Home study

Fundamentals of Exposure-Based Therapy for OCD and Anxiety Disorders

WITH PATRICK B. MCGRATH, PhD

ENROLL FOR FREE

Course Description

This introductory-level course will focus on the fundamentals of exposure-based therapy for OCD and anxiety disorders. Dr. McGrath will begin the course by providing a description of exposure-based therapy, defining exposure-related terminology, and briefly exploring the history of exposure-based therapy and its application to the treatment of OCD and anxiety disorders.  A discussion on conceptualization will include an overview of the behavioral model, including principles of reinforcement. Dr. McGrath will then provide an overview of empirical evidence supporting the use of exposure-based therapy as a first-line treatment for OCD and anxiety disorders, as well as discussing its risks and limitations.  Techniques and strategies for clinical application of exposure-based principles will be discussed.  The course will conclude with a note on new directions for exposure-based therapy.  Engaging case studies will be provided to illustrate the fundamentals of exposure-based therapy for OCD and anxiety disorders throughout the course.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  1. Explain the rationale for using exposure-based therapy principles as a first-line treatment for OCD and anxiety disorders.
  2. Describe 2-3 therapeutic techniques used in the exposure-based treatment of OCD and anxiety disorders.

Home study

On-demand, 114-minute pre-recorded webinar
(original recording: 01/16/2024)

CE Credits

2 CE credits; 2 CE hours

Cost of course

Free!

Intended audience

Introductory-level course for Psychologists, Social Workers, Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Other Mental Health Professionals

Presenter

Patrick B. McGrath, PhD

Dr. McGrath is a licensed psychologist and the Chief Clinical Officer for NOCD.  In this role, he uses his expertise in obsessive-compulsive and related disorders to direct NOCD’s high-quality, evidence-based clinical program, provide weekly consultation groups, and develop and train the multidisciplinary network of clinicians.  He has given hundreds of presentations on OCD, anxiety disorders, hoarding, school refusal, and other topics at local, national, and international conferences, as well as at universities, hospitals, and private practices.  Dr. McGrath is also an experienced continuing education instructor.  

Dr. McGrath earned his doctoral degree from Northern Illinois University (NIU) and completed his predoctoral internship with Grand Valley State University.  Following a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at the St. Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute’s Anxiety Disorders Center, Dr. McGrath went on to work as a staff psychologist at Michigan State University.  

Dr. McGrath later opened and led the OCD and Related Anxiety Disorders intensive outpatient, partial hospital, and residential treatment programs at AMITA Health.  He also helped open and direct the AMITA Health Foglia Family Foundation Residential Treatment Center, the first treatment facility in the United States to treat OCD, anxiety disorders, and addiction concurrently.  Throughout his career, he has provided direct clinical services and supervision for complex OCD cases.  He’s also involved in OCD-related research and has several publications. 

Dr. McGrath is a member of the Scientific and Clinical Advisory Boards of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF).  He  also serves as co-chair of the IOCDF's OCD and SUD special interest group.  He is a Fellow of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, and the Immediate Past President of OCD Midwest.  

Disclosures

Financial: Dr. McGrath is employed by NOCD and has completed this training as part of his regular duties.
Non-financial:  Dr. McGrath is a member of the Scientific and Clinical Advisory Boards of the International OCD Foundation.  He is a Fellow of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, and the Immediate Past President of OCD Midwest.

Continuing Education Credit

Continuing education (CE) regulations vary by state/jurisdiction.  Check with your state or jurisdiction's licensing board to ensure course acceptance/approval.  

SOCIAL WORKERS

NOCD, #1805, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards(ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 03/25/2023 - 03/25/2026. Social workers completing this course receive 2 clinical continuing education credits.


PSYCHOLOGISTS

NOCD is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. NOCD maintains responsibility for this program and its content.


COUNSELORS

NOCD has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7212. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. NOCD is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Home Study CE Courses - Information & Policies

REGISTRATION FOR HOME STUDY CE COURSES

To register for a home study CE course (asynchronous course), click the enrollment button on the course page.  Create your NOCD Academy account or login (if you are already registered).  Complete the check-out process.   


ACCESS A HOME STUDY CE COURSE

Home study CE courses will launch automatically following registration.  To access a home study CE course again at a later time, login to the NOCD Academy.  Click My Dashboard  (located in the header).  Click Resume Course.


ATTENDANCE, COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS & CERTIFICATES FOR HOME STUDY CE COURSES

NOCD accurately documents attendance for all CE activities.  To be eligible for CE credit (CE hours) for home study CE courses, participants must view the entire course and successfully complete any prerequisites [i.e., pass the quiz with a score of 75% or greater (70% in the case of 10 questions) within 3 attempts] within 60 days of registration.  NOCD will not offer variable credit for partial course completion or participation.  

Digital certificates of completion are available upon successful course completion.  Certificates are downloadable and are also available in your profile.  Include your licensing information in your profile to have it included on your certificate.


COURSE MATERIALS

Individuals who registered for a home study CE course will have access to course materials for 60 days following registration. 


ACCOMMODATIONS

NOCD does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its programs, services, activities, and employment practices. We strive to provide an inclusive, accessible learning experience that enables all individuals to engage and participate fully in our programming. Closed-captioning is enabled for all live webinars. Attendees will be able to access a webinar recording with subtitles within 5 days of the event. We also share downloadable PDF copies of course slides, references, and any handouts before the webinar. 


We welcome requests for reasonable accommodations or modifications. Please contact [email protected] or call (312)-620-0670 to request accommodations as soon as possible. We can support requests up to 10 business days prior to the event start time.

A grievance procedure is available below to resolve complaints.


CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY FOR HOME STUDY CE COURSES

Cancellations for our home study courses are not required. Our courses are free and we do not currently have a registration capacity for them. Therefore, it is not necessary to take any additional steps. You are however welcome to email us at [email protected] and we will unenroll you.

In the event of error or course cancellation by NOCD, refunds will be offered. 


Visit CE Information & Policies for more information on accommodations requests, system requirements,  the grievance policy, and the rest of the CE program  Or, contact us directly at [email protected]