Psychological Therapy for OCD

Psychological therapy is an effective treatment for reducing the severity and frequency of OCD symptoms. It focuses on changing behavior and/or thoughts, often combined with medication.

Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral therapy exposes you to your fears and stops you from performing rituals.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

ERP is a commonly used form of behavioral therapy for OCD. It entails gradually exposing you to the anxiety caused by your obsessions and preventing the use of rituals to reduce that anxiety.

Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive therapy focuses on the idea that exaggerated thoughts trigger and maintain harmful obsessions and compulsions. It involves examining harmful thought patterns and developing plausible alternatives.

Considerations

• Cognitive and behavioral therapies are equally effective in clinical trials.
• They are often integrated for ultimate efficacy, termed cognitive-behavioral therapy.
• Open communication with your healthcare provider is necessary, regardless of the therapy type.

OCD Discussion Guide

Ask yourself these questions before starting psychotherapy:

• Am I prepared to confront my fears?
• Can I manage the costs, or will insurance cover them?
• Am I ready to attend weekly sessions and complete homework assignments?

Reach Out for Help Now

Online therapy platforms like Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain can be considered.

A Word From Verywell

Research indicates that people who achieve excellent results from psychotherapy are highly motivated to alter their behavior and commit to the process.