Cognitive Behavioral Therapy of Body Dysmorphic Disorder

This presentation was originally reviewed on September 10, 2025, and live streamed online on September 12, 2025, from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm ET.

The views and opinions expressed by this presenter in this lecture are their own, and do not represent the views of Sheppard Pratt.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a complex condition that continues to be underrecognized and misdiagnosed. Despite similarities to OCD, BDD presents with unique clinical challenges, including higher overvalued ideation, treatment ambivalence, reliance on cosmetic and dermatological procedures, depression, shame, isolation, and suicidality. Standard evidenced based treatment based for OCD is therefore inadequate to address the full scope of BDD symptomatology. This lecture will explain the cognitive behavioral treatment for BDD and introduce additional strategies to enhance treatment outcome. These include a larger focus on engagement via a shared formulation with the client as well as incorporating a variety of techniques such as: dialectical behavior therapy, perceptual re-training, compassion focused therapy, and attentional training.

Target Audience

This activity is intended for physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, counselors, and other mental health professionals. 

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, attendees will be able to:

  1. Describe how Body Dysmorphic Disorder differs from OCD
  2. Discuss CBT treatment for Body Dysmorphic Disorder
  3. Recognize how to formulate a more comprehensive treatment plan for Body Dysmorphic Disorder with the addition of other treatment techniques

 

 

Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 ACEP NBCC clock hours
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 Category II credits for Social Workers
  • 1.00 Psychologists
  • 1.00 MNA Contact Hours for Nurses
  • 1.00 Participation
Course opens: 
10/13/2025
Course expires: 
10/11/2027

There is no commercial support for this activity.

About the speaker

Sony Khemlani-Patel, Ph.D. is the Clinical Director at the Bio Behavioral Institute in Great Neck, NY where she has specialized in the evidence-based treatment for OCD and Related Disorders for the past 25 years. She is on the Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) and Vice President of OCD-New York, which is the NY State Affiliate of the IOCDF. She is also on the Faculty of IOCDF’s Behavior Therapy Training Institute, providing evidence-based training for clinicians around the country. Dr. Khemlani has co-authored three books, numerous book chapters, and scientific publications.

Disclosure Statements

Sheppard Pratt holds the standard that its continuing medical education programs should be free of commercial bias and conflict of interest. In accord with Sheppard Pratt's Disclosure Policy, as well as standards of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and the American Medical Association (AMA), all planners, reviewers, speakers and persons in control of content have been asked to disclose any relationship he /she has with any entity producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients, during the past 24 months. All planners, reviewers and speakers have also been asked to disclose any payments accepted for this lecture from any entity besides Sheppard Pratt, and if there will be discussion of any products, services, or off-label uses of product(s) during this presentation.

Sony Khemlani-Patel, PhD  reports being a sub-researcher for Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, and receiving royalties from New Harbinger Press and Hogrefe Publications within the past 24 months. She will not discuss any products, services, or off-label uses in this presentation. All relationships have been mitigated through review.

Event Planners/Reviewers Disclosures: The following event planners and/or reviewers are reported as having no financial interest, arrangement or affiliation with any entity producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients, during the past 24 months: Jon Hershfield, LCMFT, Todd Peters, MD, Michael C. Hann, MD, MBA, Ronald Means, MD, Rajeev Krishna, MD, PhD, MBA, Louis Marino, MD, Devi Bhuyan, PsyD, Manan Shah, MD, Vittoria DeLucia, MD, Chad J. Lennon, MD, Crystal DeVito, PhD, Faith Dickerson, PhD, MPH, Carrie Etheridge, LCSW-C, Tom Flis, MS, BCBA, LBA, LCPC, Paula Bostwick, MSN, RN, CENP, Alfredo Sagisi, DNP, MS, RN, FACHE, Maggie O'Neill MSN, RN, PMH-BC, Lisa Illum, MLIS, MEd, and Jennifer Tornabene.

Physician Statement: Sheppard Pratt is accredited by The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.  Sheppard Pratt takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this CME activity.  Sheppard Pratt designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurse Statement: Sheppard Pratt is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the Maryland Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Sheppard Pratt takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this CME activity. This activity provides 1.0 contact hour for nurses.

Psychologist Statement: Sheppard Pratt is authorized by the State Board of Examiners of Psychologists as a sponsor of continuing education. Sheppard Pratt takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this CE activity.  Sheppard Pratt designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0 contact hour for Psychologists.

Social Worker Statement: Sheppard Pratt is authorized by the Board of Social Work Examiners of Maryland to offer continuing education for Social Workers.  Sheppard Pratt takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this CE activity. This activity is approved for 1.0 contact hour in Category II credits for Social Workers.

Counselor Statement:  Sheppard Pratt has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5098.  Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.  Sheppard Pratt is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.  This activity is available for 1.0 NBCC clock hours.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 ACEP NBCC clock hours
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 Category II credits for Social Workers
  • 1.00 Psychologists
  • 1.00 MNA Contact Hours for Nurses
  • 1.00 Participation
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ON DEMAND WEBINAR: FOR BEST RESULTS WATCH USING GOOGLE CHROME

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy of Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Sony Khemlani-Patel, PhD

Clinical Director, Bio Behavioral Institute

Great Neck,NY

Originally reviewed on September 10, 2025.
Originally broadcast live September 12, 2025, from 1:00 - 2:00 pm ET.
Enduring Activity Credit Expiration Date: October 11, 2027.

Activity Time: One hour recorded webinar lecture with a 15-minute evaluation process. Total Time: 1:15.

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After the video follow the prompts to complete the posttest, evaluation, and attestation of credit. 
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