Trainings

There is a public misconception that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a silly personality trait or preference, or a taboo disorder that only affects a few people. These misconceptions are often strengthened by stereotypical presentations portrayed in the media; the quirky person who cleans excessively, or the friend who just happens to wash their hands too much. These misrepresentations of OCD only fuel the spread of misinformation, and further contribute to the stigma that surrounds OCD. OCD is a chronic, debilitating mental health disorder that can cause notable distress and impairments in important areas of functioning (Yan et. al., 2022; Rudrabhatla et. al., 2024).

Research indicates that the lifetime prevalence of OCD is between 1% to 3% of the population (Yan et. al., 2022). Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is recommended as the first-line, “gold standard” treatment for OCD (Mao et. al., 2022; Yan et. al., 2022). Unfortunately, ERP is routinely underutilized in clinical settings (Rudrabhatla et al., 2024).
Further, individuals who hold identities that are systematically oppressed and marginalized, and those who reside in low- and middle- income countries, are at an even higher risk of not receiving ERP (Rudrabhatla et al., 2024; Stein et. al., 2025).

This course offers an in-depth overview of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and culturally informed treatment options.

Participants will gain a deeper understanding in how to:

• Define OCD based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) criteria;

• Diagnose OCD with special consideration to differential diagnosis;

• Recognize common and uncommon symptoms/presentations;

• Conceptualize and apply evidence-based modalities in the treatment of OCD

• Improve cultural competency in the treatment of OCD.

• Psychopharmacological interventions will also be explored, and case examples will be provided to further support participant’s understanding of how to diagnose and conceptualize the treatment of OCD.