Following the conference’s keynote, there will be a total of 30 break-out sessions offered during three consecutive time slots. Ten breakout sessions will be offered during each time slot– which are being led by some of the top OCD experts in the United States. During the lunch break, we will also be offering community discussion groups, two OCD documentaries, and a mindfulness/yoga workshop. Purchase your tickets to OCD Southern California’s 5th Annual Conference: A Virtual Event, here: PURCHASE CONFERENCE TICKETS HERE!
Here is a list with details of the break-out sessions and lunch activities being offered:
| Young Adults with OCD: Failure-to-Launch – Anthony Pinto, Ph.D., Christine D’Urso, Ph.D., Ashley Jennings, Ph.D. student, Jesse Allen-Dicker, Ph.D. student Parents of young adults with OCD living at home may engage in well-intentioned yet maladaptive accommodating behaviors that maintain OCD symptoms and further hinder the transition to adulthood. This presentation will address how to identify and treat “failure to launch” in YA OCD populations. |
Neuromodulatory Treatments for OCD – Adam Frank, MD, Ph.D.
Current neuromodulatory treatments for OCD include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and deep brain stimulation (DBS). This presentation will focus on reviewing these treatment modalities including indications for their use, timeline for clinical implementation, and evidence for their efficacy.
| Families Unite! Contracting, SPACE Program – Barbara Van Noppen, Ph.D., Felicity Sapp, Ph.D., Melissa Mose, LMFT In an effort to cope with challenging situations, families often engage in behaviors that perpetuate OCD and interfere with treatment. This workshop will discuss these behaviors and introduce behavioral contracting, which is a family-based intervention that unites family members in the therapeutic process of exposure and response prevention. |
Coming Out of the Shadows: Breaking Free from Graphic Sexual and Violent Intrusive Thoughts – Chris Trondsen, M.S., AMFT, APCC, Matthew Codde, LCSW, Kristina Orlova, LMFT
Many with OCD deal with constant intrusive thoughts around forbidden and stigmatized themes including sexual obsessions, harming others, pedophilia, incest, and other triggering topics. This presentation focuses on tailoring exposure and response prevention treatment to these specific themes.
| World Psychopharmacology for OCD and Coexisting Conditions – Lance Steinberg, MD and Sepehr Aziz, DO This presentation focuses on the medications and other psychopharmacology treatments used in OCD treatment. The presentation discussion including information on the latest medications used from around the world for OCD and co-occurring conditions. This discussion will be presented in a logical step-by-step approach, covering both pediatric and adult ages. The lecture will be extraordinarily informative for patients, parents, therapists and psychopharmacologists. Lecture will be followed by a Q & A from the audience. |
Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for TICS (CBIT) – Martin Franklin, Ph.D.
Chronic tic disorders, including Tourette Syndrome, are often present in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), thus knowledge of tics and their treatment is important in the clinical management of OCD as well. The phenomenology of chronic tic disorders will be described, core interventions involved in CBIT will be presented and discussed, and the literature on treatment outcome will also be reviewed.
| The Emotional Toll of Having OCD… And How To Heal – Chris Trondsen, M.S., AMFT, APCC, Alegra Kastens, LMFT, Kimberley Quinlan, LMFT, Jessica Serber, LMFT This panel focuses on the negative, emotional toll that comes from having OCD and the temporary loss of identity. The second-half of the discussion will shift to practical clinical strategies and interventions that allow for peace and healing. |
OCD Truly Is A Family Affair! Teaming Up To Take On The Disorder – Elizabeth McIngvale, Ph.D., LCSW, Chris Trondsen, M.S., AMFT, APCC, Liz Trondsen, Selena Trondsen
This panel will feature a family consisting of an individual with OCD, along with his mother and younger sister (moderated by an OCD specialist) sharing their personal story of how they went from a chaotic household, controlled by the disorder, to teaming up and fighting OCD together!
| How to Recover from Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and How the Treatment Differs From OCD Therapy – Chris Trondsen, M.S., AMFT, APCC, Scott Granet, LCSW, Robyn Stern, LCSW, MSEd, Alegra Kastens, LMFT, Amanda Rosenberg This presentation has two parts. The first focuses on specific treatment strategies and exposures for common BDD obsessions and compulsions. The second half will focus on how BDD treatment differs from the treatment of OCD. |
OCD Success Panel: Finding Hope, Inspiration, and Motivation! – Andrew Cohen, LMFT, Shannon Switzer, Peer Support Specialist, Meggie Tran
This panel gives conference attendees an opportunity to hear personal stories from a group of individuals with OCD, who have all been successful in treatment and now live fulfilled lives. Personal stories are some of the most inspirational for conference attendees and those in attendance will walk away from this talk inspired and hopeful.
| A Toolkit to Help Children Manage OCD-related Behavioral Issues – Elena Fasan, MSW, LCSW, Lauren McMeikan, M.A., LMFT, Mary Sponaugle, LMFT, Laura Yocum, LMFT, MS, PPS Effectively parenting or treating a child or adolescent diagnosed with OCD can be difficult. Thankfully, help can be found through the application of authoritative parenting principles and practices, especially when coupled with mindfulness and acceptance skills. Parents and clinicians will have the opportunity to learn these skills and incorporate these practices into parenting or treating children and adolescents. |
Married to OCD? – Erin Ramachandran, M.A., Psy.D. student, Keith Ramachandran
The Ramachandrans have struggled together for over a decade and a half with battling multiple mental health conditions. This couple shares the behind closed doors insights and vulnerabilities with the desire to bring hope and healing to your relationship.
| Perinatal and Postpartum OCD – Eda Gorbis, Ph.D., LMFT, Alexander Gorbis, M.A., Rebecca Braverman, B.A. Following this presentation, professionals who treat pregnant women will be able to identify the hormonal changes that may trigger perinatal or postpartum OCD, learn which diagnostic tools to use in order to assess for OCD in pregnant individuals, and how pregnancy will affect the course of treatment for OCD. |
Overcoming Mental Compulsions: It’s All in Your Head – Gerald Tarlow, Ph.D., ABPP
This presentation will initially define mental compulsions and describe in detail the seven most common types of mental compulsions. The main focus of the program is how to implement the exposure and response prevention technique in treating mental compulsions. There will be a short discussion of adjunctive treatments such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
| Self-Care Workshop and Boundaries – Erin Ramachandran, M.A., Psy.D. student Living with and / or being in a relationship with someone with a mental health condition is difficult. This workshop is for you to spend some intentional time developing a self-care plan and start to implement new routines in your life. |
Dealing with Accommodation in Treating Refusing Children – SPACE – James Claiborn, PhD
Parents and others dealing with treatment-refusing children can effectively help their children by changing their own behavior and withdrawing accommodation. Recent research has shown this approach may produce benefits equivalent to participation in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
| Influencers – How YOU Can Be An OCD Influencer at ANY Level of Influence – Justin K. Hughes, LPC, Kimberley Quinlan, LMFT, Chris Baier, Chrissie Hodges, Peer Support Specialist, Alegra Kastens, LMFT, Nathan Peterson, LCSW In our world there are different “influencers.” This lively workshop includes sufferers, clinicians, and everyday warriors with a variety of stories and levels of influence. Discover how they- whether intentionally or accidentally- became an OCD Influencer, and how you can become one, too! |
Using ACT To Get Unstuck – OCD and Beyond – Kaitlin Rothfelder, M.A., Evelyn Gould, Ph.D., BCBA-D
This breakout will explore the six core processes of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)—including mindfulness, acceptance and values-based living, along with self-compassion. ACT is more than just a therapy—it is a framework for living well, even when suffering occurs.
| Making Exposure and Response Prevention Work for You – Kevin Foss, MFT, Kelley Franke, MFT, Lauren McMeikan, LMFT This presentation will discuss the purpose and process of Exposure and Response Prevention while also dispelling misconceptions that sometimes hinder people from pursuing effective treatment. Whether you have been doing exposures in treatment for a while, or are new to the process, join us to learn about how you can start doing exposure treatment with focus, willingness, and creativity. |
A Discussion on Treatment for and Experiences of OCD and Co-Occurring Self-Harm – Morgan Browning, B.A. / B.S., Elizabeth Lloyd-Richardson, Ph.D., Rebecca Schneider, Ph.D., Adriana Claudio-Hernandez, Psy.D.
This presentation aims to provide a space for knowledge, awareness, understanding, and support for patients and families experiencing co-occurring OCD and self-harm (non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) or suicidal thoughts and behaviors). Resources to learn more and to seek treatment will be provided.
| Getting Up Close: Panel Discussion for Families Living with OCD and/or ASD – Melissa Mose, LMFT, Barbara Van Noppen, Ph.D., LCSW, Shannon Switzer, Peer Support Specialist, Evelyn Gould, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Andrew Cohen, LMFT, Sepehr Aziz, DO, Psychiatrist This panel discussion is designed to provide a variety of perspectives from experts who have experience with OCD and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Please join us, get up close, and hear short presentations from six OCD SoCal board members– and ask your questions! |
Perfectionism and OCD – How Embracing Imperfections Will Help You Embrace Uncertainty – Menije Boduryan-Turner, Psy.D.
Perfectionism plays a role in the maintenance of the OCD cycle. When you suffer from OCD, carrying out the rituals perfectly serves a purpose. Through exposure, one can learn to do things imperfectly and embrace the discomfort. Embracing imperfections and remaining self-compassionate are essential tools in one’s tool box to manage OCD and perfectionism.
| Married with OCD: Exposing the good, the bad, and the downright ugly – Chris and Jodi Langellotti, OCD New Hampshire, Elizabeth Ellis Ohr, Psy.D. During this panel discussion, Jodi and Chris Langellotti will share their personal experiences and the challenges of facing OCD as a couple. Topics will include: being a caretaker, intimacy, therapy, ERP, parenting, daily household routine, reducing / removing accommodations, learning to sit with discomfort as the non-OCD partner, and more. |
Differences in Traumatic Events Experienced by Those with OCD Versus OCD+BDD – Michele Pato, MD, Stella Kim, LMHC
This presentation will discuss findings from a study (Valderrama et al., 2020) done with a large cohort of individuals with OCD. The findings focus on the prevalence of PTSD amongst those with just OCD as compared with those with both OCD and BDD. Clinical implications such as integrating trauma work with CBT in treating OCD and BDD will be discussed, as well as pharmacological considerations.
| Creative Ways to Explore Your Inner Hero While Tackling OCD – Shannon Switzer, Peer Support Specialist, Andrew Cohen, LMFT Inspired by Joseph Campbell’s “Mythology of the Hero’s Journey,” Dr. Janina Scarlet’s Superhero Therapy content, and personal experiences, this presentation will share personal stories and help you tap into your inner hero as you embody strength for your journey. You will delve into the choices available to you, the choices of your values or your fears as motivation for your adventure. |
Creating a World Where Anyone Can Access Effective OCD Treatment (NOCD) – Patrick McGrath, Ph.D., Sue Chudy, LCSW, April Kilduff, M.A., LCPC
On average, it takes 17 years for people with OCD to get proper treatment due to high costs, misdiagnosis, mistreatment, and shortages of OCD specialists. Online platforms, such as NOCD, are trying to change that. In this workshop you will learn how to create self guided ERP via the NOCD app.
| Stronger Together: Creating a Team to Stand Up to OCD – Jesse Spiegel, Psy.D. Nobody likes OCD! But kids can feel stuck and parents can get confused about where their child ends and where OCD begins. In this workshop, we will learn to create a team to unite and deal with OCD together. We will teach parents and children how to name their “OCD Monster.” |
Understanding and Treating Hoarding Disorder – Sanjaya Saxena, MD
This presentation will review the diagnosis, clinical presentation, epidemiology, and treatment of Hoarding Disorder. Participants will be able to describe the diagnostic criteria and major clinical features of Hoarding Disorder and the major components of treatment for Hoarding Disorder, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), medication treatment, and novel approaches.
| ERP 101: An Introduction to Exposure with Response Prevention for OCD – Martin Hsia, Psy.D., Michele Rose, LCSW, MA, Brittany Beyerlein, Ph.D. This presentation is for sufferers who have been recently diagnosed, or are new to seeking treatment for OCD, as well as their family members. Attendees will learn basic information about the nature of OCD, its origins, and various subtypes, the rationale for Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP), and the general factors that determine successful treatment outcomes. |
Co-morbid OCD and BFRBs 101 – Crystal Quarter, LMFT, Elena Fasan, MSW, LCSW
This presentation will equip individuals diagnosed with comorbid OCD and BFRBs with the knowledge to better understand their symptoms and offer tools to promote self-advocacy, including ways to find a therapist who practices evidence-based treatment.
| Yoga and Mindfulness for OCD [Lunch Time Activity] – Anna Liljenwall, Anastasia Sanchez Yoga is a great compliment to traditional OCD therapy. The whole purpose of yoga is to “harness the fluctuations of the mind,” and Anna and Ana are ready to show you! |
Uncovering OCD: The Truth About Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder [Lunch Time Activity] – Ethan Smith, Director
Through candid personal stories and interviews, this real, raw, and emotional documentary dispels the common myths surrounding OCD. It takes an in-depth look at the disorder and the role it takes on sufferers and families– and underscores the reality that there is always help and always hope.
| OCD Therapist: Therapists with OCD Who Treat OCD [Lunch Time Activity] – Andrew Cohen, LMFT This community discussion is for therapists who specialize in the treatment of OCD, who also have OCD themselves. The discussion will provide an outlet for therapist to express the full range of emotions they experience when treating patients with OCD. |
Unstuck: An OCD Kid’s Movie [Lunch Time Activity] – Chris Baier, Director
Honest. Educational. Inspiring. UNSTUCK is a family-friendly short film that lets kids and teens speak truthfully about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and explain how they learned to face their fears and regain control of their lives.
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Purchase your tickets to OCD Southern California’s 5th Annual Conference: A Virtual Event, here: PURCHASE CONFERENCE TICKETS HERE!
