Therapy for OCD
Therapy for teens and adults who are previously diagnosed or exploring
What OCD Could Feel Like
You’re absolutely sick of hearing other people—friends, coworkers, or TV characters—casually throw around the phrase “I’m so OCD” when they’re simply talking about their preference for cleanliness and order. If only they knew that OCD isn’t a quirky personality trait or a love for arranging clothes by color, but a relentless, exhausting cycle of never-ending intrusive thoughts and actions that feel impossible to escape. If only they realized that when they joke about OCD, you are trapped in your mind, fighting an invisible battle. You are performing rituals that you don’t want to do, but feel like you have to, in order to quiet the fear of a dreaded outcome. The relief never lasts and the cycle continues.
OCD can take hold at any age—sometimes appearing in childhood, other times later in adulthood. It exists on a spectrum from mild but annoying to completely debilitating, consuming hours of your life every day. It can latch onto anything—fear of germs, doubts about morality, sudden thoughts about harming loved ones, or the overwhelming urge to make sure everything feels “just right.” Over time, it might anchor itself to different things. It especially loves to cling to the things and people that are most important to you. And no matter how many rituals you complete or how much reassurance you seek, OCD always finds a way to undermine you, whispering what if? in the back of your mind.
It may never fully disappear because it is rooted in the brain’s wiring, but it can become more manageable. With the right treatment—especially exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP)—the hold OCD has on your life can loosen. The intensity of the thoughts can fade, and the compulsions can become easier to resist. Like waves, OCD can ebb and flow, its grip tightening during stressful times and loosening when things are more stable. But even in the hardest moments, there is hope. You are not alone in this, and you are not defined by your OCD.
You can build a life not defined by your fear!
Common Ways OCD Can Show Up
I help people understand their patterns of anxious thoughts and compulsions so they can take back control of their lives! By gradually facing their fears in a safe and supportive way, I guide them in retraining their brains, making their anxiety feel less overwhelming until they feel confident in managing their fears on their own. Many people come to me struggling with:
Intense anxiety or guilt triggered by uncontrollable, repetitive thoughts
Difficulty concentrating due to mental loops or overanalyzing
Strong need for order, symmetry, or perfection to feel comfortable
Heightened sensitivity to contamination/illness
Urge to check things repeatedly or review past actions or conversations
Fear of accidentally causing harm
Constant overthinking about a relationship
Exhaustion and muscle tension from stress
Avoidance of things that trigger more anxiety
Seeking reassurance from others for safety, morality, or relationship doubt
In our sessions, you can talk about anything and everything—even the thoughts that feel too uncomfortable or scary to say out loud. This is a safe, judgment-free space where you don’t have to filter yourself. No matter how big or small your worries are, you don’t have to carry them alone.