The Riley’s Wish Lecture Series will resume this year with a 3-day virtual event. For our fourth annual event, we look forward to being able to continue the conversation about co-occurring mental and behavioral health disorders. Each day of the series we will have experts from across the nation share their experience addressing co-occurring diagnoses.  

On Day 1, Patrick B. McGrath, Ph.D., will be joining us to discuss co-occurring Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Substance Use Disorder and will describe their diagnostic criteria, the interplay between the two disorders, and treatment approaches to addressing them.  

Day 2 brings us Lauren McMeikan, LMFT, who will be discussing how identity, sense of purpose, and meaning can support the treatment and recovery from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Substance Use Disorder.  

And finally, on Day 3 we will round out the conversation with a panel addressing the lived experience of co-occurring disorders, the clinical treatment of individuals with dual diagnoses, and the efforts to create community-based support and education. Georgia’s own Neil Campbell from the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse will join us for this powerful conversation.  

Please join us for the second annual Riley’s Wish lecure series.

OCD Awareness week- Margaret Sisson did a free webinar through the Peace of Mind Foundation.( Friday, October 12th ) to share her perspective on OCD and Addiction.

She was joined by Dr Patrick McGrath and Dr Katrina Rufino

Margaret Sisson, Executive Director spoke at the International OCD conference July 27-29 2018

Margaret spoke at the first ever training for therapist and doctors titled " Effective Treatment for concurrent OCD and Substance Use Disorder. The training was lead by Patrick McGrath PHD, AMITA-Alexian Brothers and Stacey Conroy, LCSW,MPH, Richmond Va. Medical Center.

She also spoke on the panel "Ask Anything: Understanding Substance Use and OCD. No more Fear, Stigma, or Shame"

 EVENTS

Riley's Wish Foundation Lectureship

The Riley's Wish lectureship is set for Sept. 29th, 2017

The Riley's Wish Foundation is honored to announce the newly established lecture series through Kennesaw State University's Center for Young Adult Addiction and Recovery. The lecture series will bring the best, brightest and the most thought provoking leaders in mental health, addiction and recovery treatment to Kennesaw State University's campus. The lectureship will provide for a broad range of speakers, conference based opportunities and the ability to educate the community on the pressing issues of mental health and addiction. 

Margaret Sisson, Executive Director of Riley's Wish spoke at the 24th Annual International OCD Foundation Conference on OCD and Substances Abuse Disorder. The conference, located  in San Francisco this year hosted over 1,700 people this year. It included the doctors, therapist, top researchers from across across the country.

 She also joined the Special Interest Committee on OCD/Substance Abuse Disorder.

Margaret Sisson, Riley's Wish Executive Director, presented on a panel discussion sponsored by Faith Partners on September 21, 2016. The topic "Susceptibilities to Addiction". 

http://www.ocdgeorgia.org/1m4ocd-2016-register.html

Margaret Riley Sisson, Executive Director is scheduled to speak again at the International OCD Foundation annual conference in Chicago in July, 2016

The OCD and Addiction Town Hall Meeting- A follow up from last year; Though this year will be a particular focus on treatment options,the role of professionals, patients seeking treatment, and family, as each is essential to the recovery process. 

The Hidden Side of OCD: An Open Discussion About Addiction, Depression and Suicide.

NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Click here to read Alison Dotson's interview with Dr. Michael Jenike, a brilliant Doctor, Riley's Wish board member and also Grand Marshall for this summer's walk: https://alisondotson.com/2016/04/12/tuesday-qa-michael-jenike/

Our OCD Awareness Event was a huge success! Check out the pictures in our Gallery

Our 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk was a huge success! Riley's Wish Team raised over $3000.00 for the International OCD Foundation.  Riley's Wish was pleased to be a sponsor for the walk. 

Margaret Sisson, Executive Director is scheduled to speak at the following activities and panels at the International OCD Foundation annual conference in Boston in July, 2015:

·         “The ‘Louder than OCD’ Cabaret” – a musical evening to entertain and educate about the power of music and how it provides help, comfort and inspiration during struggles with OCD;

·         The OCD and Addiction Town hall meeting – discussing dual diagnosis of OCD and addiction;

·         “How to Get Unstuck and Take the Next Step” – individuals and family members discussing personal stories about OCD and how people move forward and live successfully with OCD, particularly when associated with addiction.

·         “The Hidden Side of OCD: Addiction, Depression and Suicide” – a panel discussing the true struggles of OCD, how people find the right treatment and how to live a productive life.

This is our Trustee Susan Boaz Dailey and her daughter.

 http://www.today.com/health/girl-13-learns-just-breathe-after-sudden-ocd-t35991