Utilisation and predictors of use of exposure therapy in the treatment of anxiety, OCD and PTSD in an Australian sample: a preliminary investigation

Karen Moses,Craig Gonsalvez,Tanya Meade

doi:10.1186/s40359-021-00613-7

Karen Moses, Craig Gonsalvez + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-021-00613-7

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Abstract

BackgroundCognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) is known to be an effective treatment for the anxiety and related disorders, with exposure therapy being a key component of this treatment package. However, research on the use of exposure therapy in clinical practice has presented mixed results, potentially due to differences in samples and training programs across countries. The present study aimed to extend upon existing research by examining the use and predictors of use of exposure therapy in a sample of psychologists working in clinical practice in Australia who treat clients with an anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).MethodsOne hundred registered psychologists (Mage = 40.60; SD = 10.78; range 23 to 71 years; 84% female) participated in an online study investigating their clinical practices.ResultsResults suggested that while the general use of exposure therapy is high, the use of disorder specific techniques was considerably lower, particularly for anxiety disorders and PTSD but not OCD. Psychology registration status and level of training were positively associated with use of exposure therapy as was the experience in treating anxiety disorders.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that further or ongoing professional training may be required to optimize the use of disorder specific techniques.

Highlights

Anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are among the most frequently experienced mental health problems [1, 2], tend to be long-lasting [3,4,5,6] and are associated with significant functional impairments across the lifespan [7,8,9,10,11]
Where exposure therapy has featured as a core component of a Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) intervention, significant research exists to support the efficacy [12, 22, 26, 27] and effectiveness [12, 28] of disorder specific exposure therapy techniques for the anxiety disorders, interoceptive exposure [12, 22, 26,27,28]; OCD, exposure response prevention (ERP) [12, 22, 29]; and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), imaginal exposure [12, 22, 30]
Use of exposure therapy for anxiety disorders, OCD and PTSD Participants were asked to provide data on techniques used for presentations reported as frequently treated over the preceding 12 months

Summary

Introduction

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are among the most frequently experienced mental health problems [1, 2], tend to be long-lasting [3,4,5,6] and are associated with significant functional impairments across the lifespan [7,8,9,10,11]. Within the CBT package, research demonstrates that exposure therapy is a core component of this intervention, accounting for a significant proportion of treatment effects [12, 26, 27, 32]. The present study aimed to extend upon existing research by examining the use and predictors of use of exposure therapy in a sample of psychologists working in clinical practice in Australia who treat clients with an anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

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