There’s something special about returning to your hometown, especially when it’s for something as meaningful as the International OCD Foundation’s 30th annual conference. This year, Chicago welcomed hundreds of clinicians, researchers, individuals living with OCD, and their families for what felt like both a professional gathering and a personal homecoming.
I’ve been attending these conferences for about a decade now, and honestly, they’ve become one of the highlights of my year. What started as pure learning experiences has evolved into something much richer—a blend of professional development, personal connection, and genuine community that’s hard to find elsewhere in our field.
More Than Just Another Conference
What makes the IOCDF conference unique is how it brings everyone together. You’ll find world-renowned researchers chatting with parents seeking support for their teenagers, clinicians learning from individuals who’ve lived with OCD for years, and professionals who themselves navigate these challenges daily. The programming reflects this beautifully, with clear tracks for different audiences, but plenty of overlap that encourages these meaningful intersections.
This year, I had the privilege of presenting alongside two incredible colleagues, Lauren Neiman from Chicago and Michelle Dexter from Los Angeles. Our session, “Double the Discomfort,” focused on something that doesn’t get nearly enough attention: what happens when social anxiety and OCD show up together in someone’s life. We’re all part of the National Social Anxiety Center board, and frankly, it was about time someone brought this conversation to the IOCDF stage.
The response was overwhelming. Having 100–150 people in the room, seeing their engagement, and hearing feedback like “most engaging session”—well, that’s the kind of validation that reminds you why you do this work. But more importantly, it opened doors for conversations that need to happen more often in our field.
The Magic Happens Between Sessions
Sure, the formal presentations are valuable, but the real magic of these conferences happens in the hallways, at the vendor booths, during those impromptu conversations over coffee.
I’ve collected more fidgets than I can count over the years (my clients love them), but I’ve also collected relationships and insights that have shaped how I practice. Something is refreshing about how approachable everyone is. These are people with impressive credentials, prestigious positions, and groundbreaking research to their names—yet they’re genuinely warm and willing to chat. No egos, no pretense—just passionate professionals who remember why we got into this field in the first place.
Authentic Voices Make All the Difference
This year’s featured speaker, NFL kicker Zane Gonzalez, delivered what might have been the most authentic presentation I’ve heard at any conference. No polished corporate speak, no carefully crafted talking points—just raw, honest storytelling about living with OCD in the public eye.
When his on-field compulsions went viral during a game-winning kick attempt, he could have hidden. Instead, he chose transparency.
As someone who works with people who often feel isolated and misunderstood, I can’t overstate how powerful these public voices are. When my clients see a professional athlete talking openly about the same struggles they face, something shifts. That moment of recognition—“I’m not alone in this”—can be transformative.
Finding Community in Unexpected Places
One of the unexpected joys of these conferences is connecting with people who share different aspects of your identity. As an observant Jewish professional, I’ve found a wonderful community of colleagues who gather for Shabbat dinners and create space for those connections. It’s a reminder that we bring our whole selves to this work, and that’s exactly as it should be.
The conference organizers do an excellent job creating these social opportunities—from Thursday night karaoke (yes, really) to Dr. Jonathan Grayson’s legendary exposure therapy field trips around the host city. These moments let you see the human side of people you might otherwise only know through their research papers.
The Reboot Effect
I’ll be honest—after ten conferences, I’m not learning as much new clinical information as I did in those early years. But that’s not the point anymore. These few days serve as a professional and personal reboot. I come home with renewed energy, fresh perspectives, and usually a few new ideas that find their way into my practice.
Sometimes it’s a reminder to refocus on techniques I’ve let slide. Sometimes it’s a connection that leads to new opportunities. This year, it was the satisfaction of bringing social anxiety into the IOCDF conversation and seeing how hungry people were for that discussion.
Join Us Next Year
Next year, the conference heads to Seattle—a bigger trip for those of us on the East Coast, but absolutely worth considering if you’re in this field or personally connected to OCD. Whether you’re a clinician looking to expand your knowledge, a researcher wanting to share your work, or someone seeking community and understanding, there’s a place for you at this conference.
After 30 years, the IOCDF has created something remarkable—a space where professional expertise meets lived experience, where learning happens alongside healing, and where coming together actually makes us all better at the work we do. In a field that can sometimes feel isolating, that’s exactly what we need.
If you’re interested in learning more about OCD treatment or exploring whether therapy might be helpful for you or a loved one, CBT Baltimore is here to help.
Contact us to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward understanding and healing.