OCD therapy

This is one of the most common questions I get, and it's a really good one. The overlap between autism and OCD can be tricky because both can involve repetitive behaviors, preference for sameness, and anxiety when routines are disrupted. The key difference is usually in the "why" behind the behavior. Autistic routines typically feel regulating and pleasurable (or at least neutral), while OCD compulsions are driven by fear and the need to prevent a feared outcome. In our work together, I help you tease apart what's autism, what's OCD, and what might be a bit of both. Understanding this distinction is actually crucial for effective treatment.

Both are evidence-based approaches for OCD, but they work a bit differently. ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) involves gradually facing your fears while resisting compulsions, which helps your brain learn that the feared outcome doesn't actually happen. I-CBT (Inference-based CBT) focuses on the reasoning process that fuels OCD, helping you recognize when you're making inferences based on imagination rather than reality. For many neurodivergent folks, I-CBT can feel more accessible because it's less about tolerating discomfort and more about understanding how OCD tricks your brain. I tailor the approach based on what fits your brain and your specific OCD presentation.

Let's be real about exposure therapy because I think it gets a bad reputation. Yes, ERP involves facing fears, but I'm not going to throw you into the deep end on day one. We move at a pace that feels challenging but manageable, and you're always in control of what we tackle and when. For neurodivergent clients especially, I'm mindful of not overloading your nervous system. The goal isn't to terrorize you; it's to help you reclaim your life from OCD. And if traditional exposure feels too overwhelming, we can explore I-CBT as an alternative approach.

I wish I could give you a neat timeline, but OCD treatment is highly individual. Research suggests that most people see meaningful improvement within 12 to 20 sessions when doing evidence-based OCD therapy, but some need more time and others less. It depends on factors like how long you've had OCD, how severe it is, how many themes you're working with, and how autism or ADHD might be affecting treatment. What I can tell you is that we'll track your progress together, and you'll likely start noticing small shifts before you see the big changes.

All of my OCD therapy sessions are conducted online, and I've found it works incredibly well for most clients. In fact, many neurodivergent folks actually prefer online therapy because it removes the sensory overwhelm of commuting and sitting in an unfamiliar office. For ERP specifically, being in your own environment can actually be helpful because we can work on exposures in the places where your OCD shows up most. The only exception would be if your OCD requires in-person exposures in specific locations, but even then, we can get creative with how we approach treatment remotely.

First, you're not alone, and you're not a bad person. Intrusive thoughts, even really disturbing ones about harm, sexuality, religion, or other taboo topics, are actually incredibly common in OCD. These thoughts feel so distressing precisely because they go against your values, which is why OCD latches onto them. I've worked with all types of OCD themes, and nothing you share will shock me. Part of effective OCD therapy is being able to talk openly about these thoughts without judgment, and I create a space where you can do that safely.

I don't prescribe medication because I'm a psychologist, not a psychiatrist. However, I can definitely talk with you about whether medication might be helpful as part of your treatment plan and can provide referrals to prescribers I trust if that's something you want to explore. Many people do a combination of therapy and medication for OCD, while others prefer to try therapy alone first. Either approach is valid, and I'll support whatever decision feels right for you.

Absolutely not. OCD therapy is about freeing you from the parts of your experience that are driven by fear and compulsion, not about changing your neurodivergent identity. Your autistic traits, routines, special interests, and ways of processing the world are part of who you are. OCD, on the other hand, is something that's hijacked your brain and made your life smaller. My goal is to help you distinguish between what's authentically you and what's OCD so you can keep what serves you and let go of what doesn't.

Before we even get to the first full session, we'll have a free 15-minute consultation to make sure we're a good fit. If we decide to move forward, the intake session is where I get to know your full story. We'll talk about your OCD symptoms, how they show up in your daily life, your history, what you've tried before, and what you're hoping to achieve. I also want to understand your neurodivergent experience and how autism or ADHD intersects with your OCD. By the end of intake, we'll have a clear picture of what we're working with and can start mapping out a treatment plan that makes sense for your brain.

If OCD is taking up mental space, causing you distress, or limiting your life in any way, it's worth addressing. You don't need to be completely debilitated to deserve support. Many high-masking autistic women especially tend to minimize their struggles because they're so used to powering through and making things work. But just because you're functional doesn't mean you're not suffering. If you're spending hours a day on compulsions, avoiding situations because of OCD, or constantly exhausted from mental rituals, that's enough. You don't have to wait until things are unbearable to get help.

Therapy- $250 per session

ASD assessment- $2500

ADHD assessment- $500