Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders (OCD)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders (OCD) are mental health conditions characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) that create significant anxiety, along with repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) performed to alleviate that anxiety. People with OCD often feel trapped in a cycle of fear and ritualistic behavior, believing that completing these compulsions can prevent a feared event from occurring. It’s important to understand that OCD can vary in severity and presentation, and effective treatment is available to help individuals manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Types of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that a person feels driven to perform. Individuals with OCD often experience significant anxiety related to their obsessions and engage in compulsions as a way to reduce this anxiety or prevent a feared event from happening. These behaviors can interfere with daily life, relationships, and overall well-being, making it essential to seek support and effective coping strategies to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
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Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a mental health condition characterized by an obsessive focus on perceived flaws or defects in one's physical appearance, often leading to significant distress and impairment in daily functioning. Individuals with BDD may engage in repetitive behaviors, such as mirror checking, excessive grooming, or seeking reassurance, which can consume a considerable amount of time and energy. It's important to understand that these distorted perceptions are not typically visible to others, making it challenging for those affected to seek help. At ActiveMind Counseling, we provide supportive and practical strategies to help individuals manage and overcome the struggles associated with BDD, fostering a healthier self-image and improved quality of life.
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R-OCD, or Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, is characterized by persistent, intrusive thoughts about the validity and quality of one’s romantic relationship. Individuals with R-OCD often experience excessive doubts, compulsive reassurances-seeking, and a fear of making the wrong choice in their partner. These feelings can lead to significant distress and impact daily life. At ActiveMind Counseling, we understand the challenges of R-OCD and are dedicated to helping you navigate these thoughts and feelings, empowering you to find clarity and peace in your relationships.
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Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) are a group of actions where individuals repeatedly engage in behaviors that harm their bodies, often as a way to cope with stress, anxiety, or other emotional struggles. Two common types of BFRBs are trichotillomania, which involves pulling out hair from various parts of the body, and excoriation, characterized by compulsively picking at skin. These behaviors can significantly impact one’s self-esteem and overall well-being. At ActiveMind Counseling, we understand the challenges that come with BFRBs and offer supportive strategies to help you gain control and find healthier coping mechanisms.
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Hoarding disorder is a mental health condition characterized by persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value. This can lead to excessive accumulation of items, resulting in cluttered living spaces that can interfere with daily functioning and create a potentially unsafe environment. Individuals with hoarding disorder may feel a strong emotional attachment to their belongings, which can cause significant distress and impact relationships. Effective treatment often involves therapy focused on skill-building, organization, and coping strategies to address the underlying issues contributing to the behavior.
OCD Treatments Available from ActiveMind Counseling
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a powerful method for treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This therapy helps individuals understand the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, which is especially relevant for those struggling with OCD.
The ultimate goal of CBT in treating OCD is to empower you with practical tools and strategies to handle anxiety, reducing the need for compulsive behaviors. Through this therapeutic journey, you can cultivate a sense of control over your thoughts and behaviors, leading to a healthier and more fulfilling life.
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) provides a valuable approach for individuals dealing with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) by changing their relationship to obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. By fostering mindfulness and present-moment awareness, clients learn to observe their OCD-related thoughts without judgment, which helps to reduce the power these thoughts hold over them.
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Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT)
I-CBT, or Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, is an innovative approach specifically designed to address Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Unlike traditional CBT, I-CBT helps you understand the underlying inferences that drive your obsessions and compulsions. By focusing on the thoughts and beliefs that fuel your anxiety, I-CBT empowers you to challenge and reshape those thought patterns, leading to more effective management of OCD symptoms. This approach emphasizes practical skill-building, enabling you to apply therapeutic principles in real-life situations for lasting change.
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Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a highly effective treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) that involves systematically confronting fears and triggers. The process begins with Imaginal exposure, where individuals are guided to vividly imagine the situations that provoke their anxiety, allowing them to process their fears in a safe environment. In-vivo exposure involves directly engaging with anxiety-inducing situations in real life. Interoceptive exposure targets the physical sensations that accompany anxiety, such as increased heart rate or sweating. By deliberately experiencing these bodily responses, clients learn to tolerate and diminish their anxiety symptoms over time.
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Family-Based Therapy
Family-based therapy is a collaborative treatment approach that involves the entire family in the therapeutic process, especially beneficial for individuals struggling with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). By educating family members about OCD and its effects, this therapy fosters a supportive home environment that can reduce stigma and improve understanding. Through open communication and shared strategies, families learn to work together in managing symptoms, addressing compulsive behaviors, and promoting healthier habits. This inclusive model not only strengthens family bonds but also enhances the overall effectiveness of treatment, making it a powerful tool for those facing OCD challenges.
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Strategic Pressure
Strategic Pressure is a behavioral intervention used to treat OCD when there is either too much accommodation or too much resistance with standard treatments. It only used as a second or third line therapeutic treatment.
Do I Have OCD?
The OCI-R Assessment below is a great self-report tool to check to see if you may have an obsessive-compulsive disorder.
The following statements refer to experiences that many people have in their everyday lives. Select the number that best describes HOW MUCH that experience has DISTRESSED or BOTHERED you during the PAST MONTH.
OCI-R Assessment
Example Treatment Plan for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Approach: Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT)
Duration: 14 Sessions
Phase 1: Psychoeducation & Foundations (Sessions 1-5)
Session 1: Assessment & Treatment Planning
Conduct diagnostic assessment (GAD-7, OCI-R, interview)
Identify client’s triggers, thought patterns, and coping skills.
Introduce I-CBT and CBT principles
Set treatment goals and expectations
Session 2: When OCD Begins
Learn about doubt and its role in OCD.
Learn about obsessions and compulsions.
Create a doubt sequence.
Session 3: Reasons Behind OCD
Review the doubt sequence and discover insights.
Learn about the many reasons these doubts may appear.
Discover clients’ reasons behind their doubts.
Session 4: The Obsessional Story
Review client's reasons behind their doubt and discover insights.
Learn about how narratives play a role in our lives.
Learn how contextual clues can change a story.
Client will craft their own Obsessional Story.
Session 5: The Feared Self
Review client’s obsessional story and discover insights.
Learn about the Vulnerable Self-Theme.
Discover the differences between the VST and your true self.
Complete at home exercises for discovery.
Phase 2: Inference-Based Interventions. (Sessions 6-9)
Session 6: OCD Doubt is Imaginal
Review clients’ feared-self homework and discover insights.
Learn about perception vs imagination.
Learn reasonable doubt vs Obsessional Doubt
Complete exercises related to this module.
Session 7: OCD Doubt is Irrelevant
Review Imaginal Doubt exercises and look for insights.
Learn about possibility vs probability.
Creating your own doubt to try and resolve it.
Session 8: The OCD Bubble
Learn about the OCD Bubble.
Learn about the feelings both in and out of the bubble.
How the OCD Bubble takes you out of reality
Session 9: Reality Sensing
Review practice exercises and look for insights.
Learn to use our natural senses to combat OCD doubts.
Phase 3: Consolidation (Sessions 10-12)
Session 10: Re-Writing Your Story
Review of previous interventions.
Learn how to retell your story.
Session 11: Tricks and Cheats of OCD
Review your retold story.
Learn about ways OCD may trick you during recovery.
Session 12: The Real Self
Discover who you really are.
Let go of your feared self
Session 13: Relapse Prevention
Review previous materials, highlight challenges and successes.
Make a plan for future challenges.
Build self-compassion.
Session 14: Termination
Reflect on journey and achievements
Encourage continued values-based action and mindfulness practice
Celebrate progress and reinforce confidence in managing anxiety
Example Treatment Plan Cost Estimate*:
Private Pay Rate:
$165/Individual session
$40/Group session
14 sessions x 165 = $2310
Pay Upfront Bulk Price: $1900
*Note: This example is provided for informational purposes. Each treatment plan is customized to your unique needs. Treatment time and session content may vary. Cost will vary depending on insurance coverage and client needs. We will make reasonable effort to notify you if anticipated costs will be more than the estimated cost.
