University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Jonathan Abramowitz, PhD is Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry, and Director of the Anxiety and Stress Disorders Clinic at the University of North Carolina. An internationally recognized expert on OCD and anxiety, he has published over 300 research articles, books, and book chapters. Jonathan is a Past President of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies and currently is Editor of the Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders.
Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital
Dr. Aguirre is a child and adolescent psychiatrist. He is a trainer in, and specializes in, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) as well as other treatments for borderline personality disorder and associated conditions. He is the founding medical director of 3East continuum of care, an array of programs using DBT to target self-endangering behaviors as well as the symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD) traits. He is the author and co-author of multiple books.
Translational OCD Laboratory/ University of Pittsburgh
Susanne Ahmari, M.D., Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at University of Pittsburgh, and Director of the Translational OCD Laboratory. After graduating from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with Bachelor of Science degrees in Biochemistry and Honors Biology, Dr. Ahmari received her M.D.-Ph.D. from Stanford, where she used advanced microscopy techniques to make the first real-time observations of CNS synapse formation in the laboratory of Dr. Stephen Smith. 2010, she received an NIMH K08 Career Development Award to develop translational research approaches in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and became an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia. She has received a number of awards in recognition of her efforts, including the McKnight Scholar Award, the NIMH BRAINS Award, the A.E. Bennett Research Award, and the MQ Fellows Award. She also sits on the scientific advisory board of several research foundations, including the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (NARSAD), ORCHARD, and the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF).
Stanford Children’s Health
Sana has her Bachelor’s degree in Communications from NYU and her Masters’ in Social Work from Columbia University. Sana is currently the Director of Therapy and Rehabilitation Services at the first PANS clinic in the country at Stanford. She serves as the sole psychotherapist in the clinic for the last 3 years performing CBT/ERP. Sana previously worked at in an Intensive Outpatient Program for adolescents and adults, a public middle school in the Bronx, and at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases.
Private Practice
Ashley is an LCSW in private practice specializing in OCD & related disorders. She is licensed in 6 US states and provides treatment to various countries. Because of her longstanding telehealth practice, she is a recognized expert in the adaptation of evidence based treatments to telehealth. Ashley is a board member of OCD Gamechangers and has appeared in various publications such as SELF magazine and Huffington Post educating the public on OCD & it's treatment. She and her family live in Mexico
NW Anxiety Institute
Kevin Ashworth, MA, LPC is a licensed therapist and Clinical Director at NW Anxiety Institute, a specialty anxiety clinic in Portland, Oregon. He is also an adjunct professor in the department of psychological sciences at the University of Portland. Kevin has worked for the past decade with children, teens, adults, and families who live with anxiety disorders and specializes in the delivery of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and exposure therapies.
International OCD Foundation
A retired educator, Denis Asselin is committed to spreading awareness about BDD/OCD. His son, Nathaniel, struggled 13 years with BDD and took his own life at age 24. In his memory, Denis walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain and then created his own homemade pilgrimage back in the states, a 525-mike trek from PA to Boston, stopping at hospitals and clinics, and engaging with people he met on the path. He is on the IOCDF Board of Directors and works with the BDD Special Interest Group (SIG).
OCD Washington
Roxanne Baechler-Gill is a witty, successful career woman, wife, and mother who happens to have had OCD for nearly all of her life. She is dedicated to destigmatizing discussion of mental well-being and supporting others in building a rewarding, authentic life on one's own terms.
UNSTUCK: An OCD Kids Movie
Chris is a parent of a teenager with OCD. Over the past few years, he has used his affiliation with producing UNSTUCK: an OCD kids movie to advocate for those with OCD around the world. He is an “OCD Ambassador” for the International OCD Foundation, created OCDeconstruct, a global digital OCD Conference, and hosted “OCD Kids Speak Out” a monthly live stream show.
University of Florida
Megan Barthle-Herrera, Ph.D. is a clinical assistant professor for the Division of Psychology at the University of Florida. She is the Clinical Coordinator for the UF OCD and Anxiety Intensive CBT-E/RP Program. She has extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Exposure and Response Prevention (CBT-E/RP) and Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). She specializes in the treatment of OCD, Anxiety, and related disorders, with a special interest in Perinatal Anxiety and OCD.
McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School
Thröstur Björgvinsson, Ph.D., ABPP, is an associate professor at Harvard Medical School, director of the Behavioral Health Partial Hospital Program at McLean Hospital, the co-director of psychology training at McLean Hospital / Harvard Medical School, and the founder of the McLean OCD Institute // Houston (formerly Houston OCD Program). He has published over 100 scholarly articles and given over 400 presentations and workshops nationally and internationally on anxiety, OCD and depression.
Yale University
Dr. Bloch's research focuses on developing better treatments for children and adults with these conditions and examining predictors of long-term outcome with an emphasis on neuroimaging. Dr. Bloch sees children with TS, OCD and TTM as part of the Yale Child Study Center TS/OCD clinic and adults with the same conditions at the Yale OCD Research Clinic. Dr. Bloch is also the associate training director of the Child Study Center's innovative psychiatry residency program.
Board of Directors, International OCD Foundation
Susan is a parent of a child with OCD and PANS, who is now a teen. She has personal experience working to develop age appropriate tools for ages varying toddler to teen. She is also the Current IOCDF Board President, and the Executive Director of the PANDAS Physician Network. She believes that every child wants to overcome OCD, and is excited to help families find the tools and techniques that are right for their child. In her spare time, Susan is an entrepreneur, living and working in NC.
Allison Bonifay, LPC, currently serves as the executive director and a clinician at NW Anxiety Institute. Over the past 11 years, she has focused her clinical work on the treatment of OCD, anxiety, and hoarding, working with individuals of all ages and in various settings. With a background in health research, she is passionate about bridging the gap between clinical research and practice while striving to reduce barriers for individuals accessing treatment. She is also a founding member of the Portland-based Multnomah County hoarding taskforce, serving on the steering committee and data/research subcommittee.
Life Without Anxiety LLC
Beth Brawley is a Licensed Professional Counselor in St. Louis, Missouri. At her private practice, she treats individuals struggling with OCD, anxiety disorders, body-focused repetitive behaviors, and co-morbid eating disorders. She is an adjunct professor at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis. She is co-president of the IOCDF affiliate, OCD Missouri. Beth speaks locally and nationally on the topics of OCD, anxiety disorders, BFRB’s, ERP, and co-morbid eating disorders.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Jennifer is a clinical psychology doctoral student at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research interests include the development, maintenance, and treatment of OCD. Specifically, she is interested in identifying the most effective and efficient cognitive-behavioral techniques, to ultimately optimize treatment and improve accessibility across diverse populations. Jennifer is trained in several empirically-supported treatments, including exposure with response prevention for OCD.
Joy is the founder and executive director of 2020 Mom, a non-profit whose mission is to close gaps in maternal mental health care. She also has worked nearly 25 years for a Fortune 50 health insurer in the quality and compliance departments. Joy is known for driving innovation in maternal and mental health, and received several awards including the American Public Health Association’s Maternal Child Health Leadership and Advocacy Award, and US Office of Women's Health "Emerging Leader" award.
MGH, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Camprodon is the Chief of the MGH Division of Neuropsychiatry and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Clinically, he is the founding director of the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) clinical service, a member of the Psychiatric Neurosurgery Committee and an attending in the departments of Psychiatry and Neurology at MGH. Scientifically, he directs the Laboratory for Neuropsychiatry and Neuromodulation.
SLVHCS (New Orleans VA)
Dr. Carroll is a clinical psychologist at the New Orleans V.A. After earning her Psy.D. from the Florida Institute of Technology, she became the Clinical Director and later Executive Director of Region One Mental Health Center in rural Mississippi. In 2007, she was elected President of the Mississippi Psychological Association. Dr. Carroll's clinical interests include treating veterans with PTSD, OCD, and other anxiety disorders, rural mental health, and decreasing stigma.
Independent Practice
Dr Claiborn is a psychologist with a practice in Portland ME focused on treating OCD and related conditions. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology in Counseling Psychology and a Diplomate and Founding Fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. He is a member of the Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board of the IOCDF.
Peace of Mind
Chelsea is the Administrative Director for The Peace of Mind Foundation. She has helped thousands of individuals struggling with OCD find access to free resources provided by The Peace of Mind Foundation. In addition, she has hosted a video interview series focused on advocacy so that OCD sufferers can understand that they are not alone.
Tampa VA
Stacey C. Conroy is a Social Work, Public Health professional specializing in Substance Use Disorder & co-occurring anxiety disorders. Clinical work has been with individuals with SUD, OCD, and PTSD. She has facilitated trainings on SUD, & ACT for Boston University School of Social Work Professional Education Program, & has been a Clinical Instructor at VCU School of Medicine, Psychiatry Department, an adjunct professor for USF School of Social Work, and is working in Tampa FL with the VA.
Harvard Medical School
Dr. Coyne is the Founder and Senior Clinical Consultant of the McLean OCD Institute for Children and Adolescents at McLean Hospital, and is an Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School. She is the Founder and Director of the New England Center for OCD and Anxiety (NECOA). She is also a licensed psychologist, clinical researcher, and author; her most recent book is Stuff That's Loud: A Teen's Guide to Unspiraling When OCD Gets Noisy.
McLean Hospital / Harvard Medical School
Jesse M. Crosby, Ph.D., is an Assistant Psychologist at McLean Hospital, and an Instructor in Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He was the founding director of the Office of Clinical Assessment and Research at the OCD Institute. He works in private practice in clinical and consulting psychology in Lexington, Massachusetts. He has specialized clinical and research experience with perfectionism, OCD and related disorders, anxiety, and behavioral addictions.
Allay OCD, LLC
Dr. Curiel is a Licensed Psychologist specializing in the treatment of pediatric and adult Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, Tic Disorders, PTSD, and Anxiety Disorders. She has received extensive training in evidence-based treatments, implementing these approaches in various levels of care. Dr. Curiel is also a Consultant for and Graduate Instructor on the diagnosis and treatment of OCD and Anxiety Disorders. She is passionate about raising awareness to medical/psychiatric profession
UNC Chapel Hill
Megan is a rising Sophomore at UNC Chapel Hill, majoring in Psychology. She was diagnosed with OCD at age 3, and PANDAS at age 7. She has fought against OCD, anxiety and panice with determination and humor for most of her life. She generously shares her story with others with the intent of providing hope for healing to parents and kids alike. Megan plans to be a clinical psychologist, who treats kids and teens.
University of Houston-Clear Lake
Jelani Daniel is a doctoral candidate at the University of Houston-Clear Lake in Health Service Psychology. Prior, he worked as a Licensed Professional Counselor & Instructor at Baylor College of Medicine‘s Outpatient OCD Program. He has 14 years of experience working with people with OCD & related disorders while at The Menninger Clinic, Houston OCD Program & private practice. Since 2013 he’s co-lead an OCD support group sponsored by Peace of Mind Foundation, of which he is also a board member.
The Artemis Center for Guidance
Kate is a National Certified Counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and registered to provide telemental health services to residents of Florida. In addition, she is an Approved Clinical Supervisor through the Center for Credentialing and Education and is also a Board Certified Telemental Health Provider. Kate completed an undergraduate degree in Psychology at La Salle University and earned her Master’s in Applied Psychology at Rowan University.
Kennedy Krieger Baltimore
Nicole Dover, LCSW-C, MSW, is a therapist at the Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Psychiatric Mental Health Program, where she specializes in the treatment of children with OCD, anxiety, TS, and body-focused repetitive behaviors (e.g., hair pulling, skin picking). She is a certified CBIT therapist, and has received specialized training in both ERP and CBT for body-focused repetitive behaviors. She received her graduate degree in social work from the University of Maryland.
International Neuropsychological Society
Evelyn Dubon, M.S., recently graduated with her Master’s in Clinical Psychology at California Lutheran University. During her time there she completed her thesis on how the Mini Mental Status Examination predicts Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, she is a memory trainer at UCLA’s Memory Care Center and Research Assistant at Westwood Institute for Anxiety Disorders in Los Angeles. Recently, she was accepted to a clinical psychology Ph.D. program at Alliant international university.
Bull City Anxiety
Ben Eckstein, LCSW is a therapist in Durham, North Carolina, specializing in the treatment of OCD and Anxiety Disorders. Ben received his Bachelors in Psychology from the University of Vermont and Masters in Social Work from New York University. Ben is a board member of OCD North Carolina, the NC state affiliate of IOCDF. Prior to moving to North Carolina, Ben worked at the OCD Institute at McLean Hospital. He is the owner and founder of Bull City Anxiety, PLLC in Durham, North Carolina.
PGSP-Stanford Psy.D. Consortium
Hannah Ellerkamp, M.S. is a clinical psychology doctoral candidate in the PGSP-Stanford Psy.D. Consortium. Her clinical and research interests include the use of cognitive behavioral therapy for OCD, OC spectrum disorders, PANS/PANDAS and hoarding disorder.
OCD New Jersey
Jacques Esses was formally diagnosed with OCD at age 20. His symptoms manifest mainly through emotional contamination, which he now manages through a variety of therapeutic interventions. Jacques' goal is to now give back to the OCD community, both as a clinician and advocate. Jacques received his Master of Social Work degree in 2019, with a specialization in OCD. He is the founder of the OCD Support Group for Young Adults on Facebook and is affiliated with OCDNJ and The Secret Illness.
UCLA
Jamie Feusner, MD is Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA, where he is Director of the Eating Disorders and Body Dysmorphic Disorder Research Program and Director of the Adult OCD Program. Dr. Feusner teaches psychopharmacology and CBT for OC and related disorders and anxiety and has 17 years of clinical experience with BDD. He is on the IOCDF Scientific Advisory Board, is a board member of the International College of Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum Disorders, and is Chief Medical Officer for NOCD.
Not Alone Notes
Molly Fishback is a teacher and an artist who has a passion for mental health advocacy. She graduated from Manhattanville College where she studied marketing, art, and psychology. She is currently an art teacher with students grades 6-12. Molly is the CO-Founder of Not Alone Notes, a project to send handwritten cards to others with OCD (notalonenotes.org). She designs and handwrites the cards, and reaches out to other OCD advocacy groups/OCD programs.
OCD Spectrum, Inc.
Nick Flower, Psy.D. is a psychologist in Pittsburgh, PA. He is a graduate of the IOCDF BTTI, a member of IOCDF, a member of the IOCDF Diversity Council, and president of OCD Pennsylvania, the local IOCDF Affiliate. Dr. Flower treats adults and adolescents with OCD and anxiety disorders at his clinic, OCD Spectrum where he also employs and trains other clinicians on ERP. He received his doctorate of psychology from Xavier University in 2007 and has been licensed as a psychologist since 2010.
The OCD Center of Los Angeles
Kelley Franke is Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist at the OCD Center of Los Angeles where she specializes CBT, with a focus on Exposure & Response Prevention, in adults, adolescents, and children suffering from OCD, and other Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders, including body-focused repetitive behaviors. Kelley completed her Masters in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University.
Rogers Behavioral Health - Philadelphia
Martin Franklin, Ph.D., is Associate Professor Emeritus of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Clinical Director of Rogers Behavioral Health – Philadelphia’s Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient programs. Dr. Franklin has conducted clinical research projects on OCD, trichotillomania, Tourette Syndrome, and related disorders across the developmental spectrum.
For the first time in my life, I feel what it feels like to be free, free from the chains of OCD. My recovery from OCD has not been linear and it has not been easy. One thing that keeps me going when times get tough is the understanding that I get to choose my path because I am in charge, not OCD. I live my life according to my values and invite my obsessions to come along for the ride as I accomplish my goals. I wish you strength, success, and determination in your recovery. - Lindsey Fraser.
Alpert Medical School of Brown University; Pediatric Anxiety Research Center, Bradley Hospital
Dr. Freeman is Professor (Research) in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University. She is also Associate Director of Research at Bradley Hospital and Director of Research and Training for the Pediatric Anxiety Research Center (PARC) at Bradley Hospital.
Randy O. Frost is the Harold and Elsa Siipola Israel Professor of Psychology at Smith College. He has published more than 160 scientific articles and book chapters on hoarding and related topics. His work has been funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and IOCDF. He has co-authored several best-selling books on hoarding, and his research has been featured on television and radio, including Good Morning America, The Today Show, Dateline, National Public Radio, CBS Sunday Morning, BBC News, and the Canadian Broadcasting Company. He has given hundreds of lectures and workshops on the topic in the U.S. and internationally.
Capital OCD & Anxiety Practice
Ginny Fullerton, Ph.D. is a Licensed Psychologist and Director of Capital OCD & Anxiety Practice in Austin, TX. Dr. Fullerton earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Houston in 2007, completed residency at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and provided care at Baylor College of Medicine, The Menninger Clinic OCD Program, and the Houston OCD Program (now McLean OCD Institute // Houston) before opening her Austin clinic. She serves as President of OCD Texas.
Epifania Rita Gallina is an Italian/ American Masters student at Columbia University's Clinical Psychology program. In september of 2015, she created the online private facebook support group called 'Living on Edge: Taking back your life through Erp,' which now holds 147 members and she peer supports both online and in person during her free time. She also has a passion for reading, writing, and pop music. She lives in New York with her husband and family.
Dr. Gardner is a Tucson native, bilingual and bicultural and has been serving families of children with neurodevelopmental and related disorders over the past 15+ years across clinic, home, school, and public settings. He has peer-reviewed publications and professional presentations specialized in the areas of assessment and treatment of challenging behavior exhibited by children and adolescents. Dr. Gardner supervises a Behavioral Pediatrics Clinic in the department of Psychiatry and serves children and families at Children’s Clinics for Rehabilitative Services.
University of Connecticut
Jamilah is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Yale University and is now pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Connecticut. Her research interests include OCD (specifically contamination and scrupulosity), PTSD, and the neurological underpinnings of these disorders. Jamilah's passion for social justice and equality fuels her work with socially disenfranchised groups, including women, people of color, impoverished communities, and the intersections therein.
The Behavior Therapy Center of Greater Washington
Ruth Goldfinger Golomb, LCPC, is a senior clinician, supervisor, and a co-director of the training program at the Behavior Therapy Center of Greater Washington, where she has worked since the mid 1980's. Ms. Golomb specializes in treatment of anxiety disorders and has conducted many workshops and seminars. She is an author of several books about BFRBs and a book about how sensory dysregulation affects treatment. Ms Golomb is a member of the SAB for The TLC Foundation for BFRBs.
Baylor College of Medicine
Dr. Goodman is Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine. He is the principal developer of the YBOCS and co-founder of the IOCDF. Prior to joining Baylor, he held senior positions at Mount Sinai Hospital in NY, NIMH and the University of Florida. He graduated from Columbia University with a degree in EE, received his MD from Boston University and completed his internship, residency, and research fellowship at Yale where he remained on faculty for 7 years.
USC Keck Medical Hospital
Dr. Eda Gorbis, PhD, LMFT is the Founder and Executive Director of the Westwood Institute for Anxiety Disorders in Los Angeles, California and a Clinical Assistant Professor (V) at the USC Keck School of Medicine. The Westwood Institute is often called an intensive center of 'last resort' for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), and other anxiety disorders.
McLean Hospital | Harvard Medical School
Dr. Evelyn Gould is a Licensed Psychologist and Behavior Analyst at the New England Center for OCD and Anxiety (NECOA). She is also a Clinical and Research Associate at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Evelyn trained at the McLean Child and Adolescent OCD Institute (OCDI Jr.), and has two decades of experience working with families of children with ASD, OCD, and other challenges. She has published peer-reviewed articles and chapters, and presents frequently around the globe.
The OCD-BDD Clinic of Northern California
Scott Granet, LCSW specializes in the treatment of BDD and OCD and has presented on both disorders at numerous conferences worldwide. In addition, he has taught continuing education classes at universities and other institutions throughout the U.S. His first book, The Complete OCD Workbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Free Yourself from Intrusive Thoughts and Compulsive Behaviors, was published by Althea Press in 2018. He is a founding member of the board of directors of OCD San Francisco.
University of Chicago
Dr. Grant is a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Chicago
The Grayson LA Treatment Center for Anxiety & OCD
Jonathan Grayson, Ph.D. (psych. lic: PSY26643), is director of the Grayson LA Treatment Center for Anxiety & OCD and adjunct faculty at USC psychiatry. Dr. Grayson, author of Freedom from OCD, has specialized in OCD for over 40 years. A 2010 recipient of IOCDF’s Patty Perkins Lifetime Achievement Award, Dr. Grayson’s work/expertise has been featured on, People Magazine, The Oprah Winfrey Show. He serves on the IOCDF SCAB. In 1981 he started, GOAL, the 1st OCD support group in the US.
Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Erica Greenberg, M.D. is a child/adolescent psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and an Instructor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School (HMS). Dr. Greenberg is the Director of the Pediatric Psychiatry OCD and Tic Disorders Program at MGH and a Co-Director of the Tourette Association of America MGH Center of Excellence. Her interests include Tourette syndrome (TS), OCD, “Tourettic OCD,” ADHD and body-focused repetitive behavior disorders (BFRBs).
Butler Hospital, Providence VA, Brown University
Dr. Greenberg has led adult OCD research at NIMH, where he performed the first TMS study in OCD. At Butler Hospital (BH), he focused on invasive neurosurgeries (ablation, DBS), leading the first US OCD DBS multicenter study, & continuing in the BH OCD Neurosurgery Program. He currently leads research centers in neurotechnology (Providence VA) and on noninvasive brain stimulation (BH). As a clinical psychiatrist, he has treated OCD for thirty years, and formerly led BH outpatient services.
Mindset Family Therapy
Allyson is a clinical social worker at Mindset Family Therapy in Provo, Utah, where she is currently working after many years in community mental health. She has extensive training and experience in trauma work, including TF-CBT (Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and EMDR. She is passionate about raising awareness for PMADs (Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders), including perinatal OCD and anxiety, and has completed advanced training from Postpartum Support International.
Mindset Family Therapy Annabella is the clinical director and owner of Mindset Family Therapy in Provo, Utah. Her focus is working with clients who suffer from all types of OCD, anxiety, and OC spectrum disorders. She is passionate about teaching and implementing ACT and ERP skills. She loves to watch her clients’ progress as they fully engage in their treatment and experience their journey back to living a value-centered life.
Anxiety and Stress Disorders Institute of Maryland
Michael is the Co-Director of the Anxiety and Stress Disorders Institute of Maryland. For more than a decade, he has provided outpatient treatment for OCD, OC-Related Disorders, and Anxiety Disorders. He is a Clinical Fellow with the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and a member of the IOCDF. He has extensive training and experience with CBT, ERP, and ACT. Mr. Heady present educational workshops for professionals and the public, offers consultations for therapists
Neil has been suffering with OCD since he was born, his very first episode was from age 5 until around age 12. He had a fear of storms and medical OCD in which he checked his body several hundred times a day for signs of death. His first therapy experience was at age 13 when he was treated for contamination OCD for a year. His longest episode to date was religious scrupulosity from the age of 15 until 18. Neil received his Masters in Social Work from Southern Illinois University in 2019.
McLean OCD Institute/Houston
Bridget Henry, MA, is a doctoral candidate and fellow at the McLean OCD Institute//Houston working under the supervision of Dr. Jennifer Sy. Bridget has experience and training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Exposure and Response Prevention. She has worked in a variety of health care and mental health settings treating adults and adolescents with anxiety disorders, OCD and related disorders, PTSD, and depression.
OCD and Anxiety Center at Sheppard Pratt
Jon Hershfield, MFT is a psychotherapist specializing in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder and is the director of the OCD and Anxiety Center at Sheppard Pratt in Towson, MD. He is the author of Overcoming Harm OCD, When a Family Member Has OCD, and the forthcoming OCD Workbook for Teens, and the co-author of Everyday Mindfulness for OCD and The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD.
OCDI McLean Hospital
Carol Hevia Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist who has worked with OCD patients for over 30 years. She received her first master's degree at UW Madison in 1988. She studied at the Boston Institute of Cognitive Behavioral Therapies, where she studied CBT treatment of anxiety disorders. Carol completed her second master’s degree and doctorate at the Florida Institute of Technology. She has been a full-time behavior therapist at the OCDI at McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA for the last 15 years.
OCD Gamechangers
Chrissie Hodges is the founder and executive director of the nonprofit 'OCD Gamechangers'. OCD Gamechangers is an organization that creates community, awareness for OCD, and promotes individuals and therapist doing innovative work for the OCD community. Chrissie is also a certified peer support specialist with 'Treatment for OCD Consulting', Co-founder of Peer Recovery Services, and author of 'Pure OCD: The Invisible Side of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder'
Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) and NBI Ranch
Jonathan H. Hoffman, Ph.D., ABPP is a licensed psychologist in Florida, New York, and Utah. Dr. Hoffman is Board Certified in Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology and has served as an examiner for this board. He co-founded the NBI Ranch and the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI), where he is Chief Clinical Officer. Dr. Hoffman supervises postdoctoral residents in NBI’s APPIC approved training program.
Gabriela Holliman-Lopez has studied at Swarthmore College and Syracuse University. Her studies include the intersection of arts and technology, and communications. She is currently learning how to fight the stigma around mental illness and find her OCD voice, and she hopes to inspire others to do the same.
Kennedy Krieger Institute
Emily Hoppe, MSN, PMHNP-BC has worked with children and families at the Kennedy Krieger Institute for eight years. In her current role as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, she provides psychiatric evaluations and treatment to children ages 3 to 21 with a broad range of conditions, with a special focus on children with OCD and Tourette's Syndrome.
Micah graduated from high school in 2008 at the top of his class with nothing but a promising future. However, when his OCD and co-morbid hoarding disorder became symptomatic shortly thereafter, he soon found himself unable to complete college or retain steady employment. After many years of disillusionment, Micah began to slowly gain traction in his life after several months of ERP therapy in a partial-hospitalization setting. Now, he is passionate about advocating for those afflicted with mental health issues and is in the process of starting his own business and helping the IOCDF launch an affiliate chapter in Iowa.
A Penny for Your Intrusive Thoughts
Darcy Howell is a rising senior at Brandeis University who is also a mental health advocate. After attending intensive treatment at McLean OCDI Jr, she was able to gain back her life from OCD. Darcy is a co-founder of the social media campaign, A Penny for Your Intrusive Thoughts, which shares people’s anonymously-submitted intrusive thoughts with the goal of helping people with OCD feel less alone. She was also recently featured on Snapchat and Barcroft TV’s “Mind Yourself” series. When she is not advocating for mental health awareness, Darcy loves to paint, bake, and play with her dogs!
University of Pittsburgh
The fact that OCD can occur in the presence of psychosis has been known about for decades and certain treatments for psychosis an cause or exacerbate OCD or OCD symptoms. Misdiagnosis of OCD symptoms as psychotic symptoms is not unusual, and leads to unnecessary treatments with significant morbidity attached. This lecture will explore how OCD and psychosis are related, how the differential diagnosis is made, and how OCD treatment is modified for patients with comorbid symptoms.
University of Arizona
Dr. Jordan is a recognized expert in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), PANDAS/PANS, related Anxiety and Tic Spectrum Disorders and has several publications in this area. He has been treating OCD spectrum disorders since 2007 with both weekly and intensive approaches. Dr. Jordan currently works as a clinical researcher at the University of Arizona. He received hid OCD training in graduate school and as a post doctoral fellow from Drs. Eric Storch and Tanya Murphy.
Dan Kalb, a psychologist in private practice, attended the Foundation's training (BTTI) back in 1996, A.D. He went on to specialize in the treatment of OCD & anxiety disorders. He has conducted well over a 100 exposure-based OCD groups. Dr. Kalb supervises therapists and frequently teaches seminars. Dan has had OCD since childhood.Though challenges arise, his symptoms, overall, are quite well managed. He's grateful that his former adversity enables him to be of special help to OCD sufferers.
Eastern Nazarene College
Caroline is a college senior, majoring in Child and Adolescent Psychology at Eastern Nazarene College. She is beyond thrilled to be speaking at the OCD conference for her second time. Caroline is passionate about her advocacy work in the OCD and related disorders community. This year she was recruited by the Not Alone Notes team as a Note Writer! When Caroline isn't advocating in the OCD community, she loves working on her calligraphy, spending time with kiddos, or finding a great coffee shop.
Genevieve has been suffering with OCD since age 11. Her OCD has manifested over the years through physical compulsions, rituals, mental analysis and contamination fears. Genevieve has been speaking at conferences for 9 years. She is currently in school working towards her Master's in PA specializing in acute children's care. Genevieve was recently in a documentary expressing the truth about OCD in a national lime-light. She hopes to bring education and awareness to what OCD really is like.
OCD Specialist in Los Angeles
Alegra Kastens, MA, received her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. Alegra is a psychotherapist in Los Angeles, specializing in the treatment of OCD, Anxiety Disorders, Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors, BDD, and Eating Disorders. Her clinical work focuses on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure & Response Prevention, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, and mindfulness skills training. Alegra writes for Psychology Today with her blog titled All Things Anxiety.
Precious Minds (Australia)
I am a privately practicing Clinical Psychologist, practicing in the eastern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia. I work with adults, adolescents and children on issues including anxiety, depression, parenting, trauma, grief/loss, chronic illness and chronic pain. My goal is to help people achieve a rich, full and meaningful life, despite the many obstacles they may face along the way. To achieve this, I use a style of therapy called Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT). Rather than teaching people to control their thoughts, feelings and physical sensations, I help people to notice their experiences, and make conscious choices ‘in the moment’ to take action towards a fulfilling life.
Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School
Dr. Keuthen is Director of the Trichotillomania and Excoriation Disorder Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital and Associate Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School. She has written extensively on hair pulling and skin picking and published over one hundred peer-reviewed papers. She is author of the popular book "Help for Hair Pullers". She is a member of the scientific advisory boards of the IOCDF and the TLC Foundation for BFRBs.
Sony Khemlani-Patel, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist at the Bio Behavioral Institute in Great Neck, NY, where she specializes in the treatment and research of self-injury and obsessive-compulsive spectrum, anxiety, and mood disorders. She received her doctorate from Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY, and she has been practicing for more than 15 years in the field.
College of Medicine, Tucson
Dr. Peter Klinger is double board certified in general psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. He attended SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine, and training general psychiatry at Cambridge Hospital and in child & adolescent psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital and McLean Hospitals.
Jess Kotnour is a young adult living with OCD. They work at an Episcopal church in Tucson, Arizona.
McLean Hospital / Harvard Medical School
Jason Krompinger is a clinical psychologist with expertise in treating OCD and related disorders. In his role as Director of Psychological Services and Clinical Research at the McLean Hospital OCD Institute, he engages in program development, directs the training program, and oversees the OCDI Office of Clinical Assessment and Research.
McLean Hospital
Dr. Jennie Kuckertz is a clinical psychology fellow at the McLean Hospital OCD Institute in Belmont, MA. She has been involved in OCD treatment and research for 10 years working with children, teens, and adults with OCD, as well as their families. Dr. Kuckertz completed her doctoral training at the San Diego State University Center for Understanding and Treating Anxiety and previously served on the board of directors for OCD Southern California, a local affiliate of the IOCDF.
Child and Adolescent OCD Institute, McLean Hospital
I am a community residence counselor at the Child and Adolescent OCD Institute at McLean Hospital, where I assist residents with their treatment, including coaching them as they engage in ERPs. I am a strong believer that emotional contamination, though less well known by the public, is very amenable to treatment, and that progress and recovery are very possible. My hope is that individuals in the group will be able to support one another (and gain hope) regarding emotional contamination OCD.
Rogers Behavioral Health
Rachel C. Leonard, PhD, LP is the clinical director for Rogers Behavioral Health in St. Paul, Minnesota. She specializes in using behavioral activation, exposure therapy, and other cognitive-behavioral interventions for mood, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders. Dr. Leonard received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Private Practice
Jordan Levy is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Midtown Manhattan and Northern New Jersey. He provides effective strategies and skills to adults and adolescents for a broad range of issues within Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). He specializes in helping people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) including Pure-Obsessional OCD.
Alanna Lynch graduated from Trinity College with a degree in English Literature in 2014. She currently works in video game development. Outside of work she is a part time writer and part time aspiring actress. Sometimes she paint things. She loves books and cats and video games, deep discussions about children's literature, and morbid poetry. She was diagnosed with OCD when she was fourteen, and its BFFS GAD and depression joined the party not long after. Unrelated to her OCD, she is deathly afraid of octopi.
Behavior Therapy Center of Greater Washington
Dr. Charles Mansueto is founder and director of the Behavior Therapy Center of Greater Washington, a leading center for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. For over 35 years, he has written extensively and presented nationally and internationally on OCD and related disorders. He currently serves on the Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board of IOCDF, the Executive Board of OCD Mid-Atlantic, and the Scientific Advisory Board of the TLC Foundation for BFRBs.
Nashville OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center
Amy Mariaskin, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and the Director of the Nashville OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center in Brentwood, TN. She works with individuals with OCD, anxiety, OC spectrum disorders, and ARFID across the lifespan, providing both individual and group treatment. Additionally, Dr. Mariaskin is active in training and serves as adjunct faculty at Vanderbilt University.
A Penny for Your Intrusive Thoughts
Cassie Marzke is a student at UC Berkeley and co-founder of the OCD awareness organization A Penny for Your Intrusive Thoughts, which shares people’s anonymously-submitted intrusive thoughts with the goal of helping people with OCD feel less alone. Cassie was diagnosed with OCD at age fifteen and is working towards living a fulfilling life despite her diagnosis. Cassie currently works in mental health research.
Anxiety Therapy LA
Michelle Massi is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and has been treating OCD for 15+ years. Ms. Massi has a private practice in Los Angeles, CA where she specializes in CBT to treat OCD and OC Spectrum disorders. In the past, Ms. Massi was the Associate Clinical Director at the UCLA OCD Intensive Treatment Program, she worked in the UCLA Childhood OCD, Anxiety and Tic Disorders Program as well as the UCLA Adult Anxiety Research Program.
University of Wuerzburg
Professor Manuel Mattheisen is a Professor at the University of Wuerzburg , Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy. Before that he is worked at the Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University as part of the Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH). He is a physician by training, and has a strong background in genetic epidemiology, biostatistics and molecular genetics. A major focus of his research work is psychiatric genetics. His work so far has led to identification of disease causing genetic variation in a variety of disorders, including schizophrenia, alcohol dependency, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and major depressive disorder
Choicetherapy Psychological Services, inc.
Dr. Marisa T. Mazza is a clinical psychologist and founder of choicetherapy psychological services, inc., an individual therapy practice. She offers evidence-based therapy to teens and adults struggling with OCD and other Anxiety related problems. Dr. Mazza is the President of the Bay Area Association for Contextual Psychology and faculty at the University of San Francisco. She has recently published The ACT Workbook for OCD.
Head of Clinical Services, NOCD; Lead Psychologist, AMITA Health; President, OCD Midwest; President, Anxiety Centers of Illinois
Patrick B. McGrath, Ph.D., is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and Head of Clinical Services for NOCD, as well as Lead Psychologist for AMITA Health and the President of Anxiety Centers of Illinois. He is on the Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board for the IOCDF as well as the President of OCD Midwest. Dr. McGrath is the author of "The OCD Answer Book" as well as "Don't Try Harder, Try Different. "Dr. McGrath has been featured in or on PBS, TIme Magazine, and NPR, WGN, and CBS radio.
McLean OCD Institute // Houston
Elizabeth McIngvale, Ph.D. is the director of the McLean Houston OCD Program and founder of the Peace of Mind foundation. Elizabeth was the first-ever national spokesperson for the IOCDF where she now serves as a board member. She was diagnosed with OCD at age 12 and underwent both inpatient and outpatient therapy. Dr. McIngvale engages in clinical work, research and advocacy with the goal of improving the lives of those with OCD and decreasing the stigma of mental illness.
Fordham University
Dean McKay, PhD, ABPP is Professor, Department of Psychology, Fordham University. He is Past-President of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) and the Society for a Science of Clinical Psychology. He has published over 300 articles and book chapters, and edited or co-edited 24 books covering treatment of anxiety and OCD across the lifespan, disgust and psychopathology, and research methodology. His research is focused on OCD, disgust in psychopathology, and misophonia.
Picking Me Foundation
After almost losing her leg to the newly recognized mental illness Dermatillomania aka Excoriation (Skin Picking) Disorder in 2014, Lauren McKeaney set out to transform her and other sufferers’ anguish over this misunderstood, stigmatized in the already stigmatized mental health community disorder, into tangible, life-changing answers and actions. In 2016 Lauren founded the only nonprofit worldwide focused on Skin Picking Disorder, the Picking Me Foundation NFP, which funds a myriad of initiatives that provide awareness, support, and advocacy for sufferers, supporters, and educational communities alike encouraging individuals to choose themselves over the mental illness that chose them.
The OCD Center of Los Angeles
Lauren McMeikan has her BA in Psychology from UCLA, and her MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University. She practices Mindfulness-Based CBT with a focus on ERP and ACT at the OCD Center of Los Angeles, where she has worked since 2016. Improving mental health is her passion. She works mostly w Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders, including BFRBs and Body Dysmorphia, as well as Anxiety Disorders. She is a certified Intuitive Eating Counselor and also treats people with Eating Disorders.
University of Florida
Dr. Joseph McNamara is a licensed psychologist and an Associate Professor in the University of Florida’s College of Medicine. Dr. McNamara is the Chief of the Psychology Division, Director of the OCD Treatment Program, and Co-Director of the Center for OCD, Anxiety, and Related Disorders (COARD). Dr. McNamara conducts clinical research examining factors that impact treatment outcomes and is a research mentor and clinical supervisor to students from numerous disciplines.
Private Practice
Graduate from Simmons School of Social work, Perrie Merlin has over 20 years experience working with patients in both in patient and out patient settings and was involved in the development of an acute care residential program. Perrie was the Senior Social Worker at the McLean OCD Institute and has been a member of the Sr. Clinical staff since it’s inception.She has extensive experience in the treatment of OCD, BDD and the impact it has on family systems. This year she joined the IOCDF faculty with an Online Family Therapy Consulration group.
Private Practice
Lindsay has been in practice for sixteen years in residential, community mental health, higher ed, and private practice. She has a special interest in working with individuals that have OCD, and is also a member of the LGBTQ+ community. This is her second time co-facilitating the LGBTQ process group at the International OCD Conference.
Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) and NBI Ranch
E. Katia Moritz, Ph.D., ABPP is a licensed psychologist in Florida, New York, Utah and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Dr. Moritz is Board Certified in Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology and a Fellow of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT). She co- founded the NBI Ranch and the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI), where she is Chief Clinical Officer. Dr. Moritz is the training director and supervisor of NBI’s APICC approved postdoctoral training program.
University of Washington
Dr. Shereen Morse is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Washington where she supervises physicians-in-training. Pulling from her experiences as a therapist , as a person who has struggled with anxiety and as an improvisational theater performer, Shereen run’s an Improv for Anxiety workshop with ComedySportz Seattle, She is a cofounder of OCD Washington and her favorite word is "maybe."
Private Practice
Melissa Mose is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and has had a private practice in Calabasas, CA for 25 years. She specializes in treating anxiety and OCD, and she is also a parent of a teenager with OCD. Melissa’s extensive work with teens has provided a foundation for her interest in family accommodation. Melissa currently on the Board of Directors of OCD Southern California, an affiliate of the IOCDF, serves as Program Director for the Mindfulness in Recovery Institute and is a part of the Calabasas Pediatric Wellness Center.
Chicago Counseling Center, Inc
Taylor Newendorp, M.A., LCPC, is the founder of Chicago Counseling Center, P.C., a clinical counseling practice in Chicago that specializes in the treatment of OCD, Perfectionism, and Anxiety Disorders. Taylor has completed the IOCDF's Behavioral Therapy Training Institute and is a member of OCD Midwest. He is the author of “The Perfectionism Workbook” and is both a therapist and clinical trainer for NOCD.
Bio-Behavioral Institute
Dr. Neziroglu, co-founder and Executive Director of the Bio-Behavioral Institute in Great Neck, New York, has dedicated her life to the study of OCD and Spectrum Disorders for over 40 years, pioneering in drug treatments as well as intensive outpatient treatment. She has published over 14 books, translated into many languages, and published over 175 papers. She is on the Scientific Advisory Board of the IOCDF and ADAA and a frequent presenter on spectrum disorders all over the world.
Private Practice
Shala Nicely, LPC, is the author of "Is Fred in the Refrigerator? Taming OCD and Reclaiming My Life" and coauthor with Jon Hershfield, MFT of "Everyday Mindfulness for OCD: Tips, Tricks & Skills for Living Joyfully." She is a counselor and cognitive behavioral therapist in metro Atlanta, GA specializing in the treatment of OCD & related disorders and anxiety disorders. Shala produces the Shoulders Back! Tips & Resources for Taming OCD newsletter and blogs for Psychology Today.
OCD Spectrum, Inc.
Maria Nicholas is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and graduate of the University of Pittsburgh where she earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees. After completing her masters in Social Work, Maria was employed at UPMC Mercy Hospital’s Behavioral Health Unit along with UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital’s Adult Mood and Anxiety Intensive Outpatient Programs. Currently, Maria works at UPMC Western Behavioral Health Pediatric OCD Program.
OCD SoCal
Justin is a dentist from Southern California. He's struggled with OCD for over 20 years, but was only recently diagnosed in late 2017. Since that pivotal turning point in his life, he has relentlessly pursued recovery and is now experiencing life in ways he didn't know possible. He has recently become a Peer Support Specialist, and serves the OCD community through a variety of advocacy and peer support roles. He is also pursuing a Counseling degree at a Christian seminary in Orange County.
DFW Center for OCD & Anxiety
Mary Kathleen Norris is a licensed professional counselor in the Fort Worth/Dallas area. For over 25 years, her practice has specialized in the treatment of OCD and OCSD, anxiety disorders, trichotillomania and compulsive skin picking. She holds a post graduate certification for behavior therapy (BTTI) from the IOCDF. She has presented on a national level for over 20 years for the International Obsessive Compulsive Foundation, the TLC Foundation for BFRB’s, the ADAA, and OCD Texas.
University of Florida
Ashley Ordway M.Ed./Ed.S LMHC is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Florida. She earned a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and a specialist degree in Education from the University of Florida. She is the Clinical Coordinator for the Center for OCD, Anxiety, and Related Disorders.She is passionate about the treatment of OCD, and has experience utilizing CBT-E/RP with patients across the lifespan.
Evidence Based Treatment Centers of Seattle (EBTCS)
Dr. Osborne is the Clinical Director and the Director of the Anxiety Center at the Evidence Based Treatment Centers of Seattle (EBTCS). He specializes in the treatment of OCD and anxiety disorders in adults. Dr. Osborne is a consultant to the OCD and Hoarding Support Group of Seattle, as well as Co-Founder and Co-Director of Camp DCO, an annual camp for teens and adults with OCD. He is also a graduate of the IOCDF's Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI).
I am a 17 year old who suffered from BDD. I was in a really bad place when I was 13ish and coming to the conference changed my life. I am here to give my story
SUNY Downstate Medical Center
Dr. Michele Pato is Director of the Institute for Genomic Health and Executive Director of the Clinical and Translational Science Center at SUNY Downstate, and a Professor/Vice Chair for Research of Psychiatry. In addition to clinical research in OCD she has co-led the Genomic Psychiatry Cohort (GPC) and Portuguese Island Collection Studies. These extensive genetic collections for over 24 years in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and most recently OCD include over 40,000 participants.
Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education
Dr. Arnold, MD, PhD is the inaugural Director of the Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education and the Alberta Innovates Translational Health Chair in Child and Youth Mental Health at the University of Calgary. He is a Professor with the Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, and a child and adolescent psychiatrist practicing at Alberta Children’s Hospital where he focuses on the assessment and treatment of childhood OCD. His research focuses on how genetic and environmental risk factors interact to influence the development of child onset neuropsychiatric disorders.
Western Suffolk Psychological Services
Dr. Fred Penzel, a licensed psychologist, has specialized in the cognitive/behavioral treatment of OCD since 1982. He is the executive director of Western Suffolk Psychological Services in Huntington, New York, a private treatment group specializing in OCD and related problems, and is a founding member of the IOCDF Science and Clinical Advisory Board. He has authored “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders: A Complete Guide To Getting Well And Staying Well.”
Weill Cornell Medical College and New York-Presbyterian Hospital
Dr. Phillips is Professor of Psychiatry, Dewitt Wallace Senior Scholar, and Residency Research Director at Weill Cornell Medical College, and Attending Psychiatrist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. She is also Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Dr. Phillips is a physician, educator, and scientist who has spent her career caring for patients, mentoring/teaching, and conducting scientific research on BDD.
UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior
Dr. Piacentini is Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the UCLA Semel Institute where he directs the Child OCD, Anxiety and Tic Disorders Program and the Center for Child Anxiety, Resilience, Education and Support (CARES). His research focuses on the development and dissemination of science-based treatments for child OCD, Tourette's and related disorders. His clinic has treated over 1000 children and families and he has trained hundreds of clinicians worldwide in CBT and ERP.
Newbury College
Hello! My name is Whitney Pickett. I recently graduated from Newbury College with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in Psychology in 2012. I plan to return to graduate school for Psychology to help those with mental illness & advocate for mental health awareness! While living in Boston, I had been volunteering for nonprofit agencies, including IOCDF. I recently relocated to the DFW, TX area. I now hold a Full-time job with a medium-size company in Dallas, TX & I enjoy working & am in recovery!
Rogers Behavioral Health
Caitlin Pinciotti is a post-doctoral fellow in the OCD and Anxiety program at Rogers Behavioral Health. She holds a dual expertise in OCD and PTSD, treating individuals with OCD and PTSD in a variety of settings ranging from outpatient to residential, training staff in trauma informed care and concurrent treatment, providing case consultation, and publishing several empirical articles on the topic(s). She will soon be transitioning to Research Psychologist within the Rogers Research Center.
Northwell Health OCD Center/Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra-Northwell
Anthony Pinto, Ph.D. is Director of the Northwell Health OCD Center at the Zucker Hillside Hospital on Long Island, and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. Dr. Pinto has an extensive publication record, with over 100 manuscripts/chapters on OCD/related conditions. He is a leading authority on OCPD and recently co-edited a comprehensive book on the subject. He serves on the IOCDF Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board.
Yale University
Chris Pittenger received his MD and his PhD in Neurobiology from Columbia University and completed his residency training in adult psychiatry from Yale University. He has been on the faculty at Yale, and Director of the Yale OCD Research Clinic, since 2007; he is now Associate Professor of Psychiatry and in the Yale Child Study Center
Heidi Pollard Consulting
Ms. Pollard has treated OCD and related disorders in a variety of hospital and outpatient settings for over 35 years. She currently has a private practice in St. Louis, MO that specializes in consulting with families burdened by a treatment-refuser. Ms. Pollard is presently coauthoring a book entitled, The Family Trap: What to Do When a Loved One Won’t Seek Help.
Saint Louis University and Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute
Dr. Pollard is Founder and Director of the Center for OCD and Anxiety-Related Disorders at Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute and Professor Emeritus of Family and Community Medicine at Saint Louis University. He is on the Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board of the IOCDF and chairs the organization’s Training Committee. Dr. Pollard has a special interest in treatment-reluctance and is currently coauthoring a book entitled, The Family Trap: What to Do When a Loved One Won't Seek Help.
CBTschool.com
Kimberley Quinlan is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of California and the founder of CBTschool.com, and online psycho-education platform that provides online courses for those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior’s who do not have access to mental health care. Kimberley also the host of Your Anxiety Toolkit Podcast, a podcasts aimed at providing mindfulness-based tools for anxiety, OCD, depression and BFRB’s.
The OCD Stories
Stuart is the founder of The OCD Stories podcast. A weekly show where he interviews some of the best minds in OCD recovery. He runs an annual OCD camp in the UK. In 2018 he won the IOCDF hero award. He is training as an integrative counselor and psychotherapist for children and young people at the University of Roehampton, England. He holds a masters degree in mental health from the University of London.
Frederick W. Thompson Anxiety Disorders Centre, University of Toronto
Dr. Richter is head of the Frederick W. Thompson Anxiety Disorders Centre at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and the University of Toronto, and heads the first residential treatment program for OCD in Canada. She serves on the scientific advisory board of the International OCD Foundation and the Canadian BFRB Support Network. She speaks extensively on OCD and anxiety to lay and professional audiences internationally.
Rogers Behavioral Health
Dr. Riemann is the chief clinical officer and clinical director of the OCD Center and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy services at Rogers Memorial Hospital in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. In his role, Dr. Riemann oversees the treatment, research and training in over 170 programs nationwide. He has authored numerous scientific articles on OCD and anxiety and four treatment manuals. Dr. Riemann and has spoken both nationally and internationally on a variety of topics. He is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board, and Chair of the Clinical Advisory Committee of the International OCD Foundation.
OCD and Anxiety Specialists of Dallas
Kim Rockwell-Evans, Ph.D. is a licensed professional counselor and licensed marriage and family therapist in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. For over 20 years, she has specialized in the treatment of OCD and related disorders, and anxiety disorders. She has extensive specialized training in the treatment of OCD and anxiety disorders including several behavioral therapy training institutes.
Stanford University
Carolyn Rodriguez, MD, PhD is Associate Chair and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford University and Director of the Stanford Translational OCD Research Program. She is a member of the Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board of the IOCDF, Vice Chair of the annual IOCDF Research Symposium, Vice Chairperson of the Council of Research of the American Psychiatric Association, and recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).
Morgan Rondinelli is a biologist who also loves mental health advocacy. She earned her BS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Michigan, and she recently did an AmeriCorps term as a Mental Health First Aid instructor. She is the Co-Founder of Not Alone Notes, a project to send handwritten cards to others with OCD (notalonenotes.org). Morgan has also been blogging about mental health for over five years (myocdvoice.wordpress.com).Her writing has been published on the IOCDF blog, The Mighty, The OCD Stories, and OC87 Recovery Diaries. In her free time, she enjoys reading, dancing, and performing in community theatre.
Holistic Cognitive Consultants, Inc
Susan E. Rushing (MD; Yale; JD; Stanford) is board certified in Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine. She has extensive clinical experience treating adolescents and adults (licensed in PA, DE, CA and for telehealth in FL); performs forensic evaluations as a consultant to judges and attorneys; has served as an expert witness in criminal, civil, and administrative matters including disability evaluations. She has a private practice in Haverford, PA and is on faculty at the University of Pennsylvania
Private Practice in Houston, Texas
Ivy Ruths, PhD, is a Licensed Psychologist in private practice in Houston, Texas. Dr. Ruths specializes in OCD, Trichotillomania, anxiety and depressive disorders in children, adolescents, and adults. She has previously served as the Outreach Chair and Volunteer Coordinator of OCD Texas, an IOCDF Affiliate and is currently serving as the Vice-President. She is an active member of IOCDF and the Houston Psychological Association and makes clinical presentations at local and national conferences.
CBT Spectrum -Private Practice
Rebecca Sachs, PhD ABPP, is a clinical psychologist specializing in the assessment and treatment of individuals on the Autism spectrum who also experience difficult co-occurring disorders, such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and severe anxiety. She is board certified in CBT and brings warmth, sensitivity, and a strong sense of humor to her work as a licensed clinical psychologist. She is in private practice in NYC and also sees patients virtually.
Mount Sinai Medical Center - New York
Charlene Salvador has been a member of the IOCDF for almost 20 years and is an active member of the IOCDF Diversity Council, as well. She is an advertising professional who was diagnosed with OCD almost 25 years ago. She has succeeded in treatment with medication, outpatient therapy at Mount Sinai Medical Center in NYC, and was also an inpatient at the OCDI at McLean Hospital in Boston. Charlene has been an advocate of helping others with OCD to gain awareness and obtain the treatment needed.
OCD Connecticut
Collin Schuster is a 25-year-old college student living with obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression. Although he's experienced symptoms for as long as he can remember, Collin was formally diagnosed with OCD when he was 16 years old. He co-founded OCD Connecticut, the Connecticut affiliate of the International OCD Foundation. He runs several support groups throughout the state of Connecticut and is passionate about being an advocate for OCD and related disorders.
OCD Connecticut
Thomas Smalley was diagnosed with OCD and BDD at age 15. He has done extensive treatment, and has been an advocate for the IOCDF since he was 17. In 2019, Thomas was the recipient of the IOCDF Hero Award. Aside from his advocacy, he is working on obtaining his master's degree in Exercise and Sport Science from Merrimack College.
IOCDF National Ambassador
Ethan S. Smith currently lives in the Los Angeles area working as a writer/director/producer and author. Ethan was born with OCD and struggled the majority of his life until receiving life-changing treatment in 2010. Ethan was the keynote speaker at the 2014 annual OCD conference in Los Angeles, served as a IOCD national spokesperson from 2015-2017, and is currently the National Ambassador for the International OCD Foundation.
Founder and CEO of NOCD
Stephen Smith is the Founder and CEO of NOCD, a company that provides online therapy for OCD. Under his leadership, NOCD has raised $5.8 Million in a Venture Capital Funding, grown the largest OCD treatment community in the world reaching hundreds of thousands of people in over 95 countries, and has become the industry leader in providing Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) telehealth services. Stephen personally suffers with OCD, so he created NOCD to help others with the condition.
McLean OCD Institue Houston
Angela Smith, Ph.D. is a Licensed Psychologist in the state of Texas with over 10 years of experience treating anxiety-based disorders. For the past three years, she has been a Clinical Psychologist at the Houston OCD Program, treating individuals with severe anxiety at the residential, intensive outpatient, and outpatient levels of care. Dr. Smith has been an active member of IOCDF for several years, presenting research and clinical findings as well as leading support groups.
The Virtual Center for Anxiety & OCD
Allison Solomon, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist and founder of The Virtual Center for Anxiety and OCD. Dr. Solomon is BTTI certified and specializes in the treatment of OCD and anxiety disorders with children, teens, and adults. Dr. Solomon is passionate about making evidence-based treatment accessible to everyone, particularly those living in remote areas without experts in ERP. She provides treatment for individuals located in NY, AZ, and several areas internationally.
Evidence Based Treatment Centers of Seattle
Dr. Spanos is a licensed clinical psychologist at the Evidence Based Treatment Centers of Seattle and has received specialized training in the treatment of OCD, including through the OCD Institute at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School Affiliate and the Evidence Based Treatment Centers of Seattle. Dr. Spanos has also completed the Behavioral Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) through the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF).
Anxiety Specialists of Atlanta
Dr. Josh Spitalnick is a Clinical Psychologist, Board Certified in Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology. He is Clinic Director and Owner of Anxiety Specialists of Atlanta, a CBT and exposure therapy specialty practice delivering evidence-based interventions for OCD and anxiety disorders. He is on the Board of OCD Georgia and is Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Emory University. Dr. Spitalnick has co-authored over 30 publications and treatment manuals.
Atlantic Center for Behavioral Health & International OCD Foundation
Denise Egan Stack is a home based CBT therapist who has been treating children, adolescents, and adults with OCD and anxiety for over 20 years. She has been involved with the IOCDF since 1998 and currently serves on the BOD and SCB, is co-writing the IOCDF website Anxiety in the Classroom, and helps to plan the pediatric programming at the annual conference. In addition, she has trained professionals nationally and internationally on evidence based treatment for OCD.
Dr. Gail Steketee is Professor Emerita and former Dean of Boston University’s School of Social Work. Her research focuses on developing and testing cognitive and behavioral treatments for obsessive-compulsive and spectrum disorders, including hoarding disorder and body dysmorphic disorder. She has published over 250 articles and chapters, and more than a dozen books on these topics. She is an elected Fellow and past Vice-President of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare, past President of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. A Scientific Advisory Board member of the International OCD Foundation, she received their Career Achievement Award.
Baylor College of Medicine
Eric Storch, Ph.D. is Professor and McIngvale Presidential Endowed Chair in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine. He serves as Vice Chair and Head of Psychology, and oversees the CBT for OCD program at BCM. He gave up 9 goals against the Houston Dynamo U16 soccer team last fall. Dr. Storch specializes in the nature and treatment of childhood and adult obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and anxiety among youth with autism.
OCD & Anxiety Center of Knoxville
Karen has been treating OCD and Anxiety for seven years. She is the mother to a child on the Autism Spectrum. She and her family live in Knoxville TN.
International OCD Foundation
Jeff Szymanski, PhD, is a clinical psychologist who has served as the Executive Director of the International OCD Foundation for the past decade. Previously he was the Director of Psychological Services at the OCD Institute at McLean Hospital. As a Clinical Instructor in Psychology at Harvard Medical School, he supervises pre-doctoral psychology interns through McLean Hospital. He is a co-founder and past President of the ACBS New England Chapter, and the author of The Perfectionist’s Handbook.
Stanford University
Dr. Thienemann is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Stanford University School of Medicine, as well as the Director of Psychiatry at the Immune Behavioral Health/PANS Program at Stanford Children's Health.
The Center for CFT
Dennis Tirch, Ph.D. is the Founder of The Center for CFT in NYC, President of The Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS), President of The Compassionate Mind Foundation, North America and an Associate Clinical Professor at Icahn Medical School at Mt. Sinai, NY. Dr. Tirch is an author of 6 books, numerous chapters and peer reviewed articles. Dr. Tirch regularly trains CFT and ACT globally. Dr. Tirch is a Zen dharma holder, teacher of Buddhist Psychology, and kirtan/blues guitarist.
Cornerstone OCD & Anxiety Group
Mary Torres is the founder and owner of Cornerstone OCD & Anxiety Group in Kent, Washington. Her passion is treating clients with OCD and anxiety-based disorders, and training new OCD therapists. Mary began her counseling career in private practice, which has since grown to a group, teaching practice; training and supervising counselors, associates, and interns. She has presented at the annual OCD conference and is currently writing a workbook for OCD treatment in group therapy.
OCD Southern California
Chris Trondsen suffered with severe OCD and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) until receiving specialized treatment. Now in recovery, Chris works in the mental health field, treating OCD and BDD sufferers at The Gateway Institute. He earned a Masters of Science in Counseling at California State University, Fullerton. Chris has shared his story of recovery on the Montel Williams Show, Dr. Drew, and speaking at IOCDF annual conferences. Chris serves as the Vice President of OCD Southern California.
Center for Anxiety & Behavior Therapy
Dr. Tsao received his PhD at Fordham University and completed his postdoctoral fellowship at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School. He has worked as a Staff Psychologist at the OCD Institute, the Clinic Director at the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at the UPenn, and the Assistant Clinical Director at Rogers Behavioral Health-Philadelphia. Dr. Tsao is the co-founder of the Center for Anxiety & Behavior Therapy which specializes in anxiety disorder treatment and dissemination.
McLean Hospital
Nathaniel Van Kirk, PhD is a Clinical Psychologist and the Clinical Assessment Coordinator at McLean Hospital’s OCD Institute. Additionally, he oversees the Inpatient Group Therapy Program across the hospital as the Coordinator for Inpatient Group Therapy. Nathaniel’s clinical/research specialty focuses on conceptualizing motivation and the impact of trauma/PTSD on OCD, along with a focus on reducing mental health stigma through McLean Hospital’s Deconstructing Stigma Campaign.
The Anxiety Wellness Center
Aureen Wagner, Ph.D., is Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Director of The Anxiety Wellness Center in Cary, NC and member of the Scientific & Clinical Advisory Board of the IOCDF. Dr. Wagner specializes in CBT for childhood anxiety and OCD, and is the author of: Worried No More, Up and Down the Worry Hill, What to do when your Child has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Treatment of OCD in Children and Adolescents: A Professional’s Kit.
Stress and And Anxiety Services of NJ
Dr. Allen Weg, is a NJ licensed psychologist, Director of Stress and Anxiety Services of New Jersey; Co-Founder and President of OCD New Jersey, an IOCDF Affiliate; and author of "OCD Treatment Through Storytelling ," published by Oxford University Press. He serves on the Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board of the IOCDF, and is author and presenter of "OCD Tips," a video clip series on Stress And Anxiety's Youitube Channel. He has been interviewed by NPR and featured on ABC's 20/20 Primetime.
Public Speaker
Zach Westerbeck is a mental health public speaker with a PASSION for helping college students and organizations understand the complexities of depression and anxiety in today’s modern world. Through his personal experiences and extensive research, he is able to relate and clearly articulate why now more than ever it is critical to understand how to manage your mental health.
Rogers Behavioral Health; Marquette University
Dr. Wetterneck is a licensed clinical psychologist and the Clinical Director for Trauma Recovery Services at Rogers Behavioral Health where he developed the adult PTSD programming for residential, PHP, and IOP levels of care. He holds adjunct faculty appointments at Marquette University and UW-Milwaukee, has published over 75 peer-reviewed articles and a book, and provides workshops and trainings focusing on PTSD, interpersonal intimacy, and multicultural training.
MGH/Harvard Medical School
Sabine Wilhelm, PhD, is chief of psychology and director of the Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders (OCD) Program at Massachusetts General Hospital. She is a professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Wilhelm is recognized as a leading researcher in obsessive-compulsive and related disorders and has published more than 275 articles and reviews on cognitive functioning, prevalence and treatment outcomes of these disorders.
University of Ottawa
Dr. Monnica T. Williams is a board-certified licensed clinical psychologist and Associate Professor at the University of Ottawa, in the School of Psychology, where she is the Canada Research Chair in Mental Health Disparities. She is also the Clinical Director of the New England OCD Institute in Connecticut, where she provides supervision and training to clinicians for empirically-supported treatments.
Mary Wilson (she/her/hers) is thrilled to be attending her fifth IOCDF conference! She has been diagnosed with OCD since the age of seven, but only began effective treatment at age 15. Mary is an editor on her college’s newspaper and an award-winning writer. At previous conferences, she has presented on topics such as comorbid diagnoses and LGBTQ issues, as well as led activities for youth.
Private Practice
Allie runs a private practice in St. Louis, MO that specializes in anxiety disorders, OCD, Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Eating Disorders. She also has experience treating OCD/OC related disorders and anxiety disorders occurring co-morbidly with Eating Disorders, as she worked in a residential treatment center for Eating Disorders as the Anxiety Therapist for 3 years.
Anxiety Disorders Treatment Center
Reid Wilson, PhD, a licensed psychologist, is author of Stopping the Noise in Your Head and Don't Panic; co-author of Stop Obsessing!, and Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents, as well as Playing with Anxiety. He is a Founding Clinical Fellow of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) and Fellow of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT). In 2014 he received ADAA’s highest award, and received the 2019 Service Award by the International OCD Foundation.
Private Practice, Santa Clarita/Valencia, California
Michelle Witkin, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist with over 25 years experience treating children, adolescents, and adults. She is in private practice in Valencia, California, where she specializes in treating children and teens with OCD and anxiety disorders. She is a graduate of the IOCDF's Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) and Pediatric BTTI, and is a Clinical Fellow of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
Apostolic Christian Counseling and Family Services
Ted serves as the Clinical Director of Apostolic Christian Counseling and Family Services in where his clinical practice focuses on anxiety and mood disorders. He specializes in anxiety disorders with an emphasis on OCD/scrupulosity and primarily obsessional forms of OCD. He is also a minister in the Apostolic Christian Church of America. His roles as clinical psychologist and pastor give him a special desire to help those whose OCD has become entwined in religious and moral matters.
NW Anxiety Institute
Ashley received her BA in Psychology at North Texas University before completing her Master of Science in Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin. She is licensed as a clinical social worker with a specialized focus on OCD and other anxiety-related diagnoses. Ashley is currently working at the NW Anxiety Institute treating clients at the outpatient level with a focus on Exposures and Response Prevention (ERP) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
University of Pennsylvania
Elna Yadin (PhD 1979; Bryn Mawr College) treats patients with anxiety, OCD and stress related disorders and trains and supervises professionals around the world in the implementation of evidence-based treatments for OCD and PTSD. She is co-author with Edna Foa and Tracey Lichner of “Exposure and Response (Ritual) Prevention for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder” Therapist Guide and Patient Workbook. She has a private practice in Bryn Mawr and is a Clinical Faculty in Psychiatry at Penn Medicine.
Renewed Freedom Center for Rapid Anxiety Relief
Dr. Yip is a clinical psychologist, author, speaker, media contributor, and a nationally recognized OCD, anxiety, and parenting expert. She has treated severe OCD & anxiety disorders for over two decades, and founded the Renewed Freedom Center and Little Thinkers Center. She’s Board Certified in Behavioral & Cognitive Psychology, is Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at USC Keck School of Medicine, is author of “Productive, Successful You," and co-hosts the StressLess Life podcast.
OCD Center of Los Angeles
Laura Yocum, MFT, PPS, is the Clinical Director of the OCD Center of Los Angeles. She is a psychotherapist licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of California. Laura received both her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and her School Counseling / Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential at California State University at Northridge (CSUN). Prior to joining the OCD Center of Los Angeles in 2011, Laura spent three years working as a therapist in schools.
The Anxiety Treatment Center of Sacramento and Roseville
Dr. Robin Zasio, Psy. D., LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who has been specializing in treating OCD and anxiety disorders for the past 22 years and developed The Anxiety Treatment Center of Sacramento and Roseville, She is the President of OCD Sacramento and is active on several boards to support the work of The IOCDF including The Clinical Advisory Board, Scientific Advisory Board, Speakers Bureau, and faculty for their Behavioral Therapy Training Institute.