National Psychology Training Consortium

Introductory --- Designed for psychologists who may have little to no background in a specialized skill or content area. The learner can become acquainted with the theoretical underpinnings, principles, methods, and perspectives of a content area. Although it can be used as a foundation for more advanced learning, a program may simply focus on breadth, enrichment or general knowledge.

Course Description and Target Audience

This comprehensive presentation examines Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), drawing from current research, clinical best practices, and evolving theoretical models. Beginning with the historical roots of “obsessional neurosis” and Freud’s psychoanalytic interpretation (such as the Rat Man case), the presentation traces the evolution of OCD conceptualization through to contemporary neurobiological, cognitive-behavioral, and acceptance-based frameworks. Core diagnostic features and symptom dimensions are examined alongside the criteria and specifiers of the most recent diagnostic manual, with particular attention to insight levels and distinctions from related conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Hoarding Disorder, Tourette's Syndrome, and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based assessment tools such as the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale and the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory – Revised, and treatment approaches centered on Exposure and Response Prevention, with integration of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, psychiatric medication consultation, and emerging technologies such as transcranial magnetic stimulation. Special attention is given to taboo-themed obsessions, misdiagnosis, suicidal thinking and risk, comorbidities, and the importance of cultural sensitivity in working with religious or morally driven symptoms. The presentation also includes a rich clinical case formulation illustrating shifting symptom themes, variations in insight, and multimodal intervention strategies. Overall, this presentation equips learners to approach OCD with nuance, empathy, and a basic level of clinical skill. 

This presentation is intended for mental health professionals across all stages of their careers, including graduate students, pre-licensed clinicians, early career providers, and experienced licensed practitioners. It is appropriate for psychologists, clinical social workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychiatrists, and other professionals involved in the assessment and treatment of OCD. The material is designed to deepen clinical insight, enhance diagnostic precision, and support effective intervention across diverse OCD presentations, including complex and underrecognized symptom themes.

The content of this presentation reflects the most current, evidence-based understanding of OCD, grounded in contemporary research, clinical guidelines, and best practices. It integrates insights from peer-reviewed literature, diagnostic criteria from the DSM-5-TR, and established treatment frameworks, including Exposure and Response Prevention and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. The material is clinically applicable across diverse settings and populations, with specific attention to nuanced symptom presentations, comorbidities, assessment tools, and emerging interventions. Participants will gain practical strategies and conceptual clarity to enhance diagnostic accuracy, case formulation, and therapeutic effectiveness in treating OCD. The inclusion of historical context, neurobiological models, and lived experience narratives further enriches its relevance and depth for professional application.

While this presentation offers a comprehensive overview of OCD, certain limitations should be noted. The material is broad in scope and does not provide exhaustive training in any single intervention modality (e.g., advanced ERP protocol development or medication management), which would require more extensive, modality-specific instruction. Although current research and clinical frameworks are highlighted, the evolving nature of OCD research—particularly in neurobiology, digital interventions, and cultural adaptations—means that some emerging findings may not yet be fully integrated. Additionally, while diverse symptom dimensions and cultural considerations are addressed, the presentation may not capture the full variability of OCD presentations across all populations or clinical contexts. Clinical judgment and continued supervision or consultation are recommended when applying these concepts in practice.

This presentation is educational in nature and intended for professional development. However, several potential risks should be acknowledged: •Misapplication of Techniques: Implementing Exposure and Response Prevention or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy without adequate training, supervision, or clinical support may result in increased client distress and ineffective or harmful treatment. •Overgeneralization: While the presentation provides broad frameworks and clinical tools, applying generalized content to complex individual cases without thorough assessment and cultural consideration could lead to misdiagnosis or suboptimal care. •Potentially Upsetting Content: Some case examples and discussions involve taboo or distressing OCD themes (e.g., sexual, violent, or religious obsessions) that may be emotionally activating for participants. •Scope of Practice Concerns: Techniques discussed (e.g., psychiatric medication consultation, use of neuromodulation technologies) may fall outside the licensure or scope of some attendees’ professional roles and should be used only in collaboration with appropriate providers. Participants are encouraged to critically evaluate all material, integrate it with their existing clinical training, and consult ethical guidelines and supervision when applying concepts in practice.

This presentation meaningfully integrates diversity by exploring how OCD presents across cultural, religious, developmental, and diagnostic contexts. Special emphasis is placed on the misdiagnosis and under-recognition of OCD in individuals experiencing taboo obsessions—particularly when these intersect with marginalized or stigmatized identities (e.g., intrusive thoughts about sexual orientation, religious scrupulosity, or harm). The presentation highlights the importance of cultural humility in assessing religious and moral obsessions, avoiding pathologization of culturally normative beliefs, and understanding how cultural frameworks shape insight, help-seeking, and symptom expression. Developmental diversity is addressed through distinctions in pediatric, adolescent, and adult OCD presentations, including discussion of PANDAS and early-onset symptom patterns. Neurodiversity is considered through careful diagnostic differentiation from Autism Spectrum Disorder. Case material reflects a range of lived experiences, and clinicians are encouraged to assess each client’s values, identity, and sociocultural context when formulating and delivering treatment. Through this lens, the presentation aims to foster clinical sensitivity, reduce stigma, and promote ethically attuned, person-centered care.

Learning Objectives

• Participants will be able to describe the historical and theoretical evolution of OCD, including early psychoanalytic formulations and contemporary neurobiological and cognitive-behavioral models.
• Participants will be able to identify core diagnostic criteria, symptom dimensions, and insight specifiers for OCD as outlined in the DSM-5-TR, with attention to cultural, developmental, and phenomenological variability.
• Participants will be able to differentiate OCD from related and comorbid conditions, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder.
• Participants will be able to apply evidence-based assessment tools to evaluate symptom severity, functional impairment, and treatment response.
• Participants will be able to explain the rationale and core procedures of Exposure and Response Prevention, and describe how it can be integrated with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and psychiatric consultation in the treatment of OCD.
• Participants will be able to demonstrate clinical awareness of special topics such as taboo obsessions, religious and moral scrupulosity, suicidality in OCD, cultural considerations, and the impact of misdiagnosis and stigma on client engagement and outcomes.

Presenter Information

Dr. Joseph Soza completed his doctoral training at the University of Indianapolis and pre-doctoral internship (through the NPTC) and post-doctoral fellowship at Aspire Indiana Health, where he is currently employed as a licensed psychologist. Dr. Soza's primary clinical interests include psychodynamic/psychoanalytic psychotherapy, personality disorders, exposure-based therapies, and OCD and related conditions.  

Live Training Format

Attendance for this live training will be tracked by attendees completing the following tasks:

• Attend the live training in full and review all provided documents in their entirety.
• The Live CE Training Evaluation will be provided to all attendees. Please be sure to complete this evaluation in addition to attending the training.
• Downloading the CE Certificate.
   

CE Certificate

This course includes the materials required to obtain a CE Certificate. Your certificate will be made available to you upon completion of the training course. 

Questions or Concerns?

Contact [email protected] for assistance.

National Psychology Training Consortium (NPTC) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. NPTC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.