Knowledge and competency standards for specialized cognitive behavior therapy for adult obsessive-compulsive disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a leading cause of disability world-wide (World Health Organization, 2008). Treatment of OCD is a specialized field whose aim is recovery from illness for as many patients as possible. The evidence-based psychotherapeutic treatment for OCD is specialized cognitive behavior therapy (CBT, NICE, 2005, Koran and Simpson, 2013). However, these treatments are not accessible to many sufferers around the world. Currently available guidelines for care are deemed to be essential but insufficient because of highly variable clinician knowledge and competencies specific to OCD. The phase two mandate of the 14 nation International OCD Accreditation Task Force (ATF) created by the Canadian Institute for Obsessive Compulsive Disorders is development of knowledge and competency standards for specialized treatments for OCD through the lifespan deemed by experts to be foundational to transformative change in this field. This paper presents knowledge and competency standards for specialized CBT for adult OCD developed to inform, advance, and offer a model for clinical practice and training for OCD. During upcoming ATF phases three and four criteria and processes for training in specialized treatments for OCD through the lifespan for certification (individuals) and accreditation (sites) will be developed based on the ATF standards

Differentiation of self, emotion management skills, and nomophobia among smartphone users: the mediating and moderating roles of intolerance of uncertainty

The use of smartphones has become increasingly widespread, especially among university students. There is a growing body of research interest related to problematic and excessive use of smartphones. Problematic smartphone usage can cause negative emotions such as intense anxiety and distress when the smartphone cannot be used (e.g., nomophobia), and can lead to negative consequences on mental health. In the present study, two different mediating and moderating effects in which nomophobia was the outcome variable were examined. Firstly, the mediating effect of intolerance of uncertainty was tested in the relationship between differentiation of self and nomophobia. Secondly, the mediating effect of intolerance of uncertainty was tested in the relationship between emotion management skills and nomophobia. Third, the moderating effect of intolerance of uncertainty was tested in the relationship between differentiation of self and nomophobia. Finally, the moderating effect of intolerance of uncertainty was tested in the relationship between emotion management skills and nomophobia. The present study comprised 398 university students (250 females and 148 males). The measures used included the Differentiation of Self Inventory-Revised, Emotions Management Skills Scale, Nomophobia Questionnaire, and Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale. Findings demonstrated that the mediating of intolerance of uncertainty were statistically significant in the relationships examined, but the moderating effects of intolerance of uncertainty were not. Research results are discussed in the light of the related literature and suggestions are presented for future researchers

Clinical Social Work and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Clinical research on the purely obsessional patient is considerably less developed than that for compulsive ritualizers or obsessive compulsives with mixed features. A single case investigation of exposure therapy in the treatment of obsessive ruminations is presented. Treatment involved exposing the patient to a variety of stimuli related to obsessional thoughts including reading, writing, and listening to such content. The patient's immediate response to treatment was favorable, with improvements being maintained at two-year follow-up.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/67448/2/10.1177_01454455890134005.pd