Evidence-Based Treatments for OCD: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is Module Two of the 3-course Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Counseling Certificate Program (OCDCC). For more information on the OCDCC and discounted enrollment in the full program, please visit this page.
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.
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.
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.
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: Instructions for attending and completing a course can be found here.
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Melanie Smith, PhD, LMHC, CEDS-C
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.
Disclosure Statement: The instructor(s) for this course receive compensation for their services. There are no reported conflicts of interest to disclose.
Credit Hours: This course consists of 6 continuing education hours of credit.
Counselors:
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Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No, 6693. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Mental Health Counselors. #MHC-0048.
Marriage and Family Therapists: Many MFT licensing boards accept our courses or one of the approvals which we have from professional associations. You can check with your board to determine if your licensing board would accept this course.
Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0135, effective May 8, 2025.
Social Workers:
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Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, #1609, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 05/02/2024 – 05/02/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 6 clinical continuing education credits.
Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Social Workers #SW-0435.
Addiction Professionals:
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This course has been approved by Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #193104, Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is responsible for all aspects of the programming.
Psychologists:
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Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Telehealth Certification Institute LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Psychologists #PSY-0128.
Art Therapists: Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Creative Arts Therapists #CAT-0093.
Other Professionals: This course qualifies for 360 minutes of instructional content as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations. Retain your certificate of completion and contact your board or organization for specific filing requirements.
This is a non-interactive, self-study course.
