Graded exposure in practice: Navigating common stuck points

Online Workshop

March 4, 2027, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Presented by: Cassondra (Cassi) Starc, Reg. OT (BC)

Multiple forms of graded exposure are evidence-based interventions to support people living with chronic pain, anxiety, depression, trauma-related disorders, and obsessive–compulsive disorder (e.g., Ashar et al., 2022, 2025; Kaczkurkin & Foa, 2015; NICE, 2014; Schnurr et al., 2024). Occupational therapists are well suited to offer this first-line intervention approach, and are most often involved in the in vivo component of exposure therapy (Torchalla et al., 2019). For Canadian occupational therapists, skillful application of graded exposure offers a powerful means of promoting occupational participation.

This workshop equips you with the knowledge and skills to identify and address common challenges encountered when using graded in vivo exposure in occupational therapy practice. You will begin by establishing a shared understanding of foundational principles and briefly reviewing the evidence for exposure across diagnosis groups. Case examples spanning occupational challenges such as driving, socializing, running errands, and return-to-work planning will be explored. Through facilitated discussion, therapist self-assessment, and applied case analysis, you will identify common “stuck points” in their exposure therapy. Practical, evidence-informed solutions will be emphasized to support the adaptation, troubleshooting, and progression of graded exposure interventions in a manner that promotes occupational participation, safety, and meaningful outcomes. Integration of exposure with the wider scope of occupational therapy, such as return-to-work planning and funding justification will also be explored. You will leave with a variety of clinician and client resources.

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

• Identify common client and therapist-related challenges that interfere with the effective use of graded in vivo exposure in occupational therapy practice.
• Analyze factors such as safety behaviours, avoidance patterns, and therapist or client beliefs that contribute to stalled or ineffective graded exposure interventions.
• Apply practical strategies to adapt, troubleshoot, and progress graded exposure plans to promote occupational participation, safety, and functional outcomes.

Registration fees

Registration deadline: March 4, 2027 at 11:59 a.m. (Eastern Time) 
Please note that workshop registrations are for one individual person and may not be shared. CAOT does not offer group registration fees for workshops.

Target audience and language

Target audience
Occupational therapist clinicians wishing to build on previous skills and experience in graded in vivo exposure therapy and to address common stuck points.

Please note: The workshop is tailored to the occupational therapy community. Each participant is responsible to ensure they apply the information within the context of their licensure, provincial/territorial legislations, institution regulations, scope of practice, etc.

Areas of practice
Chronic conditions, Mental health, Psychotherapy, Return to work, Trauma

Client age groups
Adults (20-64 years old), Older adults (65+ years old)

Level
Intermediate (3-5 years of experience in this specific practice area) 

Please note: Participants with more or less than this stated level of experience are welcome to attend the workshop. The workshop content will be geared towards those with previous knowledge and experience in this area of practice.

Language
English

Preliminary workshop agenda

March 4, 2027, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Presenter(s)

Cassondra (Cassi) Starc, Reg. OT (BC)

Cassi Starc is an occupational therapist, a mindfulness facilitator, and owner of Flourish Healthcare Education & Mindfulness. Cassi has a passion for providing highly practical education and mentorship. She has mentored many occupational therapy students, new graduates, and experienced clinicians transitioning to new areas of practice such as mental health, brain injury, and chronic pain. You can expect to leave her workshops ready to implement changes in your practice the very next day. Cassi's workshops have a focus on real-world application and complex examples which more closely represents "real-life clients" who may have a variety of intersecting barriers & limitations impacting their occupational engagement and participation.

Workshops are recorded! Your registration includes:

• Individual participation in a live workshop and opportunity to ask questions
• Handout of PowerPoint presentation
• Opportunities to network with other occupational therapists with an interest in this topic
• Access to the workshop recording for 1 month following the live sessions
• Certificate of completion

Cancellation/refund policy

All cancellation/refund requests must be sent in writing to education@caot.ca. All cancellation requests received by February 17, 2027 will be given a full refund minus a $50.00 administrative fee. Substitutions and transfers requests received by February 17, 2027 are permitted and are subject to a $50.00 administrative fee.

No refunds will be given after February 17, 2027.

If you are exceptionally unable to complete the workshop, please reach out to education@caot.ca by 25 days following the end of the workshop for extended access to the recording (up to one month after the end of the workshop) or a one-time transfer to another offering of the same workshop if currently open for registration. 

CAOT reserves the right to modify the workshop title, description, registration dates and information on the workshop webpage. CAOT will notify participants on or before January 22, 2027 if there is insufficient registration by that date and reserves the right to cancel a workshop due to insufficient registration up until February 5, 2027. CAOT reserves the right to modify the offering, interrupt workshops, change the timing of a workshop, change the technology for the workshop, or postpone or cancel a workshop due to the presenter no longer being able to present the workshop, severe weather, power failure, building closures or other special circumstances that are beyond the control of CAOT by notifying participants as soon as possible. If the workshop is cancelled by CAOT, registrants will receive a full refund of the registration fee. CAOT will not be responsible for other costs or expenses incurred by registrants as a result of any such changes.

Accessibility

The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy (CAOT) is committed to accessibility as expressed in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We provide an electronic copy of the handouts approximately one week ahead of time in multiple slide layouts, auto-generated closed captioning through Zoom (excluding breakout rooms), as well as access to the recording for two weeks following the workshop for all registrations (with possibility to extend to a maximum of one month). If you require additional special arrangements for accessibility, please contact education@caot.ca or 1-800-434-2268.

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