Offered in partnership with True North Psychotherapy.
Rates of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are on the rise, yet there remains a well-documented gap between the number of individuals experiencing OCD and the availability of clinicians trained to provide effective, evidence-based care. On average, individuals with OCD wait approximately seven years before receiving an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
At the same time, clinicians across a wide range of practice settings – not only those specializing in OCD – regularly encounter symptoms of the disorder. Without adequate training, OCD is frequently misidentified, leading to ineffective treatment approaches and missed opportunities for early intervention. Strengthening foundational competencies in recognizing and responding to OCD can significantly improve the speed and quality of client care.
Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is widely recognized as the gold standard for OCD and has also demonstrated strong effectiveness in treating various anxiety and phobia-related disorders. Through ERP, clients are gradually exposed to their obsessions or feared stimuli – either physically or through visualization – while learning to tolerate the associated distress without engaging in compulsive or safety behaviours.
The Advanced Certificate in ERP is designed to help you:
- Accurately recognize a broad range of OCD presentations
- Understand common OCD subtypes and symptom dimensions
- Differentiate OCD from other conditions with overlapping features
- Apply evidence-based ERP strategies with greater confidence and skill
- Adapt your approach to support children and neurodiverse populations
- Make more informed referrals when appropriate
Prerequisite
Foundations in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): Four-Day Intensive, or an approved equivalent, is a prerequisite to all other courses*. These courses are advanced-level trainings that build upon the foundational knowledge introduced in the introductory course. For information about approved equivalent courses, please contact fswprofessionaldevelopment@wlu.ca.
* There is no prerequisite for Understanding OCD in Children and Youth: Early Intervention and Assessment Strategies.
Completion Requirements
To earn the Advanced Certificate in ERP, you must complete all six courses. The program is flexible – you can finish in as little as one year or take up to seven years. You do not have to be working towards the Advanced Certificate in ERP to take any of these courses.
Participation and Attendance
Full attendance and participation are required to complete these courses. You are required, as much as possible, to have your camera on. We know there are situations where this is not possible, so please send a message to your instructor or the Professional Development host to let them know that you are unable to turn on your camera. Our courses are interactive and include breakout rooms, role play, group discussions and other activities. Participation is required.
Four + Discount
Register for four or more courses at the same time to receive a 10% discount on each course. To qualify, you must complete registration and payment for all courses in a single transaction. The discount is non-cumulative and cannot be applied retroactively. If discount is not applied at time of registration, contact fswprofessionaldevelopment@wlu.ca for assistance before payment. Discounts cannot be applied after registration has been completed.
Becoming a Therapist
The Advanced Certificate in ERP does not qualify you for registration with any regulatory body (e.g. Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario) or to practice as a licensed therapist. To become a regulated therapist, please visit the website for the appropriate regulatory body in your province.
Delivery Options
The Advanced Certificate in ERP courses are available remotely through Zoom.
Registration
This certificate is open to regulated mental health professionals (e.g. RSW, PR, psychologist, NP, RN, clergy, clinical counsellors etc.). No application required. To register, choose a course and section to view the dates and cost. Add the course to your cart and complete payment. Please review the prerequisites above.
Contact Information
For more information about this certificate contact the Faculty of Social Work Professional Development office:
Email: fswprofessionaldevelopment@wlu.ca
Phone: 548-889-4967
See our website and Frequently Asked Questions for more information.