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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a neurobiological disorder affecting 1 in 40 adults and 1 in 100 children. The hallmark of OCD is the presence of recurrent, intrusive thoughts, impulses, or images (obsessions) or repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions). Common symptoms include contamination fears, excessive handwashing, horrific thoughts and images, and checking and counting rituals. These fears, phobias, and rituals can devastate a person's life. Related disorders frequently coexist with OCD, including depression, anxiety disorders, Tourette Syndrome, and Attention Deficit Disorder. |
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The Awareness Foundation emerged from a collaboration of four unique individuals with one common goal: heightening public awareness through speaking engagements and creating films about the fourth most common mental disorder in our country... Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. |
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o Founder and president of the Awareness Foundation for OCD & Related Disorders, has earned over 30 awards for writing and directing films about individuals with physical and emotional challenges. In 1982, Mr. Callner himself was afflicted with a severe case of OCD. With an intense multi-modality recovery program of behavior therapy, medication, cognitive, and spiritual therapies, Mr. Callner has become a sought after public speaker on OCD. He has made two films based on his experiences, "The Risk" and "The Touching Tree", winning eight national and international awards including honors from the American Psychiatric Association. His expertise is in educating audiences about OCD recovery through his wisdom, humor, experience, and hope.
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Kimberly is a paraprofessional and peer counselor for individuals with emotional illness. Ms. Schwartz worked closely with James Callner in the creation of the films "The Risk" and "The Touching Tree". She also is a highly-respected speaker/educator focusing on family systems. As a mother of two children and survivor of the overwhelming effects of OCD and other disorders, Ms. Schwartz shares her unique perspective--empathy and understanding of family issues--with her audiences. Through her honesty and wisdom, she teaches practical coping skills for dealing with OCD and related disorders.
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Dr. Adams holds a master's degree in Special Education and a doctorate in Educational Psychology. She has worked extensively in the area of childhood OCD and speaks about the impact of OCD on children and adolescents in the school setting, as well as the role of school personnel in an OCD intervention. Currently, Dr. Adams has an adjunct position as Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Dr. Adams enables her audiences to learn in a simple, constructive way what OCD is and how educators, health care workers, students, and the general public can gain practical understanding of OCD and related disorders. |
 A.J.
Allen, M.D., Ph.D.
. Dr. Allen received his doctorate and M.D. in Psychiatry at the University of Iowa. He spent three years at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conducting research on OCD and tic disorders with Judith Rapoport, M.D. (author of "The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Washing"). Dr. Allen shares the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry's Rieger Award for Scientific Achievement with Drs. Susan Swedo and Henrietta Leonard. Dr. Allen is an active member of the American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He brings his scientific, clinical, and psychiatric experience to The Awareness Foundation as Chair of our Medical/Scientific Advisory Board. When Dr. Allen is available from his rigorous schedule at his Pediatric OCD and Tic Disorders Clinic, he joins the Awareness Foundation's speaking team, giving an effective educational presentation. |
| A.J. Allen, M.D.,Ph.D.
Chair, Advisory Board Judith Rapoport, M.D. Chief, Child Psychiatry Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD John H. Greist, M.D. Psychiatrist, Co-director, Obsessive-Compulsive Information Center/Dean Foundation, Madison WI John March, M.D., M.P.H. Associate Professor and Director of Neuropsychiatry and Anxiety Disorders Programs at Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C. Margo Thienemann, M.D. Psychiatrist, Stanford University, and Director of OCD Clinic at The Children's Health Council, Palo Alto, CA Philip R. Kavanaugh, M.D. Psychiatrist, Author: "Magnificent Addiction" and "Hope for Healing", Los Gatos, CA Ronald W. Wiebe, M.S.W., B.C.D. Clinical Social Worker, Marriage, Family, Child Counselor, Los Gatos, CA D. Jeffrey Duckham, M.D. Diplomat, American Board of Family Practice, Los Gatos, CA Alan S. Unis, M.D. Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Director for Research in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Washington Thomas R. DuHamel, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist, ABCD, Inc., Seattle, WA Connie Foster, M.S.W. Civil Rights Consultant for Children with Neurobiological Disorders, Ellsworth, ME |
The Awareness Foundation
is dedicated
to education, recovery,
and hope....
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Contact us for Speaking Engagements, Consultations, or Film Projects
The Awareness Foundation for OCD & Related Disorders Phone/Fax (408)559-7971 Email: Awareness9 @aol.com |
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AFOCD email is not answered by clinicians or therapists therefore we are not able to provide specific diagnostic or treatment recommendations for individuals with OCD and related disorders. We are however, able to provide general information on OCD which may include available treatments , alternative treatments, related organizations and support groups. We are here to provide hope and support. The opinion(s) of those responding to any email questions do not necessarily reflect those opinions of AFOCD staff and /or specialists or grant sponsors.
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James Callner, M.A.
Kimberly
Schwartz, B.A.
Gail Adams, Ed.D.