Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Break Free from the
Cycle of OCD
OCD can feel like an exhausting loop—obsessive thoughts, overwhelming anxiety, and rituals that never seem to truly relieve the discomfort. Whether you’re struggling with constant checking, fears of contamination, intrusive thoughts, or the pressure to do things "just right," you’re not alone—and effective help is available.
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I specialize in helping individuals reclaim their lives from OCD through evidence-based treatment, particularly Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)—the gold-standard approach for OCD. ERP is a structured, compassionate method that teaches your brain a new way to respond to fear, uncertainty, and doubt.
The OCD Cycle: Step-by-Step
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Obsession
A scary, unwanted thought or image pops into your head.
Example: "What if I left the stove on?" or "What if I hurt someone?"
This thought feels very real and upsetting, even though you don’t want it and know it doesn’t make sense.
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Anxiety
That thought causes a lot of fear, worry, or discomfort. You might feel nervous, sick, or very unsettled. Your brain reacts like there’s a real danger.
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Compulsion
To get rid of the anxiety, you do something to feel better—like checking, washing, repeating, or mentally reviewing something.
Example: Checking the stove 10 times, or repeating a phrase in your head to “cancel out” the thought.
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Relief
For a short time, doing the compulsion makes you feel better. The anxiety goes away…
But only temporarily.
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The Big Problem: The Cycle Restarts
Even though the compulsions bring short-term relief, they actually keep OCD going. They train your brain to stay afraid and stuck in the loop. -
The obsession comes back again—often stronger—and the cycle repeats.
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Your brain starts to believe that doing the compulsion is the only way to feel safe.
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What Does OCD Therapy Look Like?
In therapy, we’ll:
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Identify the patterns of obsessions and compulsions keeping you stuck
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Develop a clear, personalized treatment plan using ERP
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Gradually face feared situations (exposures) in a safe, supportive way
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Learn to tolerate discomfort without relying on compulsions
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Build confidence and freedom in everyday life
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I work with all subtypes of OCD, including:
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Contamination fears
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Checking and reassurance-seeking
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Intrusive thoughts (violent, sexual, or religious themes)
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Moral or religious scrupulosity
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Perfectionism and symmetry obsessions
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and more!
​What To Expect from
Exposure and Response Prevention
1. Face the fear (Exposure)
You purposely do something that triggers your scary thought (obsession), without avoiding it.
Example: If you’re afraid of germs, you might touch a doorknob without washing your hands right away.
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2. Don’t do the usual ritual (Response Prevention)
You don’t do the thing you normally do to feel better (your compulsion).
Example: You resist the urge to wash your hands, even though you feel anxious.
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3. Feel the anxiety… and let it pass
At first, it’s uncomfortable. But over time, the anxiety goes down on its own, and your brain learns:
"I can handle feeling uncomfortable- I didn’t need to do that compulsion!"
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4. Repeat
You practice this again and again, starting with easier fears and working your way up. The more you do it, the less power OCD has over you.
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🧠In short:
By doing ERP over and over, the anxiety fades and the urge to check becomes weaker. That’s ERP in action—helping you break free from the OCD cycle.
Healing Begins with One Brave Step
Reaching out for help takes courage. But that first step opens the door to real change. ERP therapy can be challenging, yes—but it’s also empowering, transformative, and deeply hopeful. I’ve seen clients go from feeling trapped by OCD to living with confidence and freedom they didn’t think was possible.
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You are not your thoughts. You are not your fears.
You are a human being with strength, values, and the ability to heal.
Common Concerns About Exposure and Response Prevention for OCD
“What if facing my fears makes things worse?”
It’s natural to worry that exposures will feel overwhelming. In ERP, we take a gradual approach. You’ll never be forced into a situation you’re not ready for. Together, we build a plan that starts small and moves at your pace. The goal isn’t to scare you—it’s to help you realize that you can handle uncertainty, and that you don’t need compulsions to feel safe.
“But what if my thoughts mean something bad about me?”
OCD can create deeply distressing thoughts—about harm, sex, religion, or morality. These thoughts don’t reflect who you are. In fact, people with OCD are often the least likely to act on them because they care so deeply. ERP helps you learn to respond to these thoughts without fear or shame, and to stop giving them power over your life.
“I don’t think I can stop my compulsions.”
That’s okay. No one expects you to quit cold turkey. ERP is about building tolerance slowly and learning that anxiety passes—even if you don’t do the compulsion. Most people are surprised at how strong they really are when they have the right support and tools.
“Isn’t this going to be really uncomfortable?”
Yes, ERP involves discomfort—but not suffering. The discomfort is temporary and purposeful, and it leads to long-term relief. I’ll be with you every step of the way, helping you manage the anxiety and reminding you why you're doing this: to get your freedom back.
Ready to Take the First Step?
You don’t have to manage OCD on your own. With the right support, lasting change is possible. If you're ready to feel more freedom, peace, and confidence in your life, I’d love to help.
Contact me for more information or to schedule a free, 15-minute consultation to learn more about how OCD therapy can help you.
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