OCD can be a tricky one because what can feel like a helpful way to quiet it can accidently help it grow wider and stronger. Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is the gold standard to treat OCD. In a nutshell this amounts to pushing back against OCD’s loud proclamations, tolerating the uncertainty and strategically managing the thoughts and feelings. This is no small task. OCD can be quite persuasive in its quest to get a person to follow its rules. Motivation to do this work is vital and is something that we are careful to actively cultivate and grow.
Some older kids or teens can do work on their own but many need or benefit from their parents’ support. Others are just not yet in a place where they are able to engage in their treatment. We work from a Cognitive Behavioral perspective and use gradual ERPs to gather evidence against OCD and skill in tolerating its temper tantrums. Parents can work alongside us or we can take a SPACE approach that can successfully treat OCD and anxiety by working only or primarily with the parents.