You may have seen that the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) will no longer host its Online OCD Conference. OCD Southern California has been hosting conferences since 2015, and in 2023, OCD SoCal co-hosted the Online OCD Conference with the IOCDF. With this loss of an online Fall conference, we are happy to step in and present the Online OCD Conference, a Global Event — Hosted by OCD SoCal! The event will be held Saturday and Sunday, November 15 -16, 2025.
In previous years, the IOCDF virtual conference has been a cornerstone for global collaboration, bringing together experts, innovators, and thought leaders from around the world. As we step into this role, we are committed to upholding its rich history while introducing fresh perspectives and opportunities for engagement.
Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or new to presenting, we invite you to participate in the OCD Online Conference, a globally connected event that brings together varied voices from around the world. Our proposal system is officially open today! We welcome innovative ideas, fresh perspectives, and research that resonates across borders from mental health providers, researchers, individuals with lived experience and their families, and others interested in speaking on OCD and related disorders.
If you would like to speak at this conference, please follow this link to submit a proposal: SUBMISSION LINK
The deadline for proposals is Monday, May 12, 2025.
See the Proposal Form for Answers to FAQs. We hope you consider submitting a proposal!
Registration is open for OCD SoCal’s Orange County Speaker Series. The event is happening at Orange Coast College, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 on Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 10am – 3pm PT. A catered lunch, beverages, and parking are provided. For more information and to register for the event, click here: OCD SoCal Speaker Series Orange County Ticket Registration – EventBrite. Here are the event’s speakers in alphabetical order by first name:
Bio: Dr. Adam C. Frank is a psychiatrist, researcher, and Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. Dr. Frank currently divides his time between caring for individuals with OCD in an outpatient psychiatry clinic, supervising and teaching psychiatry residents at USC, and conducting research on the mechanisms of OCD and improving treatment outcomes through the use of neuroimaging, wearable biosensors, and neuromodulation.
Bio: Barbara Van Noppen, Ph.D. is the Vice Chair for Faculty Development, Director of Well-being, and Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences at University of Southern California (USC), Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles. Dr. Van Noppen is co-Director (with Adam Frank, MD) of the OCD Treatment and Research Program at Keck Medicine, USC. As an internationally recognized specialist in cognitive behavioral therapy and family-based treatment, Dr. Van Noppen has treated OCD for 39 years and “coined” the term “Family Accommodation” for OCD in 1990.
She teaches and supervises in the residency training program at LA General Medical Center, serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of the International OCD Foundation, the Scientific Advisory Committee of The Canadian Institute for Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (CIOCD) and International Accreditation Task Force. Dr. Van Noppen is most well known for her contributions in OCD family treatment, particularly the development of a Multifamily Behavioral Treatment (MFBT), Family Accommodation Scale (FAS), group CBT for OCD and she has numerous publications and clinical research in these areas. In addition, Dr. Van Noppen is a faculty member for the Behavioral Therapy Training Institute of the International OCD Foundation, and is on editorial boards for peer reviewed journal articles on OCD.
Bio: Chris Trondsen suffered with severe OCD, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), major depressive disorder, along with the anxiety that came with these disorders, until receiving specialized treatment. No longer under the control of the disorders, Chris now works as a licensed clinician in the mental health field, treating OCD, BDD, and related disorders at The Gateway Institute in Costa Mesa, California. Chris has shared his story of recovery on the Montel Williams Show, Dr. Drew, Fox 5 San Diego, Vox, Vice, Buzzfeed, NBC, Wondermind, as well as speaking at International OCD Foudnation (IOCDF) annual conferences. He is Vice President of OCD Southern California and also serves on the Board of Directors of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF). Additionally, he is one of the IOCDF’s lead advocates publicly sharing his recovery story. He is also a leader of multiple IOCDF Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and created the Young Adult Track at the annual IOCDF conference. He hosts a livestream (“Ask The Experts” and “Lunch and Learn”) every Wednesday, from 9am – 10am PT for the IOCDF.
Bio: Curtis Hsia is a SoCal native, having completed his undergraduate degree at UCLA. He earned his Ph.D. at Hofstra University, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Boston University’s Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders. Dr. Hsia then held a professorship at Azusa Pacific University for a decade before founding the OC Anxiety Center. He has been involved with the OCD community since his internship in 1998 at the Bio-Behavioral Institute, and has authored over a dozen peer reviewed articles, and presented over a hundred workshops, symposia, paper and poster presentations domestically and internationally, and is active with the International OCD Foundation.
Bio: Kelley Franke is the Director at The Center for OCD, a private practice specializing in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, with a focus on Exposure & Response Prevention, in adults, adolescents, and children suffering from OCD, and other Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders. Kelley completed her master’s in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University. She received her initial training at The OCD Center of Los Angeles. Additionally, she received training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy from Behavioral Tech Research through The Linehan Institute. Kelley is also the co-host of Purely OCD and has spoken at numerous conferences specifically related to the treatment of OCD.
Bio: Kevin Foss, MFT, is the director of the California OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center in Fullerton, CA. His clinical specialization spans the full range of the anxiety spectrum. In addition to speaking on various aspects of OC-spectrum disorders and writing for Psychology Today, he is the host of the FearCast Podcast, a question and answer based show about OCD and anxiety.
Bio: Kimberley Quinlan, LMFT, is dedicated to providing outstanding therapy and counseling for those with OCD and related disorders, eating disorders, and body focused repetitive disorders (BFRBs). Her approach is both collaborative and compassionate. Kimberley has extensive training in cognitive-behavioral therapy and exposure response prevention (ERP) for OCD and OCD-related disorders. Additionally, she teaches other clinicians how to provide quality CBT and ERP for OCD and OCD related disorders. Kimberley also hosts the “Your Anxiety Toolkit” podcast!
Bio: Lauren Rosen is a psychotherapist and the director of the Center for the Obsessive Mind, an outpatient clinic serving individuals in California, Florida, Utah, Nevada and Oregon. Lauren specializes in treating OCD, Anxiety Disorders & Eating Disorders and supports people using Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure & Response Prevention and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Lauren has her BA and MA in Psychology from UCLA and Antioch University, trained at the OCD Center of LA and is a certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. In addition to her work as a therapist, Lauren co-hosts the Purely OCD Podcast and does social media advocacy.
Bio: Matt Codde is a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in helping people overcome OCD & Anxiety-Related disorders. Matt is the founder of the online platform Restored Minds, the host of the OCD & Anxiety Show, and the author of From Stuck to Unstuck. Matt offers a unique approach to treatment that draws from both personal and clinical experience. You can connect with Matt through his website www.restoredminds.com.
Bio: Michelle Malloy, MFT, PMH-C, completed her Bachelor’s Degree at UCLA in Psychology and went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Cal State Fullerton. She has worked in mental health for over twenty years. She received training from the UCLA Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Clinic and Western Youth Services. Michelle has completed the Behavioral Therapy Training Institute (BTTI)’s general and pediatric training programs through the International OCD Foundation and specializes in using cognitive-behavioral therapy and exposure and response prevention to treat OCD. She also treats generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and eating disorders. Additionally, she is certified in perinatal mental health and EMDR trained.
Bio: Dr. Sepehr “Sheperd” Aziz is a physician and currently Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine and Behavioral Sciences, where he works in an outpatient psychiatry clinic seeing university students on campus. He completed his general psychiatry residency training at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMass), and a subspecialty fellowship in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) where he worked in the OCD and Tic disorders specialty clinic. His research experience includes clinical trials of stimulant medications for ADHD and esketamine for refractory depression. In addition to English, he speaks fluent Persian. His approach to psychiatry is integrative, individualized, and culturally-informed.
Bio: Dr. Stephanie Davis is a licensed psychologist who runs a private practice in Orange County specializing in OCD, anxiety disorders, and misophonia. She began her clinical career counseling young adult populations at universities (BYU, Texas A&M, and St. Edward’s). While there she led anxiety and OCD groups, supervised graduate students in their clinical work, and supervised employees at a university crisis hotline. To further solidify her specialization in anxiety disorders and OCD, Dr. Davis completed a second post-doctoral position at the Orange County Anxiety Center and continued working there until opening her private practice. Dr. Davis offers consultation services to clinicians and is a frequent speaker at conferences and community events addressing OCD and anxiety-related concerns.
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We look forward to seeing everyone at the OC event. Make sure to register before the price goes up after the early bird discounted cost, or the event is sold out! For more information and to register for the event, click here: OCD SoCal Speaker Series Orange County Ticket Registration – EventBrite.
A reminder, OCD Southern California is offering 3 CEs for LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, and Psychologists who attend the CE track of this event!
OCD Southern California is happy to announce the return of the Speakers Series in 2025! Speakers Series events will be held in San Diego in April and Orange County in May.
These free or low-cost, in-person events will feature presentations by local OCD specialist treatment providers. They will facilitate panels and presentations on OCD and related disorders and host a question-and-answer segment. This will also be an excellent opportunity to meet and connect with others in the local OCD community.
These events are for individuals with OCD, their family members and loved ones, and anyone wanting to learn more about OCD. General talks will be offered, and the Speakers Series will end with a Q&A session featuring many of the day’s speakers.
A professional tract will be offered at the Orange County location, and clinicians can earn 3 CE credits for the day.
For further information on the Speakers Series, please contact us through email at info@ocdsocal.org. Note, the Inland Empire Speaker Series is happening in October. More information on that event later on this year.
Please scroll below for more information and for the link to register for the San Diego and Orange County events!
On Saturday, April 26, San Diego will be hosting their event from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM PST. This FREE event will be held at the Mira Mesa Library at 8405 New Salem Street in San Diego. Food and Beverages will be provided, and free parking is available.
There will be two panel presentations and a Q&A session at the end. The presentation titles are:
From A to Z: How to Get and Do Effective Treatment for ERP (clinician panel)
Breaking the Cycle: OCD, Family Accommodation and the Path to Support (Family & Loved Ones Panel).
This event is being held in a public library. Therefore, we are not able to charge for tickets to this event. When you register, please consider a donation to help us continue to sponsor free and low cost events such as this one.
Orange County will host a Speakers Series on Saturday, May 3, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM PST. This event is being held at Orange Coast College at 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. There is free parking adjacent to the event location.
This event is open to individuals with OCD, their family members and loved ones, mental health providers, students, and the general public. Talks for the general public will be presented throughout the day. Beverages and a catered lunch will be provided.
Early bird registration is $10 per individual. Registration costs will increase to $15.00, beginning April 21. The low-cost sign-up will aid our non-profit in covering venue and food costs.
This event is also for mental health providers wanting to learn more about OCD. There will be a clinician tract at Orange County, and we are offering 3 CE credits to licensed clinicians who attend the full day. For licensed therapists (LMFT, LPCC, LCSW, and psychologists), please purchase the Professional ticket when you register.
Los Angeles will host a Speakers Series on Sunday, May 3 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM PST. This event is being held at the USC Health Sciences Campus, 2250 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033. There is a parking lot adjacent to the event site. Further information will be provided regarding parking.
This event is open to individuals with OCD, their family members and loved ones, mental health providers, students, and the general public. Talks for the general public will be presented throughout the day.
Beverages and a catered lunch will be provided.
The suggested donation is $15.00. The low-cost sign-up will aid our non-profit in covering venue and food costs.
This event is also for mental health providers wanting to learn more about OCD. There will be a clinician track at the Los Angeles event, and we are offering 3 CE credits to licensed clinicians who attend the full day. For licensed therapists (LMFT, LPCC, LCSW, and psychologists), please purchase the Professional ticket when you register.
The Mitchell Family (Dylan, Dewayne, and Jamie) – March’s support group’s special guests
Join us this Saturday, March 8th, from 11 am to 1 pm PT (Pacific Time) for our free, virtual Family and Loved One’s OCD Support Group! It is facilitated by Chris Trondsen, LMFT, a licensed therapist who overcame OCD, along with his mom, Liz Trondsen. To join, email info@ocdsocal.org and ask for the support group Zoom link to be sent! Anyone from anywhere can join!
We are excited to welcome the Mitchell family as our special guests for March’s support group. We know how important it is for you to find hope by hearing that people with OCD get better and live full and fulfilling lives. Also, hearing from parents and loved ones on what they did to support the person in their life with OCD to better ensure they recover from the disorder is important. Dylan, who has OCD, and his parents, Dewayne and Jamie, are excited to share Dylan’s recovery journey.
For Dylan, it all started in the senior year of his college career. Dylan started to struggle, and at the end of college, he was beginning to have a rough time. He noticed something was off when he returned home. In retrospect, his mom, Jamie, says he has had OCD his whole life, but Dylan never really noticed the symptoms until he got older.
It was not until college that he received an OCD diagnosis. He began treatment at The Gateway Institute, where he started getting support from the center’s founder and then began therapy with Chris Trondsen, LMFT.
Through both the treatment tools he was given in therapy and through medication, he was able to begin to live a normal and healthy lifestyle by conquering and facing his fears. Dylan recognized that it was challenging when he was first battling OCD, but he saw there was a light at the end of the tunnel if he worked hard and trusted the process.
After successful treatment, Dylan is now a business development manager for a landscaping company! He’s been successful in managing OCD, and he now feels that he has his whole life in front of him, and the days of struggling with OCD are behind him! Join us next Saturday to hear Dylan’s heroic journey and how his parents both supported him during his OCD recovery journey!
After Dylan and his parents share their recovery story, we will open the group for an interactive question-and-answer segment!
As a reminder, we do not record the support group for privacy reasons. This allows attendees the opportunity to share their experiences and ask questions in a safe space. We encourage you to attend or listen to the support group live on Saturday, March 8th! See you there at 11 am PT.
