The average graduate program for psychology covers OCD and related disorders for a total of 6 hours. The IOCDF is dedicated to offering a variety of resources to both encourage students interested in pursuing a career in clinical mental health to focus their studies on OCD treatment as well as provide resources to those already in training programs within the field of OCD and related disorders to help them thrive and become independently licensed clinicians offering front line treatments for OCD in their communities.
Join the IOCDF as a Student/Trainee Member
The IOCDF offers a membership option for undergraduate and graduate students currently studying in a mental health field, as well as unlicensed recent mental health graduates*. This membership allows students and trainees to access many of the benefits we provide to professional members, but with significant savings. Benefits include:
- NEW! Pre-licensed trainees who treat OCD and/or related disorders under supervision of an IOCDF Professional Member can now submit an application to be listed in our Resource Directory listing.
- Email updates from the IOCDF (with opt-out available)
- Reduced registration fee at IOCDF conference, such as the Annual OCD Conference and Online OCD Conference, including access to professional networking opportunities with leading OCD experts (see below)
- Discounts on the nearly 30 on-demand webinars on a variety of topics related to OCD
- Discounts on a variety of online courses at the Massachusetts General Hospital PsychAcademy
- Eligibility for Research Poster Travel Awards and Scholarships when presenting research findings at the Annual OCD Conference (see below)
Join as a Student/Trainee Member today and start receiving benefits!
Pre-licensed trainees who treat OCD and/or related disorders under supervision of an IOCDF Professional Member
NEW! In an effort to further increase access to effective treatment, the IOCDF is now welcoming Resource Directory listings from post-graduate, pre-licensed trainees practicing under the supervision of IOCDF professional members. This opportunity is open to therapists who have completed their terminal degree (i.e. "post-graduate"), but have not yet achieved independent licensure (i.e. "pre-licensed") and are practicing under supervision.
Pre-licensed therapists will need to have their own Student/Trainee membership with the IOCDF to take advantage of this benefit, and will need to provide the following:
- Proof of pre-licensure, if applicable to your discipline (e.g. limited/associate/etc. license)
- The name and contact e-mail of their supervisor
Please note that pre-licensed therapists will only be listed once the IOCDF has received confirmation from the named supervisor that they are supervising the trainee seeking a Resource Directory listing. To list your services:
Submit your information to the Resource Directory. Once submitted, the listing will appear live on the website within 5-7 business days after receiving confirmation from your supervisor. If you have any questions about your membership or listing submission, please email membership@iocdf.org or call the office at (617) 973-5801.
Find Education and Training Programs with an Emphasis on OCD
It is often hard to navigate the world of mental health education and training programs, especially when one wants to specialize in the treatment of OCD and related disorders. Since these programs involve such specialized therapy training, we have compiled a list of education and training programs with an emphasis on OCD and/or related disorders for students and trainees in the field.
View the complete list of training programs.
Apply for a Young Investigator Award
Each year, the IOCDF awards several grants of up to $50,000 to young investigators pursuing OCD and related disorders research. We have been proud to support the work of junior researchers for over 25 years — many of our awardees have gone on to become leaders in their fields! Graduate students and trainees are eligible and encouraged to apply. Applications open annually in January.
Learn about how to apply for funding at iocdf.org/research.
Attend the Annual OCD Conference
The Annual OCD Conference is the only event of its kind that brings together everyone affected by OCD and related disorders: individuals with OCD, their support systems, professionals who treat and research OCD, and students and trainees working to become OCD therapists and researchers. As a student or trainee in the field, it is the premier opportunity to attend sessions on proper treatment of OCD, network with the leading experts in the field, and present research findings.
Learn more about the Annual OCD Conference and register today.
Present Your Research
The Annual OCD Conference and Research Symposium offer two unique poster sessions where students can share their research and network with colleagues in the OCD and related disorders field. Student and trainee members are eligible to compete for one of five poster awards, including complimentary conference registration and cash travel awards.
Learn more about presenting a research poster at the Annual OCD Conference.
Watch Webinars on OCD and Related Disorders
Students and trainees have access to Level 100 webinars on OCD and related disorders. Additionally, Student/Trainee Members with the IOCDF receive discounts on over 30 on-demand video webinars on a variety of topics related to OCD. (Discount codes provided upon joining/renewing as a Student/Trainee Member.)
View all webinars and start learning more about a variety of topics today!
*In order to qualify for the Student/Trainee Membership, you must be a student currently enrolled in a mental health training program, or a recent graduate who is not yet licensed. This includes those studying psychology, psychiatry, counseling, or social work at the undergraduate or graduate level.
To verify eligibility, please upload a copy of your transcript (official or unofficial) or a letter from your advisor or supervisor, confirming your course of study and/or training.
Once you compete supervision and become an independently licensed clinician, contact the IOCDF (membership@iocdf.org) to upgrade to the Professional Membership level.
Click here to becoming a Student/Trainee Member with the IOCDF today!