Cognitive-behavioral therapy empowers clients to fight back against OCD and live a satisfying, productive life. 

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that is oftentimes misdiagnosed or undiagnosed, because those suffering with OCD may feel a sense of shame, which then leads to concealing or inhibiting symptoms. OCD involves unwanted thoughts and an attempt to alleviate them through performing compulsive rituals such as counting, washing, checking, and ordering. Though most people with OCD recognize that these thoughts and rituals are irrational, they are very difficult to manage, which may lead to feeling “crazy” or “different.” It is also common for those with OCD to feel a heightened sense of guilt and responsibility for something bad happening. Consequently, OCD can contribute to low self-esteem, social withdrawal, and difficulty concentrating.

If you think you might be struggling with OCD, working with an experienced therapist can help you learn how to effectively manage symptoms and move forward in your life. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) empowers you to fight back against OCD, developing tools and self-confidence in resisting urges to give into its demands. In working with a therapist, you will learn that OCD is like a “brain hiccup” that keeps coming back, tricking you into engaging in compulsions to feel safe or “just right” again. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a specific type of CBT, is a highly effective, empirically validated treatment for OCD. In working with a skilled psychologist, you will learn to apply the principles of ERP to reduce the negative impact of OCD on your day-to-day functioning. ERP involves gradual exposure to obsessive thoughts and fears, while refraining from compulsions and safety behaviors used to temporarily reduce anxiety. Psychologists form a strong therapeutic alliance with you during this process, providing encouragement and gentle “pushes” as needed, while respectfully allowing you to move at your own pace. In practicing the strategies of ERP, you will learn to confront your fears, which will lead to long-term reduction of anxiety and “re-training” of the brain and body to respond differently when faced with anxiety.

Psychologists at Metta Psychology Group also incorporate cognitive and mindfulness strategies to increase awareness of distorted thought patterns that contribute to anxiety. You will learn how to create more accurate, helpful thoughts and to use your “observers mind” to create a sense of neutrality and acceptance of anxious thoughts. With the support of an experienced, compassionate therapist, you can effectively manage your symptoms of OCD, gaining a sense of self-efficacy, confidence, and hope in your daily life.