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Events
Your guide to NECOA’s events:
Where you can join us
Where we're going
Where You Can Join Us
Virtual Community Events
Summer’s Ending…Now What?
August 6, 2026, 5:30 PM ET
Supporting Anxious Kids
School is ending. What happens when the freedom and flexibility of summer become the routine your anxious child relies on? Does everything seem harder when it's time to trade late mornings and open schedules for alarms, homework, and the expectations of a new school year? And when your child is struggling with anxiety about this transition, how do you know whether to push gently forward or pull back?
If you're asking yourself these questions, you are not alone. Most of us, but especially children and teens with anxiety, may experience an increase in stress around transitions to and from school. If you are a clinician, you may be hearing these concerns from the families you work with right now, as the end of summer brings a shift that can unsettle even the most well-supported kids.
For children with OCD, anxiety, or related conditions, the transition back to school can quietly make things harder. The slower pace and flexibility of summer often become a source of comfort, and when the demands and structure of the school year return, anxiety can rush in to fill the space. Worries about academic expectations, social situations, separation from caregivers, or navigating new routines can grow louder. Kids may resist bedtime changes, avoid conversations about school, become more irritable, or seek more reassurance than usual. And as a parent, you may find yourself caught between wanting to protect your child from discomfort and knowing, somewhere, that stepping in every time may be keeping the cycle going.
Join Dr. Lisa Coyne, PhD, on August 6th at 5:30 PM EST for a free virtual session where we'll discuss:
• Why the transition from summer back to school can be especially challenging for anxious kids
• What it looks like when anxiety increases around back-to-school stress, and how that can show up at home
• How parents can encourage brave behavior while still being warm and supportive
• What evidence-based strategies can help your family navigate the return to school with more confidence
Your child is more capable than anxiety wants them to believe, and you don't have to navigate this alone. Bring your questions. We're looking forward to discussing them!
We'll email you the Zoom link the day of our event. The email sometimes gets filed under "Promotions" or "Spam," so please check those folders if you don't see it.
When Scary Things Happen: Supporting Your Child Through Difficult Times
Rescheduled to August, date coming soon!
When tragedy strikes close to home, children look to the adults in their lives to help them make sense of a world that suddenly feels uncertain and unsafe. As parents, we want to say and do the right thing — but knowing where to start isn't always easy.
Join us for When Scary Things Happen, a one-hour conversation designed to help you support your child in the wake of frightening events in our community. Together, we'll explore how to open the door to honest, age-appropriate conversations; how to create space for your child's emotions without feeling like you need all the answers; and how to recognize when your child may need extra support.
You don't have to have the perfect words. You just have to show up — and we're here to help you do that.
Hosted by the Lisa Coyne, Phd with the New England Center for OCD and Anxiety via Zoom. All parents and caregivers are welcome. We will be posting our date in August very soon.
We'll email you the Zoom link before the event.The email sometimes gets filed under "Promotions" or "Spam," so please check those folders if you don't see it.
Calmer Con 2026
Sensory Friendly Comics & Pop Culture Convention – Date TBD
Calmer Con is a sensory-aware pop culture and comics convention designed to provide an inclusive and welcoming experience for individuals and families who may find traditional conventions overwhelming.
The event includes many familiar convention features such as artists, vendors, cosplay, games, workshops, and interactive activities, while emphasizing accessibility through thoughtfully designed, lower-stimulation spaces and opportunities to take breaks as needed. Programming is suitable for all ages and focuses on creativity, community, and connection in a more comfortable environment.
Calmer Con is a free-admission event with registration. NECOA will be attending for our third year and will host a booth with fun, interactive activities as well as information about our clinic, services, and resources related to OCD and anxiety treatment.
Where We're Going
IOCDF Conference
Why It’s Valuable for Our Clinicians:
The International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) Annual OCD Conference 2026 is the largest national event focused solely on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders. It brings together clinicians, researchers, people with lived experience, and families to share the latest research, evidence-based treatments, and best practices in OCD care. The 2026 conference will be held July 9–12 in Seattle, Washington, with hybrid options for virtual participation.
Key Benefits of Attending:
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Deepen clinical expertise in OCD and spectrum conditions by learning from leading experts in the field.
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Gain practical, evidence-based treatment strategies that can be integrated into everyday clinical practice.
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Engage with research updates and innovative approaches that inform quality care.
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Build professional connections with peers, researchers, and multidisciplinary partners.
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Opportunity to earn continuing education credits and advance professional development.
Overall, attending this conference supports clinician growth, enhances treatment skills for OCD and related disorders, and strengthens our team’s capacity to offer state-of-the-art, evidence-informed care.
ACBS Conference 2026
Why It’s Valuable for Our Clinicians:
The ACBS (Association for Contextual Behavioral Science) World Conference 2026 is an international gathering of researchers, clinicians, and leaders focused on contextual behavioral science, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and related approaches. The event will be held July 16–19, 2026 with pre-conference workshops on July 14–15 in Lyon, France, at the Lyon Catholic University (UCLY).
Key Benefits of Attending:
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Learn from leading experts in contextual behavioral science and psychological practice.
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Access a broad range of presentations, workshops, and interactive sessions that deepen understanding of evidence-based approaches such as ACT.
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Expand practical skills that can be applied directly in clinical work.
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Engage with an international community of clinicians and researchers to build connections and collaboration.
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Opportunities to participate in pre-conference intensive workshops for focused professional growth.
Overall, attending the ACBS World Conference supports clinician professional development, enhances evidence-based practice competencies, and strengthens our team’s connection to global advances in contextual behavioral science.