International Dissemination of the Bergen 4-Day Treatment (B4DT): New Developments in South America and Africa
We are dedicated to expanding the reach of B4DT to ensure that more people worldwide can benefit from this innovative and effective treatment for OCD. In August of 2024 we welcomed committed psychologists from Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Quito, Ecuador. Their participation marked the beginning of their training in the B4DT method, aimed at extending this effective treatment approach to South America.
Earlier this summer, our B4DT groups were enriched by the participation of dedicated clinicians from Kenya, Nairobi, representing Kenyatta University and Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital. Their involvement ushered in their training in the B4DT method, with the goal of introducing this effective treatment approach to Africa. We are thrilled by the international expansion of B4DT and look forward to further collaboration with clinicians from Australia and Singapore. This will mark the presence of the B4DT on five continents: Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Africa. As of early 2025, B4DT will be available in 6 continents as an Australian team will complete a B4DT pilot in early 2025.
Additionally, we are pleased to announce the successful completion of two B4DT groups for OCD in July and August 2024 – this was part of training the team from Quito. This effective, intensive treatment attracted participants from as close as California and as far as England and Australia. Seeing our B4DT patients make such remarkable strides in reducing their OCD symptoms within just four days remains incredibly inspiring. We are deeply touched by the bravery of our latest patients and the significant progress they’ve achieved in moving closer to the lives they envision, free from the constraints of OCD.
We continue to be encouraged by the positive feedback from our patients. A participant from our July group shared how the B4DT gave him the tools to approach his OCD symptoms in a new way to create lasting change.
“The Bergen Program was life changing! I have been struggling with OCD for years and have tried traditional therapy and medications but nothing worked. In just a few days my mind made a paradigm shift and I’m well on my road to recovery! Thank you to the OCD & Anxiety Program of Southern California!”
Additionally, a participant from our August group expressed the way in which the treatment helped her regain the life she felt was taken by OCD:
“There are no words for the fear OCD had on me. I was ashamed of myself, living in constant anxiety, and had accepted that this would be the state of my being for the rest of my life. A state where I was afraid to be a mother, afraid to be alone, afraid of every possible “What if?”. When I was approached with the Bergen 4-Day Treatment I was desperate for any form of treatment but incredibly apprehensive that anything would work for me. Almost my entire first day of the Bergen treatment I cried out of shame, fear, hopelessness and just hatred for myself. On the last day, I cried out of joy, happiness, acceptance and freedom. I could feel my “old self” starting to break free already. My life was stolen from me with OCD, and I’m incredibly grateful to have it back. There are no words for my gratitude and appreciation for the Bergen 4-day Treatment program and for the incredible clinicians that led me through it.”
Moving forward, we will host one B4DT group per month, with the next in late September 2024. If you are interested in participating in this evidence-based, concentrated treatment for OCD, please contact the OCD & Anxiety Program of Southern California at (310) 488-5850 or info@socalocd.org.
The OCD & Anxiety Program of Southern California team alongside co-creator of the B4DT, Dr. Bjarne Hansen, and clinicians from Ecuador, Singapore, Norway, and Boston.
