Renowned Treatment Team from Rogers Memorial Hospital to Participate in International OCD Conference in Chicago

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Jun 20, 2012, 04:46 ET

OCONOMOWOC, Wis., June 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- More than two dozen staff members from the clinical teams at Rogers Memorial Hospital are slated to participate in the 19th Annual International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) Conference on July 27-29, 2012 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile. The only national meeting focused solely on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and obsessive compulsive related disorders, the IOCDF Conference features presentations, workshops, seminars and support groups from the world's recognized thought leaders and specialists in the industry. As a Diamond Sponsor, Rogers Memorial Hospital is committed to supporting IOCDF's mission to help those with OCD to recover through education and advocacy.

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Rogers' Role in the Industry
Rogers Memorial Hospital is the world's largest provider for intensive residential treatment of children, adolescents and adults with OCD and anxiety disorders. Rogers' child and adolescent centers are the only ones in the country, and the adult OCD Center is one of only two nationwide. Serving as an exhibitor and featuring three speakers at the event, Rogers will also provide art therapists for the Art Activities Room for children and adolescents at the Conference, just as they have done for over 10 years. Although Rogers has participated in the IOCDF Conference since 1999, this is the first year that so many of its medical and clinical leadership, as well as behavioral specialists and other program staff, will be involved.

One of Rogers' participating specialists, Bradley C. Riemann, Ph.D., Clinical Director of the OCD Center and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Services, is a leading expert in the assessment of anxiety disorders and use of CBT treatment. He serves as chairman for the IOCDF clinical advisory committee and is on its scientific advisory board. Dr. Riemann also serves on the clinical advisory board for the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

"We believe the IOCDF Conference plays a vital role in connecting laypeople, patients and therapists, and that's why we have committed so many of our resources to helping ensure its success," Dr. Riemann said. "The Conference offers consumers one of the best opportunities to learn more about OCD and anxiety disorders and to meet our staff. Those attending will receive answers to many of their questions through the interaction, support groups and sessions offered."

Expert Speakers, Current Information
A variety of respected institutions and specialists will be represented at the event through exhibits and presentations. Rogers' booth will feature the latest information on its treatment team's events and activities, and the clinical staff will be on hand to discuss the many programs Rogers offers to treat OCD and other anxiety disorders, i.e., the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Center; the Child & Adolescent Centers for children and teens; the Eating Disorder Center, with its specialized programming for adults and teens with co-occurring OCD or anxiety and eating disorders; and the intensive outpatient programs for ages 12 and up. In addition to a presentation and panel discussion by Dr. Riemann, Rogers is also featuring presentations by two other key medical and clinical leaders: Stephanie Eken, M.D., FAAP, Medical Director of the Child Center, and David Jacobi, Ph.D., Behavior Specialist and Clinical Supervisor.

"Perhaps one of the most important aspects of this event is that it's a chance for consumers and therapists alike to learn more about the scope of services available - the breadth and complexity of effective treatment programs available to treat OCD and related disorders - at Rogers Memorial Hospital and other well-known institutions in the country," Dr. Riemann continued. "It's a unique opportunity."

Other Possibilities to Learn
Rogers will also be involved in a panel of specialists to address school challenges for parents of children with OCD. Featuring Dr. Eken and Dr. Jacobi, the discussion will offer a variety of perspectives and techniques to help parents to be advocates for their children, with strategies for interacting with school systems, school personnel and classmates. Also, under the guidance of behavioral specialists Jesse Leonhardt and Greg Palbicki, teens can participate in an "exposure walk" on the Magnificent Mile. Through the exercise, they will address situations - in a fun way - that might normally cause anxiety.

Along with other well-known leaders in the industry, Dr. Riemann will be involved in a panel for early-career therapists, entitled "What Paths Make Sense for Me?" along with a panel discussion for researchers on "Factors that Impact Treatment Outcome." A panel designed for therapists will address effective strategies for "Difficult-to-Treat OCD in Children and Adolescents: Ask the Experts," featuring Dr. Riemann and Dr. Eken, along with Stephen P. Whiteside, Ph.D., from the Mayo Clinic.

To download a conference brochure or to register, visit ocfoundation.org. To learn more about the programs for OCD and anxiety disorders at Rogers Memorial Hospital, call 800-767-4411 or visit rogersocd.org.

Rogers Memorial Hospital is currently ranked #7 in the country for mental health services and is a key corporation of Rogers Behavioral Health System which also includes: Rogers Memorial Hospital Foundation, Inc.; Rogers Partners in Behavioral Health, LLC; Rogers Center for Research and Training; and Rogers InHealth. The hospital has become nationally recognized for its specialized residential treatment services and affiliations with academic institutions and teaching hospitals in the area. Rogers Memorial Hospital is currently Wisconsin's largest not-for-profit, private behavioral health hospital, providing adults, children and adolescents with treatment for eating disorders, chemical dependency, obsessive-compulsive and anxiety disorders, as well as a variety of child and adolescent mental health concerns. For more information, please visit www.rogershospital.org.