OCD Professional Education Evening

Event for mental health professionals looking to strengthen their skills in OCD recognition, assessment, and evidence-based treatment.
About this Event

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OCD affects approximately 1 in 40 Canadians, yet many individuals wait 14–17 years before receiving an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

Join leading OCD experts, researchers, and advocates for an evening dedicated to improving recognition, understanding, and access to evidence-based OCD care across our region.

TOPICS INCLUDE

• Understanding OCD beyond common misconceptions
• Current evidence-based treatment approaches
• Challenges in OCD diagnosis and access to care
• Family accommodation and caregiver involvement
• The SPACE approach to supporting children and young adults
• Intensive treatment models and emerging opportunities in Canada
• Building stronger collaboration between professionals, families, and communities

WHY ATTEND?

• Hear from world-renowned experts
• Learn about practical strategies you can implement immediately
• Connect with other colleagues across disciplines
• Strengthen care for individuals & families impacted by OCD

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Presented by , in partnership with , , and .

Registration information will only be used for event communication and planning.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

This event is intended for:

• Family Physicians
• Psychiatrists
• Pediatricians
• Psychologists
• Social Workers
• Counsellors
• Occupational Therapists
• Nurses
• Allied Health Professionals
• Mental Health Program Leaders
• Healthcare Administrators
• Researchers and Students in Related Fields

If you are a family member or member of the public interested in OCD education, please join Connect 4 OCD's mailing list for future public events and resources.

REGISTRATION

Space is limited.

Register today to reserve your seat and receive updates regarding speaker announcements, event resources, and future OCD educational opportunities.

WHY ARE WE HOSTING THIS EVENT?

OCD affects approximately 1 in 40 Canadians, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood, under-recognized, and misdiagnosed mental health conditions. Despite the availability of effective, evidence-based treatments, individuals with OCD often wait an average of 14–17 years before receiving an accurate diagnosis and appropriate care.

The consequences of delayed recognition and treatment can be profound, impacting education, employment, relationships, family functioning, and overall quality of life. Too often, individuals and families struggle to navigate a system where OCD is overlooked, misunderstood, or treated without access to specialized, evidence-based interventions.

Unlike many other mental health conditions, OCD requires specific treatment approaches. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), often combined with appropriate Medic*tion and family support, remains the gold-standard psychological treatment for OCD. Yet many individuals and families continue to face significant barriers in accessing clinicians and services with specialized OCD expertise.

This professional education event is designed to increase awareness and understanding of OCD among healthcare and mental health professionals in Interior BC. Attendees will gain practical knowledge about OCD recognition and assessment, evidence-based treatment approaches, family involvement, Medic*tion and intensive treatment options, and the barriers many individuals and families face when seeking care.

INTERESTED IN ADDITIONAL ADVANCED TRAINING?

We are exploring offering a limited-capacity advanced educational session with Dr. Peggy Richter on the morning of September 15 for prescribing clinicians. If this is of interest, please let us know during registration.

Agenda

🕑: 03:30 PM
Doors Open for Check-in & Networking

Info: *Schedule subject to change.

🕑: 04:00 PM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
🕑: 04:15 PM
Speaker #1
Host: Dr. Lesley Lutes, Ph.D

Info:
Evidence-based mental health care and health behaviour change.

Speaker #2
Host: Dr. Peggy Richter, MD, FRCP(C)

Info: Understanding OCD and Evidence-Based Care

(Virtual) Speaker #3
Host: Dr. Eli Lebowitz, Ph.D

Info: SPACE: Supporting Families and Reducing Accommodation

🕑: 06:30 PM
Dinner & Networking
Discussion
Host: Dr. Peggy Richter, MD, FRCP(C)

Info: Advances in OCD Treatment, Medic*tion and Biological Treatments, Intensive Care Models & Discussion

🕑: 08:00 PM
Panel Discussion Q&A