Click here to complete the referral form to participate in this class.
Click here to download the study’s flyer.
Uncategorized
HOW STAND-UP HELPS A COMEDIAN HELP HIS OCD
Kevin Turner is a comedian and mental health advocate who uses his platform to share his experiences with OCD and related challenges. Diagnosed with OCD years after being misdiagnosed with anxiety during his time in the military, Kevin now incorporates his journey into his comedy routines. His show, Obsessive Comedy Disorder, blends dark humor and personal stories to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage conversations about mental health. Through his performances, he highlights the importance of therapy and support while helping audiences laugh at life’s messier, uncomfortable realities.
Kevin’s approach is both therapeutic and purposeful, using comedy as a form of exposure therapy to confront his intrusive thoughts and share his vulnerabilities. He credits organizations like the IOCDF and ADAA, as well as personal connections like his supportive aunt, who has OCD similar to his and is a member of IOCDF, for helping him navigate his mental health journey. For Kevin, the most rewarding part of his work is when people tell him after shows that his honesty helped them feel less alone or recognize their own struggles. His goal is to foster understanding, encourage treatment, and find healing—one joke at a time.
To read Kevin’s article on the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA) website, click here.
FINDING A THERAPIST WHO TAKES YOUR INSURANCE CAN BE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. HERE’S WHY…
They studied, honed their skills and opened practices, joining health insurance networks that put them within reach of people who couldn’t afford to pay for sessions out of pocket. So did hundreds of other psychologists, psychiatrists and therapists who shared their experiences. But one after another, they confronted a system set up to squeeze them out. Although federal law requires insurers to provide the same access to mental and physical health care, these companies have been caught, time and again, shortchanging customers with mental illness — restricting coverage and delaying or denying treatment. Click here to read the article.
AN NPR/PROPUBLICA INVESTIGATION
An NPR/ProPublica investigation found that therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists who join insurance networks often leave, largely because of challenges from insurers to get reimbursed for treatment. Click here to watch the video.
THIS IS WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE TO HAVE OCD, ACCORDING TO 4 PEOPLE LIVING WITH IT
What do you think of when you hear the term “OCD”?
In pop culture, people with obsessive-compulsive disorder are often portrayed as meticulous to an extreme degree. They’re highly organized, perfectionistic, or germophobic — like Jack Nicholson’s character in the film “As Good As It Gets”, who tosses out bars of soap after using them once.
Depictions like that aren’t inaccurate, but they’re not the whole story.
Research shows that 1 in 40 American adults have OCD or will develop it at some point in their lives, according to the International OCD Foundation. Although the term “OCD” is often used casually, the disorder must be diagnosed by a medical professional.
NPR wanted to take a closer look at how people with OCD cope with it every day. Click here to read the article.
2024 ONLINE OCD CONFERENCE
November 23–24, 2024 (Saturday–Sunday)
The 2024 Online OCD Conference sponsored by StopOCD is back for its fifth straight year!
#OnlineOCDCon features two full days of live, interactive programming for those with lived experience, family members, and therapists who work with OCD.
And it’s all accessible right from your home. No matter where you are, you’re welcome to join us for two days of presentations, support groups, after-hours activities, and more.
Meet and spend time with others who are impacted by OCD and related disorders — and OCD clinicians and researchers!
Please note, the Online OCD Conference only features programming for individuals 18 years or older. For virtual resources for youth impacted by OCD, check out the Online OCD Camp taking place Feb 1-2, 2025. Learn more about OCD Camp.
The Online OCD Conference is organized by the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), a donor-supported nonprofit supporting all those impacted by OCD and related disorders.
The mission of the IOCDF is to ensure that no one affected by OCD and related disorders suffers alone. Our community provides help, healing, and hope. Our vision is that everyone impacted by OCD and related disorders has immediate access to effective treatment and support.
The IOCDF provides up-to-date education and resources, strengthens community engagement, delivers quality professional training, and advances groundbreaking research.
After the event ends, everything will be accessible for 60 days, so you can make this conference count. We hope to see you there!
CONNECTICUT PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION CONVENTION VIRTUAL WORKSHOP
Christina J. Taylor, Ph.D., OCD Connecticut Clinical Board Advisor, and OCD Connecticut board members are presenting a virtual workshop – “Evidence-Based Treatment for OCD – Strategies for Improving Access to Care” – at the Connecticut Psychological Association’s 38th Annual Convention on Thursday, November 7th, 2024, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm. For more information, you can visit the convention’s website at https://connpsych.org/convention.
OCD AWARENESS WEEK
OCD Awareness Week (#OCDweek) is a worldwide event that serves to dispel myths about obsessive compulsive disorder, break the stigma around mental illness, and provide education about the disorder and how to support those affected.
For the over 200 million people worldwide living with OCD, public misconception can prevent them from accessing the timely, effective treatment they need to move from suffering to thriving.
This #OCDweek, whether you share facts, tell your own story, or otherwise support OCD Awareness Week, you are making a powerful difference.
OCD AWARENESS “MEET AND GREET” EVENT
We are excited to announce that we are holding a “Meet and Greet” event on Thursday, September 26, 2024. This event aims to raise awareness and educate the community about OCD. This will be a wonderful opportunity for the affiliate to meet with people who wish to learn more about OCD. This event is ideal for individuals and families living with OCD, as well as family members and supporters of those suffering from OCD.
The event will be held at:
Acton Public Library
Grady Thomas Room
60 Old Boston Post Road
Old Saybrook, CT 06475
Time: 6:00pm to 7:30pm
This event is free. Refreshments will be provided.
Please RSVP to [email protected] if you’re interested in attending.
Download the event flyer.