OCD Southern California is happy to announce the return of the Speakers Series this April 2024! These low-cost ($15 per person), 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. Note: The San Diego, Inland Empire, and Los Angeles Speaker Series are now sold out. The Orange County location has limited capacity and is close to filling up as well. If you are interested, please register as soon as possible!
We are providing 3 CE credits to clinicians at the Orange County location. We welcome OCD therapists as well as non-OCD clinicians who would like to learn about OCD treatment. The cost to attend for CE credits is $45.00. CE credits are for continuing education activities for clinicians; these are not for the general public.
Note: Each location has its own unique Eventbrite sign-up page. For each venue’s specific registration link, see below.
These events are open to individuals with OCD, their family members and loved ones, mental health providers, students, and the general public. Please join us at your local event, or feel free to attend all four!
Email us with any questions at info@ocdsocal.org. OCD SoCal does not want registration costs to prevent you or your family from attending. Please email us and ask us for a scholarship, which will waive registration costs.
Registration is open for OCD SoCal’s Orange County Speaker Series. The event is happening at the Costa Mesa Marriott hotel at 500 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa, CA 92626 on Saturday, April 6, 2024 from 10am – 3pm PST. 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: 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 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 PST, with co-host Dr. Liz McIngvale.
Bio: Dr. Curtis Hsia attended UCLA for his undergraduate degree in psychology and then attended Hofstra University, where he earned his doctoral degree in a combined clinical and school psychology program. He has written and presented several peer reviewed articles and learned the intricacies of cognitive behavioral therapy, and in particular, exposure and response prevention. In 2012, he opened the Orange County Anxiety Center, continues to engage in research, and has presented at OCD Southern California’s conferences.
Bio: Dr. Jennifer O’Connor is a licensed psychologist with a private practice in San Clemente. She has 20 years of experience treating OCD, anxiety and eating disorders in children, teens, and adults, and she has been featured as an anxiety specialist on the Anderson Cooper Show, CNN Headline News, and A&E’s “Obsessed,” a TV series documenting CBT treatment of individuals with OCD. Dr. O’Connor is passionate about working with the family system to create support for loved ones as they journey towards freedom from anxiety, self-doubt, and isolation. She believes that the efficacy of exposure therapy rests upon the ability of the therapist to effectively access the trust and the willingness of their client as they embark on a journey of seeking freedom together. Dr. O’Connor believes that all people have an innate drive towards self-growth and is committed to finding that inner drive in each one of her clients.
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: 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: Mary Neustaedter (Sponaugle), LMFT,is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of California. Mary is currently working as clinician and supervisor at the OCD Center of Los Angeles, specializing in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related-anxiety disorders. Mary has over a decade of experience using Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness techniques. Mary’s work at the OCD Center focuses on CBT for adults, adolescents and children suffering from OCD. Mary has experience working with children ages 9-17 and collaborating with schools to form IEP and 504 accommodations. Prior to joining the clinical staff of the OCD Center, Mary worked as a psychotherapist at The Gateway Institute in Costa Mesa, CA, specializing in the treatment of OCD and related disorders.
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: Dr. Saxena is the Director of Clinical and Research Affairs for the International OCD Foundation. He is a Psychiatrist who specializes in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Hoarding Disorder, other OC-Related Disorders, Anxiety Disorders. He is also Clinical Professor (non-salaried), UC San Diego Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Saxena is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and a Fellow of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology.
Dr. Saxena also served as the psychiatric consultant for the motion picture, “As Good As It Gets” (Sony Pictures, 1997), in which the lead character, played by Jack Nicholson, suffered from OCD. Dr. Saxena’s research has focused on the neurobiology and treatment of OCD, Hoarding Disorder, and related disorders. He has authored or co-authored over 80 scientific articles and book chapters. He has received awards and grants from the American Psychiatric Association, American Neuropsychiatric Association, International OCD Foundation, and the National Institute of Mental Health. Dr. Saxena serves on the Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board for the International OCD Foundation and was an advisor to the DSM-5 Workgroup on Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders.
His research has garnered attention from local and national media, and he has been featured on ABC, CNN, Larry King Live, MSNBC, the Discovery Channel, National Public Radio, BBC News, the New York Times, Time Magazine, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, and Facebook Live.
Bio: Sheva Rajaee is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California, and the founder and director of CAOCD. Sheva received her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California (USC). Sheva is also the author of the popular book, Relationship OCD: A CBT-Based Guide to Move Beyond Obsessive Doubt, Anxiety, and Fear of Commitment in Romantic Relationships. She has been featured on CNN, Huffington Post, TED Talks, and various publications and podcasts throughout the years.
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.
Registration is open for OCD SoCal’s Inland Empire Speaker Series. The event is happening at the Chino Hills Community Center at 14250 Peyton Dr., Chino Hills, CA, 91709 on Sunday April 7, 2024 from 10am – 2pm PST. A lunch, beverages, and parking are provided. For more information and to register for the event, click here: The Inland Empire Speakers Series is Sold Out.. Here are the event’s speakers in alphabetical order by first name:
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 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 PST, with co-host Dr. Liz McIngvale.
Melinda Ramos
Bio: Melinda Ramos is a death care worker, small business owner, and proud mom to a small black pug named, Juelz. She enjoys watching wrestling with her pug, thrift store shopping and creating art. Her biggest pet peeve is when folks use OCD as an adjective. OCD isn’t a cute quirk, it’s a debilitating disorder.
Roy Robbins
Bio: Roy Robbins is an ordained Lutheran pastor and has served at Christ Lutheran Chino for over 8 years. Roy and his wife of 46 years, Jeanine, live in the parsonage and serve the church as a team. They have two children and 7 grandchildren. Roy is a late life pastor, worked for many years at Hughes Aircraft Co., and has owned 2 brick and mortar used bookstores. Roy enjoys reading, watching his beloved (while suffering) Anaheim Ducks and spending time with family. His dream is to write a book explaining to the world that OCD is not a joke or a funny little quirk.
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We look forward to seeing everyone at the IE event. Make sure to register before the event is sold out! For more information and to register for the event, click here: The Inland Empire Speakers Series is Sold Out.
Registration is open for OCD SoCal’s San Diego Speaker Series. The event is happening at the Mira Mesa Library at 8405 New Salem Street, San Diego, CA, 92126 on Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 10am – 1:30pm PST. A lunch, beverages, and parking are provided. For more information and to register for the event, click here: The San Diego Speakers Series is Sold Out.. Here are the event’s speakers:
OCD Spectrum / Related Disorders: What are They and How are They Treated
Bio: Dr. Saxena is the Director of Clinical and Research Affairs for the International OCD Foundation. He is a Psychiatrist who specializes in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Hoarding Disorder, other OC-Related Disorders, Anxiety Disorders. He is also Clinical Professor (non-salaried), UC San Diego Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Saxena is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and a Fellow of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology.
After completing his residency and fellowship, he joined the faculty of the UCLA Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and served as Director of the UCLA OCD Research Program and Associate Director of the UCLA Anxiety Disorders Program. He then moved to UC San Diego and served as Director of the UCSD Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders Program and Director of UCSD Outpatient Psychiatric Services. More recently, he was the Adult Psychiatrist for Rogers Behavioral Health San Diego.
Dr. Saxena was elected into Best Doctors in America every year 2005-2020, and elected into Castle Connelly’s and US News & World Report’s America’s Top Doctors every year 2008-2021. He continues to be heavily involved in teaching psychiatric residents and therapist trainees, and has won multiple teaching awards. He is also active in community education at the local, national, and international level.
Dr. Saxena also served as the psychiatric consultant for the motion picture, “As Good As It Gets” (Sony Pictures, 1997), in which the lead character, played by Jack Nicholson, suffered from OCD. Dr. Saxena’s research has focused on the neurobiology and treatment of OCD, Hoarding Disorder, and related disorders. He has authored or co-authored over 80 scientific articles and book chapters. He has received awards and grants from the American Psychiatric Association, American Neuropsychiatric Association, International OCD Foundation, and the National Institute of Mental Health. Dr. Saxena serves on the Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board for the International OCD Foundation and was an advisor to the DSM-5 Workgroup on Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders. He and his colleagues developed the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Hoarding Disorder.
His research has garnered attention from local and national media, and he has been featured on ABC, CNN, Larry King Live, MSNBC, the Discovery Channel, National Public Radio, BBC News, the New York Times, Time Magazine, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, and Facebook Live.
Bio: Katherine Pica, LCSW, is a therapist and owner of Resilience Counseling. Katherine has worked in this field for over 18 years and enjoys working with people to help them learn coping skills to overcome life’s struggles. She specializes in treating OCD, BFRBs, Trauma, and Anxiety. She utilizes evidenced-based methods to help, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Comprehensive Behavioral Model (COMB), and a Mindful Self Compassion based approach. By combining her clinical expertise with a natural ability to form warmth and connection, Katherine has been able to help so many clients throughout the years conquer the struggles that have kept them stuck. There is so much hope to healing. You are not alone.
Bio: Summer Contreras is a Certified Peer Support Specialist living in San Diego, CA. Summer grew up with OCD, but wasn’t diagnosed until age 18 and didn’t seek proper treatment until age 22, after her mother – with whom she was very close – passed away from cancer. Since then, she has been a passionate advocate for those with OCD and related disorders so others don’t suffer the way she did. Summer has a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University of Arizona and hopes to specialize in treating OCD. She volunteers at a research lab at San Diego State University and advocates through her blog and social media. She is currently writing a memoir. Outside of advocacy, Summer likes to play the Pokémon Trading Card Game competitively and enjoys reading, writing, and mathematics.
Pat Dugan (Panelist)
Pat Dugan, age 73, has experienced OCD symptoms on and off for most of his life, but he was not officially diagnosed until his mid-40’s. Once diagnosed, he was able to manage most of his symptoms with medication and therapy. However, after experiencing a series of traumatic life events in retirement, his symptoms spun out of control and left him feeling anxious, depressed, and full of shame. Pat will share how this late in life existential crisis became a blessing in helping him find a new way of living through gentle acceptance and letting go.
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We look forward to seeing everyone at the SD event. Make sure to register before the event is sold out! For more information and to register for the event, click here: The San Diego Speakers Series is Sold Out.
