Posts Tagged with OCD Awareness Week

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Join Us at Our Virtual OCD Awareness Week Event Saturday, October 16, 2021 at 10am – 12pm PST!

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!

Published

OCD SoCal Is Hosting A Free, Virtual Educational Event for OCD Awareness Week 2021! Save the Date!

During this year’s OCD Awareness Week, on Saturday, October 16, 2021, from 10am to 12 noon PST, OCD Southern California is offering a free and interactive virtual event! This event includes presentations from members of the OCD SoCal board discussing various OCD topics!

These topics include presentations from experts on: exposure and response prevention treatment, OCD medications, and how to reduce family accommodation. Additionally, a panel consisting of individuals in recovery from OCD will share their lived experiences.

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.”

All are welcome to attend, and the second half of the presentation will allow attendees to ask questions on any material presented. It is a fantastic opportunity to educate the public on OCD, so please also invite family and loved ones who would benefit from learning more about this disorder.

We will be sending out the specific Zoom link to those on our OCD SoCal mailing list, so if you or someone you feel would be interested in attending are not on that list, please email us at: info@OCDSoCal.org.

This year OCD Awareness Week is from Sunday, October 10th until Saturday, October 16, 2021!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Published

OCD Southern California’s 5th Annual (Virtual) Conference

OCD Southern California Conference 2021: A Virtual Event

Join us for the 5th annual OCD Southern California conference–a virtual event this year! We are thrilled to present the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)’s National and Lead Advocates as our keynote speakers. We are pleased to introduce our speakers:

Ethan S. Smith was born with OCD and struggled the majority of his life until receiving life-changing treatment in 2010. Ethan was the keynote speaker at the 2014 Annual OCD Conference in Los Angeles. He serves as an IOCDF National Advocate. He has devoted his life to reducing stigma around OCD and mental health, to education, and to supporting the OCD community.

Elizabeth McIngvale, PhD is the director of the McLean Houston OCD Program. Elizabeth is a National Advocate for the IOCDF and serves as a board member. She was diagnosed with OCD at age 12 and underwent both inpatient and outpatient therapy. Elizabeth engages in clinical work, research, and advocacy with the goal of improving access to care and OCD treatment.

Valerie Andrews received an OCD diagnosis in 2011 and, following treatment, began advocating in hopes of bringing awareness and inclusion within her own community and communities of faith. Her goal is to continue working as an IOCDF Lead Advocate and promoting change for women of age, color, and faith.

Tom Smalley, MS, CSCS was diagnosed with OCD at the age of 16 and shortly after became passionate about spreading awareness about OCD. Tom was the recipient of the 2019 IOCDF Hero Award. He speaks at the Annual OCD Conferences and has appeared on a variety of blogs and podcasts. Tom is particularly passionate about athletes and OCD and the stigma of mental health in sports.

Chris Trondsen, MS, AMFT, APCC, suffered from undiagnosed, severe OCD and BDD from childhood. Following treatment, Chris began advocating for mental health and shared his story on TV, newspapers and podcasts. Chris began speaking at Annual OCD Conferences, including giving the keynote with his mom at the 2011 conference. He also helped start the Young Adult Track at the annual conference.

Each of these advocates is a person with OCD who devotes time to support others with the disorder and to advocate for better mental health services.

Following the keynote speakers, there will be a total of 30 break-out sessions offered during three consecutive time slots.  Ten breakout sessions will be offered during each time slot. More information about our presentations, led by some of the top OCD experts in the United States, is now posted on our website: ocdsocal.org. We are also offering community discussion groups, two documentaries, and a mindfulness/yoga workshop during the lunch break. The conference will end with a Summary Q&A Panel and an opportunity drawing for various prizes.

Up to 5.25 CEs available for LMFT, LPCC, LCSW and psychologists.

Published

OCD Southern California presents: “Support for Families” A Virtual Panel Discussion! (Includes Zoom Link)

Saturday, October 10th, 2020 at 11am PST
(Zoom link included below)

To celebrate, and kick off OCD Awareness Week, OCD Southern California will be presenting four of our Southern California Board members on a Zoom presentation.

This event will take place on Saturday, October 10th, at 11am to 1pm PST. The board members will speak for about an hour, answer your questions, and then conclude with a Family and Loved One’s OCD Support Group for the remainder of the time.

The OCD So Cal board members will be presenting on the following topics:

  • “Kids, Teens, and OCD” – Jenny Yip, Psy.D.
  • “Family Accommodation” – Barbara Van Noppen, Ph.D., LCSW
  • “Treatment Resistance” – Melissa Mose, LMFT
  • “Medications” – Sean Sassano-Higgins, M.D.

The Family and Loved One’s OCD Support Group will follow the above mentioned presentation, and question and answer segment, for the remainder of the event. The support group will be hosted by OCD So Cal board members Chris Trondsen, M.S., AMFT, APCC, Liz Trondsen, and Patricia Bosvay.

We hope to see you there! For questions, please email us at: Info@OCDSoCal.org.

Zoom link to join the event:

OCD SoCal is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: OCD SoCal: Support For Families
Time: Oct 10, 2020 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

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Passcode: 413816
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