OCD Therapy — Online in Louisiana, Virginia, and New Jersey
Understanding OCD
OCD isn’t just about being overly clean or organized. It’s a cycle of intrusive thoughts and the things you do to try to get relief from them.
The thoughts can feel intense, confusing, or even out of character. And even when you know they don’t fully make sense, they still feel important or urgent.
In my work, we focus on helping you step out of that cycle, not just manage it temporarily.
OCD can show up in a lot of different ways. It’s not always visible to other people, but it can take up a lot of mental space.
Here’s what that can look like:
You have thoughts that feel intrusive, unwanted, or hard to shake
You question your thoughts, your intentions, or what something “means”
You feel like you need certainty, but it never really lasts
You check, research, or mentally review things to feel better
You avoid situations that might trigger the thoughts
You get temporary relief, but the cycle keeps coming back
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. OCD can be exhausting, especially when it feels like your mind won’t let something go.
What OCD Can Look Like
-
Fear of germs, illness, or contamination. This can lead to excessive washing, cleaning, or avoiding certain places or objects.
-
Repeatedly checking things like locks, appliances, or safety concerns. Often driven by fear of causing harm or making a mistake.
-
Intrusive thoughts about hurting yourself or others, even though you don’t want to. These thoughts can feel especially distressing and confusing.
-
Doubts about your relationship, your partner, or your feelings. This can involve constant questioning, reassurance seeking, or comparing.
-
Intrusive doubts about your sexual orientation that don’t align with your sense of self, leading to checking, testing, or mental reviewing.
-
Fears around doing something wrong, immoral, or against your beliefs. This can involve excessive guilt, confession, or mental checking.
Common Types of OCD
OCD is maintained by a cycle. A thought shows up, it creates anxiety, and then you do something to try to reduce that anxiety. That might be checking, avoiding, asking for reassurance, or even going over things in your head.
It works in the short term, but it teaches your brain that the thought was important and needed to be handled. So the cycle continues.
This is why OCD can feel so sticky. It’s not about the content of the thought. It’s about the pattern your brain has learned.
Why OCD Persists
How I Work With OCD
I use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which is the most effective treatment for OCD.
ERP helps you gradually face the thoughts, situations, or feelings that trigger anxiety, while learning not to rely on compulsions for relief. Over time, your brain learns that it doesn’t need to stay stuck in the loop.
I also draw from CBT and ACT to help you relate differently to your thoughts and build flexibility in how you respond.
We go at a pace that feels manageable, but still focused on helping you move forward.
When the Cycle Starts to Break
As OCD begins to loosen, you may notice:
Less urgency around thoughts
The thoughts may still show up, but they don’t feel as powerful or important.
More tolerance for uncertainty
You don’t feel the same need to figure everything out or get complete certainty.
Less reliance on compulsions
You spend less time checking, researching, or mentally reviewing.
More freedom in your day to day life
You’re able to focus on what matters to you instead of what OCD is telling you to do.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Contact me to schedule your first session or for more information about how individual therapy can support you.