The Center for OCD focuses on providing evidence-based treatment for individuals with OCD. Our Center also disseminates information to help destigmatize and debunk common misconceptions about OCD and how to best support loved ones suffering from OCD. Exposure and Response (Ritual) Prevention (EX/RP) is an evidence-based treatment that has demonstrated efficacy and durability in reducing OCD symptom severity. EX/RP is the primary treatment modality used by all providers within the Center. EX/RP is a brief CBT-based treatment that gradually and systematically uses exposures to trigger obsessional distress while the individual simultaneously refrains from rituals or compulsive behaviors.
It is important that our clients feel understood, supported, and informed as we help them confront their fears. We recognize that EX/RP therapy is difficult. Therefore, we administer evidenced based assessments, collaborate with our clients as we formulate individualized treatment plans, explain the function, efficacy, and goals of EX/RP therapy, and request consistent feedback throughout the treatment process. We believe that client-directed, compassionate care is the foundation for effective EX/RP therapy.
The Center for OCD stands by Cognitive Behavior Institute’s mission “To unlock human potential through research-informed, client-directed, and compassionate-counseling, psychological testing, research and education”.
The Center for OCD implements evidence-based practices when assessing and treating individuals who present with symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Exposure and Response Prevention, otherwise known as EX/RP, is a specific form of Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT) that has proven to be remarkably effective in treating OCD. EX/RP is the primary treatment modality used by all the providers within the Center. A certain class of medication has also shown to be effective with OCD, so we often make referrals to prescribers.
It is important that our client’s feel understood, supported, and informed as we help them confront their fears. We recognize that EX/RP therapy is difficult. Therefore, we administer evidenced based assessments, collaborate with our clients as we formulate individualized treatment plans, explain the efficacy, function, and goals of EX/RP therapy, and request consistent feedback throughout the treatment process. We believe that client-directed, compassionate care is the foundation for effective EX/RP therapy.
CBI’s Center for OCD joins international efforts to spread awareness about OCD and destigmatize OCD. To this end, CBI’s Center for OCD will continue to publish blogs, develop training and EX/RP focused supervision, offer individual and group consultation, individual counseling, and expand our group offerings.
The Center for OCD is co-led by Nicole Gibson, LPC, NCC (adult-lead) and Allison Aberson, PhD (pediatric-lead). Savannah Straub, LPC, and Brittany Steiner are also integral members of the development and administration of the Center for OCD.
Clinicians provide individual therapy services both virtually and in-person at all three of our locations. Training, consultation, and group therapy is currently provided virtually. Please contact 724-609-5002 for additional information regarding availability of services.
The Center for OCD is frequently researching and utilizing the most up-to-date evidence-based treatment for individuals with OCD. Given our focus on education, awareness, and prevention, we will be providing free resources and presentations each Fall during the International OCD Awareness Week. In addition, we will continue to publish regular blogs, develop training, and EX/RP focused supervision, offer individual and group consultation, individual counseling and expand our group therapy offerings.
OCD is a brain and behavior mental health disorder which involves obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are characterized as excessive and repetitive unwanted thoughts, worries, urges, or mental images that cause anxiety or discomfort.
OCD affects individuals of all ages, races, and ethnicities. OCD is equally diagnosed in men, women, and children. While OCD symptoms can start at any time, the most common time frames are between 8 – 12 years old or between late teen years and early adulthood.
While the specific cause of OCD is unknown, research indicates that there are likely components of genetics, brain structure communication challenges, and an individual’s environment which cause OCD symptoms.
OCD can be diagnosed by trained mental health professionals through assessments and observations of an individual’s symptoms.
Yes! Psychotherapy and medication, when properly treated, have shown substantial decreases in OCD symptomology for a majority of individuals.
Exposure and Response (Ritual) Prevention is an evidence-based treatment that has demonstrated efficacy and durability in reducing OCD symptom severity. EX/RP is a brief CBT-based treatment that gradually and systematically utilizes exposures to trigger obsessional distress and reduces or eliminates the ability to ritualize in order to reduce fears.
Compulsions are continuous and repetitive behaviors driven by a strong urge to neutralize the anxiety created by obsessive thoughts and/or images. Obsessions and compulsions are time-consuming and interfere with daily functioning (socially, physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, recreationally, educationally, occupationally, vocationally, and financially).
First and foremost, education regarding OCD and OCD treatment is a vital first step for helping your loved one. Family and friends are often part of treatment to varying degrees, so understanding how symptoms are maintained and strategies for symptom reduction are beneficial.
Once you have made the decision to begin treatment, finding an OCD therapist may feel like an overwhelming process. Being equipped with information about what to look for in an OCD therapist is crucial. Treatment outcomes are influenced by the therapist’s ability to be knowledgeable and deliver high-quality care along with a client’s willingness to take risks and face their fears. Exposure and Response (Ritual) Prevention (EX/RP) is an evidence-based treatment that has demonstrated efficacy and durability in reducing OCD symptom severity. EX/RP is a brief CBT-based treatment that gradually and systematically uses exposures to trigger obsessional distress while the individual simultaneously refrains from rituals or compulsive behaviors.
It is important that your therapist is a masters-level therapist or close to becoming one (such as an intern finishing their coursework AND working under someone who specializes in OCD treatment). Therapists and doctors who treat OCD may have these titles and licenses:
No one of these is a better option than the other. What is more important is that those professionals with or without these titles specialize in OCD and have training that represents that, such as an EX/RP certification (Valentine, 2020).
EX/RP is a highly manualized treatment approach. It is recommended that therapists have some specialized training in this treatment approach. As you are looking for a qualified provider, ask if your therapist is EX/RP certified, in the process, or has plans of becoming certified in the future. The International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) provides these recommendations when searching for an OCD therapist:
*These tips have been adapted from the International OCD Foundation.
Brittany Steiner
References
Valentine, Keara. (2020). How To Find An OCD Therapist That Does ERP. NOCD. Retrieved from https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/how-to-find-an-ocd-therapist(opens in a new tab)
International OCD Foundation. (2022). How to Find the Right Therapist. IOCDF. Retrieved from https://iocdf.org/ocd-finding-help/how-to-find-the-right-therapist/
National Institute of Mental Health
A Thought Is Just A Thought: A Story of Living With OCD by Leslie Talley
Blink, Blink, Clop, Clop: Why Do We Do Things We Can’t Stop? An OCD Storybook by E. Katia Moritz, Ph.D and Jennifer Jablonksy
Mr. Worry: A Story About OCD by Holly L. Niner
No One Is Perfect and YOU Are a Great Kid by Kim Hix
Up and Down the Worry Hill: A Children’s Book About Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and It’s Treatment by Aureen Pinto Wagner, Ph.D
What To Do When Your Brain Gets Stuck: A Kids Guide to Overcoming OCD by Dawn Huebner, PhD
You Do That, Too? Adolescents and OCD by Jose Arturo and Rena Benson
Freeing Your Child From Obsessive Compulsive Disorder by Tamar E. Chansky, Ph.D
Loving Someone with OCD: Help for You and Your Family by Karen J. Landsman PhD, Kathleen M. Rupertus, MA, MS and Cherry Pedrick, RN
Talking Back to OCD: The Program That Helps Kids Say “No Way” and Parents Say “Way To Go” by John S. March, Ph.D
The Family Guide to Getting Over OCD: Reclaim Your Life and Help Your Loved Ones by Jonathan S. Abramowitz PhD
What To Do When Your Child Has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Strategies and Solutions by Aureen Pinto Wagner, Ph.D.
When a Family Member has OCD: Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Skills to Help Families Affected by Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by Jon Hershfield MFT
Unstuck: An OCD Kids Movie
Beyond the Doubt
The Anxiety Savvy Podcast
The OCD Stories
NOCD
OCD Challenge
Become an IOCDF Grassroots Advocate
Connect with an advocate in your area
IOCDF Annual OCD Conference
Join a support group
Join one of our IOCDF’s virtual talks
One Million Steps for OCD Walk
EX/RP Certified Therapists:
Trained in EX/RP therapy: