( HS Pittman 096526 2025) A Neurologically-Informed Treatment of OCD

Course overview

What are we trying to accomplish when treating OCD? Reducing anxiety? Preventing compulsions? Putting a person in control of their life? These intentions can keep us from being truly helpful. To break the stranglehold of avoidance and obsession, and combat the paralyzing effects of compulsions, clients need to learn the central roles of the amygdala and cortex pathways to empower them to confront their OCD, rather than let it direct their lives. You will learn and practice strategies to explain brain based techniques that give clients effective methods to retrain the OCD brain. Youll explore how to Help clients see the functioning of the amygdala in their physical symptoms and avoidance, and how they can effectively calm the amygdala Provide Exposure with Response Prevention as the best method of teaching the amygdala new responses to triggers Use the most current knowledge on cortex areas that contribute to OCD to teach clients to resist circular processes that block their goals Teach clients a neurologically informed, mindful approach to obsession and worry thats understandable, accessible, and empowering