Understanding and Treating Taboo OCD, Presented by Erin Nghe, LCSW

Taboo OCD is the experience of having intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that may be deemed socially unacceptable or morally wrong by society. Individuals struggling with this theme may have intrusive images of touching a relative’s private parts, intrusive thoughts of “what if I stab my husband” or “what if I drop my baby down the stairs?” Taboo OCD can encompass themes of Pedophilia OCD, Sexuality OCD, Harm OCD, Bestiality OCD, and so much more. Experiencing taboo OCD thoughts can feel especially risky for BIPOC individuals to share with their family and therapists due to stereotypes, biases, cultural expectations, and long-standing mistrust of systems that have caused harm. This intermediate workshop supports therapists with understanding OCD and how taboo themes fit within the OCD cycle. It highlights how taboo OCD remains ego dystonic in nature and supports therapists with becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable. Therapists participating in this workshop will walk away grounded in the OCD symptom dimensions, the impact of having taboo OCD and how to respond with cultural sensitivity when supporting clients from diverse backgrounds

Erin Nghe (Nee) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and OCD Specialist, based out of the metro Atlanta area. She is the Clinical Director and Owner of OCD Set Free, an interactive mental health treatment facility that supports individuals living with obsessive compulsive disorder and related disorders. Through OCD Set Free, Erin currently offers compassionate therapeutic care to clients living with OCD in Georgia, AL, FL. Erin also specializes in training therapy practices, clinics and community mental health programs across the East Coast, to convert their mental health facilities to be more OCD treatment focused.