Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, is a mental health condition where people experience persistent, upsetting, and bothersome thoughts (obsessions) that cause intense anxiety, which they attempt to alleviate by performing a series of repetitive behaviors or mental rituals (compulsions). These compulsions may alleviate the person’s anxiety at the moment but only make the obsessions and anxiety they bring worse in the long run.
People who struggle with OCD know just how debilitating it can be. OCD can make it feel impossible to go about your regular daily routine without being tormented by upsetting thoughts and obsessions and caught in a cycle of never-ending compulsions. The stigma and misunderstanding of OCD can make it difficult for those struggling to reach out for help. Because of this, people suffering from OCD often feel alone or hopeless in their experiences.
How Can Therapy Help?
Thankfully, people with OCD have an amazing option for treating it: Exposure Response Prevention Therapy (ERP). ERP is known as the “gold standard” for OCD treatment and has been highly effective among people with OCD. ERP is a subtype of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and focuses on gradually exposing people to situations that trigger their obsessive thoughts in a safe and supportive environment while preventing them from practicing a compulsion. While they will likely feel anxious at the moment, over time, practicing this will teach them to tolerate these distressing thoughts and obsessions without performing compulsions to alleviate anxiety. This, in turn, reduces OCD symptoms. I offer ERP therapy for clients ages 10+.
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Additionally, I also offer other research-based methods to supplement ERP, or as an alternative when ERP has not been effective or does not seem like the right fit for a client. Many clients find relief from OCD symptoms in only a few sessions of treatment.
What to Expect in Therapy Sessions
In a typical ERP therapy session, I will ask you to identify the obsessions you are currently struggling with. Then, we will work together to create a “hierarchy” of these obsessions, putting them in order from most distressing to least distressing. You will then be “exposed” to these obsessions in some way, whether by talking about them in detail, watching a video/looking at an image that triggers the obsession, or even behaving in a way that triggers the obsession. For example, suppose your obsession is accidentally hurting someone and you cope with this obsession by asking for reassurance. In this case, I may ask you to talk about what this event would involve, what would happen after, etc, without asking for reassurance. If your obsession is contracting an illness from germs and you cope by repeatedly washing your hands, you may be asked to touch surfaces in the office that likely have germs (the doorknob, desk, etc) without washing your hands afterward. I will always be there to provide support, strategies for healthy coping, and assistance throughout the process and as anxiety arises. ERP may feel daunting at first, but when practiced diligently, it can be extremely successful in treating OCD.
Reach Out Today
If you've read this far, you know something about this time feels different. You're wanting to reach out and have a conversation to discover what change can feel like.
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My consultation is free, so click below to schedule now. Calls and texts are welcome, anytime of the day or night. I'll simply return the messages during my waking and business hours. Even if you're reading this at 3am, go ahead and click send.
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Call or Text for a FREE Consultation
404.445.8579
ADDRESS
Sage Counseling and Wellness
Cumming, GA