OCD-Midwest

03/14/2026

OCD is one of the few conditions where the content of the fear can look wildly different, but the mechanism underneath is the same.

Someone might struggle with harm thoughts.
Someone else with relationship doubts.
Someone else with contamination fears.

Different themes. Same disorder: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

From a treatment standpoint, the theme actually doesn’t matter much. What matters is the cycle: intrusive thoughts → doubt → anxiety → compulsions → temporary relief → more doubt.

Because OCD will attach to anything that matters to you.

But while themes don’t matter much for treatment, they do matter for representation.

Why?

Because people with OCD often don’t realize they have OCD unless they see their exact experience reflected somewhere. When all people see is handwashing or checking, someone with intrusive sexual thoughts, harm thoughts, or relationship doubts may spend years believing they’re dangerous, immoral, or alone.

Representation helps people recognize:
“Wait… this isn’t just me. This is OCD.”

And that moment of recognition can be the first step toward getting the right help.

Different themes.
Same mechanism.
Same hope for recovery. 🧠✨

Share this with someone who needs to see it!!

✨ Follow OCD Midwest for updates on upcoming OCD Midwest events and to learn more about OCD!

✨ Link in our bio for our other social pages, OCD Midwest OCD walks information, and our website!

Disclaimer: Social Media is not therapy. This page should be used for educational purposes only. If you are in crisis call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency center.

03/07/2026

Welcome to the official social media page for OCD Midwest! 💚

Here you’ll find educational content about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), updates about upcoming OCD Midwest events, and opportunities to connect with a community dedicated to awareness, support, and advocacy. Our goal is to provide reliable information, highlight resources, and bring together individuals, families, and professionals who care about the OCD community.

Interested in getting more involved? We are always looking for passionate individuals who want to support our mission. If you’d like to join the OCD Midwest social media committee and help spread awareness, we’d love to hear from you! Please reach out through the OCD Midwest website to learn more.

Together we can continue building a more informed, supportive community for those affected by OCD. 💚

✨ Follow OCD Midwest for updates on upcoming OCD Midwest events and to learn more about OCD!

✨ Link in our bio for our other social pages, OCD Midwest OCD walks information, and our website!

Disclaimer: Social Media is not therapy. This page should be used for educational purposes only. If you are in crisis call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency center.

03/02/2026

📣✨OCD Midwest movie screening is tomorrow! It's not too late to purchase tickets!✨📣

🎥 Join Us for a Night of Awareness, Insight, and Impact
🗓️ March 3rd, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Kent State University – Kiva Center

We’ll kick off the evening with a screening of “Living With Me and My OCD,” a powerful documentary that shares the raw, real experiences of individuals living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Following the film, we’ll host a panel discussion with clinicians and those with lived experience, along with a resource fair featuring local providers who specialize in OCD treatment and support.

💬 This event is all about reducing stigma, creating space for real conversations, and making OCD treatment more accessible for all.

🎟️ Tickets include entry into a raffle for a themed gift basket, and 100% of proceeds go directly to OCD Midwest to support their ongoing mission.

Whether you’re a clinician, advocate, student, or supporter of mental health, we’d love to have you with us.

🎫 https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/ocdmidwest/rescheduled-movie-screening-and-panel-living-with-me-and-my-ocd

DocumentaryScreening PanelDiscussion ResourceFair AccessibleCare LinkedInEvents TherapyForAll Gratitude

02/12/2026

📣✨Announcement! - RESCHEDULED EVENT UPDATE ✨📣

🎥 Join Us for a Night of Awareness, Insight, and Impact
🗓️ March 3rd, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Kent State University – Kiva Center

Don't forget to book your calendar for our rescheduled event!

We’ll kick off the evening with a screening of “Living With Me and My OCD,” a powerful documentary that shares the raw, real experiences of individuals living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Following the film, we’ll host a panel discussion with clinicians and those with lived experience, along with a resource fair featuring local providers who specialize in OCD treatment and support.

💬 This event is all about reducing stigma, creating space for real conversations, and making OCD treatment more accessible for all.

🎟️ Tickets include entry into a raffle for a themed gift basket, and 100% of proceeds go directly to OCD Midwest to support their ongoing mission.

Whether you’re a clinician, advocate, student, or supporter of mental health, we’d love to have you with us.

🎫 https://lnkd.in/dEvsAg24

DocumentaryScreening PanelDiscussion ResourceFair AccessibleCare LinkedInEvents TherapyForAll Gratitude

02/04/2026

📢 SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT!

Deadline for applications is 2/13/26!

We’re excited to offer FOUR scholarships for clinicians seeking high-quality OCD training across OCD Midwest. These scholarships support clinicians serving diverse or underserved communities who want to build a strong foundation in ERP for OCD.

Here are the eligible trainings:

1️⃣ Two-Day OCD Training w/ Jessica Hood, LCSW

📅 March 5–6
📍 Fishers, IN
🎓 1 scholarship available
🔗 https://www.tickettailor.com/events/indychildtherapistllc/2018980

A solid introduction to assessing, diagnosing, and treating OCD using ERP.
13 CEs (Indiana)

2️⃣ ERP for OCD — In-Person (Beth McCreary, PhD, ABPP)

📅 March 7, 2026
📍 Columbus, OH
🎓 2 scholarships available
🔗 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/exposure-response-prevention-erp-for-ocd-anxiety-disorders-registration-1979778353349

CEs for Ohio clinicians (psych, counseling, social work, MFT)

3️⃣ Two-Day ERP for OCD & Anxiety Disorders

Hosted by Glenview Counseling Group
🎓 1 scholarship available

✨ How to Apply for a Scholarship
Eligible candidates should be clinicians working with diverse or underserved populations who are seeking foundational training in ERP for OCD.
To apply, please email Blair Famarin at bfamarin@menninger.edu and/or Desiree Untch at desiree@aspireanxietysolutions.com
Please include:
• Your CV
• A brief statement of rationale/intent, including:
– Your clinical experience
– Your work with diverse or underserved communities
– Your motivation for seeking this training

01/16/2026

📢 SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT!

We’re excited to offer FOUR scholarships for clinicians seeking high-quality OCD training across OCD Midwest. These scholarships support clinicians serving diverse or underserved communities who want to build a strong foundation in ERP for OCD.

Here are the eligible trainings:

1️⃣ Two-Day OCD Training w/ Jessica Hood, LCSW

📅 March 5–6
📍 Fishers, IN
🎓 1 scholarship available
🔗 https://www.tickettailor.com/events/indychildtherapistllc/2018980

A solid introduction to assessing, diagnosing, and treating OCD using ERP.
13 CEs (Indiana)

2️⃣ ERP for OCD — In-Person (Beth McCreary, PhD, ABPP)

📅 March 7, 2026
📍 Columbus, OH
🎓 2 scholarships available
🔗 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/exposure-response-prevention-erp-for-ocd-anxiety-disorders-registration-1979778353349

CEs for Ohio clinicians (psych, counseling, social work, MFT)

3️⃣ Two-Day ERP for OCD & Anxiety Disorders

Hosted by Glenview Counseling Group
🎓 1 scholarship available

✨ How to Apply for a Scholarship
Eligible candidates should be clinicians working with diverse or underserved populations who are seeking foundational training in ERP for OCD.
To apply, please email Blair Famarin at bfamarin@menninger.edu and/or Desiree Untch at desiree@aspireanxietysolutions.com
Please include:
• Your CV
• A brief statement of rationale/intent, including:
– Your clinical experience
– Your work with diverse or underserved communities
– Your motivation for seeking this training

12/18/2025

Kick off the new year by joining Amber Young to learn about OCD! CE credits available.

12/16/2025

📣 Update: Event Rescheduled — Save the New Date!

OCD Midwest has some exciting news!

Due to scheduling changes, our OCD Midwest Documentary Screening & Awareness Panel has been rescheduled to March 3, 2026 — and we can’t wait to gather with you for this powerful evening of awareness, education, and community.

📅 New Date: March 3, 2026
📍 Location: Kent State University – Kiva Theatre

OCD Midwest is proud to host this special event and to partner with our generous sponsors:
Hopewell Therapeutic Farm, Newport Healthcare, Aspire Anxiety & OCD Solutions, and Palladium Counseling Group.

The evening will feature a screening of “Living with Me and My OCD,” a moving, personal documentary produced, directed, and filmed by Claire Watkinson. The film centers the voices of individuals living with OCD and highlights the critical need for increased understanding and awareness.

Following the screening, please stay for a panel discussion featuring individuals with lived experience and clinical experts.

✨ Arrive early to explore our resource fair, connect with local providers and organizations, gather helpful materials, and enter our raffle for a chance to win fun prizes, all while supporting a great cause.

💙 All proceeds from the event directly support OCD Midwest’s mission, funding future community education, trainings, and outreach.

🎟 Register here:
https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/ocdmidwest/rescheduled-movie-screening-and-panel-living-with-me-and-my-ocd

We appreciate your flexibility and look forward to seeing you in March!

12/09/2025

12/01/2025

The Summit County Hoarding Task Force in Ohio is excited to invite you to a FREE virtual learning event on Thursday, December 11th from 8:45 am to 12:00 pm.

From Ethics to Action: Addressing Hoarding and Animal Hoarding with Compassion

We all know that hoarding affects more than just the individual - it can impact families, neighbors, communities, and even pets. That is why this event takes a closer look at both hoarding and animal hoarding through lenses of ethics, action, and compassion.

We are thrilled to feature two engaging speakers:

Kathleen Crombie, MA, MEd
Animal Hoarding: Compassionate Approach to a Complex Disorder

You’ll learn how to:

Understand animal hoarding as a mental health issue

Explore the psychological and behavioral aspects behind it

Identify effective ways to assess, intervene, and collaborate across systems

Chris Dubble, MSW
10 Practical Tips for Ethically Addressing Hoarding Disorder

You’ll walk away able to:

Recognize key ethical principles like autonomy and beneficence

Apply ten practical, ethical tips when addressing hoarding situations

Navigate legal and ethical decisions around safety and self-determination

This event is open to both professionals and community members and because it is virtual, you can join us from anywhere!
CEUs will be available for certain disciplines (see registration details for more info).

Ready to join us?
Click the registration link in the attached flyer or register at the link below to save your spot.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeLiTREOpSyaBI8ljuORtcWCTlgt6S1uRUxiJ6-gJ5ABGIUTQ/viewform

We hope you’ll take part in this meaningful morning of learning, reflection, and connection. Together, we can approach hoarding and animal hoarding with greater understanding and a lot more compassion.

11/25/2025

✨ Last Call for Holiday Messages of Hope! ✨

As we move deeper into the holiday season, many in our community could use a little extra encouragement. IOCDF partnering with Not Alone Notes to send supportive, heartfelt cards to individuals currently in OCD Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs). 💛

For someone away from home, a simple message can be a powerful reminder that they’re not alone.

📬 There’s still time to join!
All cards must be postmarked by November 26, 2025.

How to participate:
🎄 Download a festive template or create your own secular/non-denominational card
💛 Write a message of hope (sample messages available!)
📮 Mail all cards in one envelope to:

IOCDF – Messages of Hope
P.O. Box 961029
Boston, MA 02196

All details + templates here:
🔗 notalonenotes.org/holidays/

Please help us spread the word today and tomorrow—share this post or pass along the link! Your kindness truly makes a difference this season. 💛✨

11/05/2025

Today would have been our Founder, Rodney Benson’s birthday.
We honor and celebrate him by continuing his mission to support and train new clinicians in providing effective OCD treatment.

OCD Midwest proudly offers one annual scholarship to an OCD-related conference to help clinicians receive specialized training in this life-saving work.

To learn more or apply, please visit: https://www.ocdmidwest.org/rodney-benson-scholarship

If you would like to contribute to the Rodney Benson Scholarship Fund, donations can be made via Venmo at OCDMidwest01 — please include “Rodney Benson” in the note.

Happy Birthday, Rodney!
Your legacy continues through the clinicians and lives touched by your work. 💙