Many clinicians are familiar with Exposure and Response Prevention, an evidence-based treatment designed to dismantle the system of behavioral reinforcement that perpetuates OCD. It can be challenging to translate these principles to mental behaviors, as clinicians and clients alike can struggle find ways to disengage from mental compulsions and rumination without falling into the trap of distraction or thought suppression. This presentation will give clinicians concrete tools to help clients build awareness of mental compulsions and practice a variety of non-engagement strategies.

The first annual Sheppard Pratt and Mid-Atlantic OCD Conference sponsored by Sheppard Pratt and OCD Mid-Atlantic (an affiliate of the International OCD Foundation) is a day of advanced continuing education and destigmatization about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It features professional workshops from experts in the field on topics including pediatric OCD, Tourettic OCD, the use of technology in OCD treatment, and the history and evolution of OCD psychiatry. The day concludes with a lived experience panel featuring individuals affected by OCD who will share about their journeys to manage the condition.

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.

This presentation was originally reviewed on May 12, 2025, and live streamed online on May 16, 2025, from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm ET.

This presentation will focus on comprehensive evidence-based interventions for youth experiencing school avoidance. Specifically, we will discuss the importance of diagnostic, dimensional, and functional assessment, the critical role of parent education, training, and support, and the benefits of group therapy with other school avoidant youth. In addition, we will address how to identify the appropriate target for exposure therapy, and how to partner with the school-based professionals to design the return to learn process. Lastly, we find that approximately 50% of school avoidant youth present with unidentified issues related to neurodiversity, especially autism and processing speed disorders. We will address the critical differences in the interventions for these youth.

This presentation was last reviewed on March 13, 2025, and broadcast live online on May 5,  2023, from 1:00 PM- 2:30 PM ET. 

This presentation was last reviewed on March 13, 2025, and broadcast live online on May 5, 2023, from 2:45 PM- 4:15 PM ET.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder can appear in many different ways. While many people suffering from OCD know it causes high levels of fear and anxiety, fewer people realize just how much anger can be a part of it. In fact, for a large number of children, adolescents, and adults with OCD, anger or rage attacks are a regular and highly disruptive part of their lives. In this talk, Dr. Lack will discuss why irritability, anger, and rage are very prevalent in OCD and help clinicians better understand this often confusing issue as well as how to address it in session.

This presentation was last reviewed on March 13, 2025, and broadcast live online on April 7, 2023, from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM ET.

This presentation was last reviewed on April 3, 2025, and live streamed online on April 11, 2025, from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm ET.