Therapy for OCD
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is one of the most misunderstood and undertreated conditions we see. The good news is that it responds very well to the right treatment. We specialize in Exposure and Response Prevention therapy for OCD across all its forms, for teens, young adults, and adults.
IN-PERSON THERAPY IN NYC . ONLINE THERAPY IN NY & NJ
WHAT WE TREAT
OCD Doesn’t Always Look Like What You Think.
Most people picture OCD as excessive cleaning or checking locks. But OCD is really about the brain getting stuck in a loop: demanding certainty on something that feels deeply important and refusing to let go until it gets it. The content of those loops varies a lot from person to person. OCD can involve visible compulsions like checking, washing, or repeating. It can also look like mental reviewing, repeatedly seeking reassurance, confessing, googling, avoiding certain situations, or trying to "figure out" thoughts that feel intolerable or dangerous.
Over time, OCD often starts to quietly shrink a person's world, as they begin avoiding certain places, people, thoughts, decisions, relationships, or situations that might trigger uncertainty or distress.
We work with OCD across all its forms: contamination fears and checking, harm OCD, health anxiety, scrupulosity, and Pure O with intrusive thoughts and primary mental or less visible compulsions.
The OCD Cycle
OCD Keeps you stuck in a loop. Here's how it works.
1
An intrusive thought or doubt arises
Something unwanted, disturbing, or "not just right" shows up.
3
A compulsion temporarily relieves it
You do something - mentally or physically- to reduce discomfort or feel better.
2
Anxiety builds
The thought creates distress, tension, or a sense that something must be done.
4
That relief teaches the brain to keep doing compulsions
The short-term relief reinforces the cycle, making OCD stronger over time.
Things we hear a lot
I know it doesn't make sense, but I can't stop the thoughts.
I've been googling symptoms for hours and I still don't feel better.
I love my partner, but I can't stop questioning if our relationship is really right.
On average, people with OCD wait nearly 8 years before receiving treatment, and fewer than 10% ever receive evidence-based care like ERP
Hirschtritt et al., 2017
HOW WE TREAT IT
Exposure And Response Prevention (ERP), The Gold Standard For OCD.
ERP is the most well-researched and effective treatment for OCD. The core idea is that getting better doesn’t come from solving every doubt or getting rid of every intrusive thought. It comes from learning that you can handle the discomfort without getting pulled into compulsions. In practice that means working with a therapist to gradually approach the situations, thoughts, and feelings that trigger OCD, while resisting the urge to seek reassurance, check, avoid, or neutralize. ERP can be uncomfortable at first.
But over time, the brain learns that the anxiety peaks and passes on its own, and the grip of OCD loosens. ERP is always done collaboratively. We start small, build on what's working, and move at a pace that feels right for you. The goal is not to eliminate doubt from your life. It's to get your life back. We work with teens, young adults, and adults.
For some people, medication can be a helpful complement to ERP. We’re happy to coordinate with outside prescribers or provide referrals when needed.
Sessions are available in person at our Columbus Circle office in Manhattan and via telehealth throughout New York and New Jersey.