Appetite and ingestive regulation – Page 5

July 7, 2026

Vertex Eyes Expansion Beyond Cystic Fibrosis with Planned $10B Crinetics Buyout

Vertex Pharmaceuticals has agreed to acquire Crinetics Pharmaceuticals for $10 billion cash, the companies said, in a deal that would expand the buyer’s rare disease portfolio beyond its anchor indication of cystic fibrosis (CF), by adding an approved treatment and a pipeline anchored by two Phase III candidates, all predicted to generate more than $5 billion in annual revenue.

Based in San Diego, Crinetics focuses on discovering, developing, and commercializing therapeutics for endocrine diseases. The company’s first marketed drug Palsonify^® (paltusotine), an oral SST2 agonist, was approved by the FDA in September as the first and to date only once-daily oral therapy for adults with acromegaly, a debilitating condition which affects an estimated 20,000 Americans. Palsonify won European Commission approval in April and is under review by regulators elsewhere in the world.

Palsonify has enjoyed rapid uptake among acromegaly patients, with Crinetics reporting the drug generated net product revenue of $10.3 million during the first quarter, with 232 patients enrolling for treatment. Approximately 70% of patients treated with Palsonify at the end of Q1 were on reimbursed therapy—reflecting payers increasingly agreeing to cover the treatment, according to the company.

Within the first two quarters of its U.S. launch, Palsonify was prescribed by 263 unique healthcare providers.

Under its generic name paltusotine, the drug is in Phase III study for a second indication of carcinoid syndrome, a rare condition resulting from neuroendocrine tumors.

‘Excellent strategic fit’

Reshma Kewalramani, MD, Vertex Pharmaceuticals CEO and President

“Crinetics is an excellent strategic fit for Vertex, with its focus on serious diseases in specialty markets with significant unmet need, well-understood causal human biology, and potentially best-in-class medicines that could deliver transformative benefit to patients,” Reshma Kewalramani, MD, Vertex’s CEO and president, said in a statement. “We believe Vertex can build on the strong momentum of the Palsonify launch by applying our experience in commercializing medicines for rare genetic diseases.”

Crinetics investors agreed, roaring their approval of the pending acquisition as the company’s shares all but doubled in early trading Tuesday, zooming 99% to $83.54 as of 10:28 am ET from yesterday’s closing price of $42.03. Vertex shares dipped 2% to $516.48 from $529.59 at Monday’s closing bell.

Also in late-stage development is Crinetics’ lead pipeline candidate atumelnant, an oral adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) antagonist now under development for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome.

In classic CAH, a rare chronic genetic disease with 17,000 addressable patients in the U.S., atumelnant is in a pair of clinical trials. One is a Phase III study in adults with the most common cause of the disease, 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD). The study’s estimated primary completion date is May 2027 (NCT07144163). The other trial is a Phase II/III study in children ages one to <18, which has an estimated primary completion date of March 2030 (NCT07159841).

Earlier Phase II studies of atumelnant showed that patients treated with the therapy achieved near normalization of excess androgen levels on physiologic replacement doses of glucocorticoids—a therapeutic profile that Crinetics has said positions atumelnant to become the leading treatment for people with CAH.

Atumelnant (formerly CRN04894) is also being developed for ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome, and is under study in a Phase Ib/IIa open-label, multiple-ascending dose exploratory study (NCT05804669) designed to evaluate safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamic biomarker responses associated with the treatment.

‘Significant potential’

“We are also excited by the significant potential of atumelnant to transform the treatment landscape for CAH, setting a new standard of care where patients do not have to choose between managing their excess adrenal androgens and enduring the side effects of high-dose steroids,” Kewalramani said.

One analyst said a Vertex buyout would be good news for Crinetics.

“This is a solid outcome for CRNX, given stock pressure from the near-term Palsonify launch (generally slow and steady launch but (+) [positive] progress by CRNX so far) and the fact that key Phase III catalyst for CAH isn’t until late 2027/28,” Jefferies equity analyst Dennis Ding wrote today in a research note.

In a regulatory filing yesterday, Crinetix shared an email it sent to employees, stating: “We have always been confident in the ability of Crinetics to achieve our plan and were not actively looking to sell the company when Vertex approached us. However, after careful consideration, our board unanimously determined that the transaction is in the best interests of our shareholders.”

Crinetics’ pipeline of more than 10 disclosed candidates includes:

CRN09682, a Phase I nonpeptide drug conjugate candidate being developed to treat somatostatin receptor 2 (SST2) expressing neuroendocrine tumors and other SST2 expressing solid tumors.
Discovery-phase preclinical programs focused on endocrine targets that include thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), parathyroid hormone (PTH), somatostatin receptor 3 (SST3), growth hormone (GH), glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), as well as GPCR-targeted oncology indications.

Vertex said the deal was expected to contribute immediately to revenue growth via the ongoing launch of Palsonify, which the company says has blockbuster (greater than $1 billion in annual sales) potential in acromegaly. Longer term, Vertex says, atumelnant could also generate multiple billions of dollars in CAH, with additional revenue potential in Cushing’s syndrome.

$5B revenue forecast

R. Scott Struthers, PhD, Crinetics’ Co-founder and CEO

At peak year, Palsonify and atumelnant could deliver more than $5 billion in combined annual revenue, Vertex said, and thus contribute toward its goal of delivering sustained double-digit revenue growth, plus industry leading operating margins. The transaction is expected to add to non-GAAP operating income as of 2029.

Jefferies analyst Ding commented that atumelnant in CAH is expected to generate the largest share of the projected $5 billion, as in $2 billion to $3 billion, plus another $1 billion to $2 billion for Cushing’s syndrome–with the remaining $1 billion to be generated by Palsonify in acromegaly.

Scotiabank analyst Louise Chen told Reuters: “The deal adds a fifth vertical, endocrinology, which helps diversify VRTX’s concentration in CF.”

That concentration has proven lucrative for Vertex: During Q1, CF treatments generated $2.915 billion in total revenues, 98% of the company’s total revenue of $2.987 billion.

Vertex has agreed to acquire all outstanding shares of Crinetics common stock for $85 per share cash, in a deal valued at $8.8 billion net of estimated cash acquired. Vertex said it expects to finance the acquisition using a combination of cash on hand and debt, supported by $4.5 billion of fully committed bridge financing from Bank of America and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding.

Vertex finished the first quarter with cash, cash equivalents, and total marketable securities of $13 billion, up from $12.3 billion as of December 31, 2025. The company attributed the increase primarily due to cash flows from operating activities, partially offset by repurchases of Vertex’s common stock.

The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals and approval by Crinetics shareholders.

“Nearly 18 years ago, we founded Crinetics with a clear goal of transforming the lives of patients living with endocrine-related diseases. Today marks a historic milestone as we embark on this next chapter with Vertex,” stated R. Scott Struthers, PhD, Crinetics’ co-founder and CEO. “Vertex’s global infrastructure and commercial footprint will serve to amplify the reach of our science and allow us to maximize the impact of Palsonify, atumelnant and our pipeline.”

The post Vertex Eyes Expansion Beyond Cystic Fibrosis with Planned $10B Crinetics Buyout appeared first on GEN – Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.

July 7, 2026

KLK1 Expands Possibilities to Restore Vascular Health

Knowing that the protein tissue kallikrein-1 (KLK1) is effective in treating ischemic diseases is one thing. Manufacturing it as a recombinant protein has been quite another. So, when DiaMedica Therapeutics cracked the manufacturing aspect, it was well on its way toward commercializing KLK1 therapeutics.

The manufacturing breakthrough came when researchers realized that protein activity (which is essential for therapeutic benefit) was linked to certain glycosylation patterns. DiaMedica engineered the molecule to reflect those glycosylations and also made two changes to the amino acid sequence to improve manufacturability. “Then we partnered with Catalent,” Rick Pauls, president and CEO, says. “We are using its GPEx^® technology with CHO cells,” which produces more cells within the same timeframe and thus lowers manufacturing costs.

Tenacity in action

This happened neither easily nor quickly. To understand the measure of this achievement, we need to look at DiaMedica’s history.

KLK1 came to DiaMedica’s attention because of liver research. “A liver physiologist cut the vagus nerve [which regulates liver metabolism] and discovered that the rats, effectively, became diabetic,” Pauls recounts. “We hypothesized that when a healthy person consumed a meal, the liver releases something that acts as an insulin sensitizer. We did some basic work and identified KLK1 as that insulin sensitizer.”

The company was founded in 2004 to develop a KLK1 therapeutic for complications related to Type II diabetes. Those trials failed. “It’s a long story,” says Pauls, that left the company “pretty close to bankrupt.”

DiaMedica, though, was tenacious. “We knew there was a human urine form of this protein that had been used for a few decades in Asia to treat acute ischemic stroke, and a porcine form treating hypertension for decades as well,” Pauls recalls. DiaMedica had the protein and the manufacturing know-how to produce active, recombinant proteins, and—with KLK1 levels low in stroke patients—a reason to pivot.

Ischemic stroke and preeclampsia

Its lead compound, DM199 (rinvecalinase alfa), is enrolling patients in Phase II/III trials for acute ischemic stroke. Called the ReMEDy2 trial, the company anticipates an interim readout near year’s end. Additionally, Phase I and II studies for preeclampsia and Phase II studies for fetal growth restriction are underway.

“This is protein restoration,” Pauls says. It targets ischemic stroke patients who have missed the three-to-four-hour post-stroke treatment window for tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) therapeutics or mechanical thrombectomy. Those patients constitute approximately 80% of acute ischemic strokes today, so “there is a huge unmet medical need,” Pauls says.

DM199 works by restoring normal levels of the KLK1 protein. KLK1, in turn, is thought to enhance the production of nitric oxide, prostacyclin, and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor. Pouring through their own preclinical and clinical results, the DiaMedica team noticed that DM199 consistently enhanced blood circulation and lowered blood pressure.

That realization drove the team to also target preeclampsia, a hypertensive disease of pregnancy that Pauls says may be the company’s most exciting application for investors.

Unlike approved blood pressure therapeutics, DM199 does not cross the placental barrier, a critical safety feature that protects the fetus. After examining early clinical data, DiaMedica scientists also realized that increasing blood flow to the placenta could target the root cause of the disease and perhaps gain another few weeks of crucial time in utero for the fetus.

“Today, there are no approved treatments. Mothers are given labetalol and nifedipine to control blood pressure and to extend the baby’s time in utero for only a few days.” Results are less than ideal, and the consequences can be severe.

Pauls says, “Some 40% of babies born before 28 weeks could have long-term disabilities, and 10 to 15% will have problems with eyesight for life. There’s been a real lack of drugs in development because developers are worried about harming the baby.”

An investigator-led Phase II clinical trial is enrolling. Later this year, the company plans to initiate its own Phase II study focused on early-onset preeclampsia after recently receiving regulatory clearance to start the study in Canada.

If the molecule eventually is approved for preeclampsia, DM199 seems poised to become, perhaps, the first approved treatment that offers the potential to extend gestational days and possibly address a root cause of preeclampsia.

Leveraging the pivot

Unlike many biopharmaceutical companies, DiaMedica has been able to bypass some of the usual first steps by leveraging existing studies on KLK1, as well as existing clinical data for stroke and preeclampsia.

That allows researchers to focus on humans without the translational issues inherent in animal studies. It also helps the company identify the human subgroups most likely to benefit from these treatments and the most appropriate dosing regimen early. “Having that clinical data helps de-risk our program and gives a better possibility of success,” Pauls says, because, as he points out, “Animals are not the same as people.”

Once the company pivoted to its current indications six or seven years ago, the challenge shifted from getting and manufacturing the active form of the protein to selecting the best indications and assembling the right team members.

“In the early days, maybe we didn’t have the right level of experience with limited capital,” he admits. Today, “we’ve been able to bring people on board who have brought drugs to market.”

Readouts due in 2027

Currently, the company is focused tightly on its clinical trials. The next step for DiaMedica is to get readouts from many of those, with five readouts on various aspects of the programs expected between now and the end of 2027. Each of those readouts will report on about 30 patients and will be factors in the design of a subsequent pivotal trial.

Additionally, an interim analysis of the first 200 patients in its acute ischemic stroke trial is expected by the end of the year, Pauls says. “If we see a drug effect that’s comparable to our Phase II trial or the data with the urine form (of KLK1) from China—which treats close to a million patients per year—we’ll be looking at completing enrollment the following quarter for stroke and then for preeclampsia. DiaMedica is dedicated to offering second chances to acute ischemic stroke patients and others who haven’t had them before, all while pivoting to new opportunities itself. Now, as trials advance, Pauls says, “I think this should be a straightforward path.”

The post KLK1 Expands Possibilities to Restore Vascular Health appeared first on GEN – Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.

July 7, 2026

STAT+: ‘Secret shopper’ study probes GLP-1 telehealth sites

You’re reading the web edition of STAT’s Health Tech newsletter, our guide to how technology is transforming the life sciences. Sign up to get it delivered in your inbox every Tuesday and Thursday.

Good morning health tech readers!

If it feels like despite your employer offering health insurance you’re still paying a lot of money for health coverage and care, you’re not wrong. Bob Herman’s new series, Out of Pocket, Out of Reach, explores the impacts of soaring health care costs.

Continue to STAT+ to read the full story…

July 6, 2026

Why Long, Uninterrupted Sitting May Matter for Cancer Prevention

Public health advice has long emphasized exercise: move more, meet weekly activity targets, reduce time spent sitting. But a growing body of evidence suggests that the pattern of inactivity may also matter. Sitting for long, uninterrupted periods may not carry the same health implications as the same amount of sedentary time broken up by movement.

A new study published in PLOS Medicine adds cancer outcomes to that discussion. Researchers analyzed accelerometer data from 91,292 UK Biobank participants who wore wrist activity monitors for seven days and were then followed for a median of more than 12 years. The study found that prolonged sedentary behavior was associated with higher risk of cancer mortality and cancer incidence, while interrupted sedentary behavior showed the opposite pattern.

Beyond “sit less, move more”

Sedentary behavior includes waking activities such as sitting, reclining, or lying down that require very low energy expenditure. Most guidelines and public health messages focus on total sedentary time. That is understandable: total sitting time is easy to communicate and has been repeatedly linked to poor cardiometabolic outcomes.

But the new study asks a more precise question: does it matter whether sedentary time happens in long blocks or is regularly interrupted?

The researchers defined prolonged sedentary behavior as bouts lasting at least 30 minutes in which at least 90% of the time was sedentary. Interrupted sedentary behavior included shorter bouts or sedentary periods broken up by movement. This distinction allowed the team to examine not only how much time people spent inactive, but how that inactivity was distributed throughout the day.

Long, unbroken sedentary bouts linked to higher risk

Each additional hour per day of prolonged sedentary behavior was associated with a 9% higher risk of cancer death. Prolonged sedentary time was also associated with higher overall cancer incidence, obesity-related cancers, and type 2 diabetes-related cancers.

Interrupted sedentary behavior showed an inverse association across the same outcomes. In other words, sedentary time that was broken up by activity was not linked to the same pattern of risk as long, uninterrupted bouts.

The authors summarize the implication clearly: “These findings suggest that not only the total amount of sedentary time, but also how sedentary time is accumulated, may be important for cancer risk.”

This matters because sedentary behavior is widespread and often built into modern work, transport, and leisure routines. For many people, the practical question is not whether they can avoid sitting altogether, but whether they can interrupt long sitting periods often enough to reduce risk.

Light movement should not be ignored

The study also used substitution models to estimate what might happen if sedentary time were replaced with different types of activity. Replacing one hour per day of prolonged sedentary behavior with light physical activity was associated with a 12% lower risk of cancer death. Replacing 30 minutes per day with moderate physical activity was also associated with lower cancer mortality risk.

That finding is important because light activity is more achievable for many people than structured exercise. Standing up, walking slowly, doing household tasks, or taking brief movement breaks may not feel like “exercise,” but they may still interrupt metabolically harmful patterns of prolonged inactivity.

As the authors note, “light movement shouldn’t be ignored.”

The biological rationale is plausible. Experimental studies have shown that breaking up sitting with short activity bouts can improve glucose and insulin responses compared with uninterrupted sitting. Prolonged sedentary time may also contribute to low-grade inflammation, impaired immune function, insulin dysregulation, and ectopic fat accumulation—pathways that have all been discussed in relation to cancer risk.

A public health signal, not proof of causation

The study has important strengths. It used device-measured activity rather than self-reported sitting time, reducing recall bias. It also followed participants for more than a decade and included multiple cancer outcomes.

Still, the findings should be interpreted carefully. This was an observational study, so it cannot prove that prolonged sitting directly causes cancer or cancer death. UK Biobank participants are also known to be healthier and more physically active than the general UK population, which may limit generalizability. Activity was measured over only seven days, and the monitors could not capture the context of sedentary behavior, such as whether someone was sitting at work, watching television, driving, or resting because of underlying illness.

The authors also note that residual confounding cannot be ruled out. People who sit for long uninterrupted periods may differ from others in ways that are difficult to fully measure, including occupation, frailty, health status, or broader lifestyle patterns.

Rethinking cancer prevention in everyday terms

Cancer prevention is often framed around smoking, alcohol, diet, body weight, vaccination, screening, and exercise. Sedentary behavior is increasingly part of that picture, but this study suggests the message may need to become more specific.

The goal may not only be to reduce total sitting time, but to avoid accumulating that time in long, uninterrupted blocks. For public health, that is a potentially actionable target: movement breaks at work, walk-and-talk meetings, standing transitions, household activity, or brief light-intensity movement after long periods of sitting.

The study does not suggest that movement breaks replace established cancer prevention measures. Nor does it mean that every hour of sitting carries the same risk for every person. But it does support a more nuanced view of inactivity: the body may respond differently to sedentary time that is regularly interrupted than to sedentary time accumulated in prolonged bouts.

As activity monitors become more common and prevention science becomes more personalized, cancer prevention advice may eventually move beyond broad exercise targets toward daily behavior patterns. For now, the message is simple enough: long sitting spells may be worth breaking, even with light movement.

The post Why Long, Uninterrupted Sitting May Matter for Cancer Prevention appeared first on Inside Precision Medicine.

July 6, 2026

STAT+: Online GLP-1 prescriptions are often fast, easy — and low on clinical oversight

A secret shopper study has pulled back the veil on the practices of nearly 50 telehealth sites that prescribe popular GLP-1 medications for weight loss.

Direct-to-consumer telehealth companies have grown rapidly in response to patients’ demand for GLP-1s like semaglutide and tirzepatide, especially after shortages created a market for compounded versions that aren’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration. As online prescribing has grown, clinicians and public health experts have raised concerns about the potential for lax virtual care practices to put patients at risk.

In a study published Monday in the Journal of the American Medical Association, one researcher at Yale University set out to document those online prescriptions by posing as a patient. The results capture what many Americans have learned in the last few years: It is extraordinarily fast and easy to get a GLP-1 online.

Continue to STAT+ to read the full story…

July 3, 2026

From sympathetic storm to systemic inflammation: spatiotemporal dynamics of the brain-lung axis in neurogenic pulmonary edema

Neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE) is a life-threatening complication of acute central nervous system (CNS) injury, characterized by the rapid onset of hypoxemia and pulmonary fluid accumulation in the absence of underlying cardiopulmonary disease. In recent years, emerging integrative frameworks such as the “neuroimmunoaxis” and “brain-lung axis” have provided new perspectives on how CNS injury leads to systemic immune dysregulation and pulmonary dysfunction. However, critical questions remain regarding the interplay between excessive sympathetic activation, immune homeostasis disruption, and lung tissue injury. This narrative review proposes a neurotransmitter-immune-inflammatory model that integrates mechanical, adrenergic, and inflammatory pathways across the spatiotemporal evolution of NPE. We identify four progressive stages involving sympathetic storm initiation due to central autonomic network disinhibition, pulmonary vascular barrier disruption through Piezo channel activation and angiotensin II-norepinephrine synergy, inflammatory amplification from loss of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory reflex, and systemic progression involving gut-lung axis dysregulation. The model generates three testable predictions. Lesions disrupting the nucleus tractus solitarius-ventromedial hypothalamus-intermediolateral column projection should produce more severe NPE. And selective activation of TRPA1+ dorsal root ganglion neurons should attenuate sympathetic outflow and pulmonary edema. Enhancing α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor signaling should mitigate systemic inflammation. These predictions offer experimental avenues for validating the hijacking hypothesis. Translational implications include stage-specific interventions, early sympathetic blockade, mid-phase anti-inflammatory and neuro-modulatory strategies, and late-stage lung-protective ventilation. This study aims to offer a comprehensive analysis of NPE by exploring its pathological mechanisms—from central sympathetic signaling to peripheral lung damage. Emphasis is placed on examining the interactions between neural signals, neurotransmitters, and immune responses to uncover the spatiotemporal dynamics of NPE. By identifying potential pathways for early diagnosis and targeted therapies, the research seeks to improve disease management and contribute to better clinical outcomes for affected patients.

July 2, 2026

Midlands secures share of £85m to transform obesity care

Health Innovation West Midlands (HIWM) has helped local NHS organisations secure a share of the £85m national investment in obesity care.

July 1, 2026

Boys, Masculinity, and the Looksmaxxing Trend

By now, you’ve probably heard of the term looksmaxxing. Think pieces about the trend have popped up all over the internet. And in a recent episode of Saturday Night Live, comedians poked fun at lookmaxxing influencers obsessed with having the perfect male physique.

While this new social media craze may seem silly, it’s impacting more boys than you might think. In a study conducted last year that surveyed over 3,000 young men (ages 16–25) from the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, nearly two-thirds of participants were regularly engaging with masculinity influencers.

Teen boys are being encouraged to change the way they look in order to fit a certain standard of attraction. The growing amount of looksmaxxing content they see online can have real effects on their self-esteem and mental health.

What is looksmaxxing?

Looksmaxxing originated nearly a decade ago in incel forums where men blamed their lack of romantic partners on the belief that female sexual selection is primarily based on physical qualities. So men who aren’t born with traits desirable to women are doomed to fail romantically. While traditional incels wallow in this fate, looksmaxxers seek to enhance their appearance to become more attractive. Their community claims that there is a universal standard for what the ideal man (and woman) should look like.

This is determined by a rating system called the PSL scale — the name being an amalgamation of three prominent misogynistic incel forums of the 2010s. There are many factors that go into the scaling, such as eye shape, jaw size, nose angle, and body fat percentage. Along this scale, you can land in four categories: subhuman, normie, Chadlite, and Chad (the ultimate catch).

During the pandemic, looksmaxxing went mainstream, merging with “manosphere” content on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. The trend became less about the ability to attract women and more of a competition among boys and men as they engaged in mog-offs — online contests where people have their faces analyzed and compared by facial recognition software to determine who’s better looking.

Self-improvement practices have gained popularity among boys. Some are considered to be softmaxxing, like developing skincare routines or eating high-protein diets, and others to be hardmaxxing, like using growth hormones or getting cosmetic surgery.

Prominent young influencers like Clavicular represent the extreme side of looksmaxxing. He practices bonesmashing (using a hammer on facial bones to try to form more angular features), injects himself with testosterone, and takes meth to maintain a low body fat percentage while still having a muscular physique.

Looksmaxxing and new beauty standards

The rise of looksmaxxing seems to have a caused a ripple effect among teen boys. While the ideal look has centered on big muscles and washboard abs for decades, there’s now an added pressure on facial beauty that’s typically been reserved for girls.

“With some of the teen boys I work with, most of whom already have self-esteem issues, I think there is a lot more concern about how they look,” observes Alnardo Martinez, LMHC, director of the Pediatric OCD Intensive Program and a mental health counselor at the Child Mind Institute. “They want to have the strong jaw, really big muscles, clear skin, and a perfect haircut.”

However, Martinez notes that it sometimes take a while for boys to admit that they feel this pressure. They may insist that they don’t really care about that stuff. “But then, maybe a few months later, it comes out that there is a lot of comparison. They’re spending a lot of time in front of the mirror or in the bathroom trying to create this perfect image,” he observes.

What teen boys think about looksmaxxing and self-improvement

We talked to young men who were critical of Clavicular and the impact looksmaxxing can have on teens but were positive about engaging in some form of physical self-improvement.

Wyatt, now 19, remembers comparing his jawline to his peers’ when he was in 7^th grade. “I just felt like they had really sharp jawlines. And I was just like, ‘Oh, I want to get closer to that.’” He would also come across TikToks advertising rubber chewing blocks and chin exercises meant to strengthen the jawline.

And so, Wyatt began to do jaw exercises he’d found online, reciting the alphabet while stretching out the muscles. “I would go through my Zoom classes throughout the day and then after that was done, I’d just go into the bathroom and go through the whole exercise. It would take like an hour sometimes,” he recalls. “It turned into more like a self-care, self-improvement session. I would do that every day after my classes. I didn’t feel like I was done with school until I finished my jawline routine.” He took photos to document his progress.

Wyatt feels like the routine had a positive effect, because he was able to see an improvement. “I felt more satisfied with myself, a little more confident.”

Lev, now 19, remembers wanting to have some control over his body when going through puberty in high school. “Puberty is not a straightforward process. It’s not all peaches and cream. Your body changes, and it can be uncomfortable,” he explains. “But with lifting and strength training, it was very exciting to see this, you know, man energy that came out of it. I wanted to harness that and really take it by the reins. Have some agency as a man.”

And while he rejects the extreme parts of looksmaxxing, Lev does regularly practice self-improvement through weight lifting, skin care routines, and taking GLP-1 weight loss medication.

How looksmaxxing can impact boys’ mental health

Since looksmaxxing places such a strong emphasis on achieving a very specific look, clinicians are concerned about its influence on teens. “Self-esteem is pretty fragile during puberty,” Martinez says. “There’s already a ton of comparison and perceived flaws that teens don’t love about themselves.”

These insecurities can be exacerbated by the type of content teens engage with online, Martinez explains. Along with ChatGPT bots specifically designed to judge aesthetics, Reddit threads such as r/Mewing and websites like Looksmaxxing Forum encourage boys to post pictures of their faces and bodies to get rated by their peers. Boys as young as 13 visit these forums, posting pictures and asking for tips on how to improve their looks.

“These are generally places where people are already pretty harsh and critical. These boys are receiving a lot more ‘confirmation’ around the perceived things that are wrong with them or that they need to change,” Martinez says. “And it just feeds into the already present negative self-image and self-talk.”

He explains that this type of social media engagement can also compound underlying mental health issues like depression and social anxiety. “They might be less likely to go out and talk to people because they’re thinking, ‘Everyone is going to see this one thing that everyone else has told me is wrong with me. So now I can’t go out,’”he says.

Martinez is also concerned that online content can negatively affect teens with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). “If they think they have a big nose, for example, they might go on these Reddits and ask, ‘What does my nose look like? Is it too big?’ There are trolls out there. Someone is going to say yes and then that’s going to make the BDD symptoms even worse.”

When behaviors might be concerning

In some ways, teen boys taking part in more self-improvement practices could be seen as a good thing. They’re exercising, taking care of their skin, and eating more balanced diets. The issues begin when these types of practices turn into obsession. And given the underlying ideology of looksmaxxing and the nature of social media, things can become unhealthy.

According to Martinez, there are some changes in behavior to look out for that indicate you might want to step in.

One clear change, he says, is a noticeable shift in the amount of time they’re spending on grooming themselves. “Maybe they were someone who would typically just get up and run out the door without washing their face,” he says. “But now they’re spending a lot more time in the bathroom and asking a lot of questions about how they look.”

Another warning sign can be a big change in personality. “Irritability is a big one that we’ll see a lot,” he says. “They’re unhappy with how they look, so this increases a general level of irritation.”

These behaviors paired with an unusual uptick in time spent on social media, Martinez explains, can be a sign that something’s wrong and support is needed.

How to support your child

If you’re worried that your child might be engaging in looksmaxxing-related behaviors to an unhealthy degree, says Martinez, there are a few things you can do:

Open communication. Martinez suggests approaching your child with curiosity. “You could start the conversation by saying something like, ‘So have you heard about this? What do you think about it? Have you ever had any thoughts yourself about how you look or desires to change your body or face?’ And then give them some space to be open and vulnerable about it. Validate their experience.”

Find out where your child is getting their information. “Read it together, talk about it, and see what your child thinks about it,” Martinez advises. “And if it’s promoting something dangerous, then you can talk to them about how those practices can be harmful and what could actually happen if they do some of those things.”

Encourage male role models. “There’s a patient I work with now who doesn’t have a present dad,” Martinez explains. “His mom tries to talk to him about things like body image, but he feels like she doesn’t understand and can’t relate. So having someone that he can talk to and be open about this stuff with, especially someone who can also share their own struggles, can be really helpful.”

Seek help from a mental health professional. This is especially important if you find out that your child has been engaging in extreme forms of looksmaxxing such as bonesmashing or starvemaxxing. Martinez recommends looking for a clinician who specializes in body image or body dysmorphic disorder.

A lot of parenting comes down to open communication around what your kids are seeing and what they’re feeling. We all have things about our bodies that we might not like and wish we could change, says Martinez, and it can help to normalize those feelings. “And then you can discuss how they can make changes in healthy ways,” he suggests. “Go over what’s a realistic change and what’s a dangerous change.”

The post Boys, Masculinity, and the Looksmaxxing Trend appeared first on Child Mind Institute.

June 30, 2026

Institutional Member Updates: Summer 2026

Institutional Members are clinics and programs in the US and around the globe that offer residential and/or intensive treatment for OCD and related disorders, are specialty outpatient clinics with a large staff dedicated to treating OCD, or provide low-cost treatment options through research studies.

Below are quarterly updates from our Institutional Members organized alphabetically. Click the (+) to open each menu and read updates and find contact information for clinics near you:

Do you work at a residential program, intensive outpatient program (ITP), or specialty outpatient clinic and looking to advertise your services? Learn more about becoming an Institutional Member and having your program updates included below!

Anxiety Experts – Santa Barbara, CA

(805) 705-0614
intake@anxietyexperts.com
anxietyexperts.com

Our practice is excited to introduce a new 3-Week Anxiety Intensive for children, teens, and young adults seeking a focused jumpstart to anxiety and OCD treatment. Designed as a structured outpatient program, this intensive is ideal for individuals who are generally functioning in daily life but would benefit from more concentrated therapeutic support over a shorter period of time. If you, or someone you know is interested in this new intensive, please email intake@anxietyexperts.com.Our practice is excited to introduce a new 3-Week Anxiety Intensive for children, teens, and young adults seeking a focused jumpstart to anxiety and OCD treatment. Designed as a structured outpatient program, this intensive is ideal for individuals who are generally functioning in daily life but would benefit from more concentrated therapeutic support over a shorter period of time. If you, or someone you know is interested in this new intensive, please email intake@anxietyexperts.com.

Anxiety Institute – Greenwich, Connecticut

(844) 881-1846

trainings@anxietyinstitute.com

anxietyinstitute.com

Expanding Access to Specialized OCD Training Through On-Demand Learning

At Anxiety Institute, we are committed to advancing evidence-based treatment for OCD, ARFID, and anxiety disorders—not only through our clinical work with adolescents and young adults, but also by supporting mental health professionals seeking specialized training in these complex conditions.

As awareness of OCD continues to grow, so does the need for accessible, practical training that helps clinicians confidently apply Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and other evidence-based approaches in real-world settings. To help meet this need, Anxiety Institute has developed a growing library of self-paced On-Demand Courses designed specifically for mental health professionals.

Our On-Demand Courses allow clinicians to deepen their expertise anytime, anywhere, while earning continuing education credits at their own pace. Each course is taught by experienced Anxiety Institute clinicians who specialize in treating OCD, anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and ARFID in adolescents and young adults.

Current course offerings include:

Foundations: ERP Fundamentals in OCD Treatment — An introductory course covering the core principles of Exposure and Response Prevention, assessment strategies, treatment planning, and practical ERP implementation.
Building Blocks: Intermediate ERP Strategies — Designed for clinicians looking to strengthen ERP skills through more advanced treatment concepts, case examples, and interventions for complex presentations.
OCD Master Class — An advanced training focused on nuanced OCD presentations, clinical decision-making, and enhancing ERP effectiveness across diverse symptom themes.
OCD and Autism Spectrum Disorder — A specialized course exploring the intersection of OCD and ASD, including diagnostic considerations, common treatment barriers, and treatment modifications that can improve outcomes.
ARFID Assessment and Treatment — A comprehensive training focused on identifying and treating Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder using evidence-based interventions and multidisciplinary considerations.

What makes Anxiety Institute’s trainings unique is the emphasis on practical clinical application and developmentally informed care. Our clinicians work extensively with adolescents, young adults, and families navigating OCD and anxiety disorders within the context of school, family systems, social development, and major life transitions. That real-world experience informs each course and provides clinicians with tools they can immediately bring into their practice.

We also host monthly Professional Consultation Groups across our Connecticut, New Jersey, and Virginia markets. These virtual groups give clinicians an opportunity to collaborate on challenging cases, exchange treatment insights, strengthen ERP skills, and connect with other professionals treating OCD and anxiety disorders. The groups are intended to foster ongoing learning, support, and professional community among clinicians working with complex presentations.

We believe education and collaboration are essential to improving outcomes for individuals and families affected by OCD and anxiety disorders. Our goal is to make high-quality, evidence-based training more accessible to clinicians across the country and support the continued growth of specialized OCD care.

To learn more, please visit https://anxietyinstitute.com/professional-training/. We look forward to connecting with the IOCDF community this summer!

Anxiety Specialists of Atlanta

Phone: 678-825-2320
Email: admin@anxietyatl.com
Website: https://www.anxietyspecialistsofatlanta.com

Founded in 2014 by Dr. Josh Spitalnick, Anxiety Specialists of Atlanta has served as an IOCDF Center of Excellence for more than a decade, providing specialized care for children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples affected by anxiety, OCD, and related disorders. Headquartered in Dunwoody, Georgia, our multidisciplinary team offers in-person treatment throughout the Metro Atlanta area, as well as telehealth services in more than 40 states.

Our approach emphasizes evidence-based assessment and treatment combined with compassionate, culturally informed, and engaging care. We provide Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), DBT for Children (DBT-C), Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT).

For individuals who need more intensive support without residential treatment, we offer Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs). We also provide a variety of free and low-cost support groups for parents, caregivers, romantic partners, and individuals with lived experience of OCD, health anxiety, body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), and social anxiety. We remain committed to increasing the availability, accessibility, and affordability of evidence-based treatment and educational resources for everyone.

We also invite you to explore our dedicated health anxiety resource at www.overcominghealthanxiety.com, which offers information and support for individuals and families navigating health anxiety.

To learn more about our Intensive Outpatient Program, visit https://www.anxietyspecialistsofatlanta.com/services/iop/.

Atlanta CBT – Atlanta, Georgia

404-710-6605
admin@atlanta-cbt.com
www.atlanta-cbt.com

Atlanta CBT connects individuals with experienced licensed clinical psychologists and CBT therapists providing specialized care in Atlanta, Georgia (Inman Park on the Beltline), Richmond, Virginia (The Fan), and via secure telehealth in more than 42 PSYPACT states.

Our clinicians integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients build psychological flexibility—the ability to respond skillfully to difficult thoughts and emotions while continuing to move toward what matters most. The goal is not simply symptom reduction, but creating a fuller, steadier, and more meaningful life in the presence of uncertainty.

Atlanta CBT is a group of independently practicing clinicians, each responsible for their own clinical services and professional care. Every fully licensed psychologist and CBT therapist maintains an independent practice while choosing to collaborate through Atlanta CBT as a shared professional home. This model allows clinicians to retain full autonomy in their work while benefiting from a collaborative, values-driven community. It supports thoughtful, evidence-based care guided by research, professional judgment, and the unique needs of each individual—not productivity quotas or external pressures.

Because each clinician manages their own practice, clinical offerings vary. Contact us to learn more about available in-person and telehealth outpatient services, including treatment at a range of levels of care.

Bull City Anxiety & OCD Treatment Center – Chapel Hill, North Carolina

(919) 808-2318

info@bullcityanxiety.com

bullcityanxiety.com

It’s been a busy spring for the BCAOTC team!

We were thrilled to launch several new groups this spring, including a Perinatal Anxiety Group and a SPACE Group. We also continue to offer multiple ERP groups to support individuals with OCD and related disorders.

Our clinic remains busy, though we generally have availability for outpatient treatment and only a short wait for our intensive treatment program.

As much as we love our clinical work, the BCAOTC team also invests significant time in building OCD awareness throughout the community. We continue to offer our “Lunch & Learn” series, which helps educate clinicians about evidence-based treatment for OCD. In addition, we’ve provided training workshops for several local practices in 2026, with more planned for the summer and fall.

This spring, BCAOTC team members presented at the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) Conference in Chicago, and we’re excited to have five clinicians speaking at the IOCDF Annual OCD Conference in Seattle this July.

In bittersweet news, we said goodbye to Emily Juel in May as she completed her practicum placement at BCAOTC and moved on to her next training opportunity. We wish her all the best in this next chapter!

Cambridge Psychology Group – Camrbidge, Massachusetts

(617) 977-4770

info@cambridgepsych.org

cambridgepsych.org

Cambridge Psychology Group offers compassionate, evidence-based care for children, teens, and adults with OCD, generalized anxiety, panic disorder, agoraphobia, social anxiety, specific phobias, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), and body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs). We are excited to continue growing our Child Division and are now offering three specialized BRAVE Crew programs:

BRAVE Crew Summer Experience is a week-long therapeutic program that blends cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) skill-building with a fun, camp-like setting. Children and teens participate in engaging group activities designed to foster bravery, confidence, and peer connection. Join us this summer with sessions offered in June, July, and August!

BRAVE Crew Intensive Program supports youth experiencing significant anxiety and OCD. Using evidence-based treatment, the program combines individual therapy, daily exposure practice, and skills training to reduce symptoms while building lasting confidence and resilience. Offered primarily during after-school hours, the program provides flexible enrollment to meet families’ scheduling needs.

BRAVE Crew Group offers elementary-aged children a supportive environment to build friendships while learning practical cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) strategies for managing anxiety. Through interactive, skills-based activities, participants strengthen coping skills, emotional awareness, and confidence. The group meets Wednesday evenings in Arlington, Massachusetts.

Cascade Programs – Midway, Utah

435) 562-5800

info@cascadeacademy.com

www.thecascadeprograms.com

Cascade Programs is excited to share several updates with the OCD community this year. As a specialized provider serving adolescents with OCD and severe anxiety disorders, we remain deeply committed to creating healing, supportive, and evidence-based treatment environments for the teens and families we serve.

This year, our boys’ campus in Huntsville, Utah, completed a full remodel. We are thrilled to offer our students a refreshed, modernized space designed to foster comfort, connection, and recovery. The updated campus reflects our ongoing investment in creating environments that feel welcoming, therapeutic, and developmentally appropriate for adolescents navigating complex anxiety and OCD-related challenges.

We are also proud to celebrate two years of operations for our short-term girls program. Over the past two years, the program has continued to grow and evolve as we support adolescent girls in building resilience, developing effective coping skills, and finding hope in recovery. We are incredibly grateful for the trust families place in us and for the dedication of our clinical and residential teams, who make this work possible every day.

Across all three of our adolescent treatment centers, Cascade Programs remains focused on individualized care, family involvement, and evidence-based treatment approaches for OCD and severe anxiety disorders. We value the opportunity to collaborate with referring professionals and remain connected to the broader OCD treatment community.

Finally, we look forward to attending the Annual OCD Conference and connecting with clinicians, advocates, families, and others dedicated to improving outcomes for individuals living with OCD. We are always energized by the shared learning, collaboration, and sense of community the Conference provides.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

Center for OCD & Anxiety-Related Disorders

The Center for OCD & Anxiety Related Disorders (COARD)
Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute (SLBMI)

Location: Missouri, United States
Phone: 314-289-9411
Email: slbmicoardicp@uhsinc.com
Website: www.slbmi.com

The Center for OCD & Anxiety Related Disorders (COARD) at Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute (SLBMI) is a multidisciplinary program that has specialized in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety-related conditions for more than 30 years.

COARD offers outpatient, Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) levels of care for children, adolescents, and adults. Services are available both in person and via telehealth for individuals located in any PSYPACT state.

COARD’s IOP and PHP programs uniquely provide individualized, one-to-one treatment tailored to each patient’s specific needs. We accept all major insurance plans.

We’re Hiring!

COARD is seeking new clinicians interested in providing specialized outpatient anxiety treatment or overseeing care within our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP). Interested applicants are encouraged to apply through our website.

Center for OCD and Anxiety

Center for OCD & Anxiety (COA)

Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Phone: 412-256-8256
Email: intakes@pittsburghocdtreatment.com
Website: pittsburghocdtreatment.com

We’re pleased to share that our new Wexford location is now fully staffed with therapists specializing in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Several members of our Wexford team bring experience from higher levels of care, including OCD intensive outpatient programs, strengthening our ability to support individuals across different stages of treatment and recovery. This expansion allows us to better meet the needs of our community by increasing access to timely, specialized care.

In addition to therapy services, COA continues to offer free weekly clinician-facilitated support groups for the community:

Adults with OCD — Fridays at 12:00 PM ET
Caregivers and family members — Wednesdays at 12:00 PM ET

These groups provide a supportive space to connect, learn, and share experiences at no cost.

For more information about our services or to sign up for a support group, please visit pittsburghocdtreatment.com.

We’re proud to continue expanding access to specialized OCD care and supporting our local Pittsburgh community.

Center for OCD and Related Disorders at Massachusetts General Hospital

Center for OCD and Related Disorders (CORD)
Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School

Location: Massachusetts, United States
Phone: 617-726-6766
Email: CORDClinic@mgh.harvard.edu
Website: https://www.mghocd.org

The Center for OCD and Related Disorders (CORD) at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston specializes in the research and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related conditions. Areas of expertise include body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), BDD by Proxy, Tourette syndrome (TS), chronic tic disorder (CTD), hoarding disorder, hair-pulling disorder, skin-picking disorder, and olfactory reference syndrome (ORS).

At CORD, we provide comprehensive intake assessments to develop personalized treatment plans for every patient. Whether you’re seeking clinical care or interested in participating in one of our innovative research programs, our team is here to help. For more information, please contact us by phone, email, or through our website.

This summer, we are excited to welcome three new Clinical Research Coordinators: Ava Arvand, Gienn Leong, and Savannah Walske. We also extend a warm welcome to our new CBT-track psychology intern, Katherine “Kit” Wislocki from the University of California, Irvine.

Compassionate Healing Institute

Compassionate Healing Institute (CHI)

Location: Florida, United States
Phone: 561-679-1139
Email: info@healocded.com
Website: www.HealOCDED.COM

Compassionate Healing Institute (CHI) is an outpatient clinic specializing in evidence-based treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders, and anxiety disorders. CHI offers a full continuum of care, ranging from traditional outpatient therapy to customized intensive treatment programs designed for individuals seeking additional support or more rapid treatment gains. Services are available in person in South Florida, as well as via telehealth throughout all PSYPACT states and New York.

CHI is excited to announce that The OCD Workbook for Food and Eating Fears, written by our founder, Dr. Lissette Cortes, is now available for purchase. The workbook provides practical, step-by-step Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and cognitive strategies to help individuals reduce anxiety and restore trust in their internal cues.

This spring, Dr. Sheffield was honored to present at the “OCD and…” Weekend, speaking on Breaking Patterns: A Crossroads of OCD, Addiction, and Eating Disorders as part of the lead-up to the IOCDF Walk in Vero Beach, Florida.

Dr. Cortes and Dr. Sheffield also recently presented at the 2026 IAEDP Annual Symposium in Baltimore on the topic of Neurodivergence and Eating Disorders.

CHI is pleased to welcome our 2026–2027 Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr. Gina Gagliardi, who will provide treatment for OCD, eating disorders, anxiety, and related conditions. Through the end of 2026, CHI will offer sliding-scale services with Dr. Gagliardi.

We are also excited to announce that our registered dietitian, Paije Nobles, MS, RDN, will begin providing specialized treatment for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) this summer.

CHI looks forward to connecting with the OCD community at the Annual OCD Conference in Seattle this summer!

Hopewell Therapeutic Community

Hopewell Therapeutic Community

Location: Ohio, United States
Phone: 440-426-2009
Email: admissions@hopewell.cc
Website: https://www.hopewellcommunity.org/

Hopewell Therapeutic Community’s OCD program continues to evolve into one of the most unique and comprehensive residential treatment options for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in the Midwest. Built within Hopewell’s larger therapeutic farm community model, the program combines evidence-based clinical treatment with meaningful work, community engagement, and nature-based healing to address OCD in a highly individualized and immersive environment.

At the core of the program is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold-standard treatment for OCD. Hopewell offers ERP-focused groups five days per week, individual ERP sessions, and opportunities for real-world exposure practice integrated throughout the day. Rather than limiting treatment to an office setting, residents engage in exposures organically across the farm and residential environment, allowing therapy to become part of daily life. This in vivo approach helps residents build resilience and confidence while learning to tolerate uncertainty and reduce compulsive behaviors in real time.

What differentiates Hopewell from many traditional residential OCD programs is its therapeutic community model and farm-based setting. Situated on a 325-acre working farm in rural Ohio, residents participate in meaningful daily activities, including gardening, animal care, woodworking, maple sugaring, kitchen work, and maintenance projects. These experiences are not simply recreational—they are intentionally therapeutic and often become opportunities for exposure work, behavioral activation, social engagement, and skill development. The structured routine and community accountability help reduce isolation and avoidance, two patterns commonly associated with OCD and anxiety disorders.

The program also integrates multiple therapeutic modalities beyond ERP. Residents may participate in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills training, ecotherapy, art therapy, equine-assisted learning, music therapy, and wellness-focused programming.

Hopewell’s OCD program serves adults ages 18 and older and is designed for individuals seeking longer-term residential care in a supportive, relationship-centered environment. Unlike short-term stabilization programs, Hopewell emphasizes sustainable growth, independence, and community reintegration. Residents work closely with clinicians to develop individualized goals while becoming active members of the therapeutic community.

As awareness of OCD and anxiety disorders continues to grow nationally, Hopewell offers a distinctive residential option that blends intensive clinical treatment with holistic healing, community connection, and the restorative power of nature. The program reflects Hopewell’s broader mission of treating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—while helping residents build meaningful and lasting recovery.

Manhattan Center for CBT

The Manhattan Center for Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Location: New York, United States
Phone: 646-863-4225
Email: greene@manhattancbt.com
Website: manhattancbt.com/nyc-ocd-treatment/

The Manhattan Center for Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is proud to announce the addition of two new postdoctoral fellows, Lindsey Pappalardo, PhD, and Grace Anderson, PhD. Their arrival reflects our continued growth and our commitment to expanding access to specialized treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related anxiety disorders throughout the New York area.

Both clinicians have received advanced training in evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and will be working with adults experiencing OCD, anxiety disorders, and related conditions.

As the demand for specialized OCD treatment continues to grow, we remain committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care through both in-person and telehealth services.

To learn more about our clinicians and services, please visit manhattancbt.com.

Moment, Center for Anxiety Disorders – South Carolina

(864) 696-3740
info@momentanxiety.com
momentanxiety.com

“Moment, Center for Anxiety Disorders is dedicated to providing evidence-based therapy services for those in South Carolina (and beyond) who are experiencing concerns such as OCD, panic disorder/agoraphobia, specific phobias, social anxiety, and generalized anxiety concerns. All of our clinicians at Moment have specialty training in ERP and also utilize other modalities such as ACT and CBT. We currently have 3 psychologists and 5 masters-level clinicians and are excited this summer for our previous intern, Jesse Williams, L-PCA to join our team as our sixth provider! We also would like to welcome a new administrator, Jan McGarry, to our team!

While we always offer individual services and opportunities for intensive treatment, this summer we will also be hosting 1-2 adult skills and support groups and are also hoping to provide a specialty class for parents and children with OCD. We have 6 providers attending the annual IOCDF conference 3 of whom will present a CEU session. We also hope to hold a round of IOP this fall and will be looking for cohort sign-ups over the summer. We are excited to continue to serve our community with specialty services and expand clinical knowledge and treatment access for OCD other anxiety disorders through ESTs within our community.”

Nashville OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center – Nashville, Tennessee

(615) 412-1155
info@ocdnashville.com
ocdnashville.com

The Nashville OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center is pleased to welcome Rachel Brann, LCSW, to our team! Rachel brings valuable experience from working in a partial hospitalization program and will play an integral role in our Intensive Outpatient Program (4 hours per week) at NOATC.

We also congratulate Courtney Bottoms Gustafson, LPC-MHSP, on her new role as NOATC’s Head of Community Engagement. We look forward to the leadership and expertise both Rachel and Courtney will bring as we continue expanding access to high-quality, evidence-based OCD and anxiety treatment.

Northwell Health OCD Center – Glen Oaks, New York

(718) 470-8052
ocdcenter@northwell.edu
northwell.edu/ocdcenter

The Northwell Health OCD Center offers comprehensive, evidence-based outpatient treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD). It is one of the only specialized OCD/OCPD treatment centers in the New York metropolitan area that accepts most major health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid.

Treatment options include individual therapy (available both in person and virtually), group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and medication management. Our virtual therapy groups include Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) practice and skills-building, OCPD treatment, family education and support focused on reducing accommodation, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills training, and weekly and monthly maintenance groups to support continued progress. To inquire about treatment, please email us at ocdcenter@northwell.edu.

We are excited to share that Dr. Pinto and his co-author, Dr. Michael Wheaton, will release their Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder Workbook on July 1. Published by New Harbinger, the workbook is available for preorder on Amazon.

Our team is also looking forward to reconnecting with the broader OCD community at this year’s Annual OCD Conference. Dr. Pinto will lead a full-day clinician training on treating OCPD with CBT and will participate in two panels focused on comorbidity in OCD.

Finally, this July we will welcome our newest psychology and psychiatry trainees for the 2026–2027 academic year. Our team looks forward to continuing its treatment, training, and research missions in the year ahead.

OCD Anxiety Centers

OCD Anxiety Centers

Location: Utah, United States
Phone: 385-786-0330
Email: pr@ocdanxietycenters.com
Website: https://www.ocdanxietycenters.com/

OCD Anxiety Centers is excited to share several updates with the IOCDF community as we continue expanding access to specialized OCD treatment across the country.

We are thrilled to announce the opening of four new clinic locations:

San Diego (Mission Valley), California
Seattle, Washington
Temecula, California
Centennial, Colorado

These additions bring our total to 24 in-person locations nationwide. Each clinic provides the same high standard of care our community has come to trust, including Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) grounded in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), complemented by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and thoughtfully selected Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) interventions.

For those who cannot access in-person care, our Virtual IOP continues to serve clients across the country, offering the same structured, evidence-based group treatment in a fully remote format. Whether geography, scheduling, or personal preference presents a barrier, our Virtual IOP helps ensure that high-quality OCD treatment remains within reach.

PHP services for both youth and adults are now available at locations nationwide, giving more individuals access to our highest level of outpatient care when they need it most.

OCD Anxiety Centers was founded by Paul Peterson after his own family experienced the challenges of OCD firsthand. Since then, we have provided treatment to more than 6,000 clients. We continuously refine our care through data-informed practice by tracking treatment outcomes weekly. Clients who completed our IOP in 2025 experienced an average symptom reduction of more than 60%, with many programs reporting reductions of 68% or higher. These life-changing outcomes reflect our commitment to continually raising the standard of OCD care.

If you are exploring treatment options for your clients or loved ones, we invite you to reach out. OCD Anxiety Centers is committed to being a trusted partner for the OCD community, wherever you are.

OCD Institute of Texas – Houston, Texas

832-900-1282
cali@houstonocd.org
www.ocditexas.com

A New Tool for Patients from OCDI Texas: “Is My Therapist the Right Fit?”

Getting into therapy has never been easier. Getting into the right therapy is a different story. A 2025 study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that fewer than 7% of people with a mental health disorder worldwide receive effective treatment. That gap does not close on its own, and many patients have no way to distinguish a clinician with specialized OCD training from someone who simply lists OCD among many conditions they treat.

To help address this challenge, OCDI Texas has launched “Is My Therapist the Right Fit?”—a free, 10-question quiz that gives patients a practical framework for evaluating their care. The quiz helps patients understand what true specialization looks like on a clinician’s website, in provider directories, and during an initial consultation. It also explains what effective therapy should look and feel like in practice, including a clear treatment plan, meaningful work between sessions, and measurable progress.

We encourage clinicians to share the quiz with patients, display it in waiting rooms, and forward it to colleagues. The more patients who have this framework before choosing a provider, the more likely they are to receive effective, evidence-based care.

OCDI Texas Webinar Series

We’re also excited to launch the OCDI Texas Webinar Series, a new educational program featuring two free webinars each month. Each session includes expert-led discussions on evidence-based treatment, common misconceptions about OCD, and practical guidance for navigating care.

Our goal is to make high-quality, specialized education accessible to the entire OCD community—whether you’re a clinician expanding your expertise, an individual seeking to better understand your diagnosis, or a family member supporting a loved one.

Summer Admissions Now Open

We currently have openings across all levels of care, including our Residential Treatment Program, Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), and outpatient services. Summer is often an ideal time for individuals and families to begin intensive treatment, with fewer school and work conflicts and greater flexibility to focus on recovery.

To learn more about admissions or to refer a patient, please call our admissions team at (832) 900-8687.

Get Involved

To access the quiz, listen to the podcast, register for the webinar series, or learn more about admissions, visit ocditexas.com.

OCD North

OCD North

Location: Ontario, Canada
Phone: (705) 243-9923
Email: info@ocdnorth.com
Website: www.ocdnorth.com

OCD North is pleased to share several updates as our specialized OCD services continue to expand across Canada.

We recently welcomed several new licensed clinicians to our team, each bringing extensive clinical experience, a thoughtful and compassionate approach to care, and specialized training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). This growth reflects the increasing demand for specialized OCD treatment and strengthens our ability to provide focused, consistent, and evidence-based care.

We are also excited to introduce a new support group for parents experiencing intrusive thoughts following the arrival of a baby. Our Postpartum Intrusive Thoughts Circle provides a supportive, nonjudgmental space where new parents can connect with others facing similar experiences while learning practical skills to respond differently to intrusive thoughts without relying on avoidance or reassurance seeking. The group meets weekly at a partner location in Barrie, Ontario.

OCD North continues to offer in-person services at our locations in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta, as well as virtual care for clients across most Canadian provinces.

OCD Wellness

OCD Wellness

Location: Ontario, Canada
Phone: 705-417-3250
Email: info@ocd-wellness.com
Website: https://www.ocd-wellness.com/

OCD Wellness is a specialized therapy clinic with locations in Barrie and Collingwood, Ontario, dedicated to providing evidence-based treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related conditions, including anxiety, depression, trauma, tic disorders, and body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs).

Our clinicians offer specialized treatment using both Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT) for OCD, allowing care to be tailored to each client’s unique needs.

We are also excited to announce that OCD Wellness now offers specialized treatment for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) for clients located in Ontario, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island (PEI).

Palo Alto Therapy – Palo Alto, California

(650) 461-9026
info@paloaltotherapy.com
paloaltotherapy.com

Palo Alto Therapy

Life’s too short for therapy that doesn’t work. At Palo Alto Therapy, we provide proven, evidence-based treatment designed to deliver meaningful results in as little as eight weeks—not years—helping children, teens, adults, and families regain calm, confidence, and joy.

We treat individuals of all ages experiencing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and related concerns. Our compassionate, highly trained therapists use evidence-based approaches to create lasting change, often without the need for long-term therapy.

Our OCD specialists utilize the gold-standard combination of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Feedback-Informed Treatment (FIT) to help clients achieve meaningful symptom relief. For parents supporting a loved one with OCD, our SPACE-certified therapists provide guidance using the evidence-based Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) model.

We also offer an 8–12 Week OCD Therapy Program for children, teens, and adults. This structured program combines evidence-based treatment with the support of a comprehensive clinical team to help individuals make significant progress in a focused period of time.

With convenient office locations in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and San Jose, we proudly serve the Silicon Valley community, including Stanford University, the Peninsula, and the South Bay, making specialized OCD treatment easily accessible for students, professionals, and families.

We currently have immediate openings for weekday, evening, and Saturday appointments. To learn more about our individual, couples, family, or Intensive OCD Therapy Program, please contact us. Our Care Coordination Team is available to help match you with the therapist who best fits your needs.

Polaris Family Behavioral Health

Polaris Family Behavioral Health (Polaris FBH)

Location: Washington, United States
Phone: 206-316-2375
Email: information@polarisfbh.com
Website: www.polarisfbh.com

At Polaris Family Behavioral Health (Polaris FBH), we provide comprehensive, evidence-based treatment for children, adolescents, and adults experiencing anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and related conditions. Based in Washington State, our clinicians specialize in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT). We are committed to meeting clients where they are and supporting them throughout every step of their recovery journey.

In addition to individual treatment, we are dedicated to building community through events like our annual OCD Picnic and other educational and support opportunities throughout the year.

We have an exciting summer ahead!

We’re kicking things off at the Annual OCD Conference, where three of our clinicians—Rindee Ashcraft, Nayara Beall, and Elizabeth Boudreaux—will be presenting. We’re incredibly proud of their contributions and look forward to connecting with our local community at the Conference.

In July, we’ll once again co-facilitate two weeks of day camp alongside Eastside Play Therapy. Last year’s camp was a tremendous success, with youth participants building confidence, practicing exposures, and forming meaningful connections while learning to push back against OCD in a fun and supportive environment. We can’t wait to do it again!

Then in August, we’ll host our 2nd Annual OCD Picnic, co-sponsored by OCD Washington and Rogers Behavioral Health. The picnic will take place on August 22 at Bellevue City Hall Park, and everyone in the OCD community is warmly invited to attend.

Psychology Houston, PC: The Center for Cognitive Behavioral Treatment

Psychology Houston, PC: The Center for Cognitive Behavioral Treatment

Location: Texas, United States
Phone: 713-914-9944
Email: info@psychologyhoustonpc.com
Website: www.psychologyhoustonpc.com

Psychology Houston, PC: The Center for Cognitive Behavioral Treatment is located in the Houston metropolitan area and provides evidence-based care for children, adolescents, and adults. Our clinicians specialize in treating anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, hair-pulling disorder, skin-picking disorder, grief, relationship concerns, tic disorders, trauma, sensory differences, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and a wide range of other psychological concerns.

While our Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) interventions are grounded in scientific research, treatment is delivered within a warm, supportive environment where the therapeutic relationship remains central. Our goal is to help clients develop healthier thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that lead to more adaptive coping and improved emotional well-being.

In addition to individual and couples therapy, Psychology Houston offers:

SPACE groups for parents
Free mindfulness meditation groups
PEERS groups for social skills development
Psychoeducational assessments to support academic planning and individualized treatment recommendations

Psychology Houston is proud to be a new IOCDF Institutional Member, and we are excited to be part of the IOCDF community.

SkinPick (Online Treatment for Skin Picking)

SkinPick

Phone: (323) 989-2064
Email: support@skinpick.com
Website: https://app.skinpick.com/freemium-activation

Skin Picking Can Feel Isolating: SkinPick Launches New Community Page

Many people living with skin picking spend years believing they are the only one struggling.

Shame, stigma, and misunderstanding often keep individuals silent, making it difficult to seek support or even talk openly about what they are experiencing. Although skin picking is more common than many people realize, those affected frequently describe feeling isolated and alone.

That’s why SkinPick has launched a new online community dedicated to individuals affected by skin picking.

The SkinPick Community was created to help people connect with others who understand these experiences firsthand. It offers a welcoming space to share stories, exchange ideas, learn from one another, and find support in a compassionate, understanding environment.

For many individuals, simply seeing others talk openly about skin picking can be incredibly powerful. Community can help reduce shame, foster hope, and remind people that they do not have to navigate recovery alone.

Whether someone is newly recognizing their symptoms, supporting a loved one, or already on their recovery journey, meaningful connection can make all the difference.

Specialists in OCD & Anxiety Recovery (SOAR), PLLC

Specialists in OCD & Anxiety Recovery (SOAR), PLLC

Location: Texas, United States
Phone: (214) 810-4667
Email: admin@soartogether.net
Website: SOARtogether.net

The SOAR team is looking forward to attending the IOCDF’s 31st Annual OCD Conference in Seattle this July! Our team will be represented in seven Conference sessions this year. If you’re interested in learning more about accessing affordable care through the network gap exception, join us for our presentation, “The Cost of Recovery,” on Sunday, July 12. We look forward to connecting with others who are passionate about OCD awareness and advancing education to better support our community.

SOAR is also hiring full-time therapists! We are seeking clinical psychologists, counselors, and other licensed mental health providers who are passionate about evidence-based treatment and collaborative, team-based care. To apply, please email your CV or résumé and a cover letter to admin@soartogether.net.

Serving the Dallas metropolitan area, Specialists in OCD & Anxiety Recovery (SOAR), PLLC provides evidence-based treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (OCRDs), anxiety disorders, and co-occurring conditions. Our clinicians offer a range of evidence-based interventions, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT), Comprehensive Behavioral (ComB) treatment for BFRBs, and Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE). We treat children, adolescents, and adults through both in-person and virtual services for residents throughout Texas.

Stay up to date with our latest news, events, and resources by following us on Instagram at @soar_above_ocd and visiting SOARtogether.net.

NOCD – Teletherapy Only

(312) 766-6780
care@nocdhelp.com
NOCD.com

Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) such as hair-pulling and skin-picking often coexist with OCD and can seriously impair functioning. New research highlights strong outcomes for people receiving virtual treatment for BFRBs through NOCD.

In a landmark study published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, NOCD’s Dr. Jamie Feusner, Clare Beatty, Dr. Patrick McGrath, Dr. Andreas Rhode, and their team examined outcomes for over 1,000 people receiving habit reversal training (HRT), an evidence-based treatment for BFRBs, through video sessions with NOCD Therapists.

After just 14-16 weeks, HRT with a NOCD Therapist delivered a median 33% reduction in the severity of both hair pulling and skin picking, with nearly half of participants achieving at least a 35% reduction. These results were consistent across children, teens, and adults. Researchers also observed improvements in anxiety, depression, stress, disability, and overall quality of life.

These findings reinforce that BFRBs are treatable and that virtual delivery of evidence-based treatment can expand access to effective care.

Learn more: https://www.psychiatrist.com/jcp/video-therapy-habit-reversal-training-body-focused-repetitive-behaviors/

Stanford OCD Research Lab – Palo Alto, CA

(650) 723-4095
ocdresearch@stanford.edu
https://med.stanford.edu/rodriguezlab

Stanford OCD Research Lab

The Stanford OCD Research Lab uses an interdisciplinary approach to develop new treatments for individuals living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and hoarding disorder.

We are currently recruiting participants for several exciting research studies and invite you to learn more by calling 650-723-4095 or emailing ocdresearch@stanford.edu or clutterhelp@stanford.edu. You can also follow our work on Facebook at @RodriguezLabSU and on Instagram at @StanfordOCDResearchLab.

We are actively enrolling participants in three ongoing research studies:

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Hoarding Disorder
MDMA-Assisted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for OCD
A pilot study of RR-HNK, a ketamine metabolite with no anesthetic or dissociative effects, for the treatment of OCD

Additional information is available on our website and in the IOCDF’s Research Participants Sought listings in the California section.

Several members of our research team look forward to presenting and participating at this year’s Annual OCD Conference in July.

StopOCD (Online Therapy for OCD)

StopOCD

Phone: 323-989-2064
Email: support@stopocd.com
Website: www.stopocd.com

Introducing StopOCD: Accessible Online Treatment for OCD

Many people living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) struggle for years before accessing appropriate care. Cost, stigma, limited availability of specialized providers, and long waitlists can make treatment difficult to access, often leaving individuals feeling overwhelmed and alone.

StopOCD is an online, therapist-supported program designed to help individuals better understand and manage OCD using evidence-based approaches, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold-standard treatment for OCD.

The program combines practical tools, progress tracking, self-assessments, self-guided learning modules, and interactive exercises with unlimited therapist messaging support. Members can message their therapist as often as needed, with therapists responding within 24 hours on weekdays. The StopOCD website also offers free educational resources for the broader community, including live webinars and blogs focused on OCD and recovery.

Designed to be flexible and accessible, StopOCD allows individuals to access support anytime, from anywhere, and work through the program at their own pace while receiving ongoing professional guidance and encouragement.

To help reduce barriers to treatment, StopOCD also offers reduced-cost options and financial aid for individuals who might not otherwise be able to access specialized care.

To learn more, visit www.stopocd.com.

StopOCD is excited to announce that we will be presenting at the 2026 Annual OCD Conference alongside Dr. Suzanne Mouton-Odum and Dr. Ruth Golomb.

StopOCD is part of Helping Minds, the organization behind SkinPick and TrichStop, online programs that support individuals affected by skin-picking disorder and hair-pulling disorder.

Our workshop will focus on helping parents better understand body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), including hair-pulling disorder (trichotillomania) and skin-picking disorder (excoriation disorder), which often begin in childhood and can leave both children and their families feeling overwhelmed, isolated, and misunderstood.

This compassionate session will explore ways parents and caregivers can better understand BFRBs, reduce shame and conflict, and support their child with greater empathy and connection. The discussion will combine clinical expertise with lived experience, including Helping Minds team member Meryl, who will share her personal experience as the parent of children with BFRBs.

We are honored to contribute to this important conversation and look forward to connecting with clinicians, families, and the broader OCD and BFRB community at the Annual OCD Conference.

Stress and Anxiety Services of NJ – East Brunswick, New Jersey

(732) 390-6694

intake@stressandanxiety.com

https://stressandanxiety.com/

We are thrilled to share several exciting updates and new beginnings happening at our practice this season!

First and foremost, we are proud to announce that our Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for OCD, PTSD, and anxiety disorders is now fully operational. This program expands access to specialized, evidence-based mental health care for individuals seeking structured, compassionate treatment from the comfort of their own homes.

Our Virtual IOP serves children, adolescents, and adults experiencing anxiety, intrusive thoughts, trauma-related symptoms, panic, compulsive behaviors, and other emotional challenges that interfere with daily functioning. Through group therapy, individualized support, psychoeducation, skills development, and evidence-based interventions, participants receive comprehensive care in a flexible virtual format designed to promote meaningful progress and lasting recovery.

The program is led by Dr. Stacey Dobrinsky, whose expertise and dedication continue to make a lasting impact within our community. Under her leadership, the Virtual IOP provides a supportive environment where clients feel empowered, understood, and equipped with practical tools to manage symptoms, build resilience, and improve overall well-being. We are excited about the opportunities this program creates for individuals who might not otherwise have access to specialized treatment.

In addition to launching our new Virtual IOP, we are excited to announce that our practice is moving to a new office location:

495 Ryders Lane
East Brunswick, NJ 08816

We look forward to welcoming clients, families, and community partners into our new space and continuing to provide a warm, supportive, and healing environment for everyone we serve.

Thank you to our clients, colleagues, and community members for your continued trust and support. We are excited for this new chapter and look forward to continuing to grow, serve, and support our community together.

The Anxiety Center

The Anxiety Center

Location: Ohio, United States
Phone: (513) 547-2861
Email: Info@theanxietycenter.com
Website: https://www.theanxietycenter.com/

The Anxiety Center provides specialized, evidence-based care by integrating precision psychiatry with Intensive Outpatient Programming (IOP). Our approach utilizes advanced behavioral health treatments and technologies while relying on measurement-based care and rapid treatment adjustments to shorten the path to recovery and deliver scientifically supported, personalized treatment tailored to each individual’s unique needs.

Our clinical services include cutting-edge Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) alongside innovative neuromodulation treatments such as BrainsWay Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Deep TMS) and ketamine infusions.

In addition, our coordinated psychiatric services incorporate genomic testing to help guide medication management, allowing for more individualized treatment plans and improving the likelihood of finding the most effective medications for each patient.

The Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago

The Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago

Location: Illinois, United States
Phone: 877-559-0001
Email: info@anxietytreatmentcenter.com
Website: www.anxietytreatmentcenter.com

The Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago is pleased to welcome graduate intern Erica Roth, MS, to our clinical team. We are also excited to welcome two doctoral interns from the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, who will continue developing their clinical skills while providing evidence-based care to our patients.

Our training program emphasizes specialized treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related conditions, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT).

We continue to provide customized, in-person intensive treatment for individuals living with OCD and related disorders. To maximize the effectiveness of treatment, our clinicians are able to work with patients in their homes and community settings, allowing exposures to be tailored to real-world environments and individual needs.

The Center for OCD and Anxiety at Sheppard Pratt

Location: Maryland, United States
Phone: 410-927-5462
Email: info@sheppardpratt.org
Website: ocdbaltimore.com

It’s #OCDCon season, and we can’t wait to see you in Seattle!

If you’re attending the Annual OCD Conference, don’t miss these presentations from the Sheppard Pratt team:

“To Be or Not to Be… Understanding and Treating Existential OCD Symptoms” — Jon Hershfield, Jon Abramowitz, and CNN Chief Investigative Correspondent and Anchor Pamela Brown
“More Than One Way to Not Be Good Enough: Unpacking Moral Scrupulosity” — Jon Hershfield, Brenda Kijesky, and colleagues
“The Roles of OCD and How Not to Play” — Jon Hershfield, Molly Schiffer, and colleagues
“When Anxiety Gets Mean: Understanding Anger in OCD” — Brenda Kijesky and colleagues
“Meeting People Where They Are: Nuanced Care for Co-Occurring OCD & SUD” — Molly Schiffer, Julianna Eckman, and colleagues
“Hope and Healing at the Intersection of OCD and PTSD” — Amy Mandelberg and Julianna Eckman
“OCD, Depression & Bipolar Disorder: Treatment When Mood & Anxiety Co-exist” — Molly Schiffer, Julianna Eckman, and colleagues

We’re proud to be a Diamond Sponsor of this year’s Conference. Be sure to stop by the Sheppard Pratt booth to connect with our team, learn more about our services, and pick up some fun giveaways.

Earlier this year, Jon Hershfield also presented at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting, where he spoke on the intersection of autism and OCD alongside colleagues from The Retreat by Sheppard Pratt.

Whether you’re seeking specialized OCD treatment or looking to earn free continuing education credits on your own schedule, Sheppard Pratt has resources to support you. Visit ocdbaltimore.com to learn more.

The Concord Center – Concord, Massachusetts

978-405-2521

info@concordcbt.com

www.concordcbt.com

The Concord Center

The Concord Center is a multidisciplinary practice providing evidence-based care across the lifespan. Our clinicians are trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), with a focus on delivering practical, skills-based treatment that translates into everyday functioning.

In addition to outpatient individual and group therapy, we offer intensive programming for individuals who need more support than traditional weekly therapy or who are transitioning from higher levels of care.

Our Accelerated Outpatient Program (AOP) is designed for adolescents and adults experiencing moderate to severe anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The program is ideal for individuals who have not made sufficient progress in traditional outpatient therapy or who require a structured step-down from residential or partial hospitalization treatment. The AOP combines multiple therapy sessions each week with a strong emphasis on Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), while incorporating targeted Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) strategies. A distinguishing feature of the program is ERP coaching in real-world settings, allowing clients to practice skills at home, at school, and in their communities. For adolescent participants, caregivers play an active role through a SPACE-informed parent component that focuses on reducing family accommodation and promoting independence.

We also continue to expand our Beyond Dependency Program, which is designed for parents and caregivers of adult children struggling with independence, often referred to as “failure to launch.” This individualized program equips caregivers with structured strategies and guided practice to shift family patterns that maintain dependency, with an emphasis on measurable progress toward autonomy and reduced family distress over time.

In addition, we offer a variety of skills-based groups for children, adolescents, young adults, and parents. Many of these groups serve as adjunctive treatment or step-down support following more intensive levels of care.

As we move into the spring and summer, we are actively recruiting participants for several accelerated, skills-focused summer programs. These groups are designed to help participants strengthen coping skills, improve emotional regulation, and navigate important life transitions, including school changes and college preparation, within a structured, short-term format.

The Concord Center has locations in Concord and Braintree, Massachusetts, and also provides telehealth services throughout Massachusetts.

TrichStop (Online Treatment for Hair-Pulling)

TrichStop

Phone: 323-989-2064
Email: support@trichstop.com
Website: https://app.trichstop.com/freemium-activation

Hair Pulling Can Feel Lonely: TrichStop Community Helps People Feel Seen

Many individuals living with hair-pulling disorder (trichotillomania) hide their struggles for years.

Shame, stigma, and misunderstanding can make it difficult to talk openly about hair pulling or seek support. Although body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) affect millions of people worldwide, many individuals continue to feel isolated and alone in their experiences.

To help foster connection and support, TrichStop has launched a new online community for individuals affected by hair-pulling disorder.

The TrichStop Community was created to bring people together in a compassionate, understanding environment where they can share experiences, ask questions, learn from one another, and feel less alone.

For many people, simply hearing someone else say, “Me too,” can make a meaningful difference. Community can help reduce shame, foster hope, and remind individuals that recovery does not have to happen in isolation.

Whether someone is just beginning to recognize their symptoms, actively seeking support, or further along in their recovery journey, meaningful connection matters.

UPMC Western Behavioral Health

UPMC Western Behavioral Health – Center for OCD and Anxiety

Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Phone: 412-246-5600
Email: sufrinla@upmc.edu
Website: https://www.upmc.com/services/behavioral-health/programs/adult/ocd-anxiety

UPMC Western Behavioral Health wishes everyone a wonderful summer! We are proud to continue providing specialized care through our Perinatal OCD & Anxiety Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and our General OCD & Anxiety IOP. As demand for specialized services continues to grow, we are excited to expand our programs and increase access to evidence-based care for individuals throughout Pittsburgh and the greater Pennsylvania region.

This summer, we are pleased to launch an additional Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) track within our Center for OCD and Anxiety, allowing us to serve even more individuals seeking specialized treatment.

For referrals to any of our Adult Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) or Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) services, please ask your current mental health or medical provider to submit a referral through www.upmc.com/iopphpreferral.

The post Institutional Member Updates: Summer 2026 appeared first on International OCD Foundation.

June 30, 2026

Anorexia Prevention in Female College Students

Conditions: Eating Disorder Risk; Body Shape Concern

Interventions: Behavioral: Acceptance-Based Embodied Movement; Behavioral: Functional Fitness Control; Behavioral: Psychoeducation

Sponsors: Jinan University Guangzhou

Completed