OPTIMAL TREATMENT FOR OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER: CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS

A SPECIAL 90 MINUTE TELE-SEMINAR FOR PROFESSIONALS

SEMINAR NARRATIVE OUTLINE

Often misunderstood, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is now known to be genetically determined and aggravated by immune, hormonal and life stress events.  While research into this fascinating neurobehavioral disorder has made great advances, treatment innovations have lagged behind.  Many OCD patients go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.  Even those patients fortunate enough to receive attention find there are few practitioners with the expertise to provide high quality treatment or understand the subtle effects the disorder has on the individual’s lifestyle, learning abilities, relationships, career choices and even spirituality.

      This course, led by the founder of the OCD Recovery Center of America provides a complete package of diagnostic and treatment skills for conducting effective behavioral treatment with OCD.  Relaxed, powerful and informal, the Tele--Seminar will also include time for questions and answers with Dr. Komor.  

SEMINAR OUTLINE(Note: Audience participation will determine which of the below topic areas receives primary attention during the 90 minute Tele-Seminar.)

1)       Overview Of OC Spectrum Disorders

1.       Definitions

2.       Quality Of Life Issues

3.        Treatment Response

4.       Inclusion Criteria

5.        Diagnostic Criteria

6.        Comorbidity Issues

7.        The OCD Cycle

2)       Neurobiological Factors

1.       Neuroanatomy

2.       Neurogenetics

3.        Immune System and PANDAS

4.       Neurochemistry

5.        Hormonal System

6.        Neuroethology

3)       Patient Interviewing

1.       Special Areas of Inquiry

2.       Family Dynamics

3.        Preferred Learning Modality

4.       Severity

5.        Objective Testing

6.        Symptom Profile

7.        Special Characteristics

4)       Optimal Treatment – Initial Steps

1.       Relapse Prevention and Journaling

2.       Prescribing Exercises

3.        Behavior and Symptom Change Logs

4.       Obsession Flowcharting

5)       Synthetic and Phytomedicinal Supports

1.       Ethical Patient Education

2.       Effective Medication Strategies for OCD

3.        Augmentation Agents

4.       OC Spectrum Pharmacology

5.        Difficulties with SSRI Medications

6.        Side Effects of SSRI Medications

7.        Somatic Interventions

8.       Psychoactive Phytomedicinals and Substances

6)       Anxiety Management and Lifestyle Change

1.       Anxiety Awareness and Calibration

2.       Autonomic Nervous System

3.        Brief Survey Forms of Relaxation Response Training

9)       The OCD Experience

10)   Basic and Advanced Behavior Therapy Principles for OC Disorders

1.       Selection of Techniques

2.       Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD

3.        The 5 Critical Elements in ERP

4.       Grading or Titration of Exposures

5.        Neutralization Issues

6.        Fine Tuning Behavior Therapy with C-OCD

7.        7 Steps for Patient Self-Intervention

8.       Predicting Treatment Response Problems

11)   Obsession Inoculation Strategies, Cognitive Treatment and “Mindfulness”

12)   Accommodation Strategies

13)   Anatomy of a Cognitive Behavior Therapy Session

14)   Strengthening, Re-establishing or Repairing Life Infrastructure (Discussed as time permits.)

COURSE DIRECTOR

      Christian R. Komor, Psy.D. is a Licensed Psychologist, Registered Naturopath in the District of Columbia and Director of the OCD Recovery Centers of America, a network of individuals and organizations dedicated to providing optimal treatment for persons suffering from OC-Spectrum Disorders.  The OCD Recovery Centers are renowned among OC treatment professionals, patients and their families as one of the world’s premier providers of outpatient  treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Compulsive Hoarding, Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder, Tourette’s Disorder, Trichotillomania, Hypochondriasis, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, and Aspergers Syndrome. Offering a range of treatment programs including outpatient, Housecall and Intensive Outpatient Programs, the OCD Recovery Centers of America have developed a reputation among professionals and patients for innovative and comprehensive treatment practices.  

With over 25 years of professional experience Dr. Komor has combined his skills in Naturopathy and integrative healthcare with traditional psychological therapies to create a powerful synthesis for OCD treatment.  Diagnosed with OCD himself in 1997 Dr. Komor has become an impassioned speaker and nationally-recognized proponent of optimal OCD treatment methods. A graduate of Wright State University School of Professional Psychology, Dr. Komor is currently a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the OCD Foundation of Michigan.  His books OCD and Other Gods (2000) and The Obsessive Compulsive’s Meditation Book(2001) have been on the featured book list for the national Obsessive Compulsive Foundation.  Because of his innovative work in the area of obsessive-compulsive disorders and mind/body healthcare Dr. Komor has been the focus of dozens of articles, and television and radio interviews across the United States.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

·        Effectively diagnose and differentiate Obsessive Compulsive Disorder from other similar disorders.

·        Master the current brain research, genetic findings, and biological basis underlying obsessive-compulsive behavior.

·        Discover how to create optimal relief for the 30-50% of OCD patients not helped by traditional medication and cognitive-behavioral approaches.

·        Learn to command a wide range of cognitive and behavioral interventions for symptom reduction and remediation.

·        Recognize the five reasons why behavior treatment of OCD often fails and how to avoid these pitfalls.

·        Learn to use a Seven-Step plan for working through difficult OCD situations and exposure and response prevention behavior therapy.

·        Arm yourself with powerful, research-proven Integrative Healthcare options for augmenting psychoactive medications and behavior therapy.

·        Learn tools for dealing effectively with more challenging obsessive compulsive situations including “pure” obsessions, and compulsive hoarding.

COMMENTS FROM SEMINAR PARTICIPANTS

(Names withheld for confidentiality.)

“Dr. Komor is extremely knowledgeable and expert in his specialty.  The seminar is full of facts and new information on the intricacies of the brain and it’s involvement in OCD.”

      - Miami, FL

“”The presenter was very well prepared, professional and knowledgeable about the subject.  He added to his presentation by sitting examples, involving the audience and being on the cutting edge of research findings.  Great Job!  Should be a two day seminar!”

      - Miami, FL

“As a parent of a child with OCD the information was very through – highlighting all the options our doctors have not told us about up to now.”

      - Phoenix, AZ

“Dr. Komor was great!  He has a wonderful presentation style and did an excellent job.”

      - Phoenix, AZ

“Wonderful ideas and lots of them.”

      - Tucson, AZ

“This is information which has not been presented at any other workshop I have attended.  It is very valuable and useful.

      - Tucson, AZ

“This was one of the most comprehensive and coherent presentations on the topic that I have has the pleasure of attending.”

-         Tucson, AZ

“The best seminar I have attended.  Excellent presentation (speaker, PowerPoint, etc.) and information.”

      - Albuquerque, NM

“Fantastic presenter. Make it a two day seminar!”

      - Albuquerque, NM

“Nice to learn actual tools for therapist and client to use rather than all theory.”

      - Pamela Allen, Albuquerque, NM

“Excellent and informative.  Dr. Komor was succinct, amusing and good with the audience.”

      - Albuquerque, NM

“Dr Komor is an excellent speaker with a great sense of humor and good examples.  Information was very valuable.  Gave lot’s of ideas on how to work with clients.”

-         Canton, OH

“Exceeded my expectations by far!”

-         Columbus, OH

“Great workshop!  Speaker very knowledgeable.  This program needs to be two days!

-         Columbus, OH

“Excellent seminar!  From the prospective of ‘a person with OCD’ the Dr.’s sharing was appreciated and certainly recognizable.  It’s nice to hear the information from someone who has lived it.”

-         Columbus, OH

“Enjoyed Dr. Komor’s presentation style and honesty.  It was a bit odd when he said that he and Sponge Bob go places together.  I thought he was kidding, but I wasn’t sure!”

-         Canton, OH

“The speaker was very knowledgeable and did an excellent job of holding our interest.

      -   Columbus, OH

“Dr. Komor is very real… It’s obvious that he truly understands.”

       -  Cleveland, OH

“Effective use of humor, excellent handout and materials.  Well organized.”

-         Canton, OH

“Speaker was excellent and informative.  Great information on issues in practice!”

-         Canton, OH

“Appreciated the excellent handbook.  I felt the presenter’s self-disclosure and humor where very helpful.

-         Columbus, OH

“A lot of content, but was explained simple at a good rate to comprehend.  Co