SPECIAL ZOOM EVENT – A CONVERSATION WITH MARTIN SEIF, PH.D.
As part of our Lecture Series, we were honored to host a virtual Zoom event featuring a conversation with Martin N. Seif, Ph.D., on Tuesday, December 10, 2024.
A master clinician with over 35 years of experience, Dr. Seif has pioneered innovative and highly effective treatment approaches for anxiety disorders, including Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Specific Phobias, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
A founder and founding board member of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Dr. Seif also served on its Clinical Advisory Board.
During the event, Dr. Seif discussed the nature of intrusive thoughts, compulsions, and the importance of changing one’s perspective towards these thoughts. The meeting also touched on the relationship between intrusive thoughts, anxiety, depression, and rumination, and the potential benefits of mindfulness meditation and the book “Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts” for those with OCD and autism spectrum disorder.
Dr. Seif is an author and lecturer: he is co-author, with Sally Winston of “What Every Therapist Needs to Know About Anxiety Disorders; Key concepts, insights, interventions.” (Rutledge, 2014), “Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts: A CBT-Based Guide to Getting Over Frightening, Obsessive, or Disturbing Thoughts“, (New Harbinger, 2017), and “Needing to Know for Sure: A CBT-Based Guide to Overcoming Compulsive Checking and Reassurance Seeking“ (New Harbinger, 2019), and his newest book “Overcoming Anticipatory Anxiety: A CBT Guide for Moving Past Chronic Indecisiveness, Avoidance, and Catastrophic Thinking.” He has lectured at the American Psychological Association, The International Obsessive Compulsive Foundation, and The Anxiety and Depression Association.
This event has been recorded. Links to the recordings are below:
For more information about Dr. Seif, you can visit his website at drmartinseif.com.
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.
THE 2024 ONE MILLION STEPS FOR OCD WALK IN FAIRFIELD, CT
COLLOQUIUM – OCD: GETTING HELP AND SUPPORT FOR RECOVERY
We are presenting a colloquium – “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Getting Help and Support for Recovery” – on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at Sacred Heart University (SHU) in Fairfield, CT. Christina J. Taylor, Ph.D., OCD Connecticut Clinical Board Advisor, and OCD Connecticut board members will discuss the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of OCD. The presentation is sponsored by The Human Journey Colloquia 2024 Series and is free and open to the public.
The panel will be held at 2:00 PM in the Loris Forum in the Martire Building at SHU, 5401 Park Avenue, Fairfield, CT.
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 ct.ocdf@gmail.com if you’re interested in attending.
Download the event flyer.
SUMMER SOCIAL GATHERING ON AUGUST 28, 2024
Together with the Fairfield County OCD Support Group, we have organized an informal social gathering on Wednesday, August 28th. The gathering will take place at Pistachio Café 2, located at 1245 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT at 6:00pm (the cafe closes at 8:30pm). This is a decent sized spot with indoor and outdoor seating, and metered street parking. Please note there are two Pistachio Cafes in New Haven. We’ll be meeting at the one on Chapel Street, not the one on Whalley Avenue. This get-together will allow us to connect and support each other face-to-face in a relaxed environment. For more information, you can contact Amy at amyastro@gmail.com.
29TH ANNUAL IOCDF OCD CONFERENCE
The Annual International OCD Foundation’s (IOCDF) OCD Conference brings together individuals and families living with OCD, mental health professionals, and researchers to educate and empower the community. This July, the International OCD Foundation invites you to learn about the latest treatments, research, and practices in OCD and related disorders. We can’t wait to see you in Orlando!
This year’s conference will take place in Orlando, FL on July 25-28, 2024 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando.
Welcome to the largest international conference dedicated to OCD and related disorders!
This year’s event will feature three days of in-person programming for the entire OCD community, including:
- Individuals with lived experience
- Family members & supporters
- Mental health professionals
- Researchers
IOCDF has a great lineup in store for our community. Click here to view registration rates and policies. We can’t wait to see you all!
“This is the world’s largest gathering of those who are dedicated to solving the problem of OCD. Researchers, clinicians, those with OCD, and their families all come together to teach, to learn from each other, and to share support. Whether you are looking to learn about today’s cutting-edge treatments or the best coping strategies for families, this conference is for you.” — Reid Wilson, PhD
SUMMER SOCIAL GATHERING ON JULY 23, 2024
Together with the Fairfield County OCD Support Group, we have organized an informal social gathering on Tuesday, July 23rd. The gathering will take place at Maison Mathis Cafe, located at 304 Elm St, New Haven, CT at 6:00pm (the cafe closes at 9:00pm). This is a decent-sized location with indoor and outdoor seating. Metered street parking and a paid parking lot are in the center island. This get-together will allow us to connect and support each other face-to-face in a relaxed environment. For more information, you can contact Amy at amyastro@gmail.com.
SPECIAL EVENT – LECTURE BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE YALE OCD RESEARCH CLINIC
As part of our Lecture Series, we are thrilled to announce that we are hosting an event featuring Christopher Pittenger, MD, PhD, director of the Yale OCD Research Clinic, as the keynote speaker. Dr. Pittenger will share his groundbreaking research on novel treatments for OCD, shedding light on the latest advancements in the field. He will also provide a comprehensive overview of the basics regarding OCD, treatment, medication, etc.
Dr. Pittenger, a renowned psychiatry researcher, is a leading figure in the field. He earned his MD and Ph.D. from Columbia University and later returned to Yale University, his undergraduate alma mater, for research and residency. Pittenger’s research focuses on the brain’s role in creating thought, feeling, and consciousness, as well as how brain dysregulation leads to mental suffering. His work has been particularly focused on OCD and Tourette syndrome, and the cortico-basal ganglia circuitry. He co-founded the Yale Program for Psychedelic Science, focusing on how molecules like psilocybin and LSD can teach us about brain and behavior, potentially leading to new treatments for neuropsychiatric pathology. Pittenger is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the International OCD Foundation and OCD Connecticut, and a Fellow of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, American Psychiatric Association, and American Neurological Association.
The event will take place on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at 7:00 pm in the Cohen Auditorium located in the Yale Child Study Center, 230 S. Frontage Road NIHB E-02, New Haven, CT. For driving and parking directions to the Cohen Auditorium, click here.
Dr. Pittenger’s website is https://medicine.yale.edu/profile/christopher-pittenger/.
The Yale OCD Research Clinic website is https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/ocd/.
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to ct.ocdf@gmail.com.
GUEST LECTURER SPOKE ABOUT OCD IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: ASSESSMENT, DIAGNOSIS, AND CBT
On May 15, 2024, we were honored to welcome Denis Sukhodolsky, PhD, clinical psychologist and professor at the Yale Child Study Center, to conduct a virtual Zoom presentation entitled: OCD in Children and Adolescents: Assessment, Diagnosis and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. Dr. Sukhodolsky spoke about the phenomenology and clinical assessment of OCD in children and adolescents. Particular attention was paid to the diagnosis of complex presentations and co-occurring neurodevelopmental disorders. In addition, principles and methods of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for OCD, also known as exposure and response prevention (ERP), were reviewed with illustrations of application to specific symptom profiles.
Dr. Sukhodolsky is a clinical psychologist and professor at the Yale Child Study Center, where he conducts research on psychotherapy for children with neurodevelopmental disorders. He also works with children and their families at the Center and teaches a course on cognitive-behavior therapy for child psychiatry fellows at the Yale School of Medicine.
His website is https://medicine.yale.edu/profile/denis-sukhodolsky/.
Dr. Sukhodolsky graciously allowed us to share his slide presentation on our website. To view the presentation, click here.
ONLINE HOARDING DISORDER CONFERENCE (MAY 4–5, 2024)
The Online Hoarding Disorder Conference offers an opportunity for professionals — from therapists and social workers to firefighters and other public safety officials — to learn how to work effectively and compassionately with individuals with hoarding disorder (HD).
Professionals will hear from leading researchers and experts in the field and will walk away with a new understanding and practical strategies for working with those affected by HD.
The Online Hoarding Disorder Conference also provides useful information to individuals with lived experience, families and supporters affected by HD, community providers, clinicians and researchers to educate about effective and compassionate care.
The program for the Online Hoarding Disorder Conference will be released in early 2024. The full schedule will feature sessions for a variety of audiences:
- Individuals with Hoarding Disorder: Those with lived experience with hoarding disorder. Programming focuses on recovery options and building motivation for treatment.
- Family Members and Supporters: Non-professionals who have been affected by hoarding disorder in their families or other relations. Programming focuses on communication skills and effective support systems.
- Community Providers: Professionals outside of the mental health space who work with or on behalf of those with hoarding disorder, such as human service providers, housing authorities, case managers, first responders, government officials, etc. Programming focuses on strategies for addressing hoarding disorder in communities, including interventions and collaboration models.
- Clinicians and Researchers: Mental health professionals who treat and/or research hoarding disorder. Programming focuses on skills training and enhancing the clinical understanding of the disorder.
2024 IOCDF FAITH & OCD CONFERENCE
ANNOUNCING THE 2024 FAITH & OCD CONFERENCE
Navigating OCD in Diverse Faith-Based Communities
Thursday, April 18, 2024
REGISTRATION OPENING SOON!
The International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) is excited to present the fourth annual Faith and OCD Conference taking place virtually on Thursday, April 18, 2024!
The conference was specifically created to address the needs of a diverse community — spanning all faiths, ethnicities, and backgrounds. We’ll provide education about effective treatment and ways to support those in the faith community living with OCD.
Join the IOCDF for this collaborative conversation between faith leaders, mental health providers, and the OCD community!
Join us for this collaborative conversation between faith leaders, mental health providers, and the OCD community!
Who Should Attend
Individuals & Families — Those with lived experience with anxiety and OCD will hear from faith leaders and mental health professionals about how to build a supportive network for recovery — and receive messages of hope shared by those impacted by OCD and related disorders.
Faith Leaders — Spiritual and religious leaders will hear from those with lived experience with faith-related anxiety and OCD and find out how to recognize symptoms. Learn about treatment options and how you can help in the recovery process.
Mental Health Professionals — Mental health providers will gain insight from faith leaders about the ways anxiety, OCD, and treatment intersect with their clients’ faith practices. Learn how to adapt your practice by integrating faith leaders and families in the development of treatment plans.
ADAA ANXIETY & DEPRESSION CONFERENCE (APRIL 11-14, 2024)
Board members of OCD Connecticut, along with Christina J. Taylor, Ph.D., OCD Connecticut Clinical Board Advisor, will be presenting a roundtable, “Barriers to Getting Good Help for OCD: Consumers and Advocates Speak Out” at the ADAA Annual Conference in Boston on April 13, 2024.
The board members will discuss their first-hand experiences with OCD and their journey to activism. Discussion with the audience will focus on the development of comprehensive strategies to expand access to expert care for OCD, including education, research, activism, and lobbying.
INTERNATIONAL OCD FOUNDATION’S BDD CONFERENCE (MARCH 16, 2024)
The Online BDD Conference offers an opportunity for professionals to learn how to treat individuals with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).
Professionals will hear from leading researchers and experts in the field and will walk away with a new understanding and practical strategies for working with those affected by BDD.
The Online BDD Conference also provides critical information to individuals, families, and loved ones affected by BDD to educate people and their families about effective treatment.
Individuals living with BDD will participate in a support group led by Scott Granet, LCSW, while family members and supporters will enjoy a special group geared at learning to take care of yourself while supporting a loved one.
An additional highlight of the program is the Success Panel featuring individuals with BDD who have been through treatment and want to share the lessons they learned along the way. The panel discussion will be followed by a Q&A with the panelists.The full schedule will feature sessions for a variety of audiences:
- Individuals with BDD: Those with lived experience with BDD. Programming focuses on recovery options and building motivation for treatment.
- Family Members and Supporters: Non-professionals who have been affected by BDD in their families or other relations. Programming focuses on communication skills and effective support systems.
- Clinicians: Professionals who treat BDD. Programming focuses on skills training and enhancing the clinical understanding of the disorder.
INTERNATIONAL OCD FOUNDATION’S ONLINE OCD CAMP (JANUARY 27-28, 2024)
The International OCD Foundation’s Online OCD Camp sponsored by McLean OCDI Jr. is a virtual event for youth with OCD, and their families!
Created especially for youth between the ages of 6 and 17, OCD Camp will feature two days of interactive sessions and activities for three age groups.
In addition, the program will include sessions for parents/guardians and opportunities for fun and socialization with other families.
You can choose from four audience tracks:
- Elementary Schoolers (Suggested Ages 6–11)
- Middle Schoolers (Suggested Ages 12–14)
- High Schoolers (Suggested Ages: 15–17)
- Parents and Guardians
Registration Fees: $65 • One rate no matter how many family members attend.
One price covers registration, whether it’s just one person or your entire family attending! During the registration process, you will submit family member information and which tracks they will be attending.