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OCD Associates is a practice that specializes in the use of ERP to treat OCD. Every therapist at OCD Associates is intensively trained in ERP, and participates in ongoing training and case consultation.
OCD is an anxiety disorder that is characterized by compulsions and avoidance. People with OCD are afraid of making an irreversible mistake with permanent emotional consequences. They use compulsions and avoidance in an effort to guarantee that this won’t happen.
ERP stands for exposure with response prevention. Historically, researchers thought that ERP worked through desensitization. Therefore, it was believed that treatment had to make a patient feel anxious.
Our approach focuses on the elimination of compulsions and avoidance, not desensitization. We aim to minimize anxiety during exposure by eliminating rumination.
OCD symptoms aren’t random. They’re a coherent strategy meant to prevent a person’s worst fear from coming true. We believe that understanding symptoms as a coherent strategy is the starting point for effective ERP. We begin treatment by developing a clear understanding of the case. This makes it possible for us to systematically dismantle the OCD.
The most severe cases of OCD function the same way as the mildest ones. A therapist can help dismantle even the toughest cases if they have a clear understanding of the case and how to implement ERP.
We offer intensive treatment options in cases where this is needed.
People who have not responded to ERP are often called treatment-refractory. This label implies that something is wrong with the patient.
In reality, though, there may have been something wrong with the treatment. For instance:
We work with patients over the internet using a HIPAA-compliant video-conferencing platform.
In order to work with us, you’ll need an internet connection and the ability to ensure your privacy during sessions.
We are currently able to work with patients in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.