Exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy for OCD: A dive through the occupational lens (March 28, 2025)

Friday, March 28, 2025

10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

What time is this for me?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental illness characterized by the presence of unwanted obsessions and compulsions (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). It is a chronic condition which can be complex and severely disabling. At one point, OCD was rated the 10th most disabling illness in the world by loss income and decreased quality life (World Health Organization, 1999). Although newer research has improved therapy for OCD, access to evidence-based assessment and therapy can still be challenging. In Canada, it is estimated that OCD affects 1-2% of the population, with many experiencing significant symptoms before 25 years of age (CMHA, 2013). Consequently, OCD can have a significant negative impact on individuals' participation across all areas of occupation. Occupational therapists are uniquely positioned to effectively address these occupational challenges by using an occupational lens to assess clients' challenges and co-create values-based therapy goals. By collaboratively focusing on clients' valued occupations in meaningful contexts, clients are more likely to be motivated to actively engage and participate in therapy.

 This workshop is ideal for occupational therapists who wish to increase their understanding of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as well as enhance their skills in assessment and exposure response therapy using an occupational lens. The workshop will begin with an overview of OCD, the OCD cycle, and specific occupational therapy assessments for people living with OCD. Current evidence-based approaches to support people living with OCD will be reviewed and application of these approaches using occupational models will be discussed. Specifically, the process of collaborating with clients to design and deliver values-based exposure and response prevention (ERP) in various settings including the client's home and the community. The presenters will also discuss the importance of involving clients' family members or loved ones in therapy for OCD and how best to involve them in the therapy process. All of the above concepts will culminate in small group discussions and role play in the second half of the workshop, to allow participants to observe and practice their new knowledge and skills.

Preliminary workshop agenda

Learning objectives

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

1. Understand features of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and develop a behavioural conceptualization of OCD.
2. Identify and utilize appropriate occupational models to assess and  develop a therapy plan with individuals living with OCD.
3. Identify and utilize various standardized and non-standardized assessments for OCD.
4. Explain what exposure and response prevention (ERP) is and its mechanism of action.
5. Apply guidelines and principles to deliver ERP effectively and ethically.
6. Identify the role of family members or loved ones in the therapy of OCD.

Target audience

Occupational therapist clinicians and educators who want to increase their knowledge and skills in evidence-based assessment and therapy with an occupational lens for people living with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Students in occupational therapy programs are also welcome to participate.

Please note: Each participant is responsible to ensure they apply the information within the context of their licensure, provincial/territorial legislations, institution regulations, scope of practice, etc.

Client age group

Adolescents (13-19 years old), Adults (20-64 years old)

Areas of practice

Autism/Neurodiversity, Case Management, Mental Health, Psychotherapy, Return to Work

Workshop level

Intermediate (3-5 years of experience in this specific practice area)

Please note: Participants with more or less than this stated level of experience are welcome to attend the workshop. The workshop content will be geared towards those with 3-5 years of experience.

Presenter

Aliza Ladak, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Aliza is an occupational therapist with a passion to help people reclaim their lives from OCD and anxiety disorders. She has 11 years of mental health experience in public and private settings. At Sunnybrook’s Frederick Thompson Centre, Aliza delivered high quality OCD treatment in their outpatient services and was the first OT in Canada’s residential treatment program for severe OCD. She is currently pioneering the development of their aftercare program and continues to contribute to educational initiatives and disseminates OCD knowledge to build capacity in community clinicians. Aliza delivers cutting-edge exposure and response prevention therapy through a practical and functional lens to help her clients get unstuck from OCD’s endless loops, pursue their goals, and lead fulfilling lives.

Nathania Lukman, OT Reg. (Ont.), Psychotherapist

Nathania Lukman is an occupational therapist practicing in mental health. She is a clinician at the Thompson Anxiety Disorders Centre at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre working in their Intensive OCD Treatment Program as the occupational therapist and interim team lead (currently on maternity leave). As part of her role, she oversaw the day-to-day operations of the intensive program, developed and delivered individual ERP treatment plans, and facilitated various groups within the program. Outside of the Thompson Centre, NaRegistration and payment completed after January 29, 2025thania operates Valued Living Therapy Services, a private practice where she provides virtual and in-home/in-community occupational therapy and psychotherapy services. In her clinical practice, Nathania utilizes a variety of evidence-based treatments including CBT/ERP and Inference-based CBT for OCD, ACT, CFT and Motivational Interviewing. Nathania has a special interest and passion in working with neurodiverse individuals and the perinatal population.

Registration fees

Early bird rates: Registration and payment completed by January 29, 2025

Regular rates: Registration and payment completed after January 29, 2025

Registration deadline: March 28, 2025 at 9:59 a.m. (Eastern Time)

Please note that CAOT does not offer group registration fees.  Pending sufficient space, CAOT offers late registration for workshops at the regular rate plus a $50 administration fee until 11:59 p.m. (Pacific time) two days prior to the workshop start date to ensure registrants receive access to the workshop login details and materials in the reminder email.

*It may be more cost effective to become a CAOT Member or Associate rather than pay the non-member rate. See “Can a non-member register for a Workshop?” in our Professional Development FAQs to know which membership category you are eligible for. 

Included in your registration fee:

Online workshop, access to the recording for a period of 14 days following the workshop, electronic copy of presentation slide handouts, opportunity to network and make connections with other occupational therapists interested in this topic, electronic certificate of attendance.

Cancellation/refund policy

All cancellation/refund requests must be sent in writing to education@caot.ca. All cancellation requests received by March 12, 2025 will be given a full refund minus a $50.00 administrative fee. No refunds will be given after March 12, 2025. Substitutions and transfers requests received by March 19, 2025 are permitted and are subject to a $50.00 administrative fee.

If you are exceptionally unable to complete the workshop, please reach out to education@caot.ca by 25 days following the end of the workshop for extended access to the recording (up to one month after the end of the workshop) or a one-time transfer to another offering of the same workshop if currently open for registration.

CAOT reserves the right to modify the workshop title, description, registration dates and information on the workshop webpage. CAOT will notify participants on or before February 14, 2025 if there is insufficient registration by that date and reserves the right to cancel a Workshop due to insufficient registration up until February 28, 2025. CAOT reserves the right to modify the offering, interrupt Workshops, change the timing of a Workshop, cancel a Workshop or change the technology for the Workshop due to the presenter no longer being able to present the Workshop, severe weather, power failure, building closures or other special circumstances that are beyond the control of CAOT by notifying participants as soon as possible. If the Workshop is cancelled by CAOT, registrants will receive a full refund of the registration fee. CAOT will not be responsible for other costs or expenses incurred by registrants as a result of any such changes.

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The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) is committed to accessibility as expressed in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We provide an electronic copy of the handouts approximately one week ahead of time in multiple slide layouts, auto-generated closed captioning through Zoom (excluding breakout rooms), as well as access to the recording for two weeks following the workshop. If you require additional special arrangements for accessibility, please contact education@caot.ca or 1-800-434-2268.  

Please note that workshop is offered in English.