Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder that involves two main components: obsessions and compulsions or rituals.  Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive, repetitive thoughts, images, or urges that are often distressing.  Compulsions or rituals are the behaviors or mental acts that an individual engages in in response to the obsession, often in an effort to get rid of the thought or image or to reduce distress.  

Common subtypes of OCD include:

  • Checking
  • Contamination
  • Existential
  • Harm
  • Health Concern 
  • Just Right
  • Postpartum/Perinatal 
  • Pure “O”
  • Relationship
  • Religious/Scrupulosity
  • Sensorimotor/Somatic
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Violent/Sexual Intrusive Thoughts

Common Symptoms

  • Recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions)
  • Repetitive behaviors to reduce anxiety (compulsions)
  • Avoidance of triggers related to obsessions
  • Impact on personal, academic, or professional life

Treatment Approach

We primarily use a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), focusing on helping clients face fears and reduce compulsive behaviors in a safe, supportive setting.  We also incorporate components of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which focuses on helping clients get to a place where they can more openly experience thoughts, feelings, or sensations without being overly impacted by them in order to live a life that is more consistent with their personal values.

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