Posts Tagged with IOCDF

Published

Orange County “One Million Steps for OCD” Walk Speakers Announced! Plus, How To Register, Agenda & More Info!

http://www.iocdf.org/orangecountywalk

Saturday, June 17, 2023, from 9:30am – 1pm PST, OCD Southern California is hosting the Orange County “One Million Steps for OCD” walk at Wakeham Park in Costa Mesa, CA! For more information and to register, please visit: www.iocdf.org/orangecountywalk.

Below is the agenda, a description of the day’s events, and the speakers for our OCD clinician and people with OCD panels!

Agenda of the day’s events (all times in PST):

9:30am: Check-in and T-Shirt pick up

The official walk t-shirt

If you donated at least $25 when signing up, you will get an official walk t-shirt. Please arrive at 9:30am to ensure all t-shirts are passed out so the event can start on time.

10:00am: Opening remarks, “why we walk” group sharing, and group picture (opt-in)

OCD Southern California board members, Chris and Liz Trondsen will welcome you to Orange County’s “One Million Steps for OCD” walk. We will then open it up to attendees to share ‘why you walk,’ meaning, what brings you out to the event and who are you there to support. We will then take a group picture for those who would like to join.

10:30am: Walk begins!

The walk path is on flat, grassy land. Once around the path is 0.25 of a mile. Walkers are able to dictate their own pace, the distance they complete, and the path is children, elderly, dog, and ADA friendly!

11:30am: Walk concludes and lunch service begins

We will be providing a full lunch and beverages for all attendees!

11:45am: Clinician and lived-experience panels begin

There will be two panels providing OCD education and resources. The clinician panel is made up of three local clinicians who specialize in the treatment of OCD, OCD-related disorders, and anxiety. They will each do a brief talk on an OCD related topic. The lived-experience panel consists of three individuals with OCD who have all gone through treatment and are now living fulfilled lives. They will share some tips and ways they were able to get the disorder under control. Then the panels will open up for a Q&A and all attendees are welcome to ask the panelists questions!

The OCD clinician panel:

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Michelle Malloy, MFT, PMH-C

Website: https://oc-therapy.com/about-us

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.

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Jennifer O’Connor, Ph.D.

Website: https://drjenniferoconnor.com

Bio: Dr. Jennifer O’Connor is a licensed clinical psychologist and an expert in the field of anxiety and eating disorder treatment. Dr. O’Connor 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. She has been practicing as a licensed psychologist since 2005, and relies on evidenced-based practices including exposure therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy to help her clients to discover freedom in their daily lives.

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Kevin Foss, MFT

Website: https://calocd.com

Bio: Kevin Foss, MFT, has been treating OCD and related disorders since 2008. His clinical specialization spans the full range of the anxiety spectrum. This includes all subtypes of OCD, such as Harm OCD, Contamination, Sexual-Orientation OCD, Moral and Religious Scrupulosity, and more. Additionally, he treats Social Anxiety, Health Anxiety, and Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs). He has lectured at major OCD conferences including the IOCDF’s annual conference and the OCD SoCal’s annual conference. Kevin also hosts the “Fearcast” podcast!

The lived-experience (people with OCD) panel:

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Chris Trondsen, LMFT, APCC

Website: http://ocdsocal.org/about-us/board-of-directors/

Bio: Chris Trondsen suffered with severe OCD and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) 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, and 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. He is also a leader of multiple IOCDF Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and created the Young Adult Track at the annual IOCDF conference. 

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Lauren Rosen, LMFT 

Website: https://theobsessivemind.com

Bio: Lauren Rosen, LMFT, is the Founder and Director of the Center for the Obsessive Mind. Lauren is based in Southern California but is also licensed to work with individuals in Florida, Utah, and Nevada. In her work as a therapist, Lauren specializes in working with people who have OCD, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders. Additionally, she treats trauma and depression. Lauren also co-hosts the “Purely OCD” podcast and is co-author of the book “Intuitive Eating.” Lauren has presented at both the IOCDF and OCD Southern California annual conferences.

Kelley Franke, LMFT

Website: https://centerforocd.com

Bio: Kelley Franke is Licensed Marriage and Family therapist 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 has lived experience with OCD and Anxiety and is especially passionate about working with postpartum and Perinatal OCD. Kelley completed her Masters in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. During her graduate program she worked as a behavioral assistant at The OCD Center of Los Angeles, where she then completed her internship and received her clinical specialized training. 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, a podcast on all things OCD.

12:45pm: Opportunity drawing for attendees

Each walker will get a ticket and we will be giving away prizes. Winners must be in attendance to receive a prize if your ticket is drawn!

1:00pm: Event concludes

For more information and to register, please visit: www.iocdf.org/orangecountywalk

See you Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 9:30am!

Published

Tuesday, May 30th Is The Last Day For Early Bird, Reduced Cost IOCDF Annual Conference Registration!

Good news! Early Bird Deadline has been EXTENDED!

Did you miss the Early Bird Deadline for the Annual IOCDF OCD Conference, sponsored by Neurobehavioral Institute? Then you’re in luck — it’s been extended until May 30, 2023! Click this link to register today to lock in the lowest rates for the largest in-person event dedicated to OCD and related disorders.

Also, remember that families of 4 or more receive 15% off registration fees for everyone attending. OCD affects everyone in the family, and we have sessions, workshops, and support groups that will benefit the entire household!

Questions?

Review the Important Dates & FAQ to learn more about the Annual OCD Conference or email conference@iocdf.org. See you there!

Published

Register Today for the International OCD Foundation’s Monday, May 1st, Virtual Faith & OCD Conference!

http://www.iocdf.org/faithcon

The International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) is excited to host their Faith & OCD Conference that is less than a week away! This unique event began out of the recognition that many people living with OCD initially seek assistance from a faith leader prior to a mental health provider.

The conference was specifically created to address the needs of a diverse community — spanning all faiths, ethnicities, and backgrounds. We’ll provide education about effective treatment and ways to support those in the faith community living with OCD.

Join us for this collaborative conversation between faith leaders, mental health providers, and the OCD community! Register here: www.iocdf.org/faithcon

Published

The Agenda and Program for OCD Southern California’s April 22nd Inland Empire Speaker Series Event!

The Inland Empire Speaker Series is being held on Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 10am – 1pm PST. Check-in for the event will open at 9:30am. We suggest you arrive early for check-in and then the event will begin promptly at 10am. If you have not registered for the event, there are still low-cost tickets available. Your registration includes a catered meal, beverages, and free parking. For more information and to register, visit: OCD SoCal Speaker Series – Inland Empire Tickets via EventBrite

There are 9 presenters for the event. To read each speaker’s bio (the bios are for the professionals speaking, see below for info on the speakers who are non-professionals but have lived experience), please visit: http://ocdsocal.org/3110/information-on-the-9-presenters-for-the-inland-empire-speaker-series-being-held-on-saturday-april-22nd-10am-1pm/

Here is a list with details of the sessions being offered:

Registration: 9:30am PST

When you arrive and enter the Carolyn Owens Community Center, turn right and walk down the hallway. You will reach an OCD Southern California sign at the end of this hallway. When you see the sign, turn right again to enter the Multipurpose Room where the event is located. The check-in desk is located outside of the Multipurpose Room. You do not need to bring your EventBrite ticket; we have the names of everyone who registered and will check you in at the check-in table.

Introduction and Welcome: 10 – 10:10am PST

OCD Southern California board member Chris Trondsen, LMFT, APCC (http://ocdsocal.org/about-us/board-of-directors/) will welcome attendees, go over the day’s events, and announce additional important information. Then the event’s presentations will begin.

There will be five sessions total, with four talks running consecutively and the final (fifth) session featuring all of the day’s speakers for an “Ask the Expert” Q&A Panel.

Session I: 10:10 – 10:40am PST

How to Find the Right Therapist and Receive an Accurate OCD Diagnosis – Eda Gorbis, Ph.D., LMFT, and Alexander Gorbis, AMFT http://www.hope4ocd.com/index.php

Obtaining treatment from an inexperienced therapist who is not trained in evidence-based therapy for OCD can actually cause more harm than good. Therefore, in this discussion, the presenters will give an overview of what to look for in a therapist when seeking out OCD treatment. They will cover the difference between a general talk therapist and a clinician who specializes in the treatment of OCD and related disorders. Additionally, they will discuss what goes into the assessment process and how to receive a proper OCD diagnosis. A discussion on differential diagnosis (such as generalized anxiety disorder) and comorbidities (depression, PTSD) will conclude this presentation.

Session II: 10:40 – 11:10am PST

There Is Always Hope: Parenting a Child with OCD – A mother and father of a teenage daughter with OCD

It can feel as if there is no hope when your loved one is experiencing OCD. Years of suffering, misdiagnosis, and poor treatment is what many experience early on in their journey. Treatment can be challenging and feel like a never-ending battle. Inspirational, success stories are needed to provide hope and proof that someone with OCD can get better–and that is what you will hear in this talk with a family who has lived this experience. For this lived-experience panel, a mother and father of a tween daughter with OCD will share their story of how the family came together through an OCD diagnosis. The parents will open up about their journey and share what helped them navigate this experience successfully! OCD is a family disorder and this mother and father will discuss pivotal moments in their daughter’s recovery, including early symptoms, finding an OCD specialist, supporting their daughter through treatment, and their changing role as their daughter’s symptoms improved.

Session III: 11:20 – 11:50am PST

Recovery Is Possible! How to Be Successful in OCD Treatment – Chris Trondsen, LMFT, APCC http://ocdsocal.org/about-us/board-of-directors/ and Michelle Malloy, MFT, PMH-C https://oc-therapy.com

Individuals with OCD often feel hopeless, thinking there is no relief to the intrusive thoughts looping in their heads and the hours of exhausting compulsive behaviors. Sometimes someone with OCD has started the treatment but gave up early on because it felt too difficult. This talk will offer solutions on common roadblocks that can come up in treatment. The presenters, two licensed clinicians, will help you understand how the OCD treatment works and why it is so successful for many. The presentation will also address the first steps in getting started with exposure and response prevention (ERP). Additionally, the speakers will share how to address mental compulsions, reduce physical compulsions, find motivation and engagement, be on the offense in treatment, and the overall mindset needed to recovery. Relapse prevention and transitioning out of therapy will also be addressed! This will be a crash course on the evidence-based, front-line treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Session IV: 11:50 – 12:20pm PST

The Heroic Journey To Overcome OCD! A Story of Two Women’s Fight Against The Disorder – Sophia Fitts, Miranda Gomez, and Chris Trondsen, LMFT, APCC (moderator) http://ocdsocal.org/about-us/board-of-directors/

When suffering with OCD, it can feel as if recovery is impossible. Often trapped in a stuck cycle of intrusive thoughts and hours of exhaustive, compulsive behaviors, with no end in sight. Individuals with the disorder often feel hopeless and lost on how to get better. Sophia and Miranda will share their experience on how they were able to escape these hopeless times. Both will discuss how they were able to find a proper OCD diagnosis, find specialized care, stay motivated throughout the treatment, and finish strong–allowing them both to live a full and fulfilled life. They will share the ups-and-downs of treatment and what they did to become successful in managing OCD symptoms. This lived-experience panel will be moderated by licensed therapist, Chris Trondsen, Vice President of OCD Southern California.

Lunch: 12:20pm PST

OCD Southern California is providing beverages and a catered lunch from The Corner Bakery. There will be different food options to choose from; you will select your preferred option at check-in. The lunches are provided in a portable dinnerware. We ask you to bring your food to your seat in the Multipurpose Room as we begin the final session presentation.

Session V: 12:20 – 1:00pm PST

Ask The Experts: Summary Q&A Panel – All of the event’s presenters

Please join us for an opportunity to ask questions of a panel consisting of all of the event’s presenters. This is an opportunity to ask any of the questions you were unable to ask during the day; that talk’s presenters will be able to answer your questions at this panel. The panel will consist of leading OCD experts and individuals with OCD.

Event Concludes: 1:00pm PST

On your way out, please make sure to sign up for OCD Southern California’s mailing list and to sign up for our free, virtual Family and Loved One’s OCD Support Group!

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For more information and to register, visit: OCD SoCal Speaker Series – Inland Empire Tickets via EventBrite