OCD Action’s webinars bring together some of the top clinicians in the country and lived experience experts to share vital information on navigating life with OCD.
Our webinar series is for anyone affected by OCD, wherever you are on your journey. Our speakers share helpful information on a range of topics, from recognising the symptoms of OCD, to navigating the NHS, managing setbacks in treatment, building supportive relationships, and much more.
UPCOMING WEBINARS
Overcoming Setbacks: What to do if my OCD returns
Monday 29th April 2024
Join us on Monday 29th April for Overcoming Setbacks: What to Do If My OCD Returns. In this session, Dr. Lynne Drummond and lived experience expert Pryanshi Acharya will guide you through understanding why OCD symptoms can return and what you can do to manage these challenges effectively.
The webinar aims to provide you with knowledge and tools to strengthen your ability to handle OCD relapses. Understanding why symptoms reoccur can help you and your loved ones manage living with OCD, making sure that setbacks don’t disrupt your progress.
As always, the session will conclude with a live Q&A, offering you the opportunity to ask our experts specific questions about your concerns and receive direct feedback.
Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity to gain insight and support! Register today.
Meet the panel
Dr. Lynne Drummond
Dr. Drummond has dedicated over four decades to studying and treating OCD and anxiety disorders at SW London and St George’s NHS Trust and the University of Hertfordshire. She has published extensively, contributing over 100 articles to the academic press and authoring four best-selling books on CBT and OCD. A renowned expert in her field, Dr. Drummond is also a familiar face in media, passionately advocating for mental health education through numerous TV and radio appearances.
Priyanshi AcharyaPriyanshi lives with OCD and was diagnosed in 2019. Since being diagnosed, she has worked on spreading awareness on OCD, and graduated with a degree in Psychology. She currently uses her lived experience to work as an assistant psychologist in the NHS, and volunteers for OCD Action’s online groups.
PREVIOUS WEBINARS
Taking the First Step: Seeking the Recommended Treatments
Monday 11th March 2024
InTaking the First Step: Seeking the Recommended Treatments, Helpline volunteers Barbara and Paul walk you through the process of accessing the clinically recommended treatment for OCD – CBT with ERP (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with Exposure and Response Prevention).
This webinar is designed to make you feel informed and confident, helping you to advocate for yourself when seeking treatment.
Barbara
Barbara, a dedicated mental health advocate, draws upon her extensive background in workplace mental health research and as co-founder of a global corporate mental health programme. Spurred on by her personal experience as a parent of a child with OCD, Barbara joined OCD Action as a Helpline volunteer in 2021, and now also leads interactive sessions, offering crucial guidance to parents navigating treatment and support for OCD and BDD.
Paul
Paul has volunteered on the OCD Action Helpline since 2019. His own battle with OCD inspired him to join the charity and help others. He runs a commercial property agency in London and has written freelance for newspapers and magazines.
How to get the best out of psychological therapy
Professor Paul Salkovskis and Michael Cooper
Tuesday 17th October 2023
In our recent webinar, our clinical expert, Professor Paul Salkovskis, provided invaluable insights on optimising psychological therapies for OCD recovery. Lived experience expert Michael Cooper shared his personal journey of living with OCD, receiving the recommended therapy, and how he maintained his recovery day-to-day. The session concluded with a Q&A where participants had the chance to ask Professor Salkovskis and Michael their questions.
Professor Paul Salkovskis, Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Paul is a clinical psychologist who has worked on the understanding and treatment of OCD for his entire working life. He led the SLaM and National NHS outpatient OCD service for its first ten years. He is now the Director of the Oxford Centre for Psychological Health. Paul considers that OCD can be treated, but knows that the longer term effects of having untreated OCD are particularly hard to overcome.
Michael Cooper, OCD Action Volunteer
Michael, an OCD Action volunteer and support group facilitator, has lived with OCD for over 30 years. Fortunately, he was able to reclaim his life through effective treatment and support. Michael now lives a happy and fulfilling life no longer dominated by OCD. As a support group facilitator, his focus is on fostering a warm and nurturing atmosphere, where members can be heard, valued, and supported wherever they are on their journey.
understanding the recommended treatments: Cbt with erp and medication
Dr Victoria Hallett, Dr Stuart Brownings and Ria Fay
Wednesday 6th September 2023
In this informative session, our clinical experts, Dr. Victoria Hallett and Dr. Stuart Brownings, share valuable insights on the recommended therapy for OCD, CBT with ERP, as well as medication options. Lived experience expert Ria Fay provides invaluable perspectives from her personal journey of receiving these recommended treatments, shedding light on what the process was like and how it helped her. The session concludes with a panel Q&A.
Dr Victoria Hallett, Senior Clinical Psychologist
Dr Hallett is a Senior Clinical Psychologist, with a special interest in providing assessment and CBT for OCD. She worked for 8 years at the National and Specialist CAMHS OCD, BDD and Related Disorders Service at the Maudsley Hospital, and is co-founder of The Specialist OCD Clinic. She is a peer-reviewed author, and has delivered OCD-related teaching across clinical, academic and charity settings.
Dr Stuart Brownings, Senior Clinical Psychologist
Dr Brownings, a Senior Clinical Psychologist, specialises in treating young people and adults with OCD. Using weekly CBT and ERP, he supports people in reclaiming their lives from OCD. With 3+ years at Maudsley Hospital’s CAMHS OCD service, he is also co-founder of The Specialist OCD Clinic. As a peer-reviewed author, he educates on OCD in academic, clinical, and charity settings.
Ria Fay, OCD Advocate and Actor
Ria was diagnosed with OCD at the age of 25 despite experiencing symptoms since she was 5 years old. Her show “I’m Just a Little Bit OCD” toured London in 2022. She recently featured in Director of Me, a Radio 4 series about life with mental health conditions. Ria is Co-Artistic Director of Concept Theatre, and a versatile performer, writer, director, and producer with a first-class degree in World Performance.
Exploring experiences of OCD with lived experience and clinical experts
Dr Blake Stobie, Olivia Bamber and Aron Bennett
Tuesday 4th July 2023
In Exploring Experiences of OCD, Dr. Blake Stobie (Head of Service at CADAT) and lived experience experts Olivia Bamber and Aron Bennett share insights into various presentations of OCD. Dr Stobie delves into common subtypes such as Pure O and OCD, while Olivia and Aron share their experiences of Contamination OCD and Moral Scrupulosity OCD respectively. This session aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the diverse manifestations of OCD, reminding you that no matter the “type” of OCD you have, you are never alone.
Dr Blake Stobie, Lead Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Blake is Head of Service at CADAT and a Lead Consultant Clinical Psychologist. Blake is an accredited CBT practitioner, supervisor and trainer with the BABCP, and is a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society. Blake is particularly interested in OCD, and ways of adapting psychological treatments to assist people who have not benefited from previous treatments for anxiety.
Olivia Bamber, OCD Action Volunteer
Olivia volunteers on the Helpline, and was previously an OCD Action member of staff for many years working across Media & Comms, the OCD Youth project and the Helpline. She’s battled OCD since a young age, but with good treatment and support, she is now able to manage the condition well. Olivia is passionate about using her experiences to raise awareness of OCD and to support others to access high quality treatment.
Aron Bennett, OCD Advocate and Author
Aron is an OCD advocate and author of The Walking Worried, a memoir based on his experiences of living with OCD. Aron has been involved with the charity for many years, previously volunteering with support groups and as a Trustee. Aron has lived with OCD since he was a child, and is passionate about raising awareness of the reality of living with OCD, in particular lesser-known manifestations such as Moral Scrupulosity.
Beyond the myths: Exploring the reality of OCD
Dr Rob Willson and Catherine Benfield
Monday 5th June 2023
In Beyond the Myths: Exploring the Reality of OCD, Dr Rob Willson and Catherine Benfield discuss how to recognise the symptoms of OCD and debunk common myths about the condition. This session was designed to cover essential information about OCD, and would be a great introduction for anyone wondering if they have OCD or for anybody who would like to support somebody struggling with OCD symptoms.
Dr Rob Willson, Cognitive Behaviour Therapist
Dr Rob Willson PhD is a cognitive behaviour Therapist based in North London, with a special interest in OCD, BDD and Health Anxiety. He is the chair of the BDD Foundation. Rob has co-authored several books, including the bestselling ‘Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Dummies’ and ‘Overcoming Obsessive Compulsive Disorder’.
Catherine Benfield, OCD Advocate
Catherine is a writer and teacher from East London. She runs the OCD website TamingOlivia.com and is currently navigating the film festival circuit with Waving, a short film she produced about OCD and intrusive thoughts starring Ralph Ineson. Catherine first experienced OCD at 5 although it took another 30 years to get a diagnosis. She talks openly about her experiences of upsetting intrusive thoughts and recovery.