OCD Training for Therapists: ERP and I-CBT Resources

Written By Natasha Moharter, LPCC, NCC

This page is a clinician-focused reference for mental health professionals seeking specialized training in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT).

It is not an exhaustive list. Instead, it reflects commonly referenced trainings, learning communities, and foundational resources used by clinicians pursuing post-graduate OCD education.

Why Specialized OCD Training Matters

Despite its prevalence, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is often underrepresented in graduate training and general CBT coursework. Many clinicians receive limited formal education in:

  • Recognizing OCD across presentations and subtypes

  • Differential diagnosis (e.g., OCD vs. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), trauma-related disorders, psychosis)

  • Identifying reassurance and accommodation as compulsions in therapy

  • Understanding how certain therapeutic approaches can reinforce OCD symptoms

  • Knowing when to treat within scope and when to refer

Because of this, specialized OCD training and consultation are strongly recommended for clinicians working with OCD.

Foundational OCD Training Organization

International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)

The International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) is a central organization in OCD education, research, and professional training.

IOCDF offerings commonly include:

  • Professional workshops and webinars

  • Annual conferences

  • Evidence-informed clinical resources

  • Training programs focused on accurate diagnosis and treatment planning

Many clinicians use IOCDF programming as a foundation for ongoing OCD education.

ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) Training for Clinicians

ERP is a well-established treatment approach for OCD. Effective ERP training goes beyond learning exposure exercises and emphasizes clinical reasoning and therapist behavior.

High-quality ERP training typically addresses:

  • Functional assessment of compulsions and avoidance

  • Therapist accommodation and reassurance

  • Subtype-specific considerations

  • Ethical and scope-of-practice guidance

Recommended ERP Training Programs

The following ERP trainings are commonly referenced by clinicians seeking specialized OCD education:

The IOCDF also has a list of Education & Training Programs with an Emphasis on OCD on their website. This includes graduate programs, practicum sites, internship sites, post-doctoral/post-degree training, and psychiatry residency training programs.

ICBT (Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) Training

Inference-Based CBT (ICBT) is a cognitive treatment model developed specifically for OCD. It differs meaningfully from traditional CBT and should not be implemented without formal training.

Because of its distinct theoretical framework, formal ICBT training is recommended prior to clinical use.

Recommended ICBT Training Program

  • OCD Training School
    Offers education focused on the ICBT model and its clinical application to OCD.

OCD Consultation and Case Support for Clinicians

In addition to formal training, it is highly recommended that clinicians seek ongoing consultation to support clinical decision-making, differential diagnosis, and treatment planning for OCD.

Consultation is particularly helpful when:

  • Presentations are complex or unclear

  • Progress stalls or treatment feels “stuck”

  • Clinicians are newer to OCD-specific work

  • Scope-of-practice or referral questions arise

Places Clinicians Commonly Find OCD Consultation

International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)

  • Consultation groups and case-based learning opportunities connected to conferences, professional trainings, and IOCDF-affiliated events

Specialty OCD Treatment Centers

Many OCD specialty clinics offer group consultation, case consultation, or clinician learning opportunities, including:

  • Center for Emotional Health of Greater Philadelphia

  • Bull City Anxiety & OCD Treatment Center

  • The Center for OCD and Anxiety

(Availability, format, and eligibility vary by organization.)

Training Organizations Offering Consultation

Some ERP and ICBT training programs include or offer follow-up consultation options, such as:

  • Behavioral Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) – International OCD Foundation

  • Cognitive Behavioral Institute (CBI)

  • OCD Training School (ICBT)

OCD.xyz Consultation

In addition to the options above, OCD.xyz offers consultation services for clinicians seeking support with:

  • Differential diagnosis

  • Treatment planning

  • Clinical implementation of ERP

Check out the consultation services we offer.

Professional Communities and Facebook Groups

Clinician-focused spaces that support ongoing learning, discussion, and exposure to OCD-related clinical material:

📖Recommended Books for OCD Clinicians

ERP

A widely referenced text providing a structured, evidence-informed overview of ERP.

ICBT

A foundational text for understanding the theory and clinical application of ICBT.

Clinically oriented texts that outline the practical application of ICBT principles in OCD treatment.

Certification vs. Clinical Competence

Some OCD trainings offer certificates or formal designations. While these may be useful, they do not replace:

  • Ongoing consultation

  • Experience with diverse OCD presentations

  • Continued education and ethical referral practices

It is also important to note that there is currently no nationally or internationally recognized certification in ERP or ICBT.

Clinical competence in OCD treatment develops over time through layered learning, consultation, and supervision rather than through any single credential.

Additional OCD Education and Consultation

OCD.xyz offers continuing education and consultation for mental health professionals focused on:

  • Differential diagnosis

  • Treatment planning and clinical decision-making

  • Integrating evidence-informed OCD approaches into practice

These offerings are designed to complement comprehensive OCD training programs.

Check out our trainings for clinicians.

Learn more about consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About OCD Training (ERP & ICBT)

What training is recommended for therapists working with OCD?

Mental health professionals working with OCD are strongly encouraged to pursue specialized post-graduate training. This often includes education in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT), differential diagnosis, and ongoing consultation. Graduate programs typically provide limited OCD-specific training.

Is ERP training required to treat OCD?

While no single training is legally required in most jurisdictions, ERP-specific training is strongly recommended for clinicians treating OCD. ERP is a structured intervention that requires clinical judgment, careful formulation, and awareness of common treatment pitfalls such as reassurance and accommodation.

What is the difference between ERP and ICBT training?

ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) focuses on reducing compulsive behaviors through exposure and response prevention, while ICBT (Inference-Based CBT) targets the reasoning processes and doubt mechanisms that maintain OCD. ERP and ICBT are distinct treatment models and should not be implemented without formal training specific to each approach.

Do I need certification to treat OCD?

Some OCD trainings offer certificates or formal designations; however, there is currently no nationally or internationally recognized certification in ERP or ICBT. Certification alone does not equal clinical competence. Effective OCD treatment typically involves a combination of specialized training, ongoing consultation, experience with diverse OCD presentations, and ethical referral practices when cases exceed a clinician’s scope.

Where can therapists find OCD consultation groups?

Clinicians often find OCD consultation through:

  • IOCDF-sponsored consultation opportunities

  • Specialty OCD treatment centers

  • ERP or ICBT training organizations that offer follow-up consultation

  • Professional peer consultation groups focused on OCD

Consultation is especially helpful for complex cases, differential diagnosis, and treatment planning.

Is ICBT appropriate for all OCD presentations?

ICBT is not appropriate for every presentation. Formal ICBT training includes guidance on client selection, contraindications, and clinical decision-making. Clinicians are encouraged to seek training and consultation before integrating ICBT into practice.

Are online OCD trainings effective for clinicians?

Online OCD trainings can be effective when they are specialized, evidence-informed, and designed for clinicians. Trainings that include case examples, clinical decision-making, and opportunities for follow-up consultation tend to be more beneficial than purely theoretical coursework.

Natasha Moharter, LPCC, NCC

OCD Specialist

https://OCD.xyz
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