OCD Counseling Certificate Program

Description

The OCD Counseling Certificate Program consists of three online self-study courses and the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Counseling Certificate

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.

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.

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.

Learning Objectives:

After participating in Etiology, Assessment and Diagnosis of OCD course, participants will be able to:

• 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.

After participating in Evidence-Based Treatments for OCD: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) course, participants will be able to:

• 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.

After participating in Special Considerations: Trauma-Informed, Individualized, and Culturally Sensitive Treatment for OCD course,  participants will be able to:

• 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.

Format and Access

This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Instruction consists of 18 hours of video instruction and a post-test.

Course Details

The Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Counseling Certificate (OCDCC) program requires completion of three courses:

1. Etiology, Assessment and Diagnosis of OCD

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

3. Special Consideration: Trauma-Informed, Individualized and Culturally Sensitive Treatment for OCD

Successful completion of each course will earn participants the OCD Counseling Certificate (OCDCC)

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: 

Course access and completion instructions.

Instructor and Disclosures

Instructor

About 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.

CE Hours

Credit Hours:

This program consists of 18 continuing education hours of credit. A separate certificate of completion is issued with each course.

Counselors:

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:

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 18 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:

This course has been approved by Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits, effective 2/20/2024. NAADAC Provider #193104, Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is responsible for all aspects of the programming.

Psychologists:

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 1080 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.

These are non-interactive, self-study courses.

Accommodations and Policies

Close Captioning is available for live webinars and recorded video presentations.

You can click on the following links to view our policies:

• Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities.
• Cancellation Policy
• Grievance Policy
• Support Options
• Disclosure Statement