Effective pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) care depends on parents who also need support. That message took the national stage as Dr. Darlene M. Davis Goodwine, Assistant Professor and Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Kentucky State University’s School of Psychology, served as a faculty member, presenter, and expert panelist at the International OCD Foundation’s Advanced Forum on Pediatric OCD in Long Beach, California.

Dr. Davis Goodwine led “Advanced Skills in Culturally Informed Care: The RESPECT Toolkit and Parent Support,” co-presenting with Dr. Amanda Sanchez of George Mason University. The session delivered practical methods for deepening parent involvement and addressing family dynamics in exposure-based treatment, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE).

During her presentation, Dr. Davis Goodwine showcased Kentucky State’s P.O.R.R.E.S. (Parenting Outcomes, Recovery, Resilience, Engagement, and Support) Center Research Lab and Parents Zone, which focuses on parenting advocacy and support, underscoring the university’s commitment to family-forward, community-rooted care and clinician training.

“In the P.O.R.R.E.S. Center Lab, we prioritize centering the voices and needs of parents and caregivers, and at Parents Zone, we believe that ‘Parenting is about Practice, NOT Perfection,’” Dr. Davis Goodwine said.

During the parenting support segment, she also noted her commitment to supporting parents navigating mental health treatment with their children, "we help clinicians translate research-backed content into everyday practices for parents, and support parents and caregivers as their children navigate OCD treatment".

The invitation to participate in the Long Beach forum reflects Kentucky State University’s growing influence in evidence-based mental health education, bridging research, clinician development, and hands-on tools that strengthen families across the Commonwealth and beyond.

To connect with the P.O.R.R.E.S. Center Research Lab or explore collaboration, contact porrescenter@kysu.edu.

Kentucky State’s School of Psychology offers a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a minor in Psychology, and a certificate in Social Issues and Human Relations. The curriculum spans clinical/counseling, developmental, social, and physiological/neurological psychology, and emphasizes scientific inquiry, applied problem-solving, and preparation for careers in behavioral health, counseling, business, law, medicine, social work, and graduate study.