In vivo exposure for PTSD: A guide for occupational therapists (October 6, 2026)

Presented by: Dr. Iris Torchalla and Montana Bahen, Reg. OT (BC)

Trauma-focused psychotherapies are currently considered the most effective interventions for reducing post-traumatic stress, and are recommended as first-line treatment for PTSD ( American Psychological Association, 2025). Typical treatment components include trauma memory processing and in vivo exposure to trauma-related triggers ( Foa et al., 2019). Delivering in vivo exposure within occupational therapy presents distinct clinical challenges, including differentiating therapeutic exposure from unstructured distress, calibrating exposure demands to remain within an optimal window of tolerance, exploring measures of success within exposure, managing safety behaviours, and navigating systemic constraints such as workplace policies or community settings. A comprehensive understanding of these challenges is therefore essential for occupational therapists to use exposure-based principles intentionally, safely, and effectively in order to promote functional and mental health recovery in individuals with PTSD.

This intermediate-level webinar will explore key clinical challenges that arise when trauma-focused in vivo exposure principles are applied within occupational therapy practice. Areas of focus will include key processes of therapeutic change, creating a robust fear hierarchy, the role of safety behaviours and how to address them in therapy, strategies for successful implementation of exposure, and mitigating strategies for delivery challenges.

After taking part in this webinar, participants will:

1. Understand how exposure therapy produces therapeutic change.
2. Recognize components that contribute to best practice of in vivo exposure.
3. Be able to identify challenges with in vivo exposure delivery.
4. Be able to identify areas for improvement within their own in vivo exposure practice.

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

Area of practice Mental health, Psychotherapy

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