OCD Therapist Training
Registration For Virtual Session Now Open
Begins February 4, 2026
11:00am to 12:00pm EST
Asynchronously Training Sessions
Training will run for 16 weeks and include 13 CEs available through the Connecticut Psychological Association (CPA). The cost is $750 and can be paid online.
Why Specialized OCD Training Matters
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is complex, often misunderstood, and frequently misdiagnosed. Effective treatment requires more than general clinical skills — it demands familiarity with nuanced symptom presentations, evidence-based interventions, and practical strategies for exposures, hierarchy building, and troubleshooting unique challenges, such as religious scrupulosity or sexual obsessions. Without this specialized training, clinicians may feel ill-equipped to help clients achieve meaningful relief.
A Comprehensive Training Designed for Practice
This 16-week program equips therapists with the knowledge and skills to confidently assess and treat OCD using evidence-based approaches such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Developed by leading experts and refined through years of international training experience, the course combines structured learning, case-based discussions, and optional supervision to ensure clinicians are prepared to apply what they’ve learned in real-world clinical settings.
What the Training Covers
Across sixteen weekly sessions, participants will gain practical instruction on topics essential to effective OCD treatment, including:
Understanding OCD symptom dimensions, subtypes, and common comorbidities
Using validated self-report measures and the Y-BOCS-2 (checklist and severity scale)
Building hierarchies and SUDS scales for exposure planning
Conducting in vivo and imaginal exposures
Addressing cultural and religious considerations in OCD treatment
Navigating troubleshooting and ethical challenges in ERP
Incorporating family history and client strengths into treatment planning
Specialized considerations for working with children and adolescents
Program Materials and Preparation
Participants will work with three core manuals throughout the training:
Exposure and Response (Ritual) Prevention for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Therapist Guide by Foa, Yadin, & Lichner (2012)
Treating Your OCD with Exposure and Response (Ritual) Prevention: Workbook by Yadin, Lichner, & Foa (2012)
Sexual Obsessions in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by Williams & Wetterneck (2019)
A quiet, private space with reliable internet, a webcam, and headphones is required to fully participate. Sessions should be attended via laptop rather than mobile devices.
Optional Group Supervision
For those seeking additional support, weekly group supervision is available for an extra fee. These groups are limited to six participants and focus on case conceptualization, treatment planning, and troubleshooting of client cases. Participants in supervision will present cases, receive expert feedback, and refine their treatment approaches throughout the program.
Certification Opportunities
International participants may pursue certification through the International OCD Foundation by attending all sessions, participating in supervision, and successfully treating two clients with OCD under supervision. Certification requires demonstrated competence in assessment, treatment planning, and ERP implementation.