Overview:
What are we trying to accomplish when treating OCD? Reducing anxiety? Preventing compulsions? Putting a person in control of their life? These intentions can keep us from being truly helpful. Current research shows the OCD brain is not wired toward seeking a rewarding life. Tendencies toward control and safety take precedence, and clients need strategies to make lasting changes in their brains.
This 6-hour training provides a neurologically informed approach to OCD treatment that is accessible to clients of all educational levels. Learn how the amygdala and cortex pathways work together to maintain obsessions and compulsions — and how to target both for lasting change. Understand the role of the amygdala in physical symptoms, avoidance, and the fight-flight-freeze response. Learn how cortex-based circular processes block client goals and keep OCD in control.
Through guided exercises and practical strategies, you’ll learn how to explain brain-based techniques in ways that promote client motivation and engagement. Explore Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP) as the best method for teaching the amygdala new responses to triggers. Learn cortex-based strategies for modifying self-defeating thinking patterns and teaching clients the “correct use of worry” to decrease amygdala activation.
Designed for mental health professionals who want practical, neuroscience-informed tools to help OCD clients move from avoidance to action.
Objectives:
- Describe the functioning of the amygdala in clients’ physical symptoms and avoidance.
- List three effective ways to calm the amygdala.
- Describe the role of the amygdala in maintaining obsessions and compulsions for the purposes of client education.
- Describe the role of the cortex in influencing amygdala activation.
- Identify at least two cortex-based strategies to modify self-defeating thinking patterns.
- Explain why Exposure with Response Prevention is an effective method of teaching the amygdala new responses to triggers.
Scope and Limitations Disclosure
This 6-hour continuing education training provides licensed mental health professionals with a neurologically informed framework for understanding and treating OCD, including amygdala and cortex pathway functioning, brain-based client education strategies, Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP), and cortex-based interventions for self-defeating thinking patterns. This training is educational in nature and does not substitute for clinical supervision, personal therapy, or specialty training when working with complex, high-risk, or diagnostically complex presentations. Participants are responsible for applying all course content within their individual scope of practice, licensure requirements, and applicable ethical standards. Completion of this training results in a certificate of completion issued by the CE provider and does not confer an independent credential or clinical designation.
Commercial Support Disclosure
Dr. Catherine M. Pittman is the co-author of Rewire Your Anxious Brain, Rewire Your OCD Brain, and Taming Your Amygdala, any of which may be referenced during this training. No purchase of these or any other materials is required to complete this course. No commercial support, sponsorship, or other financial relationships exist in connection with this continuing education offering.
Course materials are only available to enrolled students.
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Dr. Catherine Pittman, HSPP
Catherine M. Pittman, Ph.D., HSPP, is a licensed clinical psychologist, and psychology professor at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN. A practicing clinical psychologist treating anxiety for over 30 years, she also is experienced in neuropsychological rehabilitation with individuals who have experienced brain injuries or strokes. In 2019, she was honored by Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana with a Service Award for her work in treating brain injury. Dr. Pittman practices neurologically informed CBT, and has conducted research in both fear conditioning and neuropsychology, preparing her well to explain the neurology of fear and anxiety. With Elizabeth Karle, Dr. Pittman authored Rewire Your Anxious Brain, a book recognized for its clear explanation of how to change both the amygdala and cortex in order to make the brain more resistant to anxiety. She also wrote Rewire Your OCD Brain with coauthor neuropsychologist William Youngs. She has been referred to as “the Amygdala Whisperer,” so it is no surprise that her most recent book is a workbook on overcoming anxiety titled Taming Your Amygdala, published by PESI.
National Approvals
eCare BHI, as the accredited and approved sponsor, maintains responsibility for all the programs and must abide by each board’s continuing education guidelines.
Professional Counselors — The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute has been approved by NBCC as an approved Continuing Education Provider. ACEP No. 6703. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC are clearly identified. E care Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Addiction Professionals — NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute is officially on file with NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) as an Approved Education Provider. They are formally known as NAADAC Provider #139138. Please note that E care Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.
Social Workers — Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute, #1706, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 06-03-2026 – 06-03-2029
CE Broker
CE Broker is a continuing education tracking system in which licensees track their compliance and report their completed CE hours credit (CE Broker Tracking #50-33336)
Notice: We are currently experiencing a technical issue with CE Broker that will cause a delay in reporting CE credits for Ohio-Licensed Social Workers (OH CSWMFT). We are actively working to resolve this and will notify you once credits reporting is available
State Approvals
States that Accept ASWB-ACE Approved Providers |
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| Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut |
| Delaware | District Of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois |
| Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland |
| Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska |
| Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio |
| Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee |
| Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin |
| Wyoming | ||||||
States that Accepts NBCC Approved Courses: |
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| Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut |
| Delaware | District Of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Indiana |
| Iowa | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Missouri | New Hampshire | New Jersey |
| New Mexico | Ohio | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota |
| Tennessee | Texas | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | Wisconsin | |
Notes:
- Nevada CPC’s and MFT’s accept ASWB-approved training
- North Dakota Board Of Counselor Examiners LAPC and LAPCS accept ASWB approved training
- Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists MHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council LPC and LPCS accept ASWB approved training
- Utah Division of Professional Licensing – CMHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Washington State Department of Mental Health MHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Wisconsin Council on Mental Health LPCS accepts ASWB-approved training
States that Accept NAADAC Approved Providers |
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| Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | Delaware | Hawaii | Indiana |
| Kentucky | Maine | Massachusetts | Minnesota | Montana | Nevada | New Jersey |
| New Jersey | New Mexico | North Carolina | North Dakota | Oregon | Rhode Island | Tennessee |
| Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wisconsin | Wyoming |
States that Accept APA Approved Providers |
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| Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Delaware | District Of Columbia |
| Florida | Georgia | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas |
| Kentucky | Louisiana | Maryland | Massachusetts | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri |
| Montana | Nebraska | New Jersey | New Mexico | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma |
| Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | Tennessee | Utah | Vermont | Virginia |
| Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming | |||
Note: Please note that Individual Board Rules are subject to potential changes. The approval and acceptance details we furnish are accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of documentation.
Should you have any inquiries or uncertainties not addressed by the provided information, it’s advisable to consult your State Regulatory Board. Ultimately, the decision of whether your license renewal credit hours are accepted or denied rests with you.
Georgia Addiction Counselor: E Care BHI is recognized by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia as an approved education provider for Addiction Counselors (ADACBGA) #19-12-17-1212.
Florida Addiction Counselor: E Care BHI is recognized by the Florida Certification Board as an approved education provider for Addiction Counselor (FCB) #5387-A.
Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy & Mental Health Counseling: The Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy & Mental Health Counseling accepts courses from ASWB & NBCC approved providers. E Care Behavioral Health Institute is an ASWB and NBCC approved provider.
Oklahoma Addiction Counselor: E Care BHI is recognized by the Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors as an approved education provider for Addiction Counselors (OBLADC) #20220136.
Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health Licensure: E Care BHI is an approved CE provider for LPC & LMFT
Ohio Addiction Counselor: E Care BHI is recognized by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board as an approved education provider for Addiction Counselor (OCDP)#50-29024.
Note: eCare’s OCDP-approved courses are for renewal continuing education only and do not fulfill initial CDCA Preliminary or CDCA certification requirements.
The Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board accepts courses from ASWB & NBCC approved providers. E Care Behavioral Health Institute is an ASWB and NBCC approved provider.
Note: We are currently experiencing a technical issue with CE Broker that will cause a delay in reporting CE credits for Ohio-Licensed Social Workers (OH CSWMFT). We are actively working to resolve this and will notify you once credits reporting is available.
VA Mental Health Employee: E Care BHI VA COMMERCIAL VENDOR # 81-3353387-01
California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP): E Care BHI is recognized by the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) Provider Number OS-22-344-0526
Connecticut Certification Board CCB Approved): E Care BHI is recognized & approved by the Connecticut Certification Board.
Texas Certification Board (TCB): E Care Behavioral Health Institute is recognized by the Texas Certification Board as an approved education provider. Number 2041-19
South Carolina E Care Behavioral Health Institute is recognized by the Professional Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapists, and Psycho-Educational Specialists licensing board as an approved education provider Provider #4628
New York (MHC) E Care Behavioral Health is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0277
New York (SW) E Care Behavioral Health Institute is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0745 LA-ADRA – E Care Behavioral Health Institute is recognized by Louisiana The Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority as an approved educational provider AEP #E122




