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Evidence-Based Treatments for OCD: Exposure and Response
Prevention (ERP)

Enroll in the Online Self-Study course and complete it at your own pace.
6 CE hours available for behavioral health clinicians upon completion.

OCD doesn’t always look like compulsive cleaning or counting—and too often, it doesn’t look like OCD at all. Clients silently endure terrifying intrusive thoughts, paralyzing self-doubt, and exhausting rituals that rob them of their time, identity, and relationships. The pain is real, the stakes are high, and without evidence-based intervention, the cycle often worsens.

Yet there is hope—when treatment is grounded in evidence and delivered with fidelity. This course invites you to explore the science, skills, and nuance behind Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold standard for OCD treatment, so you can confidently meet the needs of this underserved population.

Register for the 6 CE Online Self-Study for 

$180

 

Treat OCD with evidence-based intervention

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Melanie Smith, PhD, LMHC, CEDS-C, is a seasoned clinician, trainer, and researcher with deep expertise in treating complex emotional disorders including OCD. With years of experience as a mental health counselor, Certified Eating Disorders Specialist, and clinical trainer for the Renfrew Center, Dr. Smith brings clinical wisdom and real-world experience to help you apply ERP with confidence and care.

In this dynamic and accessible self-study course, Dr. Smith shares a clinician-to-clinician perspective on treating OCD through ERP. You’ll move beyond textbook theory and gain clarity on what ERP looks like in practice—how to introduce it, adapt it, and apply it across subtypes and levels of client readiness.

Topics covered include the core features and subtypes of OCD, the neuroscience of emotional avoidance and reinforcement, key components of ERP, how to construct and implement exposure hierarchies, the role of pharmacotherapy, and integration of cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness-based, and acceptance-based models such as ACT and the Unified Protocol. You'll also learn how to address barriers to ERP, tailor your approach to comorbidities and cultural considerations, and maintain treatment fidelity while remaining flexible and relational.

Melanie Smith Headshot

Instructor

Melanie Smith, PhD, LMHC, CEDS-C (she/her) is a therapist in private practice at CBT of Central & South Florida (https://cbtcentralflorida.com) and a Consulting Clinical Training Specialist for the Renfrew Center. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Qualified Supervisor in the State of Florida. Additionally, she is a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and Approved Consultant (CEDS-C) and is a Certified Therapist & Trainer of the Unified Protocol for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP). Special treatment interests include Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction such as Rumination Syndrome, OCD, phobias including emetophobia, health-related anxiety, and coping with chronic pain & chronic illness.

Dr. Smith is passionate about the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based treatments, clinical supervision, and clinical training and has presented numerous lectures, workshops, and Keynote presentations at academic and professional conferences nationally and internationally. She has co-authored publications in peer-reviewed journals and is co-author of the peer-reviewed treatment manual and patient workbook, The Renfrew Unified Treatment Model for Eating Disorders and Comorbidity, published by Oxford University Press.

Key Takeaways:

  • Apply ERP with greater clarity and purpose: Understand the emotional foundations of OCD and why ERP works.
  • Develop confidence in exposure planning: Learn how to create individualized exposure hierarchies, overcome avoidance, and use exposures as opportunities for meaningful, values-based change.
  • Strengthen your clinical judgment: Integrate evidence-based strategies for both therapy and medication to address diverse client needs and treatment challenges.

Why This Course?

  • Bridge the knowledge gap: Many clinicians never receive specialized training in ERP—this course fills that void with real tools, real cases, and real impact.
  • Learn from an expert: Dr. Smith combines academic depth, clinical skill, and engaging instruction, with a clear passion for empowering fellow clinicians.
  • Trust the provider: Telehealth Certification Institute is committed to excellence, collaboration, and growth—our mission is to equip you with the training you need to help your clients thrive.

Learning Objectives:

  • Explain the rationale for utilizing emotional exposure strategies for the management of OCD symptoms.
  • Describe two theoretical principles of exposure.
  • Create an individualized exposure hierarchy using a sample case.
  • Discuss the benefits and challenges of incorporating psychopharmacological interventions for individuals with OCD.

If you’ve ever hesitated to treat OCD—or wondered how to do it effectively—this course offers the tools, clarity, and encouragement to take the next step.

Add it to your clinical toolbox and join a growing movement of clinicians delivering truly transformative care.

This is a non-interactive, self-study course that offers over 6 hours of recorded video instruction, a post-test and a course evaluation.

Enroll in the 6 CE Online Self-Study for $180

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Availability: From the time of registration, you have six months to access the coursework.

Who Should Attend: This course is intended for clinicians who provide behavioral health services.

Teaching Methods: This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Teaching methods for this course include recorded lectures, videos, a post-test, and a course evaluation.

How to attend: Directions for completing a course can be found by clicking here.

This program was recorded on January 26, 2024.

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