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OCD–Scrupulosity: “Just Making Sure…”

Previously Recorded
Perella Perlstein, PsyD
$29.99 Cost For Member: $19.99

The lecture will address the assessment and treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) -Scrupulosity subtype. Scrupulosity is characterized by excessive concern over moral, religious, or ethical correctness. Scrupulosity often involves compulsions, such as excessive prayer, repeated OCD-infused, faith-based rituals, or reassurance-seeking behaviors from family and clergy members. The assessment phase of the training will focus on the use of the Clinical Interview and the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YBOCS; Goodman et al., 1989).

Treatment strategies will focus on Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a first-line cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention that is effective in treating scrupulosity (Abramowitz et al., 2019). ERP involves systematic exposure to feared stimuli, e.g., religious doubts or impulses to engage in OCD-ritualized behaviors, while preventing the accompanying compulsive behaviors that reinforce the disorder (Twohig et al., 2020). Acceptance-Commitment Therapy (ACT) strategies will also be discussed to supplement effective OCD treatment (Soondrum et al., 2022).

About the Presenter

Dr. Perlstein is a NY State Licensed Psychologist who specializes in the treatment of impulse-control and anxiety-based disorders. Dr. Perlstein uses CBT, DBT, and ACT to help increase client functioning and adaptive living. Dr. Perlstein divides her time between clinical private practice, supervision, and academic research.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Describe the cognitive-behavioral framework used in the diagnosis and treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), with a focus on the scrupulosity subtype
  2. Demonstrate how to administer and interpret the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) as part of a clinical assessment for OCD.
  3. Apply Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) techniques in clinical practice to address compulsive behaviors associated with religious and moral obsessions in scrupulosity.

Agenda:

Agenda

00:00–00:05 | Introduction & Overview

  • Welcome and objectives

  • Defining Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

  • Introduction to scrupulosity as a subtype of OCD

00:05–00:10 | Theoretical Foundations

  • Learning theory and OCD: Classical and operant conditioning

  • Cognitive-behavioral conceptualization of OCD

  • Dispelling myths: Fact vs. fiction in OCD and scrupulosity

00:10–00:20 | Assessment Strategies

  • Clinical Interview techniques for identifying scrupulosity

  • Overview and administration of the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS)

  • Understanding OCD subtypes and their clinical presentation

00:20–00:30 | The Role of Collaterals and Case Conceptualization

  • Using family, clergy, and community input in assessment

  • Therapist “dos and don'ts” when working with scrupulous clients

00:30–00:35 | Treatment Interventions: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

  • Core principles and evidence base for ERP in treating scrupulosity

  • Designing effective exposure hierarchies specific to moral and religious obsessions

  • Addressing common treatment barriers and building client buy-in

00:35–00:50 | Supplementary Approaches: ACT and Scrupulosity

  • Introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • The ACT Hexaflex and its relevance to OCD treatment

  • Integrating ACT into ERP-based care

00:50–01:00 | Clinical Application & Q&A

  • Case vignettes and treatment planning examples

  • Open Q&A and discussion

  • Summary of key takeaways and recommended resources

 

This workshop offers 1 Continuing Education Credits
This webinar is recorded and will not grant live credits.

This presentation is open to:
  • Social Workers
  • Professional Counselors
  • Therapists
  • Psychologists
  • Licensed Mental Health Practitioners
  • Medical Doctors and Other Health Professionals
  • Other professionals interacting with populations engaged in mental health based services
Course Level: intermediate
Level of Clinician: intermediate
  • New practitioners who wish to gain enhanced insight surrounding the topic
  • Experienced practitioners who seek to increase and expand fundamental knowledge surrounding the subject matter
  • Advanced practitioners seeking to review concepts and reinforce practice skills and/or access additional consultation
  • Managers seeking to broaden micro and/or macro perspectives

Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.

Disability Access - If you require ADA accommodations, please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification. Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often, and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling. The grievance policy for trainings provided by NEFESH INTERNATIONAL is available here Satisfactory Completion Participants must have paid the tuition fee, logged in and out each day, attended the entire workshop, and completed an evaluation to receive a certificate (If this is a pre-recorded program, a post-test with a passing grade of 80% to receive a certificate.) Failure to log in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available. Certificates are available after satisfactory course completion by clicking here.
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