A Compassionate Approach to Exposure Therapy with Danielle Cohen

In this episode, Ben sits down with Danielle Cohen to explore Constructional Exposure Therapy (CET)—an emerging, compassionate approach grounded in the constructional framework of behaviour analysis. Rather than focusing on eliminating fear or escape behaviour, CET identifies the behaviour the person needs to access meaningful outcomes—and systematically teaches it in a way that maintains choice, assent, and low distress throughout. Danielle shares how this approach: - Reframes reinforcement through the lens of critical consequences - Uses shaping with negative reinforcement in a practical, ethical way - Prioritizes multiple pathways to success (and genuine assent) - Allows learners to opt out—without stopping progress Through powerful case examples—including supporting a learner through a blood draw and teaching independent nail clipping in under an hour—this episode highlights what’s possible when we truly align effectiveness with compassion.

 

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jjk7LrWWM1Y

This episode is presented by our founding academic partner, the Doctor of Education in the field of Applied Behaviour Analysis program at Western University’s Faculty of Education. 

Program Information: https://www.edu.uwo.ca/graduate-education/edd/applied-behaviour-analysis.html

How to apply: https://www.edu.uwo.ca/graduate-education/apply.html

Program brochure: https://www.edu.uwo.ca/graduate-education/edd/foe120_edd_aba_r1.png

Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)

BACB: 1.0 Learning IBAO:  1.0 ABA Topics QABA: 1.0 General CBA/CPD: 1.0 Learning  

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Contact

Danielle on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-cohen-bcba-0a247a213/

Links:

Facebook group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/700952357829957/?ref=share&mibextid=wwXIfr

Article on CET: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Awab-Abdel-Jalil-2/publication/373767631_TOWARD_A_CONSTRUCTIONAL_EXPOSURE_THERAPY/links/64fb1cd510813375f267dc4e/TOWARD-A-CONSTRUCTIONAL-EXPOSURE-THERAPY.pdf

Exposure therapy literature review: Abdel‐Jalil, A., Baldwin, J. N., & Leaf, J. B. (2024). Exposure‐based treatments for fear and reactivity to medical procedures: A systematic review of the literature with implications for research and practice. Behavioral Interventions, 39(3), e2010.

Concept analysis on assent: Linnehan, A.M., Abdel-Jalil, A., Klick, S. et al. Foundations of Preemptive Compassion: A Behavioral Concept Analysis of Compulsion, Consent, and Assent. Behav Analysis Practice (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-023-00890-1

Another paper on compassion and assent: https://www.maracalearning.com/assets/can-there-be-compassion-without-assent_-a-nonlinear-constructional-approach.pdf

To learn more about the constructional approach, check out the first two episodes in our series Episode 250: The Constructional Approach: A Primer with Awab Abdel-Jalil

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-250-the-constructional-approach-a-primer-with-awab-abdel-jalil/

Episode 252: Applications of the constructional approach with Madhura Deshpande

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-252-applications-of-the-constructional-approach-with-dr-madhura-deshpande/