Inhibitory Learning: A Modern Framework for Understanding the Treatment of OCD and Anxiety Disorders
with Michelle De Simas, LMFT
Date: Friday, February 20, 2026
Time: 11:30am - 1:30pm
Check-in/Networking from 11:30 am - 12pm. Presentation from 12pm - 1:30pm.
Networking time does not count toward CE credit.
Zoom Link: provided after registration.
CE: 1.5 Participants must attend 80% of the presentation to earn continuing education credit.
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COURSE DETAILS
This presentation provides an overview of inhibitory learning as a modern framework for understanding and enhancing exposure-based interventions for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders. Attendees will learn to define inhibitory learning and explain how new learning can inhibit old learning in the context of anxiety and exposure-based treatment.
The presentation will emphasize how learning can occur even when anxiety remains present, shifting the focus from fear reduction to increasing tolerance of uncertainty and distress. The presentation will also compare inhibitory learning with emotional processing theory, highlighting differences in their proposed mechanisms of change, including the roles of habituation, fear activation, and expectancy violation.
By examining these models side by side, attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how inhibitory learning expands upon traditional conceptualizations of exposure. Finally, the presentation will emphasize the need for individualized, flexible application of exposure principles, illustrating how clinicians can adjust treatment strategies in response to patient-specific goals, contexts, and barriers to support meaningful and lasting change.
AUDIENCE
Course is designed for mental health professionals at an intermediate level of knowledge.
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ABOUT OUR SPEAKER
Michelle De Simas is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, wife, and mom. She specializes in the treatment of OCD, anxiety, and related disorders, and currently serves as the Program Director at OCD Anxiety Centers’ Laguna Niguel, CA location. Prior to holding this role, her professional background includes supporting clients in school settings, private practice, residential treatment, and PHP/IOP programs, giving her a broad foundation in supporting individuals and families across different levels of care. She is dedicated to combining clinical expertise with a compassionate, practical approach to help clients build resilience and live fuller lives.
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SYLLABUS
Intro/Learning Objectives (3 min.)
What is inhibitory learning? (5 min.)
What is happening with anxiety? (12 min.)
a. Anxiety alarm
b. False alarm
Exposure-based therapy (10 min.)
a. Exposure and Response Prevention
b. Diagnoses with the false alarm
How we learn about safety and danger (15 min.)
How we take principles of inhibitory learning to maximize learning from exposure and response prevention (30 min.)
a. Maximum violation of threat expectancies
b. Reduction/elimination of neutralizing behaviors
c. Varying contexts
d. Layering of multiple fear cues
e. Occasional aversive outcomes
f. Use of retrieval cues
Inhibitory learning vs. Emotional Processing Theory (2 min.)
Exposure list vs. hierarchy (5 min.)
Why does theory matter? (2 min.)
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:
- define inhibitory learning.
- explain how inhibitory learning compares to emotional processing theory.
- define 2 components of anxiety and false alarms
- identify 2 interventions that increase the likelihood that new learning will inhibit old learning.
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REGISTRATION
Pre-Licensed OC CAMFT Members - $5
OC-CAMFT Members (Early Bird Pricing until Feb 12th) - $20
OC-CAMFT Guests (Early Bird Pricing until Feb 12th) - $30
OC-CAMFT Members (after Feb 12th) - $30
OC-CAMFT Guests (after Feb 12th) - $40
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CE INFORMATION
Certificates will be sent within 2 business days of CEPA director receiving the evaluation.
Course meets the qualifications for 1.5 hour of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Networking time does not count toward CE credit.
Orange County Chapter of CAMFT is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (Provider #59405) to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs. Orange County Chapter of CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.
Course completion certificates will be awarded at the end of the program to those attendees who sign-in within 10 minutes of the commencement of the program, sign-out after the program is concluded, and complete and return an evaluation form.
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ADA POLICY
Please review our policy HERE.
If you have a special need or need special accommodations, please click HERE. Please advise us of your needs no later than 7 days prior to the event so that we may be able to accommodate you.
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PAYMENT, CANCELLATIONS, REFUNDS, GRIEVANCES
Please make a separate transaction for each and every reservation requested. If you are paying by credit card, the receipt you receive at the end of your payment is your confirmation reservation. Any payments not received by the deadline are not reserved and will be considered walk-in status.
Cancellations are made by leaving a message at 714-556-7129 no later than two (2) days prior to the event by 12 PM. A refund less $5.00 processing fee will be returned to you. There are no refunds for cancellations made past this time
GRIEVANCES
For grievances, please leave a message at 714-556-7129 or email admin@occamft.org
EVENT SPONSORS
Please contact us at sponsorship@occamft.org if you are interested in sponsoring this event.
