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Live Webinar

Beyond the Obsessions: Understanding Depression and Suicidality in OCD

​Meredith Hettler, MS, LMFT, CCAPT
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Information

Date & Time

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Describe the relationships among OCD symptom severity, comorbid depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide risk

  • Differentiate suicidal obsessions associated with OCD from suicidal ideation involving desire, intent, or planning

  • Identify at least four clinical factors that may increase suicide risk among individuals with OCD

  • Apply principles of suicide risk assessment while avoiding unnecessary reinforcement of OCD-related reassurance-seeking and compulsive behavior

  • Integrate suicide risk management with evidence-based OCD treatment, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy in clinical treatment

Educational Goal

The educational goal of this workshop is to increase clinicians’ ability to recognize and appropriately respond to suicidality in individuals with OCD. Learners will develop a more nuanced approach to distinguishing OCD-related intrusive thoughts from indicators of genuine suicide risk, while recognizing that the presence of OCD does not eliminate the possibility of co-occurring suicidality. 

Description

People with obsessive-compulsive disorder experience elevated rates of depression and suicidal ideation, yet suicide risk can be difficult to assess when intrusive suicidal obsessions are also present. This presentation will examine the relationship between OCD, depression, and suicidality, with particular attention to differentiating suicidal obsessions from suicidal intent and integrating thoughtful suicide risk assessment into evidence-based OCD treatment. 

Target Audience

  • Addiction Professional
  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker

Presenters

​Meredith Hettler, MS, LMFT, CCAPT
​ Meredith Hettler, MS, LMFT, CCAPT is the National Director of Newport Healthcare's OCD and Anxiety Program. She has more than 15 years of experience in the behavioral healthcare field, and specializes in working with adolescents and young adults, using modalities including Exposure and Response Prevention therapy, ACT Attachment-Based Family Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Financially Sponsored By

  • Newport Healthcare