OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)

UNDERSTANDING & TREATING OCD

What is OCD?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by intrusive thoughts, obsessions, and repetitive behaviors or compulsions. People with OCD often experience persistent, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that cause significant distress and anxiety. To alleviate this distress, they feel driven to perform repetitive behaviors or mental acts, even though they may recognize these behaviors as irrational or excessive. OCD can be all-consuming and significantly impair daily functioning and quality of life. However, effective treatments are available.

Common OCD Themes

Contamination OCD

The fear of germs, diseases, bodily fluids, chemicals etc.

Pedophilia OCD

An intrusive worry about being sexually attracted to children.

Sexual Orientation OCD

An intrusive worry related to one’s sexual orientation.

Existential OCD

An obsessive questioning of the meaning of life, universe, reality, etc.

Harm OCD

The fear of harming yourself or others.

Moral Scrupulosity OCD

The fear of doing something morally “wrong” or having committed an immoral act.

Religious Scrupulosity OCD

The fear or religious violation or not practicing religion the “right” way; worry about committing a sin.

Purely Obsessional OCD

A form of OCD defined by intrusive, disturbing mental obsessions without observable compulsive behaviors.

Relationship OCD

The persistent worry about being in a wrong relationship.

Somatic OCD

The fear of not being able to stop noticing a sensation (e.g., breathing, swallowing, blinking).

Responsibility OCD

The fear of making a mistake or that one’s actions will cause risk to others.

And others...

Please contact us for a consultation if you think you may have a form of OCD, even if it's not listed here.

How We Treat OCD

At ACT of Courage, our experienced therapists specialize in evidence-based treatments for OCD, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). We create individualized treatment plans tailored to your specific needs.

Our compassionate clinicians understand the challenges of living with OCD. We offer a supportive, judgment-free environment to help you reclaim your life from OCD.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

ERP stands out as most effective treatment method for OCD. This cognitive-behavioral intervention entails individuals willingly confronting the very triggers and thoughts (images) that provoke anxiety without engaging with rituals. Through consistent practice of exposure exercises, individuals will learn how to interact with their inner experiences and find new ways to cope with uncertainties. The goal is to help individuals live a fulfilling, values-based life while embracing uncertainty.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps individuals identify patterns of thinking that are often related to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), such as all-or-nothing thinking, mind reading, thought-action fusion, and intolerance of uncertainty. Tools such as cost-benefit analysis, externalization of voices, Socratic questioning, survey method, and others are implemented in the treatment process. One of the most important cognitive behavioral interventions while treating OCD is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on cultivating psychological flexibility. ACT helps individuals develop a different relationship with difficult thoughts and make room for unpleasant feelings, and learn new ways to interact with them while making values-based choices in life

Mindfulness Practices

Practicing mindfulness can help individuals develop a different relationship with their mind and learn how to observe their thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations without getting caught up in ideas and opinions. Being mindful means observing our inner experience non-judgmentally while staying present with what we have chosen to focus on.