Mastery of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Therapist Guide

Edna B. Foa, Ph.D. is a Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania and Director of the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and Personality, from University of Missouri, Columbia, in 1970. Dr. Foa devoted her academic career to study the psychopathology and treatment of anxiety disorders, primarily obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and social phobia and is currently one of the world leading experts in these areas. Dr. Foa was the chair of the DSM-IV Subcommittee for OCD and Co-Chairs the DSM-IV Subcommittee for PTSD. She has also been the chair for the Treatment Guidelines Task Force of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Disorders. Dr. Foa has published several books and over 250 articles and book chapters and has lectured extensively around the world. Her work has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. Among them are: Distinguished Professor Award under the Fulbright Program for International Exchange of Scholars; Distinguished Scientist Award from the American Psychological Association, Society for a Science of Clinical Psychology; First Annual Outstanding Research Contribution Award presented by the Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy; Distinguished Scientific Contributions to Clinical Psychology Award from the American Psychological Association; and Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.

SECTION 1: DESCRIPTION AND ASSESSMENT OF OCD; 1. Symptoms of OCD; 2. Theories of OCD; 3. Assessement of OCD; SECTION 2: AVAILABLE TREATMENTS OF OCD; 4. Psychosocial Therapy for OCD; 5. Pharmacotherapy for OCD; 6. Choice of Treatment; SECTION 3: COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOURAL TREATMENT BY EXPOSURE AND RITUAL PREVENTION; 7. Treatment Planning: Understanding and Persuading; 8. Treatment Planning: In Vivo Exposure; 9. Treatment Planning: Imaginal Exposure; 10. Treatment Planning: Ritual Prevention; 11. Treatment Planning: Social Support; 12. Reviewing the Plan: Explicating the Contract; 13. Beginning Exposure: Revision and Consent; 14. Middle Exposure: From Bete Noir to Paper Tiger; 15. End Exposure: Theme and Variations; 16. Relapse Prevention: Self-Exposure; 17. Resistance and Other Difficulties; 18. Adjustment for Clients with Mental Retardation; 19. Adjustment for Children; 20. Conclusion