Treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in the Modern Day: 6-hour course

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of the most confounding mental health maladies in the world today. That said, it has become almost common vernacular whenever a person is a bit fastidious or does something a little odd. We often hear statements such as, “There goes my OCD again!” The devastating effects of OCD can be played down and obscured, resulting in increased difficulty in recognition and proper diagnoses. In addition, shame and media stigma may prevent people from accurately describing the symptoms.

Therefore, many who seek treatment for OCD may, in fact, not actually have the disorder and those who do may go undetected and untreated. OCD is the result of structural damage in specific areas of the brain – it is not a character flaw or lack of willpower. Contrary to popular belief, it generally does not respond favorably to traditional cognitive treatments. In this session, you will learn the differential diagnosis to tease out OCD from other anxiety disorders. In addition, you will recognize the various strains and presentations of OCD. You will gain a brain-based understanding of the issue as well as how to use the mind to relax the body – a helpful key when attempting to treat OCD. Both somatic and appropriate cognitive-based treatments, and when and how to use them, will be presented. Finally, you will discover ways to defeat shame barriers and gain engagement and buy-in with clients.

OCD is typically a chronic condition, but with proper treatment, those who have it can live full and abundant lives. Come learn how to be a catalyst in their healing journey!

Outline

Introductions/Who is in the Room?
What Is OCD?
Pertinent Brain Science
Mechanism of Trouble
Differential Diagnosis (OCD vs OCPD vs GAD vs PTSD, etc)

III. Assessment: Types and Presentations of OCD

Diagnosing the OCD “Strain”
Checking
Hoarding

iii. Ordering

Etc.
Anxiety Management in OCD
Convincing the Client – Shame and Resistance Busters
Building Self-efficacy
Grounding Techniques Effective in OCD
Successive Approximations & Harm Reduction
Treatment
What NOT to Do
The Importance of Structure – Tips and Tricks for Increased Effectiveness
Exposure Therapy – How It Works & What It Is and Is not (Types, Paces, and Practice)
4 Rs & Response Prevention
Equipping the Family/Friends
Care Provider Boundaries

Objectives

Examine and Understand the Neuroscience Behind Obsessive-compulsive Disorders (OCD)
Properly Differentiate OCD from Anxiety & Other Mental Health Disorders
Identify the Various Types of OCD
Acquire Cognitive-based Management Tools Effective for OCD
Apply Somatic/Neuroscience-informed Treatments
Fortify Client Engagement and Decrease Resistance to Treatment

EPDC CE Hours: 6

Presenter: Hannah Smith

Hannah Smith, MA, LMHC, CGP (She/Her), is the founder of Potential Finders Network and is a book author and blog writer, coach/consultant, international board-certified group leader, and nationwide trainer from the Seattle area. She has extensive study and practice in neuroscience- informed clinical treatment and is certified in Interpersonal Neurobiology by the Mindsight Institute. Her experience, both personally and professionally, in the US and abroad, has allowed her to develop multi-modal, culturally competent, cutting-edge & relevant training programs. Hannah guest lectures in academic, clinical, and corporate settings around the US and globally. She has developed an engaging presentation style, making the learning of difficult information both accessible and fun! Her passion is to educate others on practical, whole-person approaches to life with the aim of helping those she works with reach their greatest potential!