Often referred to as an ‘ecosystem’, UBC’s ever-expanding world of exploration, discovery and invention seems to grow with each new student, faculty or staff member. To reflect the scope of this ecosystem, Innovation Snapshots was created to connect innovators at UBC and beyond.
Discover the remarkable people pushing the boundaries of their disciplines, inventing creative solutions to societal challenges and contributing to new knowledge from across the entire UBC community.
UBC Psychology Clinic – Treating OCD
A UBC Innovation Snapshot: Be inspired by and connect with innovators at UBC
Who are you?
We are the UBC Psychology Clinic, an outpatient mental health and state-of-the-art training clinic. Our team of professionals are dedicated to excellence in the assessment, treatment, research, and training of clinical psychology. The UBC Psychology Clinic offers comprehensive psychological services for adults in the Greater Vancouver community. We provide affordable services using the most recent advances in mental health care.
What problem are you solving?
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). While OCD has become a popular problem among celebrities and in social media, the true disorder is debilitating, poorly understood, and lacks treatment resources. Over two-percent of the world’s population suffers from OCD. OCD symptoms come in many in forms, including obsession with harming your baby or loved ones to a fear of contamination, preventing people from utilizing public libraries, schools, and even coffee shops. The UBC Psychology Clinic is the only clinic in the Lower Mainland that offers evidence-based psychological treatment for OCD. People who receive this treatment are able to reclaim their lives, overcome their fears, and better understand that they are safe and competent people.
How does your idea contribute to society?
Starting in the 1970s, UBC Psychology became a leader in developing treatment for OCD. Hundreds of OCD sufferers’ lives have improved dramatically as a result of our treatment program. People who have suffered from OCD and were unable to function at work or at school have returned to work and school and are able to live normal lives with improved coping skills. Parents who wrongly believed they were unfit parents can now enjoy close and caring relationships with their children. These are just a couple of examples of how our treatment has made a difference in peoples’ lives. Our researchers and graduates have helped to disseminate these treatments throughout Canada and the world. This has greatly improved the understanding of the disorder and in reducing the stigma that surrounds OCD.
What do you need now?
More than anything we want to inspire public healthcare systems to create positions and to hire our graduates who carry this special expertise.
Where can we find out more information?
http://clinic.psych.ubc.ca
This Innovation Snapshot was originally featured on stories.innovation.ubc.ca
