We work with individuals with OCD, and use Exposure and Response Prevention in our approach, which is the treatment for OCD with the most research supported to date.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition in which you have frequent unwanted thoughts and sensations (obsessions) that cause you to perform repetitive behaviors (compulsions). The repetitive behaviors can significantly interfere with social interactions and performing daily tasks.
OCD is usually a life-long (chronic) condition, but symptoms can come and go over time.
Everyone experiences obsessions and compulsions at some point. For example, it’s common to occasionally double-check the stove or the locks. People also often use the phrases “obsessing” and “obsessed” very casually in everyday conversations. But OCD is more extreme. It can take up hours of a person’s day. It gets in the way of normal life and activities. Obsessions in OCD are unwanted, and people with OCD don’t enjoy performing compulsive behaviors.
The most common treatment plan for OCD involves psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication.
If this treatment doesn’t help your OCD symptoms and your symptoms are severe, your provider may recommend transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
I have primarily been working with individuals with OCD for over 10 years. I use empirically supported treatments including exposure and response prevention and acceptance and commitment therapy to target the symptoms of OCD.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)- a type of CBT- is the gold-standard treatment for OCD. We use ERP to treat all varieties of OCD, including contamination OCD, intrusive thoughts, perfectionism, symmetry OCD, harm OCD, scrupulosity OCD, and more.