CEs available through APA¹
This workshop is eligible to receive 3 APA 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 3 APA 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 3 APA 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.
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
References
Craske, M. G., Treanor, M., Conway, C., Zbozinek, T., & Vervliet, B. (2014). Maximizing exposure therapy: An inhibitory learning approach. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 58, 10–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2014.04.006
Longley, S. L., & Gleiser, T. S. (2023). Efficacy of the Unified Protocol: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 30(2), 208–221. https://doi.org/10.1037/cps0000141
Barlow, D. H., Farchione, T. J., Bullis, J. R., Gallagher, M. W., Murray-Latin, H., Sauer-Zavala, S., Bentley, K. H., Thompson-Hollands, J., Conklin, L. R., Boswell, J. F., Ametaj, A., Carl, J. R., Boettcher, H. T., & Cassiello-Robbins, C. (2017). The Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders compared with diagnosis-specific protocols for anxiety disorders: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 74(9), 875–884. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.2164
There is no known commercial support for this program.