Events

OPA Continuing Education Programs

The Oregon Psychological Association sponsors many continuing education programs that have been developed to meet the needs of psychologists and other mental health professionals. The Continuing Education Committee works diligently to provide programs that are of interest to the wide variety of specialties in mental health.

 The Oregon Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.  The Oregon Psychological Association maintains responsibility for the program and its content.

 

All OPA educational events are provided in a virtual format only. If you are unable to attend virtually the day of the webinar, you can now register for the recorded only version and a link to the recording of the webinar will be emailed to you approximately one week after the webinar concludes.

In order to register for OPA webinars on-line you will need a credit card for payment to complete your order.  Please review the cancellation policy for each event carefully. 


OPA Webinar Schedule

Click the links for more information about the corresponding CE offering.

Friday, December 1, 2023 | 9:00 am - 2:00 pm  "Evidence-Based Practice in Treatment of OCD"

 


"Legal and Ethical Update"
Presented by David Madigan and OPA's Legal Counsel Paul Cooney 

Register to receive the recorded version of the 2023 "Legal and Ethical Update" webinar.

REGISTER HERE
October 2023 Webinar Informational PDF
 

"Evidence-Based Practice in the Treatment of OCD"
Presented by Ashley Niemeyer, PhD and Alexia Spanos, PhD 

Friday, December 1, 2023 | 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Attend via Zoom

REGISTER HERE
December 2023 Webinar Informational PDF

 

 
This Workshop will serve as an introduction to evidence-based treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, with a specific focus on the use of Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP).  Participants will leave with a working knowledge of ERP and an understanding of the basic treatment components.  We will introduce the process of identifying a patient with OCD (including lesser known presentations), treatment planning, and treatment implementation.   Participants will have the opportunity in small groups to practice treatment planning and troubleshooting the use of exposures to address symptoms of OCD.  Case examples will be used to practice these skills of diagnosis and treatment planning. Finally, we aim to explore therapist’s own reactions to use of exposure therapy and discuss any barriers, apprehensions, or questions about this treatment approach.  We will provide opportunities for open dialogue about common questions using exposure therapy or specifically ERP.

  • Be able to identify/describe the gold-standard treatment for OCD in children and adults
  • Have a general idea of how exposure and response prevention treatment is planned and implemented
  • Be able to describe unique aspects of ERP when working with children
  • Be able to identify at least three different kinds of exposure and response prevention techniques
  • Be able to name two other treatment options for OCD outside of ERP

Ashley Niemeyer, PhD

Dr. Niemeyer specializes in the treatment of anxiety and trauma in children, adolescents and adults.  Over half of Dr. Niemeyer’s practice focuses on the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder across the age span.  Dr. Niemeyer received her PhD in clinical psychology from Idaho State University, a program which focused primarily on evidence-based practices.  She then completed a pre-doctoral internship at Saint John’s Medical Center in Santa Monica, with a focus on psychotherapy and psychological assessment in children and adolescents In a community mental health setting. Following internship, Dr. Niemeyer worked at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA), on the Project Heal Team, focusing on the treatment of child and adolescent trauma.  At CHLA, Dr. Niemeyer provided supervision for interns and postdocs in the areas of psychological assessment, treatment of trauma using TF-CBT, and use of exposure-based therapies in culturally sensitive modalities. After CHLA, Dr. Niemeyer transitioned to a private practice  in San Diego, focusing on the treatment of anxiety disorders in children through adults, prior to relocating to Bend.  Dr. Niemeyer also completed the Pediatric Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI), through the International OCD Foundation in 2018. The BTTI is an in-depth, three-day intensive training course in ERP for OCD and includes follow up consultation and supervision prior to completion.  

Alexia Spanos, PhD

Dr. Spanos specializes in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, anxiety disorders and trauma for adolescents and adults. She also specializes in the treatment of eating disorders across the lifespan. Dr. Spanos has over ten years’ experience treating individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in individual and group therapy and through volunteering with the Seattle OCD and Hoarding Disorder Support Group. She has also completed the Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI), through the International OCD Foundation in 2014. The BTTI is an in-depth, three-day intensive training course in exposure and response prevention therapy for the treatment of OCD and related disorders taught by world-renowned experts in the field. Dr. Spanos obtained her PhD in clinical psychology from Michigan State University and completed her pre-doctoral internship at McLean Hospital/A Harvard Medical School Affiliate. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Evidence-Based Treatment Centers of Seattle (EBTCS) where she completed dual training through the Anxiety Center and the Eating Disorders Center. Before moving to Central Oregon in 2020, Dr. Spanos was a staff psychologist, Director of Training and, most recently, Co-Director of the Eating Disorders Center at EBTCS between 2014-2020

 


Diversity CE Offerings

Cultural Competence Homestudy courses are offered by the New Mexico Psychological Association (NMPA) to OPA members for a fee. Questions should be directed to the NMPA. Courses include: Cultural Competency Assessment (1 CE), Multicultural Counseling Competencies/Research (2 CEs), Awareness-based articles (3 CE), Knowledge based articles (3 CE), Skills-based articles on counseling (3 CE) and Skills-based articles on assessment (3 CE).  Click on the link above to get started.

OBOP Information

For an overview of OBOP CE information, please click here.  For full information from OBOP regarding CE and licensure please click here.

APA Approval

The Oregon Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. OPA maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Letters of completion will be awarded to participants who attend the entire workshop.  No partial credits are given.

Other Mental Health Agency Approvals

OPA workshops should be satisfactory for Oregon Licensed Social Workers' and LPC's continuing education requirements. Approval for any other licensing or regulatory bodies must be completed by the individual attendee.

Each OPA workshop is classified according to the following system:

Level 1: general or introductory content aimed at a diverse audience.

Level 2: psychologically sophisticated content, at either introductory or more advanced levels, aimed at general professional audiences.

Level 3: highly advanced theoretical or technical content, aimed at expert audiences.

Level 2 and 3 presentations will typically warrant CE credit for a licensed psychologist. Both level and number of hours for each workshop are indicated for each workshop and official letters of completion will be awarded to participants who attend the entire workshop. APA guidelines specify that no letter of attendance will be awarded for partial workshop attendance.

Level 2 and 3 offerings are typically accepted by the Oregon Board of Psychologists (OBOP). However, Oregon licensed psychologists should consult with the Oregon Board of Psychologists regarding the state laws and rules regarding continuing education in Oregon, and note that there is no pre-certification of continuing education credit by the Oregon Board of Psychologists. If you have questions about whether or not OBOP may accept a class for CE credit you can contact them at 503.378.4154.