International OCD Awareness Week – October 8-14, 2023

In additional to all the terrific events sponsored directly by the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF.org) for OCD Awareness Week, OCD North Carolina (ocdnc.org) is offering two free virtual programs for the community, on OCD and hoarding disorder.  The programs are geared for people impacted with these conditions, yet all are welcome to attend.  We do ask that people register so it can be a safer, more secure experience.

Understanding and Getting Help for OCD: 14^th Annual Evening with Experts

Tuesday, October 10^th, 7:00 – 8:30pm Register Here or at iocdf.org

It’s estimated that up to 4 million Americans, including 1 million children and teens, suffer from OCD. Early recognition of OCD symptoms is important, and OCD can be managed effectively with the right treatments.  Drs. Jon Abramowitz, Annette Perot and Jeff Sapyta will discuss various aspects of OCD and treatment before answering your questions regarding OCD in children, teens, and adults.

Jon Abramowitz, Ph.D., is a professor and director of the OCD/Anxiety Disorders Clinic at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and author of a self-help book for people with OCD entitled, Getting Over OCD: A 10-Step Workbook for Taking Back Your Life.

Annette Perot, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist in Durham, NC, specializing in the treatment of adults with OCD and related disorders. She is also a founding Board member and officer of OCD North Carolina.

Jeff Sapyta, Ph.D.  is an Associate Professor at Duke University School of Medicine.  His research has mostly focused on improving family-based OCD interventions for children and adolescents.  He is also a founding Board member and officer of OCD North Carolina.

Questions:  Contact Annette Perot, PhD with OCD NC at drperot@gmail.com or (919) 205-8623

Hoarding Disorder: More Than Meets the Eye

Wednesday, October 11^th, 7:00-8:30pm Register Here or at iocdf.org

It’s estimated that 2-6% of the population, including up to 19 million Americans, have hoarding disorder.  This program will focus on information regarding what hoarding disorder is and ways to address it, followed by a Q&A period with the presenter.

Annette R. Perot, PhD is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Durham, NC.  For the past 29 years she has specialized in working with adults with anxiety disorders, OCD, and hoarding disorder.

Great big shout outs and giant rounds of applause!

Vase Your Fears, a mental health & OCD themed pottery (and other items!) online store, is donating $2 from every pot sold in the month of October to the IOCDF and $2 from every pair of earrings sold in the month of October to OCD NC, to support OCD awareness and advocacy.

The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel in Winston-Salem will glow teal (the color representing OCD Awareness) from Sunday, October 8^th to Thursday, October 12^th , to support awareness of OCD and related disorders.  Let’s thank them for their support!

The Wells Fargo building, at 550 Tryon in Charlotte, will also glow teal for awareness of OCD and related conditions on Saturday, October 14^th.  Thanks so much, Wells Fargo!

IOCDF Online OCD Conference & OCD NC Scholarships

October 21-22, 2023

OCD North Carolina is pleased to offer scholarships, covering the registration cost, for the upcoming International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) online OCD conference, as a way to support our community members in attending talks, support groups, and networking opportunities with others in the OCD community from around the world.  Scholarships are available for individuals in NC with OCD lived experience, loved ones of someone with OCD, and mental health professionals. We encourage you to spread the word to anyone who may be interested. 

Deadline for scholarship application is Monday October 9^th.

To apply for a scholarship, please submit a paragraph about why you would like to participate in the event, along with your name and contact information.  Submissions can be emailed to Annette Perot at president@OCDNC.org.

The Online OCD Conference will be full of terrific presentations and we are fortunate to have several North Carolinians presenting this year, so mark your calendars!

Dr. Jon Abramowitz (UNC-Chapel Hill) will present on “Family Affair: How to Effectively Support Your Loved One with OCD” on Saturday, October 21^st at 11:00am-12:15pm.  He’ll also present that same day on “Applying Inhibitory Learning Theory to Exposure Therapy for OCD” at 2:30-3:45pm.

Allison Bell, Ben Eckstein, and Erin Jones (Bull City Anxiety & OCD Treatment Center in Durham, NC) will present on “Thinking about Thinking: How to Break the Cycle of Compulsive Rumination” on Saturday, October 21^st at 12:45pm-2:00pm.  Ben Eckstein will also present on “OCD & ADHD: Making Sense of Overlapping Symptoms” on Sunday, October 22^nd, at 11:00am-12:15pm.

Dr. Aureen Wagner (The Anxiety Wellness Center in Cary, NC) will present on “CBT for Children and Teens with OCD” on Saturday, October 21^st at 2:30-3:45pm.  She will also present on “Staying the Course: Tips for Enhancing Perseverance Through Treatment” on Sunday, October 22^nd, at 4:15-5:30pm

Heidi Ojalehto and Dr. Jon Abramowitz (UNC-Chapel Hill) will present on “Trauma-Related OCD: When Trauma and OCD Merge” on Sunday, October 22^nd, at 2:30-3:45pm.  And Jon will present on “The Ultimate Guide to Scrupulosity Treatment” that same day at 4:15-5:30pm.

Last, but not least, OCD North Carolina Board Members, Ben Eckstein and Erin Jones, will present about fear during the “Science of Fear” event at Durham’s Museum of Life + Science.  The event will be on October 26^th from 6:30-10:00pm.  Creepy crawly critters, adult beverages, and some of the crew from Bull City Anxiety & OCD Treatment Center geeking out about brains; it doesn’t get better than that.

One Million Steps for OCD Walk is an annual event that brings together members of the OCD and related disorders community nationwide to challenge stigma, raise funds, and create awareness about what it really means to have obsessive compulsive disorder. OCD NC is proud to be holding four Walks across North Carolina this year. 

Not able to participate this year?  Consider making a donation!  OCD NC uses money raised to fund scholarships for people with lived OCD experience and their loved ones to attend OCD conferences and to help train clinicians in OCD treatment.

We hope to see you at one of the Walks! Register today at IOCDF.org.  

Asheville Walk – Sat 9/30/23 – Register Here

Durham Walk – Sat 10/7/23 – Register Here

Wilmington Walk – Sun 10/8/23 – Register Here

Greensboro Walk – Sat 10/14/23 – Register Here

The International OCD Foundation’s (IOCDF) 28th Annual OCD Conference is taking place in-person July 7th-9th, 2023 in San Francisco, CA. The conference is the largest international conference dedicated to education and support for OCD and related disorders. 

OCD NC is delighted to share that we will be providing scholarships of up to $1,000 to help our community members travel to and attend this year’s conference. Scholarships are available to NC residents who have lived experience with OCD and/or their loved ones.

For more information on the conference, click here.

To apply for a scholarship, please provide a one page description of why you or your support system would like to attend the conference and how a scholarship could help make that happen (e.g., could use “x” dollars to cover cost of plane ticket). Submissions will be eligible to receive up to $1,000 in scholarship funds. Submissions should be emailed to president@OCDNC.org by midnight ET on May 20^th.  Recipients will be notified by May 25^th.  

Hope to see you in San Francisco!

In additional to all the terrific events sponsored directly by the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) for OCD Awareness Week, OCD North Carolina is offering two free virtual programs for the community, on OCD and hoarding disorder.  The programs are geared for people impacted with these conditions, yet all are welcome to attend.  We do ask that people register so it can be a safer, more secure experience.

Understanding and Getting Help for OCD:  13^th Annual Evening with Experts

Tuesday, October 11^th, 7:00 – 8:30pm

Register Here

The International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) estimates that up to 4 million Americans, including 1 million children and teens, suffer from OCD. Early recognition of OCD symptoms is important, and OCD can be managed effectively with the right treatments.  Drs. Jon Abramowitz, Aureen Wagner, Annette Perot and Jeff Sapyta will discuss various aspects of OCD and treatment before answering your questions regarding OCD in children, teens, and adults.

Jon Abramowitz, Ph.D., is a professor and director of the OCD/Anxiety Disorders Clinic at the

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and author of a self-help book for people with OCD entitled, Getting Over OCD: A 10-Step Workbook for Taking Back Your Life.

Aureen Wagner, Ph.D., clinical child psychologist and founder of The Anxiety Wellness Center in Cary, NC, has authored several books on OCD, including: Up and Down the Worry Hill, What to do When your Child has OCD, and Treatment of OCD in Children and Adolescents. 

Annette Perot, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist in Durham, NC, specializing in the treatment of adults with OCD and related disorders. She is also a founding Board member and officer of OCD North Carolina.

Jeff Sapyta, Ph.D.  is an Assistant Professor at Duke University School of Medicine.  His research has mostly focused on improving family-based OCD interventions for children and adolescents.  He is also a founding Board member and officer of OCD North Carolina.

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Hoarding Disorder:  More Than Meets the Eye

Thursday, October 13^th, 7:00 – 8:30pm

Register Here

It’s estimated that 2-6% of the population, including up to 19 million Americans, have hoarding disorder.  This program will focus on information regarding what hoarding disorder is and ways to address it, followed by a Q&A period with the presenter.

Annette R. Perot, PhD is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Durham, NC.  For the past 28 years she has specialized in working with adults with anxiety disorders, OCD, and related issues, such as hoarding disorder and body-focused repetitive behaviors.

Questions:  Contact Annette Perot, PhD with OCD NC at drperot@gmail.com or (919) 205-8623

One Million Steps for OCD Walk is an annual event that brings together members of the OCD and related disorders community nationwide to challenge stigma, raise funds, and create awareness about what it really means to have obsessive compulsive disorder. This year, OCDNC is proud to hold three walks in North Carolina. We hope to see you there! Register today at IOCDF.org.

Asheville Walk – Sat 10/8/22 – Register Here

Durham Walk – Sat 10/8/22 – Register Here

Greensboro Walk – Sun 10/9/22 – Register Here       

Community Scholarships for the 2022 Annual OCD Conference in Denver!

The 27th Annual OCD Conference will be held on July 8th-10th in Denver, CO (https://bit.ly/39wCVSX), and OCD North Carolina wants to support community members going to the Conference this year. Up to three community members will receive $1,000 in financial support to be used for registration, travel, and hotel.

To apply for a scholarship, please submit up to 1 page about why you or your family would like to join this year’s conference, along with your contact information. Submissions can be emailed to Jeff Sapyta at president@OCDNC.org or sent by US mail to OCD NC, attn.: Annette Perot, 5015 Southpark Drive, Suite 120, Durham, NC 27713.  

Please submit your application by May 25th to guarantee consideration.  Late submissions may be considered if all scholarships are not awarded in the first round.

The IOCDF is excited to present the second annual virtual Faith and OCD Conference on Monday, May 9! This unique event began out of recognition that many people living with OCD initially seek assistance from a faith leader prior to a mental health provider.
The conference was specifically created to address the needs of a diverse community — spanning all faiths, ethnicities, and backgrounds. We’ll provide education about effective treatment and ways to support those in the faith community living with OCD.
Join us for this collaborative conversation between faith leaders, mental health providers, and the OCD community!
The conference will take place on Zoom, a HIPAA-compliant platform. Instructions on how to enter the event will be emailed beforehand. Learn more and register today!

As part of International OCD Awareness Week 2021, a panel of experts in OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) will offer a free virtual program on OCD for the community on Wednesday October 13, 2021 from 7pm-8:30pm.

All are welcome to attend.  We do ask that you register at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMrdO-rqTgvHd3aGUVxKBa9VM39vkbm4gcG.

Drs. Jon Abramowitz, Aureen Wagner, and Jeff Sapyta will spend the first half of the program discussing various aspects of OCD and treatment before answering your questions regarding OCD in children, teens, and adults.

Jon Abramowitz, Ph.D., is a professor and director of the OCD/Anxiety Disorders Clinic at the

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and author of the self-help book for people with OCD: “Getting Over OCD: A 10-Step Workbook for Taking Back Your Life.”

Aureen Wagner, Ph.D., clinical child psychologist and founder of The Anxiety Wellness Center in Cary, NC, has authored several books on OCD, including: “Up and Down the Worry Hill,” “What to Do When Your Child has OCD,” and “Treatment of OCD in Children and Adolescents.”  

Jeff Sapyta, Ph.D.  is an Assistant Professor at Duke University School of Medicine.  His research has mostly focused on improving family-based OCD interventions for children and adolescents.  He is also a founding Board member and officer of OCD North Carolina.

The International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) estimates that up to 4 million Americans, including 1 million youngsters, suffer from OCD. Early recognition of OCD symptoms is important, and OCD can be managed effectively with the right treatments.

This event is sponsored by OCD North Carolina, the local affiliate of IOCDF, as part of the annual OCD Awareness Week, from Oct. 10-16, 2021. Events to promote OCD awareness will be held across the country all week long. Learn more and get involved at www.iocdf.org

Questions:  Contact Jon Abramowitz, PhD at jabramowitz@unc.edu

OCD North Carolina is pleased to be offering scholarships to participate in these upcoming International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) events.

Scholarships for Those With Lived Experience with OCD and/or Family Members with OCD:

To apply for a scholarship, please submit a paragraph about why you would like to participate in the event, along with your name and contact information.  Submissions can be emailed to Jeff Sapyta at president@OCDNC.org or sent by US mail to OCD NC, attn.:  Annette Perot, 5015 Southpark  Drive, Suite 120,  Durham, NC 27713.

Online Hoarding Conference 

August 7-8, 2021

deadline for scholarship application is Monday July 26^th

Conferencia de TOC Online

Spanish Online OCD Conference

Sept 11-12, 2021

deadline for scholarship application is Friday August 27^th

IOCDF Online Conference

October 8-10, 2021

deadline for scholarship application is Friday September 24^th

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Training Scholarships for Mental Health Providers in NC

IOCDF Training Institute – Introductory Level

Massachusetts General Psychiatry Academy online courses

CBT for OCD in Children

9/6/2021 – 10/11/2021

13.5 CEUs

deadline for scholarship application is Friday August 20^th

CBT for OCD

10/4/2021 – 11/8/2021

10 CEUs

deadline for scholarship application is Friday September 17^th

OCD North Carolina is committed to helping increase access to treatment for OCD and related disorders, especially for underserved communities in NC. To be considered for a training scholarship, please submit a letter (max 2 typed pages) via:

• email to president@ocdnc.org

• US mail to OCD NC, Attn: Annette Perot, 5015 Southpark Drive, Suite 120,  Durham NC  27713

• fax to OCD NC, ATTN:  Annette Perot at (866) 713-8253

Submitted letter should include:

• type of mental health provider
• primary city and county in NC where you practice
• reasons for your interest in the OCD training program
• aspects of your clinical practice including the types of clients seen, any insurance panels on which you are in-network, and any other ways that your work contributes to addressing the need for OCD treatment with underserved communities in our state
• your email address and telephone number where you can be contacted

Applicants who are chosen will be reimbursed by OCD North Carolina for the cost of the training registration.  After completing the online training program, the candidate must submit a copy of their Certificate of Completion to OCD NC in order to be reimbursed.