The Online OCD Conference, the largest virtual OCD conference on the planet, is on Saturday, October 21st and Sunday, October 22nd, from 8am to 4pm PST each day. To attend the conference, you must register at www.iocdf.org/onlineocdcon. There will be information on the event, how to register for the conference, the program with presentation times and descriptions, and more! Please email us with any questions: info@ocdsocal.org
At the conference, on Saturday, October 21st from 6 to 7pm PST, is the live keynote! This conference keynote is “Voices from the OCD Community!” These are real people, with real stories. The keynote features presenters who will share their experiences while suffering through their lowest moments with OCD. The speakers will then detail how they fought back to regain control of their lies using the tools of treatment. Additionally, they will highlight the ways their lives have vastly improved now that they are managing the disorder. Finally, attendees will have a chance to ask questions that will be answered by the keynote speakers!
Meet your 2023 Online OCD Conference keynote speakers:
Jan Stewart is a mental health and neurodiversity advocate and a parent of two children with severe anxiety and OCD, as well as additional co-occurring conditions. She has written a book: Hold on Tight: A Parent’s Journey Raising Children with Mental Illness and volunteers on several mental health boards. Her son, Andrew, will share his journey being diagnosed with OCD, autism, ADHD, Tourette’s Syndrome and learning disabilities. To learn more about Jan: About Me – Jan Stewart (janstewartauthor.com)
Uma Chaterjee is a neuroscientist, board-certified Mental Health Peer Specialist, and IOCDF Advocate. Uma has conducted award-winning research to study the effects of psychedelic-assisted therapy on comorbid OCD and PTSD across several disciplines. To learn more about Uma and her research: Hi, I’m Uma! – Uma R. Chatterjee, M.S., MHPS (umarchatterjee.com)
Valerie Andrews was diagnosed with OCD later in life and has become an IOCDF advocate to advocate for “women of age, color and faith.” She will be joined by her husband, Melvin, to discuss how he supported his wife through difficult times. To learn more about Valerie: Why I Became An Advocate: Valerie Andrews | International OCD Foundation (iocdf.org)
Hayden and Ian Wright are a married couple who will share their experience with OCD. Ian has lived with OCD all his life but was officially diagnosed and entered treatment in 2013 at the age of 26. While Hayden does not have OCD, she has had her own struggles with anxiety disorders and was diagnosed with PTSD near the start of their relationship. Both Hayden and Ian have experienced the highs and lows of their own mental health journeys and the struggles and successes that presents to a relationship. But they have prioritized open communication and both feel that their experience has helped them become better partners and advocates for each other.
To learn more, and to register for the conference, please visit: www.iocdf.org/onlineocdcon. We look forward to seeing you there!