Telehealth Certification Institute

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by obsessions (repetitive, intrusive, and distressing thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed in response to the obsessions) that has a profound impact on functioning and quality of life. While much of the internal process of OCD is unseen or hidden, it is important for clinicians to understand the etiological factors that influence the development and maintenance of OCD. As OCD often co-occurs with other mental health conditions, it can be useful to learn how to differentiate the myriad of symptoms of OCD from other disorders with overlapping symptom presentations.

This presentation will provide a review of the literature surrounding the etiological and environmental risk factors for the development of OCD, as well as the maintenance of its symptoms. Direct guidance on early intervention and how to best educate clients and their loved ones on the condition, as well as key management strategies, will also be provided. Assessment tools, strategies for clinical interviews, and diagnostic criteria will be explored, including an opportunity for participants to practice differential diagnosis using complex case examples.

• Discuss the heritability of OCD.
• List at least two environmental factors that impact the development of OCD.
• Identify the diagnostic criteria for OCD, including rule-outs for the condition.
• Assess clients for overlapping symptom presentations and differentiate OCD from other diagnoses.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a complex condition, and the severity of symptoms can vary widely from person to person. The pervasive nature of the disorder, as well as complicating factors such as co-occurring mental health conditions, can lead to clinician anxiety and uncertainty about how to best proceed with treatment. Therefore, comprehensive training in utilizing evidence-based strategies is crucial to ensuring that individuals with OCD receive the best quality of care possible.

This presentation will provide an overview of the existing evidence-based treatments for OCD and related disorders, with an in-depth look at Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which has long been considered the gold standard for treatment. Clinicians will receive intensive training on the theoretical principles of new learning through exposure, will learn how to develop individualized exposure hierarchies to best target OCD symptoms, and will be given direct guidance on how to provide exposure opportunities in a variety of treatment settings. Reviews of the literature indicate that ERP combined with psychotropic medications may improve outcomes; therefore, an overview of the psychopharmacological treatment of OCD, as well as recommendations for multidisciplinary collaboration, will be provided.

• Explain the rationale for utilizing emotional exposure strategies for the management of OCD symptoms.
• Describe two theoretical principles of exposure.
• Create an individualized exposure hierarchy using a sample case.
• Discuss the benefits and challenges of incorporating psychopharmacological interventions for individuals with OCD.

OCD is a highly heterogeneous disorder that can affect individuals of all ages, genders, and racial/ethnic backgrounds. Individuals with OCD may have a wide range of obsessions and compulsions, some of which can be caused by or exacerbated by lived experiences, making it challenging to tailor treatment to each person's specific needs. What works for one person with OCD may not work for another, and understanding and accounting for cultural and systemic factors are necessary for removing barriers to accessing care, preventing re-traumatization, and improving treatment outcomes.

This presentation makes the case for trauma-informed, individualized, and culturally sensitive treatment for OCD. The training will assist clinicians in tailoring treatment to the unique characteristics and contexts in which a person lives, and considerations for adapting treatment for a wide range of patient populations, including children and pregnant individuals, will be explored. Ethics and boundaries, the therapeutic relationship, and the benefits of ongoing supervision and consultation will be emphasized.

• List at least two adaptations required for treating children with OCD.
• Describe at least one unique consideration of treating perinatal OCD.
• Identify at least two intersectional factors that should be considered when individualizing OCD treatment.
• Apply the principles of trauma-informed care to exposure-based treatment for OCD.

Up to 18 CEs available when completing all three courses (A no CE option is also available)

Details for those enrolled and earning CEs:

Counselors: Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No, 6693. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0048. Approval renewal date: 1/31/2026 

Marriage and Family Therapists: Many MFT licensing boards accept our courses or one of the approvals which we have from professional associations. You can check with your board to determine if this course would be accepted by your licensing board.

Social Workers: Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC, #1609, is approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) www.aswb.org, through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC maintains responsibility for the program. ASWB Approval Period: 05/02/2021 – 05/02/2024. Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval for continuing education credits. Socials workers will receive 6 ethics continuing education credits and 18 clinical continuing education clock hours when completing all four courses.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0435. Approval renewal date: 2/28/2026

Psychologists: Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Telehealth Certification Institute LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0128. Effective 8/31/2021 – 8/31/2024

Art Therapists: Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists #CAT-0093. 7/21/2021 – 7/31/2024

Other Professionals: These courses qualify for up to 1080 minutes of instructional content as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations.  Retain your certificate of completion and contact your board or organization for specific filing requirements.

Register for the webinar by midnight before the event. So that we can provide you these CEs, you are required to:

1. login and access the direct link to the webinar through your account
2. participate fully during the event
3. complete a post-test and course evaluation at the conclusion of the event
4. collect your certificate of completion on your account after steps 1-3 are completed

Enroll in a course by adding it to the cart and proceeding through the check out process. Create an account (or login to yours) during the checkout process.

Prepare: Download Zoom software. Participants must use a device that is connected to adequate internet speed with a camera, microphone and speakers (or headset).

Attend: At least 15 minutes before the start time the day of the event, login to your account on the website. Go to "My Courses", click on the title/date of the webinar. The link to join the meeting/webinar will be listed in the course content.

Attendance is automatically recorded when you use the link to join.

Any recording made of a live event is NOT included with live webinar registration.

When possible, webinars are recorded and converted into online self-study courses, available for separate purchase/enrollment for those who did not attend the live event.