Common to Complex: Focused Intermediate Topics in Therapy for Therapists - Applying Exposure Techniques (Project ECHO) Fall 2024

Thursday, October 24, 2024, 8:30 AM - Thursday, November 21, 2024, 9:45 AM, Online

Participants in this focused, intermediate topics course will learn how to apply exposure techniques to improve client outcomes. This course is designed for therapists with a strong foundation in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health concerns for children and adolescents, and exposure therapy is one of the most effective evidence-based approaches for the treatment of anxiety disorders. However, many therapists are hesitant or reluctant to use exposure in therapy.  This course de-mystifies how to deliver evidence-based exposure techniques effectively for children and adolescents who present with anxiety disorders and/or obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders. 

Planned Sessions Include:
     • Theoretical Foundations for Exposure Techniques
     • Exposure Response Prevention: Removing safety behaviors and accommodation
     • Interoceptive and thought exposures: Internal states as feared contexts
     • Maximizing context variability and consolidating new learning in exposure therapy 
     • Ethical Considerations

Target Audience
The target learner is a master-level professional who provides therapy for children and adolescents. 

How to Participate?
     • The next cohort is scheduled to begin October 24, 2024. Registration will open in September.
     • Participate via video-conference
     • Five-75 minute sessions, held on Wednesday mornings.
     • We will use a free web-based video platform (Zoom) to conduct sessions. 
     • Due to registration demand, practices may be limited to one participant per cohort.
     • Cohorts will be limited to approximately 25 participants.
     • Participants must be able to participate in at least 75% of sessions and submit at least 1 case
     • Session dates:10/24, 10/31, 11/7, 11/14, 11/21

Why should I participate?
Learners access pediatric specialists for professional collaboration through regular teleECHO sessions, which are like an interactive grand round presentation. During a session, the specialist will present a brief didactic.  Learners present cases to the "learning network," which includes the specialist team and other participants, to receive feedback.

Benefits for Participating Clinicians:
     • Participate from the convenience of your office or home
     • Face-to-face networking and collaboration with colleagues
     • Sessions led by sub-specialist
     • Receive expert opinions on cases

Featured Faculty:

Shivali Sarawgi, PhD
Dr. Sarawgi is a licensed psychologist and assistant professor in the Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology (BMCP) at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. She provides direct clinical care as a part of BMCP’s outpatient mental health services with a focus on exposure-based intervention as well as family and group-based services through Regulating Together and the Fragile X Clinic. Dr. Sarawgi has published peer-reviewed journal articles, chapters, and practice guidelines on OCD, anxiety, ASD, and exposure-based intervention.

What is “Common to Complex”?
“From Common to Complex: Utilizing Telehealth to Connect Primary Care Providers to Pediatric Specialists” is a project to look at using technology and case-based learning to improve knowledge, self-efficacy and have a positive impact on care. Cincinnati Children’s will use the Project ECHO methodology to offer telehealth based learning for primary care providers over a 6-12-month period.  Project ECHO, Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes, is a virtual learning network method that enables information sharing regarding best practices and access for specialty care in all areas, especially rural or underserved areas.

How Project ECHO Works
Project ECHO – Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes – uses technology, Project ECHO bridges the gap between healthcare specialists and community-based clinicians. The Project ECHO model is based on four principles:
     • Use technology to leverage scarce resources
     • Share “best practices” to reduce disparities
     • Apply case-based learning to master complexity
     • Evaluate and monitor outcomes

During Project ECHO sessions, healthcare clinicians present cases using a case-based format using video conferencing equipment. Project ECHO specialist and other participants discuss patient cases and recommendations are made regarding a treatment plan.  Specialists and community clinicians hear various case presentations, as well as follow-up and outcomes, and over time greatly increase their knowledge and experience in the evaluation and treatment of depression.  

What Clinicians and Partners say about Project ECHO:
     • “I feel more confident, and it makes providing care easier. This project allows for increased opportunities to learn, and patients to get better care.”

     • “Project Echo has been a valuable learning experience for me, and I have learned and incorporated new ideas into my practice as a direct result of my participation. I find that sharing in a group setting and seeing how others approach problems to be a good way of synthesizing how I would or might approach things in my daily practice.  I highly recommend participation in Project Echo learning opportunities as they come available."

1. Screen for pediatric health concerns
2. Utilize best evidence/treatment algorithms to identify treatment options
3. Describe the referral pathway of pediatric diagnoses if not treatable in the community setting
4. Discuss roles/responsibilities for the healthcare team when treating and referring
5. Communicate with the healthcare team

In support of improving patient care, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. Specific accreditation information will be provided for each activity.

Nurses: This activity is approved for a maximum 1.25 continuing nursing education (CNE) contact hours per session. *Some sessions - This CE activity is designed for the additional hours required for APRNs with prescriptive authority in Ohio.*

Clinical Counselors: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is an approved provider of professional counselor continuing education credits by the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board, Provider #RCX111201.  This program is approved for 1.25 clock hours (per session). Counselor program area: Methods of Intervention and Prevention

Social Workers: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is an approved provider of social work clock hours by the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board, Provider # RSX030902. This program is approved for 1.25 clock hours (per session). Social Work program area: Methods

Counseling (MIP) (1.25 hours), General Attendance (1.25 hours), IPCE (1.25 hours), Nursing CE (1.25 hours), Social Work (M) (1.25 hours)

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

No faculty are available for this activity at this time.