A Brief Overview of Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD - Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Training Program Northern California

Presented by Veronica Ochoa, LCSW, BCD

Presenter Bio

Veronica Ochoa, LCSW, BCD, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Patten University in Oakland, California, and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from California State University, East Bay, with a specialization in Community Mental Health.

Ms. Ochoa began her career at La Clínica de La Raza in Oakland, where she provided mental health services to diverse communities. She then joined San Mateo County Mental Health and Recovery Services, where she served for six years, gaining extensive experience in crisis intervention and therapeutic modalities. In 2017, Ms. Ochoa joined the Kaiser Permanente Department of Psychiatry in Oakland as a psychotherapist, contributing to key programs such as the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) team, the Trauma Recovery Program, and Couples Therapy Program.

Ms. Ochoa’s commitment to professional development led her to become actively involved in the department’s Training Program, where she provided secondary and primary supervision to Postmaster Fellows. In February 2023, she assumed the role of Co-Director of the Bilingual Training Program, where she worked to train and mentor Spanish-speaking therapists entering the mental health field.

Ms. Ochoa is certified as a Social Work Diplomate and Clinical Supervisor by the American Board of Social Work and holds additional certifications in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT).

In November 2023, Ms. Ochoa transitioned to her current role as Clinical Supervisor at the NorCal Mental Health Training Program (NCAL-MHTP). In this capacity, she provides didactic training and clinical supervision to Pre-Master’s and Post-Master’s trainees. She is also an active member of the Bilingual and Trauma Specialty teams, where she continues to support the delivery of culturally responsive mental health care to diverse populations.

This seminar offers a concise overview of Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy, an evidence-based, manualized treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Participants will develop an understanding of the theoretical foundations, core techniques, and clinical application of PE.

Key components—such as imaginal and in vivo exposure—will be examined, along with modifications designed to enhance emotional engagement. The seminar will also address criteria for assessing patient suitability and offer practical guidance for tailoring treatment to individual needs.

Video demonstrations will illustrate the delivery of foundational interventions and provide clinical insights into recognizing and managing both over- and under-engagement in therapy.

CE Credits: 3

Course Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

Understand the foundations and effectiveness of PE.
Learn the key components and structure of treatment.
Identify patient suitability, barriers, and strategies for success.

Instructional Level

Advanced

Licensed mental health professionals employed through Kaiser Permanente and psychological assistants performing under supervision of a licensed psychologist.

This CE program is free to Kaiser Permanente employees.
Instructional Methodology
Lecture
Audio/Visual
On-line Presentation

Continuing Education Information

This session is free to all Kaiser Employees. There is no known commercial support for this program.

For questions and requests for information, please contact our program evaluator: supria.k.gill@kp.org

Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Training Programs (KPMHTP) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. KPMHTP maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Refund and Attendance Policy

All programs offered on KP Learn for CE credit through the KP Northern California Mental Health Training website are free of charge to Kaiser Permanente Staff and trainees. Once a course is selected in the KP NCAL MH Training Website, the registration process begins, and it will appear in the individuals KP Learn profile for completion within 90 days.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Those who attend the program in full and complete the appropriate evaluation form will receive CE credits. Please note that credit will only be granted to those who attend the entire program. An attestation of attendance will be given once the individual has completed viewing the program, which will then initiate the final steps of completing the evaluation forms to receive a certificate of completion.