OCD Counseling Certificate
Enroll in the Online Self-Study and complete the certification training on your schedule.
18 CE hours available for behavioral health clinicians
OCD is one of the most misunderstood and misdiagnosed behavioral health conditions—often hidden behind culturally influenced symptoms, trauma histories, or internalized distress. Without the right knowledge and training, even well-meaning clinicians may mislabel or overlook OCD entirely, leading to ineffective or even harmful treatment.
This certificate program offers a clear path forward for clinicians who want to confidently recognize, assess, and treat OCD in a way that is evidence-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive.
Complete all 3 courses, get certified in OCD treatment, and save $41.
18 CE hours + Certificate · $499
Dr. Melanie Smith, PhD, LMHC, CEDS-C, brings a wealth of experience in treating OCD and related disorders using integrative, research-backed approaches. As a Certified Trainer of the Unified Protocol and a published author on transdiagnostic treatments, Dr. Smith equips professionals with tools that are both clinically sound and flexible enough for real-world care.
Throughout the program, Dr. Smith centers lived experience, cultural sensitivity, and fidelity to evidence-based treatment while guiding participants to apply practical skills to diverse client presentations. Her teaching style is engaging, accessible, and rooted in real clinical examples.
Participants will gain a strong foundation in the etiology, assessment, and diagnosis of OCD; an in-depth understanding of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and its clinical application; and advanced strategies for tailoring care to children, perinatal clients, and individuals navigating cultural, racial, or gender-based stressors.
Instructor
Melanie Smith, PhD, LMHC, CEDS-C
Melanie Smith 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:
- Confident Diagnosis and Assessment: Differentiate OCD from similar conditions and navigate complex presentations with greater clarity.
- Master ERP Techniques: Apply ERP with competence while considering comorbidities and integrating pharmacological strategies as needed.
- Tailored, Trauma-Informed Treatment: Adapt interventions for children, perinatal clients, and culturally diverse populations using a trauma-informed lens.
Why this course?
- Holistic, Inclusive Curriculum: Covers everything from neurobiology to intersectionality—ensuring you're equipped for today’s diverse clinical landscape.
- Led by a Recognized Expert: Dr. Smith is a nationally recognized clinician, speaker, and trainer in evidence-based and transdiagnostic treatments.
- Immediate Clinical Application: Course content is designed for practical use in therapy sessions, not just academic theory.
Courses Included and Learning Objectives:
Etiology, Assessment and Diagnosis of OCD:
- Discuss the heritability of OCD.
- List at least two environmental factors that impact the development of OCD.
- Identify the diagnostic criteria for OCD, including rule-outs for the condition.
- Assess clients for overlapping symptom presentations and differentiate OCD from other diagnoses.
Evidence-Based Treatments for OCD: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) :
- 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.
Special Considerations: Trauma-Informed, Individualized, and Culturally Sensitive Treatment for OCD:
- List at least two adaptations required for treating children with OCD.
- Describe at least one unique consideration of treating perinatal OCD.
- Identify at least two intersectional factors that should be considered when individualizing OCD treatment.
- Apply the principles of trauma-informed care to exposure-based treatment for OCD.
As you seek to bridge knowledge gaps in diagnosing and treating OCD across diverse client populations, this certificate program offers the clarity, depth, and tools needed to provide truly informed care.
Add this course to your cart to begin building lasting confidence in your OCD clinical work.
This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Instruction consists of 18 hours of video instruction and a post-test.
Select each tab for course details
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 19, 2024; January 26, 2024 and February 2, 2024
Testimonials
Iveyana Kiara Smith
Jessy Hainbach
Bryant Wilson
Ben Keyser
Mei Chan
Meghan Co, LCSW-C, LICSW