McLean Hospital has expanded its education offerings with two new online courses that are free and accessible to all. These on-demand resources—Anxiety and OCD in Kids and Teens and Myth, Interrupted: The Truth About BPD and Self-Harm—are designed to educate and empower health care providers, families, educators, and individuals living with mental health conditions.
Presented by experts who work in some of the nation’s most respected clinical programs, these courses reflect McLean’s ongoing commitment to transforming mental health care through education, research, and compassionate treatment.
Clinical Expertise at the Core
The courses are deeply rooted in the clinical and research excellence found at McLean’s nationally recognized programs: OCDI Jr., 3East, and the Gunderson Residence. These programs are considered gold standards in their respective areas of care.
- OCDI Jr. (the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Institute for Children and Adolescents) offers intensive, evidence-based treatment for children struggling with OCD and related anxiety disorders. Its structured approach is grounded in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention (ERP), two of the most effective treatments for OCD.
- 3East is McLean’s flagship dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) program for teens and young adults with borderline personality disorder (BPD), self-harm, and emotional dysregulation. Known internationally, 3East has helped set the standard for early intervention and long-term recovery for BPD.
- The Gunderson Residence is a residential program tailored for adult women living with borderline personality disorder. Named after McLean’s Dr. John Gunderson, one of the world’s leading experts on BPD, the program uses evidence-based therapies and a nurturing environment to help individuals manage symptoms and build rewarding lives.
These programs not only deliver exceptional care but also inform McLean’s education efforts. The content in both online courses reflects real-world clinical experience, cutting-edge research, and the voices of people with lived experience.
“Our goal is to empower everyone—clinicians, educators, patients, and families—with the tools and knowledge to better understand mental health,” said Scott J. O’Brien, course director and head of McLean’s Education Outreach program. “These free courses are designed not only to share the latest in clinical best practices, but to offer hope. When we broaden our collective understanding, we improve care, encourage compassion, and reduce stigma.”
Anxiety and OCD in Youth
Anxiety disorders among young people are on the rise, and here’s the troubling reality: Many won’t receive the correct diagnosis or treatment until they’re adults. But you have the power to change that story. This program equips you with the tools and insights to truly support the children and families who turn to you for help.
Anxiety and OCD in Kids and Teens: Tools for Home, School, and Clinical Settings
This course responds to a pressing concern: Anxiety and OCD are on the rise in children and adolescents, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through accessible videos and interviews, the course breaks down how these conditions show up at home and in the classroom—and what adults can do to help.
Participants will gain insight into:
- Early warning signs and how to recognize when anxiety or OCD may be affecting a child’s ability to function
- The most effective treatment approaches, including CBT and ERP
- The importance of a collaborative care team—parents, teachers, and providers working together
- Firsthand accounts from young people who have experienced OCD and are now managing it successfully
The course is ideal for health care professionals as well as parents and educators seeking to deepen their understanding of youth anxiety and OCD. It also reinforces the message that early intervention can dramatically improve outcomes.
Myth, Interrupted: Changing the Conversation Around Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder remains one of the most stigmatized and misunderstood mental health conditions. This course aims to dispel common myths and offer evidence-based information about BPD and self-harm.
Led by experts who work in McLean programs such as 3East and the Gunderson Residence, the course dives into:
- How BPD develops, what it looks like in adolescents and adults, and how it can be effectively treated
- Effective diagnostic strategies and how to better understand self-harm before starting treatment
- Skills for managing emotional dysregulation and building healthier relationships
- Real stories from individuals with BPD who share their journey to healing
“This course is designed to help people better understand the complexity of borderline personality disorder and the power of treatment,” said Karen L. Jacob, PhD, program director for the Gunderson Residence and expert contributor to the course. “When families and providers have access to the right knowledge and tools, recovery becomes possible—and stigma begins to fall away.”
The Truth About BPD and Self-Harm
BPD and self-harming behaviors are often misunderstood, leading to stigma, misdiagnosis, and ineffective support. This comprehensive virtual course is designed to change that by equipping health care providers and more with the knowledge, skills, and compassion needed to better understand and assist individuals struggling with these complex challenges.
Why These Courses Matter
Mental health education can be life-changing. These new courses from McLean Hospital help close the gap between what we know from research and what families and frontline providers need to understand.
The courses are:
- Free and available on demand
- Designed for a broad audience: parents, teachers, clinicians, and the general public
- Grounded in expertise from McLean’s leading clinical teams and the latest treatment standards
- Encouraging and hopeful, offering practical strategies alongside personal stories
Get Started Today
You can watch both courses for free on the McLean Hospital website:
“We invite you to watch these courses and share them with your networks,” said O’Brien. “Whether you’re a parent seeking support, a teacher trying to understand a student’s needs, or a clinician working with complex diagnoses, these resources are here to help.”
