About the IOCDF Annual Conference

Program Details


This year's conference is expected to feature more than 100 presentations, workshops, and seminars as well as more than a dozen support groups. Our presenters include some of the most experienced and knowledgeable clinicians and researchers in the field, as well as people with OCD and family members who are willing to share their story.

2-Day Treatment Group (Group 1: July 25-26, 2012 and Group 2: July 29-30, 2012)

Individuals with OCD who might otherwise not be able to visit a specialty OCD clinic will get a chance to experience an intensive 2-day treatment program in conjunction with the annual conference. Dr. Reid Wilson, co-author of Stop Obsessing! and author ofDon’t Panic! will be running 2-day treatment groups for people with OCD.

Due to popular demand and thanks to the dedication of Dr. Wilson, in addition to the Wednesday/Thursday group, we have also added a Sunday/Monday group to the program this year. Space is limited to eight patients in each group. Four spots for mental health professionals to observe the training are also available for each group.

Dr. Wilson is generously donating 100% of all registration fees back to the IOCDF! The cost is $375. To register, please visit: http://anxieties.com/pdf/registration.pdf. Make sure to indicate which group you are interested on the registration form.

Questions and the completed registration form should be sent directly to Dr. Wilson at rrw@med.unc.edu

Support Groups

In addition to our workshops, we will also host many evening support groups. Last year, we offered nearly two dozen support groups. Each group is free to attend (with a conference registration) and run by experienced leaders. Here are the groups we have offered in the past:

• Parents of children with OCD
• Parents of adults with OCD
• Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
• Support group for those with compulsive hoarding
• Support group for family members of those with hoarding
• Obsessive Compulsive Anonymous (OCA)
• G.O.A.L. group
• Intrusive thoughts
• Scrupulosity
• Middle school children with OCD
• Teens and Young Adults with OCD
• Compulsive skin picking
• OCD in Older Adults
  

Kids and Teens Programs

Providing programs for kids and teens with OCD has always been one of the main goals of the IOCDF Annual Conference. This year's conference is no exception and will feature a track dedicated to programs just for kids and teens. Many of these programs, such as last year's "Can Harry Potter Cure OCD?" are hands-on and allow the children in attendance to learn beside other children who know what they are going through.

In addition to these workshops, we will again be offering our highly-praised Art Therapy and Hospitality Rooms. These rooms, which run for the majority of the Conference, are staffed by specially-trained art therapists from Rogers Memorial Hospital and give kids and teens a place to connect, socialize, and show off their creativity in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.

Virtual Camping Trip with Dr. Jonathan Grayson

Description by Dr. Jonathan Grayson:

"Most people are sure they don't like camping and for most of you suffering from OCD, this seems doubly so. And yet at our center, we have found that OC camping trips have a profoundly therapeutic effect and even more shocking, people like to come back. Repeating this experiential workshop for the 10th year, we will begin with a very brief presentation about our camping trips (that you may have seen in People Magazine) and how they can inspire you to risk getting better. Following this, participants -- consumers, family, and professionals will go on a field trip throughout the host city in which participants will experience the exhilaration of conquering OCD fears in a group that goes beyond your imagination. Everyone will be encouraged to support and help one another, but participants will only do what they choose to do. The surprise will be in how much more you will choose to do during this adventure."

Click here to view portions of the Virtual Camping Trip as featured on Nightline.


For Professionals

Psychologists, physicians, nurses, social workers, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, researchers and other professionals who provide therapy to those affected by OCD and OC related disorders will all benefit from attending the IOCDF Annual Conference.

This year's program will feature 3 tracks intended for professionals and researchers. Sessions for professionals of all experience levels will be available, ranging from basic to advanced.

Advanced Behavior Therapy Training Institute (ABTTI)

Held on the afternoon before our Annual Conference, the Advanced Behavior Therapy Training Institute (ABTTI) is a five-hour training session exclusively for mental health professionals. The session will focus on a specific OCD topic. This year's topic will be "Promoting Treatment Engagement & Managing Non-Adherence in OCD"

Space in the ABTTI is limited and there is an additional $100 registration fee for attending the ABTTI. CE/CME credits are included in the $100 fee.

Continuing Education (CE) and Continuing Medical Education (CME) Information 

Physicians, psychologists, nurses, licensed counselors and social workers can receive up to 22.5* CE or CME units by attending our Annual Conference. More information on CE/CME accreditation will be posted once approvn finalial has beezed.

CE or CME units are included in the price of registration for professional members of the International OCD Foundation. For those who are not professional members of the organization, an additional fee is required to receive credits. Certificates of attendance will not be provided to professional non-members who have not paid the additional fee for CE or CME credits.

Click here for full details and conference learning objectives.

*22.5 includes 4.5 hours for the ABTTI and 18.0 hours for the Annual Conference.

Research Poster Exhibits and Q & A

For the fifth straight year, some of the brightest researchers into the study of OCD and OC Related Disorders will present their findings at the Annual Conference.

Click here to view last year's featured research.

"Improv for Anxiety" @ The Second City

The world famous Second City Comedy Theater and Training Center will be presenting a three hour “Introduction to Improv” workshop for consumers, professionals and family members on the opening evening of the 2012 Annual Conference.

Following the workshop Kerry Sheehan, President of Training for The Second City, and Mark Pfeffer M.S., Director of the Panic Anxiety Recovery Center, will discuss a collaborative, demonstration project using improv as one recovery tool for people with anxiety disorders. The project is currently underway at Second City in Chicago, IL.

Workshop Description:

This interactive session introduces improvisational concepts and exercises that can be utilized by mental heath professionals, people living with OCD and their family members. Exercises will introduce the basic principles of improvisation, including the concept of “yes, and” and how to work within an ensemble. Exercises will focus on effective listening, establishing good eye contact, staying “in the moment”, and providing positive support to one’s ensemble members. While addressing many of these important life-skills, all participants will experiment with new concepts while having a lot of fun!

Benefits for Workshop Participants

Consumers

Improvisation can be a powerful mind-body resource for people with OCD in CBT / ERP programs. Improv facilitates learning new physical, verbal and creative ways to accept and manage uncertainty. Improv can provide a direct connection to the moment, taking risks and play. Improv also help address others issues people with OCD face, such as depression and social anxiety. Practice listening to others as you become more confident sharing your own voice.

Mental Health Professionals

Improv can also help professionals think out of the box and be more comfortable with the uncertainties of treatment. Experience the fear and anticipatory anxiety your clients feel, first hand. With some training and practice, improv can be incorporated into individual and group treatment methods. Customize for specific OCD challenges, via content of in-session exercizes and real-life homework assignments.

Family

Seeing a family member with an anxiety disorder seek out emotional risks, after years of frustration, creates new perceptions and hope for family members. Improv techniques may motivate a family member with OCD where other attempts have failed. At the very heart of improv is acceptance of others, which serves as an important reminder to those living with people with OCD.

Registration Costs

Notes	UNTIL JUNE 27, 2012*
Adults (17+)
All Three Days
$225	Current IOCDF Member (Individual or Family Membership)
$275	Non-Member
1 Day Only
$115	Current IOCDF Member (Individual or Family Membership)
$165	Non-Member
Children (ages 6-16)**
All Three Days	$175
1 Day Only	$90
Professionals***
All Three Days
$400	CE/CME Units are included for IOCDF Professional Members
1 Day Only
$225	CE/CME Units are included for IOCDF Professional Members
Add-Ons
CE/CME (All 3 Days)
$100	For professionals who are not already IOCDF Professional Members
CE/CME (1 Day Only)
$50	For professionals who are not already IOCDF Professional Members ABTTI Registration
ABTTI Registration
$100	4.5 CE/CME included in price regardless of membership status

* 5PM EST
** Children 5 and under receive complimentary registration
*** Those who are current, practicing medical/mental health professionals. To receive CE/CME credits or a certificate of completion, you must register as a professional.