Biographical Sketch

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Dr. Debbie Sookman, Ph.D.


Dr. Debbie Sookman is an internationally known expert in the assessment and treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and related disorders. She is staff specialist, Department of Psychology, McGill University Health Center (MUHC)/RVH; Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University; Director, The Canadian Treatment Center for Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (CTCOCD, www.ctcocd.ca); and President, The Canadian Institute for Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (www.ciocd.ca). Dr. Sookman has treated or supervised the treatment of over ten thousand patients suffering from OCD through the lifespan (children, adolescents, adults). Her clinical work and research focus on improving rates of recovery in response to specialized treatments. Dr. Sookman’s many publications include the invited book: Specialized Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: An Expert Clinician Guidebook, Routledge, 2016. Dr. Sookman founded two major Canadian Institutions dedicated to these disorders. The Canadian Treatment Center for Obsessive Compulsive Disorders is the national specialized treatment center that offers specialized services for these disorders throughout the lifespan to Canadians from all provinces and regions, as well as to international residents. The Canadian Institute for Obsessive Compulsive Disorders is a federally incorporated charitable organization that is dedicated to achieving transformative improvement nationally and internationally in evidence-based clinical care for OCD and related disorders. Dr. Sookman is an experienced clinical supervisor having served as Director of Training in the Department of Psychology, MUHC/RVH by appointment for a period of 14 years until 2012. Dr. Sookman accepts clinical and research students on an ongoing basis. In recognition of her expertise in the field of OCD and related disorders Dr. Sookman is a Fellow of the Canadian Association of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies and a Fellow and Certified Trainer/Consultant of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, USA.