Presenter: Brandon Waggoner, PhD, LPC-S (VA), ALPS (WV), NCC
This four-part clinical training series is designed to deepen your understanding of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and enhance your clinical skills in assessment, differential diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment. This comprehensive series will cover fundamental aspects of OCD, from the basics to advanced therapeutic approaches.
Part 1: OCD: It’s More Than You Think – Tuesday, January 16, 2024 – 1:00-4:00 pm EST
Too often, the term “OCD” conjures images of neatness and hand-washing; however, it is actually much more insidious for those suffering. This session of the series will unravel the layers of this relentless and often-underestimated disorder and assist clinicians in better understanding the diverse manifestations of OCD and the unique challenges it poses. Beyond surface-level stereotypes, discover how OCD becomes a life-consuming monster, demanding heightened awareness and nuanced clinical understanding for practitioners to combat it effectively.
Part 2: Assessment and Diagnosis of OCD – Tuesday, January 23, 2024 – 1:00-4:00 pm EST
Unlock the intricacies of assessment and diagnosis in the second part of this series. As clinicians, we know that accurate diagnosis is critical for providing ethical care and making sound treatment decisions for our clients. However, diagnosis is not as straightforward as we would like, and OCD is one of the most difficult disorders to diagnose. Is it OCD, or it is anxiety? OCPD? A phobia? Oh my! This session of the series will provide clear insights for navigating the differential diagnosis process, focusing on assessment strategies, sub-categories of OCD, and diagnostic criteria to sharpen your ability to accurately identify this elusive disorder.
Part 3: Evidence-Based Practices for the Treatment of OCD, Part 1 – Tuesday, January 30, 2024 – 1:00-4:00 pm EST
Due to the cognitive aspects of OCD, many clinicians unfamiliar with its nuances often default to a CBT approach (e.g., thought-stopping, identifying/challenging cognitive distortions). Unfortunately, many CBT-based interventions can provide minimally helpful at best and, at worst, may even be harmful for those with OCD (International OCD Foundation, 2019). Thus, effectively treating OCD calls for a counter-intuitive approach… one that involves exposing clients to their triggers and then preventing them from engaging in their comforting rituals. This session of the series will focus on the skills and application of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), acknowledged as the gold standard in OCD treatment. Participants will not only learn the fundamentals of this evidence-based approach but also engage in practical case study applications to increase confidence for navigating the complexities of OCD treatment.
Part 4: Evidence-Based Practices for the Treatment of OCD, Part 2 – Tuesday, February 6, 2024 – 1:00-4:00 pm EST
This fourth and final session of the series will continue exploring evidence-based treatment of OCD. Building upon the previous session, this presentation will focus on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which is a transdiagnostic theory that has demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing OCD symptoms. Participants will receive comprehensive instruction on the fundamentals of ACT, exploring its application and integration into treatment with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), discussed in the previous session. This session will help you expand your therapeutic toolbox even further, equipping yourself with the skills to improve outcomes and provide effective care for individuals living with the challenges of OCD.