Bespoke Members
Introduction
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects approximately 1-2% of adults in the UK. It can cause significant distress and impairment, yet many people delay seeking help due to shame, stigma, or lack of awareness. For PWPs this presents both a challenge and an opportunity: how can we deliver effective, evidence-based support for OCD within the framework of Step 2 interventions?
This half day workshop is designed to equip PWPs with practical tools and clinical insight to confidently treat OCD in line with NICE guidelines.
The event will be equivalent to 2.3/4hrs of CPD.
Content
We will begin by exploring what OCD is, looking closely at obsessions, compulsions, and avoidance, as well as the most common themes that clients present with in primary care. You’ll gain a clear understanding of the OCD cycle and how it traps clients in distress.
Next, we’ll sharpen your assessment skills: recognising OCD, using screening tools, and formulating symptoms. From there we will consider evidence-based approaches, focusing on low-intensity strategies like psychoeducation and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and knowing when to step clients up.
Finally, we will tackle clinical challenges, including managing risk, working with taboo themes, and staying culturally sensitive in your approach.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
1. Describe the core features and maintenance cycle of OCD, including how obsessions and compulsions interact.
2. Conduct effective assessments of OCD presentations and differentiate them from other common mental health difficulties.
3. Apply low-intensity CBT strategies such as psychoeducation, guided self-help, and behavioural experiments to support clients with OCD.
4. Identify when clients may require step-up treatment to high-intensity CBT or specialist services and know how to signpost appropriately.
Training Modalities
Didactic teaching, case vignettes, demonstrations, Q&A, videos and reflective exercises.
Key References
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2005, updated 2020). Obsessive-compulsive disorder and body dysmorphic disorder: treatment (NICE Clinical Guideline CG31). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg31
NHS England. (2021). The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) manual. https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/the-improving-access-to-psychological-therapies-iapt-manual
Veale, D., & Willson, R. (2009). Overcoming obsessive compulsive disorder: A self-help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques. Robinson.
Abramowitz, J. S., McKay, D., & Storch, E. A. (Eds.). (2017). The Wiley handbook of obsessive-compulsive disorders (Vols. 1–2). Wiley Blackwell.
Clark, D. A. (2004). Cognitive-behavioural therapy for OCD. Guilford Press.
About the presenter
Circe Jackson is a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, former Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner and clinical supervisor with over a decade of experience in the field. She spent several years lecturing on the PWP programme at the University of Surrey, where she was awarded Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Circe is passionate about championing the important role of PWPs and the impact of their work. Circe has a specialist interest in OCD, particularly in relation to the perinatal period, and looks forward to sharing her expertise and insights in this session.
Emily Fisher-Smith is a BABCP accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist with extensive experience treating OCD across a wide range of subtypes, including relationship, religious, existential, harm and contamination themes. Emily has a strong clinical interest in supporting clients who experience predominantly mental compulsions (often referred to as “Pure O”) and is passionate about helping them navigate these complex presentations. Currently a senior lecturer on the High Intensity CBT training programme at Canterbury Christchurch University, Emily previously served as programme director for the PWP course at the University of Surrey, where they were awarded Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Alongside clinical and academic roles, Emily is also an experienced supervisor, having supported both PWPs and CBT therapist in their professional development across NHS and private practice settings.
Who should attend
This event is designed for Low Intensity Practitioners and Supervisors. This event is suitable for both those new to OCD treatment and those seeking to deepen existing expertise.