Description:
Not only do trauma and PTSD frequently co-occur with OCD, they are likely to intersect with OCD in etiology, form, and function. This presentation will provide an overview of the various ways that trauma and PTSD can intersect with OCD, best practices for assessing and conceptualizing these co-occurring concerns, and recommendations for using exposure therapy more holistically to address these complex intersections and achieve more lasting improvement in symptoms and wellbeing. The presenter will take curated Q&A from the audience as time allows.

Objectives:
At the end of this course, participants should be able to:

• Differentiate similarly presenting and functioning symptoms of OCD and PTSD.

• Explain the similarities and differences in exposure therapy approaches for OCD and PTSD

• Apply what is learned about exposure therapy for co-occurring OCD and trauma/PTSD to their own clients

CE Information (more info below):
NBCC: 1.75 CE
ACEP No. 7365
Gina Abbondante, LLC
ASWB: 1.75 CE
ACE #1909
OCD Training School
APA: 1.75 CE

About Your Trainer:
Caitlin Pinciotti, PhD

Dr. Caitlin Pinciotti is a licensed clinical psychologist and assistant professor in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Pinciotti’s research focuses on the assessment, conceptualization, and treatment of OCD, trauma, and PTSD, and she has a secondary interest in OCD in the LGBTQIA+ community. She has published more than 80 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, given more than 60 peer-reviewed conference presentations, and has led more than 50 invited trainings and workshops for hospitals, clinics, academic institutions, and foundations across the globe. Dr. Pinciotti was the recipient of the 2024 Hartford Hospital Institute of Living Bicentennial Lectureship Award for her work developing and disseminating justice-based exposure and response prevention for identity-related OCD.

Description:
This presentation will include an overview of the existing research on OCD among LGBTQIA+ individuals, including how identity-based stressors often intersect with symptoms. Next,  recommendations for treating OCD in LGBTQIA+ clients (inclusive intakes, culturally responsive case conceptualization, etc.) will be shared. Finally, case consultation will be offered to attendees who have brought challenging cases.

Objectives:
At the end of this course, participants should be able to:

• Describe several ways in which identity-based stress can intersect with OCD symptoms

• List 3 ways to increase cultural responsiveness in intakes and treatment planning

• Apply what is learned to their own work with LGBTQIA+ clients with OCD

CE Information (more info below):

NBCC: 1.75 CE
ACEP No. 7365
Gina Abbondante, LLC
ASWB: 1.75 CE
ACE #1909
OCD Training School
APA: 1.75 CE

About Your Trainer:
Caitlin Pinciotti, PhD

Dr. Caitlin Pinciotti is a licensed clinical psychologist and assistant professor in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Pinciotti’s research focuses on the assessment, conceptualization, and treatment of OCD, trauma, and PTSD, and she has a secondary interest in OCD in the LGBTQIA+ community. She has published more than 80 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, given more than 60 peer-reviewed conference presentations, and has led more than 50 invited trainings and workshops for hospitals, clinics, academic institutions, and foundations across the globe. Dr. Pinciotti was the recipient of the 2024 Hartford Hospital Institute of Living Bicentennial Lectureship Award for her work developing and disseminating justice-based exposure and response prevention for identity-related OCD.

Lauren Wadsworth, PhD
Dr. Lauren Wadsworth is a board certified clinical psychologist passionate about expanding access to evidence-based mental health treatments as well as furthering diversity and inclusion efforts. She is the founding director of Genesee Valley Psychology (GVP), an insurance-based clinic providing financially accessible evidence-based treatment to the Western NY area, with offices in Rochester and Buffalo. Dr. Wadsworth is also the founding director of Meridian Psychology Practice, a private-pay clinic serving NY, MA, and GA. Passionate about increasing access to evidence-based training, she is a co-founder of the Mental Health Network and Training Institute offering app-based training and consultations. She is the co-founder of Twin Stars Diversity Trainers, a consultation company offering diversity and identity-related trainings for organizations and leadership, and co-authored a related book: Did That Just Happen?! Beyond "Diversity" -Creating Sustainable and Inclusive Organizations. Finally, she is a Clinical Senior Instructor in Psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center. 

Description:
There is now clear evidence in emerging literature that contamination OCD based on disgust is processed in a different part of the brain versus fear, in long-term memory, and often does not respond to traditional habituation-model ERP therapy. Getting stuck with clients who present with primarily disgust rather than anxiety? Bring your cases to this session on the presenter’s Mastery approach, featuring live role-playing and curated Q&A from the audience.

Objectives:
At the end of this course, participants should be able to:

• Describe the differences between fear-based and disgust-based contamination OCD, and their implications for treatment strategy.

• Apply the Mastery approach, based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), for treating contamination OCD – particularly for cases involving disgust and/or other non-habituating triggers.

• Apply knowledge from the role-play of actual case examples of disgust-based contamination OCD to demonstrate how to apply the Mastery approach in these cases, including treatment planning, use of judicious safety behaviors versus gradual exposure, basing practice sessions around client readiness, measuring progress, and more.

CE Information (more info below):

NBCC: 1.75 CE
ACEP No. 7365
Gina Abbondante, LLC
ASWB: 1.75 CE
ACE #1909
OCD Training School
APA: 1.75 CE

About Your Trainer:
Rich Gallagher, LMFT

Rich Gallagher LMFT is a therapist specializing in anxiety and OCD treatment, based in Ithaca, NY. He is a 2014 graduate of the IOCDF’s intensive BTTI clinical training program for OCD treatment, has presented at multiple IOCDF conferences, and developed the OCD Training School course Treating Contamination OCD.

Rich’s book The Contamination OCD Workbook, the first-ever workbook on this topic, was an Amazon #1 bestseller on OCD. His Mastery approach has been featured in numerous podcasts, CEU programs and conference workshops, and he consults with treatment providers worldwide.

He is also the author of numerous self-help books on anxiety disorders and communications skills for major publishers, including a finalist for 2008 Business Book of the Year. His titles include Stay Calm, It’s Just Your Brain (Callisto/Penguin Putnam 2024), The Anxiety Journal (Rockridge Press, 2022), Stress-Free Small Talk (Rockridge Press, 2019), How to Tell Anyone Anything (AMACOM/HarperCollins, 2009), and many others.

Description:
Standardized Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) models, while effective, often fall short when addressing the unique symptom presentations and treatment adherence challenges faced by clients from diverse backgrounds. This advanced training moves beyond basic cultural competence to explore how intersecting identities—including racial/ethnic, religious, and military cultural contexts—shape the content of obsessions, influence avoidance behaviors, and interact with the systemic issues clients face. Using three in-depth case studies, participants will analyze the influence of current sociopolitical stressors (e.g., systemic racism, minority stress, political polarization) as both sources and exacerbating factors for OCD symptoms. The workshop emphasizes the critical need for advanced, evidence-based adaptations to traditional ERP and commitment strategies to ensure ethical and effective treatment for every client.

Objectives:
At the end of this course, participants should be able to:

• Analyze Contextual Influence: Identify how racial/ethnic minority stress, specific

  religious dogma, and military cultural norms influence the content and presentation of OCD symptoms, differentiating culturally normative beliefs from

  pathological obsessions.

• Evaluate Sociopolitical Impact: Analyze the role of current sociopolitical issues

  (e.g., discrimination, institutional bias) as compounding factors or direct content sources for OCD symptoms (e.g., fears of harm/contamination tied to political violence, social justice scrupulosity).

• Adapt Advanced ERP: Develop and justify at least three evidence-based

  adaptations to standard Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and inhibitory

  learning strategies to better address OCD that is intrinsically tied to a client’s cultural identity or sociopolitical environment, using case examples.

CE Information (more info below):

NBCC: 1.75 CE
ACEP No. 7365
Gina Abbondante, LLC
ASWB: 1.75 CE
ACE #1909
OCD Training School
APA: 1.75 CE

About Your Trainer:
Michelle Ruiz Deal, LPC-S

Michelle Ruiz Deal, LPC-S, is the Founder and Clinical Director of OnHealing Therapy, a mental health practice specializing in anxiety, trauma, and neurodivergent care in San Antonio, Texas.

With eight years of experience, she is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor focusing on complex cases where OCD intersects with PTSD and eating disorders. As a proud Latine woman and veteran, Michelle offers bilingual (English/Spanish) and culturally responsive care to veteran, first responder, and equity-seeking populations. She is a dedicated advocate and sought-after speaker, actively challenging mental health stigma using evidence-based treatments like ERP and CPT.