Therapy for OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
Are you ready to experience relief from the cycle of obsessions and compulsions?
Do you experience unwanted and intrusive thoughts, images, or urges?
Do you engage in behaviors like checking, mental review, cleaning, avoidance, or reassurance-seeking in order to feel temporary relief?
Does this cycle cause you distress and/or get in the way of doing the things that you value?
Get in touch with an OCD therapist today.
We understand.
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are not alone. Living with OCD symptoms can feel frustrating, painful, and scary – and it can be hard to believe that things can get better.
Right now, your brain is stuck in a loop…but it doesn’t have to stay that way.
Effective OCD treatment disrupts the obsession-compulsion cycle. By combining Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy with mindful awareness of feelings and self-compassion practice, the therapists at Colorado Therapy Collective can help you get unstuck.
What is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)?
First, let’s get clear on the OCD cycle. An obsession is an unwanted and intrusive thought, image, or urge. Everyone has intrusive thoughts, but for those with OCD, these thoughts cause intense anxiety and a sense of danger. Compulsions are anything we do to relieve that anxiety and feel safe – such as cleaning, checking, mental review, avoiding certain people or places, and asking others for reassurance. Unfortunately, the compulsions only provide temporary relief. This bit of relief tricks our brains into thinking that the compulsions are helpful, and this is what keeps us stuck in the loop.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is an evidence-based therapy that helps us break the OCD cycle. Exposure refers to intentional exposure to the content of our obsessions - the very things that make us anxious. Response Prevention means that we resist engaging in the compulsions once our anxiety has been triggered. Over time, this rewires the brain and helps our bodies learn that intrusive thoughts do not equal danger.
Why Colorado Therapy Collective?
It’s important to find a therapist who understands OCD from every angle. We know that ERP is the gold-standard treatment for OCD, and we also know that its impact is enhanced when combined with other evidence-based practices and considerations, including mindfulness, self-compassion, and nervous system regulation. Colorado Therapy Collective has been supporting clients with evidence-based and compassionate treatment since 2017. With all our clients, we take a strengths-based and non-pathologizing approach to helping you live your best life.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Exposure and Response Prevention is the therapeutic approach that has the strongest evidence supporting its use for OCD. It works! At the same time, we get it - ERP can feel intimidating. Your CTC therapist will partner with you to create a treatment plan that feels manageable; for example, you may create a plan to incrementally work toward targeting your most distressing fears. Your therapist will also help you identify and implement mindfulness and self-compassion strategies to support your ERP work.
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We know it takes tremendous courage to share what feels most vulnerable. And, we have heard it all! It’s important to know that everyone has intrusive thoughts; those of us with OCD just attribute more meaning to them. We also know that for OCD sufferers, these thoughts are ego-dystonic, meaning that they don’t represent our true beliefs or align with our values.
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OCD is characterized by the distressing cycle of obsessions and compulsions. While some compulsions are visible behaviors, such as cleaning or checking, many compulsions are not so obvious. Things like mental review of conversations, re-reading emails or messages, seeking reassurance from a partner or friend, praying, and repeating words or phrases in the mind can be compulsive behaviors. This leads us to the next question…
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This is common! It makes sense, too; OCD can look a lot of different ways, and representation of OCD in popular media can be misleading. If you’re unsure, we recommend scheduling an initial appointment. Your CTC therapist can determine if your symptoms are consistent with OCD and help you find your path to healing.
See if our services are right for you.
A member of our team will contact you for a no-pressure complimentary consultation.
Reach out today.
At CTC, we understand that it takes courage to seek therapy for OCD. You may be feeling nervous about taking the next step – we get it! We are happy to offer a complimentary 20-minute consultation to answer your questions, provide more information about our approach, and help you find a compassionate therapist that feels like a great fit. To schedule your complimentary consultation or initial session with one of our therapists, click here. For more information please call us at 720-204-8589 or reach out to us here.