This training provides behavior analysts and practitioners with a practical, evidence-based framework for treating anxiety disorders using exposure-based interventions within Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Participants will explore how avoidance behaviors are maintained by negative reinforcement and learn how to systematically reduce anxiety through graduated exposure, stimulus fading, and response interruption strategies. Emphasis is placed on adapting exposure procedures for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), including the use of visual supports, data-based decision making, and caregiver collaboration. Ethical considerations, individualization, and treatment integration are highlighted to support safe, effective, and socially meaningful outcomes.
This course is behavior analytic in nature because it applies core principles of Applied Behavior Analysis to the assessment and treatment of anxiety-related behaviors. Anxiety is conceptualized behaviorally as patterns of avoidance and escape maintained by negative reinforcement, and intervention focuses on altering environmental contingencies rather than targeting internal states. The course emphasizes function-based assessment, data collection, and systematic manipulation of antecedents and consequences through evidence-based ABA strategies, including graduated in-vivo exposure, stimulus fading, response interruption and redirection, and differential reinforcement of approach and tolerance behaviors. Treatment decisions are guided by observable behavior, measurable outcomes, and ongoing data analysis to promote skill acquisition, generalization, and socially meaningful behavior change in individuals with ASD.
Publication Date: Jan 2026
Author/Speaker
Katherine Saint, PhD, LPC, BCBA-D, Katherine has her doctorate in Behavior Analysis and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. Katherine presents locally and internationally on topics related to autism, mental health and behavior analysis. Katherine has a private practice focusing on mental health counseling and is the Director of Training at an ABA company. Katherine has designed college courses as well as published books and articles related to mental health. Katherine also teaches master level behavior analytic courses at Pepperdine University.
Instructor Qualifications
Dr. Saint’s CV
| Requirement Category |
Meets Requirement (✔) |
Evidence / Description |
| Published Peer-Reviewed Research or Books on the Subject |
☑ Yes |
Author of published books and scholarly works addressing anxiety, depression, autism, and behavior-analytic and ACT-informed approaches to mental health treatment, including applications of exposure, avoidance reduction, and behavior change. Published work demonstrates subject-matter expertise directly relevant to exposure-based interventions, anxiety treatment, and ethical application of ABA with individuals with ASD and co-occurring anxiety. |
| ≥ 5 Years of Practical Experience(e.g., direct service delivery, applied practice, professional engagement) |
☑ Yes |
Over 15 years of applied professional experience as a BCBA-D and Licensed Professional Counselor providing direct clinical services for individuals with anxiety disorders, autism, and related behavioral challenges. Extensive hands-on experience implementing exposure-based procedures, stimulus fading, avoidance reduction strategies, and caregiver-supported interventions within ethical, individualized, and data-driven ABA frameworks. |
| ≥ 3 Years Teaching / Training / Mentoring Experience |
☑ Yes |
Extensive experience teaching, training, and supervising behavior analysts, therapists, and counselors across clinical and educational settings. Has developed and delivered professional trainings, graduate-level instruction, and continuing education on anxiety treatment, exposure-based interventions, ethical decision making, and ABA applications for individuals with ASD and complex clinical needs. |
Objectives
Learning Objectives
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
- Describe the behavioral mechanisms underlying anxiety and avoidance, including the role of negative reinforcement and its impact on daily functioning for individuals with ASD.
- Explain core principles of exposure-based interventions in ABA, including habituation, inhibitory learning, graduated exposure, and systematic desensitization.
- Design and implement exposure hierarchies using in-vivo exposure, stimulus fading, and data collection to systematically reduce anxiety-maintained behaviors.
- Integrate response interruption, reinforcement, and ethical safeguards into individualized ABA treatment plans to promote tolerance, approach behaviors, and long-term generalization.
