title: Therapist perceptions and delivery of interoceptive exposure for panic disorder.
abstract: Interoceptive exposure (IE) is widely regarded as an essential procedure in the cognitive-behavioral treatment of panic disorder (PD). However, treatment manuals differ substantially in their prescribed delivery of IE, and little research exists to inform the optimal manner of its implementation. The present study examined therapists' perceptions and delivery of IE for PD. Results revealed substantial variability in how clinicians provide IE. In contrast to the prolonged and intense manner in which exposure techniques are traditionally applied, many therapists reported delivering a low dose of IE accompanied by controlled breathing strategies. Concerns about the potential adverse effects of IE were common despite the fact that participants reported the actual occurrence of negative outcomes of IE in their own practice to be extremely infrequent. It is possible that some therapists deliver IE in a cautious manner in an attempt to minimize the perceived risks associated with this treatment.
authors.affiliation: University of Wyoming, Department of Psychology, Department 3415, 1000 East University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, USA. bdeacon@uwyo.edu
authors.forename: Brett J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Deacon
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Lickel
authors.forename: Nicholas R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Farrell
authors.forename: Joshua J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Kemp
authors.forename: Leilani J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Hipol
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007171:Implosive Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D012146:Rest / Q000523:psychology