Perinatal Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (pOCD): Diagnosis and treatment

Description: This professional workshop, split over two half-days offers a comprehensive, evidence-based framework for understanding and treating the often complex and hidden experience of perinatal obsessive compulsive disorder (pOCD) with scary/intrusive thoughts.

Grounded in over 15 years of clinical experience the facilitator will cover the prevalence of pOCD, symptom profile, diagnostic criteria, and how to differentiate pOCD from postpartum psychosis, perinatal anxiety, and normative thoughts/adjustment reactions. Participants will explore common obsessive themes present in pOCD, and how these can manifest in new parents who are often suffering in silence. These will include the new and worsening effects the  pandemic had on perinatal mental health overall, and pOCD specifically. 

This program includes clear information on current best practice for the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of pOCD. Treatment options will address the advantages and disadvantages of various approaches, as well as how to engage in client-based treatment planning. Approaches covered will include psychoeducation, CBT, DBT, ACT, Inference-based CBT, and other specialized treatments. 

Attendees will learn to:

• Assess for pOCD with language that reduces stigma and encourages disclosure 
• Differentiate high-risk from low-risk symptoms 
• Engage in differential diagnosis when pOCD symptoms are present   
• Help clients understand their symptoms 
• Work together with clients to co-create treatment plans 

Learning objectives:

• Differential perinatal OCD from other perinatal mental health concerns, such as postpartum psychosis, perinatal anxiety, and normative postpartum adjustment, through the accurate assessment of symptoms, onset patterns, and client presentation. 
• Design and implement individualized, evidence-based treatment plans for clients with perinatal OCD. 
• Demonstrate effective use of clinical strategies that reduce stigma, enhance the working relationship with perinatal clients, and help them address and work through intrusive thoughts and compulsive urges. 

Agenda:

Day 1 – Identifying and diagnosing perinatal OCD. 

• Understanding perinatal OCD symptoms and differential diagnosis concepts.
• Learn how to identify pOCD symptoms and promote truthful disclosure in the diagnostic process.
• Demonstrate/practice skills to engage in the differential diagnostic process of pOCD symptoms.

Day 2 - Treating perinatal OCD.

• Understanding the complexities of treating perinatal OCD and how that affects choice and implementation of treatment approaches.
• Discussion of the various treatment options for perinatal OCD.
• Demonstrating/practicing skills to develop and implement treatment plans for pOCD.
• Take-home handouts and client-friendly resources.

Recording disclaimer: Please note that this training will be recorded. We kindly ask that you please review the audio/visual consent form.

Ontario Psychological Association employees, members, associates and affiliates can use discount code OPA15 to receive 15% off all upcoming programs (cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions/discounts).