Therapy for OCD

FOR ADULTS, TEENS & CHILDREN IN NEW YORK, CONNECTICUT, AND DELAWARE

Obsessive-compulsive disorder can make you feel like you’re trapped.

Despite your best efforts to avoid, stop, or ignore them, these intrusive thoughts won’t stop. And even though you might logically know that compulsive behaviors won’t help, they’re the only thing that give just a small bit of relief.

You’re stuck in a cycle, and you don’t know how to break it.

What is OCD?

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition marked by patterns of two things: unwanted fears or thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Often, these compulsions feel rewarding or temporarily relieving, making it particularly difficult to stop them. While it is often thought of in relation to germs or cleanliness, OCD can actually present in many ways, including:

Maybe you’re noticing some obsessions:

  • Worry about contamination & germs

  • Fear of harming others or yourself (even though you do not have a desire to harm yourself or others)

  • Perfectionism-related obsessions

  • Identity obsessions

  • Unwanted intrusive thoughts and images

  • Order and symmetry obsessions

  • Doubt and incompleteness obsessions

And maybe you’re noticing some compulsions:

  • Washing and cleaning compulsions

  • Checking compulsions

  • Mental compulsions (such as reviewing events in your mind)

  • Repeating compulsions (movements, actions)

OCD does not mean something is wrong with you. This is a common disorder and can impact people of all ages and walks of life.

And with the right treatment, you can break the cycle.

My Approach

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy can help you take back control.

ERP is an evidence-based method for building tolerance to your fears and, as a result, reducing compulsions. Before diving into treatment, however, I’ll take the time to listen to your story and identify how OCD is showing up for you, as well as where it may be stemming from. That way, we can create a more holistic roadmap to wellness that takes into account your unique needs and experiences.

Identify

Therapy is a safe place to share the things you may not have felt comfortable doing so elsewhere. There is no shame or judgment here, and together we’ll start putting names to the obsessive thoughts you’ve been experiencing.

Expose

Then, with my support, you’ll start to confront your fears. This will happen very slowly at first, always moving at the right pace for you. I’ll be with you every step of the way, helping you gain confidence in the face of discomfort.

Apply

Over time, you’ll gain control over your fears and learn how to resist compulsions. If and when new fears or thoughts arise, you’ll know how to apply ERP principles and break the cycle before it starts.

WHAT WE’LL WORK ON 

OCD & ERP therapy can help you:

  • Regain a sense of control over your brain & body

  • Make decisions based on your values and goals, not your fears

  • Feel successful at work and in life

  • Experience more fulfilling relationships

  • Understand the root cause of your OCD

  • Reduce self-doubt and increase confidence

You are capable of breaking the OCD cycle.

CONTACT ME TODAY

Frequently Asked Questions

  • It’s not. While Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) is considered the gold standard for treating OCD, it is not the only method. As part of our work together, we might include approaches such as:

    —Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Incorporating mindfulness and acceptance, using your core values to set intentions for change

    —Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Increase your tolerance for distress and better regulate your emotions

    —EMDR if trauma needs to be resolved before you do ERP therapy

  • Yes. I know how difficult it can be to watch your child struggle and determine how best to parent them. I have decades of experience working with children, teens, and parents experiencing anxiety and OCD.

  • I offer a free, confidential 15-minute consultation to help you decide if I’m the right therapist for you. This is an opportunity for you to share what’s bringing you to therapy, ask any questions you have about the process or my approach, and for us both to determine if we’re a good fit to work together. Click here to contact me.