OCD Therapy

When people think about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), they often associate it with common misconceptions and stereotypes, such as the need for organization and cleanliness, constant or ritualistic checking, or fixation on numbers and patterns. However, OCD encompasses much more than these traits.

What does OCD look like?

Obsessions

Persistent thoughts, images, or urges that occur involuntarily and result in intense distress, including feelings of anxiety, shame, or disgust.

Fears about you or people you care about getting hurt. Often, you are afraid you’ll be responsible for the harm
Fears about contamination, illness, or germs
Worries about things being “just right,” such as writing, reading, speaking, or physical movements
Fears about moral or religious concerns (being a good person or being faithful)

Compulsions

Repetitive behaviors that individuals may feel the urge to engage in as a response to obsessions.

Checking—checking your body for concerning symptoms, or checking if you’ve locked the door, turned off the stove, done the “right” thing.
Ruminating—going over and over the same thought such as a worry, a memory, or a future catastrophe as though you can’t stop
Cleaning/Organizing—washing your hands, disinfecting, excessively arranging or perfecting
Repeating any kind of time-consuming behavior that makes you feel stuck, trapped, or out of control, such as counting, praying, or reading

Not all thoughts are obsessions, and not all habits are compulsions. Suffering from OCD means more than just being a perfectionist or checking things twice.

How I can Help

Develop Awareness and Insight: I will assist you in understanding the obsessive-compulsive cycle so you can interrupt that cycle however it shows up. We will examine the unique ways in which OCD keeps you trapped, including the behaviors that provide you with temporary relief but ultimately extend your suffering over time. You will gain awareness of the underlying fears driving these unwanted behaviors.

Learn Effective Coping Tools: You will learn effective long-term strategies to cope with tough feelings, such as self-compassion and mindfulness practices. I will also help you understand distressing thought patterns like chronic overthinking and give you tools to manage and respond to your thoughts in healthier ways.

Gradually Face Your Fears: We’ll assist you in gradually facing your fears (exposure) and learning to reduce or eliminate your compulsions (response prevention). We will work together on this plan to ensure you feel prepared and confident to take each new step in conquering your fears. Our aim is to help you break free from this distressing cycle so you can lead a fulfilling life.

As an OCD therapist with specialized training, I use effective treatment methods, such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Inference-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). I tailor OCD treatment to your individual needs to help you find true relief and become confident in yourself. Set up your free 15-minute consultation with me now.

Schedule a Consultation