OCD and....Eating Disorders & Substance Use Disorders

OCD Central and South Florida, an official affiliate of the International Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Foundation will be hosting a weekend event December 5 - December 7, 2025 at Vero Beach, FL.

This event will be launching a series titled 'OCD and....' emphasizing the importance in nuanced treatment of disorders alongside OCD. This weekend will focus on OCD and treatment coinciding with Eating Disorders and OCD and Substance Use Disorders. We will be kicking off the weekend on Friday evening with an expert panel and individuals with lived experience answering questions and discussing key topics, with panelists Kristina Kise, M.D., Michael Sheffield, Psy.D., Crystal Weideman, and Katie Merricks, Ph.D. for 1.5 CEs.

Saturday will be a day of CE events, with the morning consisting on a series titled: Compulsions, Control and Complexity: Evidence-Based Care for Co-occurring OCD and Eating Disorders presented by Kristina Kise, M.D., & Melanie Smith, PhD, LMHC, CEDS-C. The afternoon series titled: Bridging the Gap: Evidence-Based Treatment for OCD and Co-occurring Substance Use in People Who Use Drugs or Gamble" presented by Patrick McGrath, Ph.D., & Gwilym Roddick, DSW, LCSW will offer 6 CEs .

Friday will incorporate a cocktail hour and meet and greet. The event will be hosted at the Costa d'Este hotel and include breakfast and lunch on Saturday.

To wrap up the weekend - on Sunday morning we will be kicking off our annual One Million Steps for OCD Walk at Riverside Park at Vero Beach. Feel free to join us with information below:

https://support.iocdf.org/event/vero-beach-fl-ocd-walk/e687011?c_src=IOCDF-cal&_ga=2.184142502.100770364.1759290335-2090995792.1744554988

Info: comJoin us for a powerful and thought-provoking expert panel that brings togetherleading psychiatrists, experienced clinicians, and individuals with lived experience toexplore the complex intersection of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD),substance use disorder (SUD), and eating disorders. This event invitesprofessionals and community members into a compassionate, science-informeddialogue on how these conditions can co-occur, interweave, and shape treatmentoutcomes.

Info: Co-occurring eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) present complex clinical challenges that demand nuanced, integrated care. This three-hour continuing education workshop is designed for mental health professionals seeking to enhance their understanding and skill in assessing and treating individuals with both conditions.

Info: This training is designed for mental health professionals working with individuals diagnosed with both OCD and People Who Use Drugs (PWUD).


This session will go beyond theoretical models and focus on applied, evidence-based interventions drawn from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, including Exposure and Response Prevention, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. Participants will learn how to assess and conceptualize co-occurring issues, navigate ethical and safety concerns, and implement integrated treatment strategies.


Through role plays, case studies, and practical demonstrations, attendees will explore how to conduct psychoeducation apply ERP and ACT techniques, and discuss collaborating care across specialties. The session will also address how clinician anxiety, stigma, and risk-avoidance can influence treatment delivery and how to build confidence in working with what could be considered complex co-occurring presentations.

Also check out other Workshops in Vero Beach, Health & Wellness events in Vero Beach, Meetups in Vero Beach.