About the event

A two-day gathering that brings together people with lived experience, their loved ones, and professionals, to speak openly about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and the challenges connected to it. The program includes lectures from leading specialists, international speakers, practical examples from therapy, and inspiring personal stories.

Who is it for:

• People with OCD and their families
• Psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, and students in helping professions
• Anyone who wants to better understand OCD and be more supportive of their loved ones

Main topics in the program:

• What is OCD – Lyubomir Manolov M.D.
• Medication therapy and neuromodulation for OCD – Yoanna Marinova M.D.
• What OCD looks like and what therapy involves through the eyes of a client and a therapist – Delyan Savov and Kirilka Doncheva
• From Obsession to Awareness – A new perspective on OCD through the body and bilateral stimulation – Anna Milcheva Psy.D.
• Buried in Treasures – Group therapy for hoarding – Volen Ivanov Ph.D.
• Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for OCD – Jon Hershfield, MFT (lecture in English with translation)
• An Intruder in the Family – OCD in children and adolescents. Specifics, challenges, and solutions – Lyubomir Manolov M.D. and Valeria Simeonova
• OCD and Autism – Boyana Ivanovich Psy.D.
• OCD and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – Maciej Ivanovich Psy.D. and Diana Gergova
• What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder and how can we support people who struggle with it – Kristina Ivanova
• Emetophobia – Fear of vomiting – Dimitar Nedelchev
• When fantasy becomes a cage: Working with maladaptive daydreaming in therapy – Anna Zhukivska
• OCD and Addictions – Kiril Bozgunov Ph.D. and Margarita Koleva
• Trauma and OCD: Similarities, differences, and how to recognize them – Valentina Stoycheva Ph.D
• Personal stories from people with lived experience

What you’ll gain:

• Certificate of attendance (with the purchase of a two-day ticket for students or professionals)
• A deeper understanding of OCD and related conditions
• Practical guidelines for therapy and self-help
• The opportunity to hear authentic stories and connect with a community that understands

Organizer: “Okrileni Zaedno” – Association for the support of people with OCD in Bulgaria

• Practical information:
  📅 November 22–23, 2025
• 📍 Sofia, Hemus Hotel – Preslav Hall
• ⏰ Day 1: 10:00 – 18:00 | Day 2: 10:00 – 18:00
• 🎟️ Tickets: available online (limited seats)