OCD Feeds On Doubt
If you've spent hours replaying conversations, Googling the same question, asking for reassurance, checking "just one more time," or wondering if you're secretly a terrible person...you're not alone. OCD rarely looks the way people think it does. It's not about being neat or organized. It's about getting stuck in a cycle of doubt that can consume hours of your day and leave you questioning things that matter most.
If you or your child are struggling, it's not a matter of "trying harder" to stop the thoughts or behaviors. You’re dealing with a disorder that requires highly specialized treatment. And real relief is possible.
How do I know if I have OCD or anxiety?
OCD and anxiety often overlap but, OCD typically involves uncomfortable and unwanted thoughts, images, urges, or doubts that lead to repetitive behaviors or mental compulsions. Lots of folks with OCD don't realize they're performing compulsions because those compulsions can happen internally through analyzing, checking, reassuring themselves, or reviewing memories. An evaluation with a qualified profession is likely the only way to determine if you have OCD, anxiety or both.
What is ERP and why does it work?
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is considered the gold-standard treatment for OCD. ERP helps people gradually face feared thoughts, feelings, or situations while learning how to do so without the use of compulsions. Over time, the brain learns that anxiety and uncertainty can be tolerated while you continue living a full and valued life.
Are there other OCD treatment options?
Yes! With ERP, we often add Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). You can think of this combination as dessert with your dinner. ACT can help you develop a different relationship with your thoughts, feelings, and sensations while helping you move to a more value oriented life.
ICBT (Inference Based CBT) is an additional evidence-based treatment option, particularly for those who ERP has not been successful.
I'm really struggling. How long till I see a change?
The pace of change often depends on the severity of symptoms and the efforts of the patient between sessions. On average, we see most patients weekly for 16-20 weeks. Various measures are part of our intake process and, once those are complete, we can give a more individualized course of treatment.
I’ve seen an OCD specialist before. Will this be different?
It might be. OCD is complex, and not all treatment approaches focus on the same aspects of the disorder. Many of our clients have worked with therapists who were knowledgeable about OCD but still felt stuck, misunderstood, or confused about how to move forward. A fresh assessment can often identify overlooked pieces of your individual puzzle that may be contributing to ongoing symptoms.
Nothing You Tell Us Is Going to Shock Us.
We've heard it before—and we know how terrifying it can feel to say it out loud.
We've worked with people afraid they'll hurt someone they love, people terrified they're secretly a pedophile, parents convinced they've caused irreversible harm, and people who've spent years asking the same question over and over because they just needed to know for certain.
If you've been afraid to tell another therapist what's really going through your mind, you're not alone.
You don't have to hide it here.