Professional Help for People With OCD
Treatment for OCD and Related Disorders
Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) remains the treatment of choice for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The level of intensity in the treatment for OCD can vary depending upon the person's ability to perform exposure and response prevention (ERP)* and cognitive therapy homework. For milder levels of OCD, treatment often includes weekly office visits, self-help exercises, and some out‑of‑the‑office therapist-assisted ERP. For some moderate to severe anxiety levels, the range of obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment can be more than once weekly office visits. Treatment plans are individualized but follow the CBT gold-standard model.
Moderate to severe OCD patients may be referred to our Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program. Every patient is different, and as OCD treatment progresses, additional information gathered from OCD treatment informs the next phase. We will recommend inpatient or residential OCD treatment for some patients as a result of our initial evaluation.
If you or someone you know
may be suffering from OCD
Feel free to call (256) 883-3231 to arrange for a confidential meeting with one of our staff.
For more information on OCD treatment, support groups, research, and related issues,
visit the International OCD Foundation or click.
Click on the link below for a screening test for OCD.
A Screening Test for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Exposure and Response
Prevention Therapy (ERPT or ERP)
“Empirically proven treatment of anxiety disorders, including OCD, where the individual is exposed to the anxiety-producing stimulus and asked to resist compulsive or safety behaviors. Exposure exercises help desensitize people to triggers, including intrusive thoughts, as the participant learns that thoughts are just thoughts. Clients are encouraged to practice exposure every day during treatment and to continue to practice after treatment to help inoculate against relapse.”[1]
1Barnhart, David; Bakke, Paul; Miller, Heidi; Scott, Summer; Callahan, Haley; Burggraf, Christine; 1Barnhart, Dave. WRITING AND LIVING YOUR FEARS AWAY: How writing your worst-case scenarios and facing your fears can reduce anxiety, depression, stress and emotional discomfort. Kindle Edition.