Desirable Difficulties: Optimizing Exposure Therapy for Anxiety Through Inhibitory Learning, 6.0 CE
Presented by Jonathan Abramowitz, PhD
Friday, March 6th, 2026 from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST at the University of Louisville Shelby Campus 
440 N Hurstbourne Pkwy, Louisville, KY 40222 in Burhans Hall, Room 162/163

Click here to register!

Many clinicians treat anxiety, yet even with effective exposure-based cognitive-behavioral therapy, clients can struggle or relapse. This workshop teaches cutting-edge, inhibitory learning–based exposure therapy strategies that can strengthen long-term fear reduction by emphasizing desirable difficulties: intentional, manageable challenges built into learning that make the process a bit harder in the short term but lead to stronger, longer-lasting learning (e.g., changing contexts, combining fear cues) so the client learns that fear can be managed across situations. Through practical case examples, videos, and hands-on exercises, participants learn how to apply these techniques to diverse client presentations. Skill level: Intermediate 

Workshop Objectives

Based on the content of this workshop, attendees will be able to...

• Distinguish the inhibitory learning approach to exposure from the traditional emotional processing approach.
• Explain why it is important to foster distress tolerance during exposure, as opposed to relying solely on habituation (reduction) of distress.
• Describe methods of tracking changes in expectations during exposure therapy, rather than SUDS.
• Describe how to introduce variability into exposure sessions.
• Compare methods for eliminating versus judiciously using safety behaviors in exposure.
• Identify common pitfalls that clinicians may encounter during exposure therapy and how to address them using an inhibitory learning approach.

About the Presenter

Jonathan (Jon) Abramowitz, Ph.D., is Professor and Director of Clinical Training in the Department of
Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research and clinical
work focuses on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders, including fears and phobias,
health anxiety, and panic attacks. He has authored over 350 scientific publications and 20 books, which
have been translated into several languages. He served as President of the Association for Behavioral and
Cognitive Therapies and as Editor or Associate Editor of several academic journals. Dr. Abramowitz has
received wide recognition for his scholarly work and contributions.

Audience

This workshop is appropriate for Psychologists, Social Workers, Other Mental Health Professionals

Registration 

Click here to register!

Event Location

UofL Shelby Campus Burhans Hall, Room 162/163

Click here for driving directions

This program is approved for 6.0 CE hours by the Kentucky Psychological Association. 

Psychologists: 

KPA is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. KPA maintains responsibility for this program and its content. KPA is also an approved sponsor for the Kentucky Board of Examiners of Psychology. 

Social Workers & Art Therapists:

KPA is an approved sponsor for the Kentucky Board of Social Work, and the Kentucky Board of Professional Art Therapists. (Provider #1004)

Pastoral Counselors: 

KPA is approved to offer Continuing Education to Pastoral Counselors as stated in 201 KAR 38:070, Section 3(1)(b) as an approved KBEP provider.