OCD SoCal is Hosting A Free, 2-Hour Virtual Event Featuring 5 Talks from 11 Speakers!
To join the event, email us at: info@ocdsocal.org letting us know you would like to attend the event!
On Saturday, October 16, 2021, from 10am to 12 noon PST, OCD Southern California offers a free and interactive virtual event to celebrate OCD Awareness Week 2021! This event includes presentations from members of the OCD SoCal board discussing various OCD topics: exposure and response prevention treatment, OCD medications, reducing family accommodation, a lived-experience panel consisting of individuals in recovery from OCD, and a presentation from Kim Quinlan, LMFT, the author of the new book, “The Self-Compassion Workbook for OCD.”
The agenda of the event is as follows:
After an introduction by our board members, the presentations will begin and last for the first half of the event:
“Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD” – Evelyn Gould, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Exposure and response prevention therapy is the gold-standard treatment for OCD. OCD SoCal board member Evelyn Gould, Ph.D., BCBA-D will cover the basics of ERP, including creating a hierarchy, facing uncertainty, and using the treatment modality to reduce anxiety around obsessions and compulsions.
“Medications for OCD” – Dr. Sepehr “Sheperd” Aziz, D.O.
Psychiatrist Dr. Sepehr Aziz will discuss the various medications and pharmacological interventions found effective in managing OCD symptoms. In addition, he will discuss the differences in medication classes, proper med doses, the effectiveness of meds, and the future of OCD medications.
“How a Family Member Can Best Support a Loved One with OCD” – Melissa Mose, LMFT and Barbara Van Noppen, Ph.D., LCSW
The ‘Kids, Teens, and Family’ talk will address how both the experience of –and the treatment for– OCD in kids and teens is different than it is for adults. In this context, we will define family accommodation and illustrate how it impacts children and the course of OCD and how parents can manage their own confusion, fears, and challenges. When anxiety is viewed as a cyclic and systemic phenomenon, treatment options that include family members become more effective. Concrete skills, tools, contracts, and other methods will be introduced.
“Our Journey With Overcoming OCD” – Chris Trondsen, M.S., AMFT, APCC, Liz Trondsen, Patricia Bosvay, Shannon Switzer, and Andrew Cohen, LMFT
This panel gives an opportunity to hear personal stories from individuals in recovery from OCD and stories from family members who have supported loved ones on the recovery journey. You will hear what has been supportive, what has been unhelpful, and how to tap into your motivation for recovery. You will walk away from this panel inspired and hopeful!
“Learn How Self-Compassion Can Help Supercharge Your OCD Recovery!” – Kim Quinlan, LMFT
Finally, the event will conclude with a presentation from a special guest, Kimberley Quinlan, LMFT. She will be discussing her newly released book, “The Self-Compassion Workbook for OCD.” In this interactive presentation, you will learn why having self-compassion is crucial for OCD recovery. Additionally, how the practice of self-compassion can actually help with motivation and willingness to engage in exposure and response prevention will be discussed. We will also cover the core concepts of self-compassion and some of the common roadblocks that people with OCD experience when it comes to practicing self-compassion.
The second half of the event will feature a Q&A segment with each of the speakers available to answer any questions you may have!
We will then conclude with a message from our board members.
Since this event is virtual, all are welcome to attend–from anywhere! The event is perfect for individuals with OCD, their family and loved ones, and professionals wanting to learn more about treating people with OCD. It is also a fantastic opportunity to educate the public on OCD. Please also invite family and loved ones who would benefit from learning more about this disorder.
We will be sending out the specific link to the event for those on our OCD SoCal mailing list. If you or someone you feel would be interested in attending are not on that list, please email us at: info@OCDSoCal.org.
OCD Awareness Week 2021 is from Sunday, October 10 until Saturday, October 16, 2021, with our event landing on the final day of awareness week!
We look forward to seeing you there!
