OCD SoCal is constantly hosting free and low-cost events in the local Southern California area. We also host virtual events, which means those events are open to anyone from anywhere! Additionally, we send out information on exciting OCD-related events thrown by other outstanding organizations and individuals.
To stay up-to-date on what is happening with OCD SoCal and the OCD community, sign up to be on our email list. Email: info@ocdsocal.org and include your name in the body of your email and that you would like to be on our mailing list. We will then add you! OCD SoCal sends out a sensible amount of emails monthly and does not share the email list with other organizations.
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
Here is a list with details of the sessions being offered:
Registration: 9:30amPST
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 – 10:10amPST
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 – 10:40amPST
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 – 11:10amPST
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 – 11:50amPST
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 – 12:20pmPST
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: 12:20pmPST
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 – 1:00pmPST
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: 1:00pmPST
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!
Registration is still open for OCD SoCal’s Inland Empire Speaker Series. The event is happening at the Carolyn Owens Community Center at 13201 Central Ave., Chino, CA 91710 on Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 10am – 1pm PST. A catered lunch, beverages, and parking are provided. For more information and to register for the event, click here: OCD SoCal Speaker Series Inland Empire Speaker Series Inland Empire Ticket Registration – EventBrite. Here are the OCD specialists speaking at the event in alphabetical order by last name:
Sophia Fitts, M.S.
Bio: Sophia Fitts, M.S., earned her master’s degree in Counseling from CSU Fullerton and is currently working as a Disability Management Specialist at the same institution. In her current role, she is responsible for determining appropriate accommodations to reduce educational barriers for students with mental and physical health disabilities. Sophia was diagnosed with OCD during her first year of undergraduate study in 2017. Through years of exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), she has successfully managed to overcome the daily struggles of OCD, and she takes pride in using her experience to help and inspire others.
Miranda Gomez
Bio: Miranda Gomez suffered with severe panic disorder and OCD for 23 years of her life before she received a diagnosis and specialized treatment. Caught in a repetitive and painful cycle, she found herself feeling like there would never be a way out. In the midst of her battle, Miranda vowed that if she ever made it through, she would spread awareness to help others and work to end the stigma surrounding OCD and related mental health disorders. Miranda currently holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UC San Diego and works as a Social Worker for San Bernardino County assisting the elderly and disabled population.
Bio: Alexander Gorbis obtained his master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, from Pepperdine University. Since graduating Pepperdine, Alex is working at the Westwood Institute for Anxiety Disorders, attaining hours for licensure and gaining clinical experience with highly comorbid and extreme cases of OCD and related anxiety disorders. As a behavioral coach / associate therapist, his responsibilities include administering supervised assessments to new patients, provide support in developing and executing exposures with patients, and assigning daily homework while maintaining a high standard of care. Alex has developed a passion for working the OCD and related anxiety disorders population.
Bio: Eda Gorbis, PhD, LMFT, is the Director and Founder of the Westwood Institute for Anxiety Disorders, Inc., in Los Angeles, California, and Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences at the USC Keck School of Medicine. From 1999 and until 2014 Dr. Gorbis held an appointment of Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine. She specializes in treatment of refractory cases of OCD and has integrated the most successful treatment modalities for OCD and complex comorbidities.
Bio: Dr. Gould is a clinical behavior analyst and licensed psychologist fulfilling a variety of clinical, administrative, and academic roles at Keck School of Medicine at USC, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and the private clinic that she runs with her colleague Dr. Lisa Coyne. Evie has 20yrs clinical experience working with families of individuals on the autism spectrum, OCD, anxiety, and related challenges. Evie is actively involved in training, supervision, dissemination, and outreach, and is passionate about promoting culturally responsive, affirmative, compassionate care, while addressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare. Evie’s pronouns are she/they.
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.
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.
The Orange County Speaker Series is being held on Saturday, April 15, 2023 from 10am – 2pm PST. Check-in for the event will open at 9:30am. Coffee and tea will be served. 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 – Orange County Tickets via EventBrite
Here is a list with details of the break-out sessions being offered:
Registration: 9:30amPST
The check-in desk is located near the entrance of the hotel, to the right when you enter, in front of the Ballroom. 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 – 10:15amPST
OCD Southern California board members Chris Trondsen, LMFT, APCC, Barbara Van Noppen, Ph.D., LCSW, and Sue Chudy, LCSW, (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 three presentations occurring during each session. Attendees can pick a talk to attend during each session. There will be four sessions total, with three talks running concurrently during each of the first three sessions, with the final (fourth) session featuring all of the day’s speakers for an “Ask the Expert” Q&A Panel.
Session I: 10:15 – 11:00amPST
An OCD Recovery Roadmap: Navigating Diagnosis, Treatment, and Common Keys to Success on the Path to Healing – Matt Codde, LCSW https://www.restoredminds.com
In this discussion, the presenter will draw upon both personal and clinical experience to outline the three phases of OCD recovery and how to successfully navigate each phase. This will include understanding and accepting an OCD diagnosis, successfully implementing ERP and breaking the OCD loop, and implementing common keys to success along the path to recovery from OCD and anxiety.
This presentation will shed light on taboo OCD themes and cover issues, like shame, that often come up for those dealing with these subtypes. Given that taboo obsessions and mental compulsions often go hand in hand, the two clinicians will also explore how to spot rumination and other mental behaviors that may be keeping you stuck. Ultimately, they’ll consider how ACT, Mindfulness, and ERP techniques can help you to navigate mental compulsions so you can get back to living life on your terms.
Individuals with OCD are likely to be diagnosed with one or more additional psychiatric conditions in their life (69.3% comorbidity). In this presentation we will discuss a few of the most common comorbidities (anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, ADHD, autism, panic disorder, and OCPD). In particular, differential diagnosis, how comorbidities may affect treatment, as well as adaptations that may be necessary for treatment success will be addressed.
This presentation will address key points to ensuring you and your family know what to look for to receive gold-standard care for OCD. Oftentimes people do not know the right questions to ask or what to look for in finding the right therapist. Also, in an effort to cope with challenging situations to help the person with OCD, families engage in behaviors that perpetuate OCD symptoms and interfere with treatment. Family accommodation worsens OCD symptoms, leaving family members feeling frustrated and at odds with one another. You will be provided information to help you find the best, most qualified therapist who has expertise to treat OCD. There will be a review of family accommodation and how to use behavioral contracting as an essential ingredient in family-based treatment for OCD.
OCD is draining. Life with the disorder is a daily, emotional rollercoaster that feels as if it will never end. Long-term OCD recovery requires strategy, motivation, hope, and quite a bit of creativity. In this presentation, we will address the most common OCD pitfalls that can sabotage your treatment. No matter what stage of recovery you are in, whether recently diagnosed or in treatment for years, these 6 POWERFUL strategies will propel you in your OCD treatment and help you take your life back from OCD!
Scrubbing Hands, Saying Prayers, and Searching For the One: The Many Subtypes of OCD – Sheva Rajaee, MFT https://www.caocd.com
What makes OCD unique is that not everyone experiences the disorder the same. This is mainly due to the many subtypes individuals with OCD experience. There is relationship OCD (ROCD), moral What makes OCD unique is that not everyone experiences the disorder the same. This is mainly due to the many subtypes individuals with OCD experience. There is relationship OCD (ROCD), moral scrupulosity, harm OCD, sexual intrusive thoughts, existential OCD, and many more. Understanding key differences between subtypes, as well as core fears common to all subtypes, offers a powerful framework for enacting change. This presentation will define each subtype, cover core fears and important differences, and address what to do when themes switch and evolve over time.
The treatment for OCD should be adjusted and tailored based on the client, and this is especially true when treating youth. How we navigate treatment for a 12-year-old is much different than what therapy looks like for an adult. This talk will highlight specific strategies that can help both kids, teens, young adults–and their parents feel more successful in facing challenges from OCD. The presenters will go over how successful treatment should look like at each of these major developmental stages and offer tangible strategies for each age group. Finally, the unique challenges each age group experiences in treatment and solutions will be offered.
It can feel as if there is no hope when you or a 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 the Kinbergs. For this event’s lived-experience panel, the Kinberg family–Toby, along with his mom, Dr. Mali Kinberg, and dad, Simon Kinberg, will share their story of how the family came together through an OCD diagnosis. They will open up about their journey and share what helped them navigate this experience successfully! The Kinberg family were the keynote speakers at the IOCDF’s 2022 annual conference in Denver, Colorado and OCD SoCal is honored and excited to host them at our Orange County Speaker Series event.
There are many treatment options for OCD including therapy, medications, and neuromodulation. This talk will present the basics about 1st- and 2nd-line medications used in treating OCD, including expected response, time to response, and side effects. Additionally, the talk will provide an overview of neuromodulation techniques for OCD, including treatments like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and deep brain stimulation (DBS).
Lunch: 12:50pmPST
The Costa Mesa Marriott is providing a catered lunch and beverages. 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 into the main Ballroom as we begin the final session presentation.
Session IV: 1:10 – 2:00pmPST
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, or if you were unable to attend one of the presentaitons, 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: 2:00pmPST
On your way out, please make sure to sign up for OCD Southern California’s mailing list, as well as visiting the front desk of the hotel to have your parking ticket validated. Parking for the event is covered by OCD SoCal.
A huge thank you to the sponsor of OCD Southern California’s Orange County Speaker Series, The Westwood Institute for Anxiety Disorders.
The Westwood Institute for Anxiety Disorders, Inc. was founded in 1997 to better serve the OCD and anxiety disorders community. Since then, Dr. Gorbis has successfully treated numerous patients from many parts of the world suffering from severe OCD, and has trained many clinicians from the United States and across the world on her intensive integrated method.
The mission of Westwood Institute for Anxiety Disorders, Inc. is to properly train clinicians to be effective in treating OCD, to improve OCD treatment through rigorous research, to eliminate the stigma attached to OCD through media appearances, and to disseminate knowledge of OCD through public education.
