How Can I Get Help For My OCD?
If you’ve ever felt caught in a loop of intrusive thoughts and the urge to do something, anything, to make them stop, you’re not alone. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can be exhausting and confusing. You might find yourself second-guessing your thoughts, worrying about what they mean, or performing rituals or mental checks to feel safe again.
As a therapist who works with adults navigating OCD, I want to share what this experience really means—and how evidence-based and compassionate approaches like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and trauma-informed care can help you find freedom and peace.
What OCD Really Is
OCD is more than just liking things “a certain way.” It’s an anxiety disorder that involves:
Obsessions: Unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that create distress or anxiety.
Compulsions: Repetitive behaviors or mental rituals done to reduce that distress or prevent something bad from happening.
These cycles can appear in many forms—fears about harm, contamination, morality, relationships, or even identity. The truth is that OCD thoughts are not reflections of your character or values. They’re intrusive and unwanted, and often the exact opposite of what you care most deeply about.
It can feel scary, but with the right support and strategies, OCD can be effectively managed and greatly improved.
How CBT and ERP Work Together
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective treatments for OCD. CBT helps you recognize how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected as well as how you can begin to respond to them differently. It teaches you to challenge unhelpful thought patterns and develop new, healthier ways of thinking.
For OCD specifically, a specialized form of CBT called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is considered the gold standard treatment.
Here’s how ERP works in practice:
Understanding your OCD patterns: Together, we identify triggers, intrusive thoughts, and the behaviors that maintain the OCD cycle.
Creating a hierarchy: We start small and build gradually toward more challenging exposures.
Exposure practice: You intentionally face anxiety-provoking thoughts, images, or situations in a safe, supportive setting.
Response prevention: You learn to resist the urge to perform rituals or avoidance behaviors, allowing your brain to learn that anxiety decreases naturally.
ERP and CBT help retrain your brain to tolerate uncertainty, reduce anxiety, and rebuild trust in your ability to cope without compulsions.
Integrating Trauma-Informed Care
For many adults, OCD doesn’t exist in isolation. Past experiences of trauma, stress, or emotional invalidation can shape how we experience anxiety and safety.
That’s why I integrate trauma-informed care into OCD treatment. This approach focuses on safety, collaboration, and empowerment throughout therapy. It means:
We move at a pace that feels right for you.
You have control and choice during every step of treatment.
We focus on grounding techniques and nervous system awareness.
The therapeutic relationship is built on trust, compassion, and mutual respect.
Combining ERP, CBT, and trauma-informed therapy creates a holistic path toward healing...one that supports both your symptoms and your emotional well-being.
You Deserve Support
Living with OCD can feel isolating, but recovery is absolutely possible. With the right tools and support, you can learn to quiet intrusive thoughts, loosen the grip of anxiety, and reconnect with what matters most to you.
You don’t have to face this alone. Through CBT, ERP, and trauma-informed therapy, you can build the skills and confidence to move forward—one small, compassionate step at a time.
Contact Us
If you’re ready to begin therapy for OCD or want to learn more about ERP therapy, CBT for OCD, or trauma-informed counseling in Palm Beach County, our team at Deeply Rooted Psychotherapy is here to help.
We provide supportive, individualized treatment for adults seeking relief from OCD, anxiety, and related concerns—both in-person and through secure online therapy in Florida.
Contact us today to schedule a free 15 minute consultation call and take the first step toward healing!