Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

I will help you explore the internal and external factors that drive obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors to help you break free of these and live a more grounded life.

The team at Brave Young Minds specializes in treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) using evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Our clinicians are also trained in Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT), an effective treatment option for older kids, teens, and young adults. We tailor our approach to each client, helping them build confidence and develop lasting strategies to manage OCD.

With a deep understanding of the underlying mechanisms of OCD, I guide individuals through a structured and evidence-based approach to confronting their fears and breaking free from the cycle of obsessions and compulsions. Through systematic exposure to anxiety-provoking stimuli and prevention of ritualistic behaviors, I help clients gradually build tolerance to their distress and learn more adaptive ways of coping.

I know how hard OCD can be when it feels like you're caught in a cycle of anxiety and behaviors that just won’t let go. I’m here to help you work through that without adding to your worries. Together, we'll focus on easing the anxiety and gradually reducing the behaviors that are getting in your way, so you can start feeling more in control.

In working with OCD, I do a deep assessment related to the onset of your obsessive rumination and compulsive behaviors or mental rituals to break the cycle of feeling like you are on a constant hamster wheel you can't exit. I utilize a blend of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Exposure Response Prevention collaborating with you to treat your OCD. You will likely be working on constructing a hierarchy of feared events so we can develop exposure activities to help you overcome your anxiety.

My background includes extensive clinical training in a partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient program focused on OCD and complex anxieties, where I received in-depth training in ERP. I have specialized training in perinatal mental health from Postpartum Support International, addressing the unique challenges of perinatal anxiety and OCD. This background has equipped me to effectively treat diverse client populations struggling with anxiety and OCD.

I work with all types of OCD including Harm OCD, sexual orientation OCD, relationship OCD, "just right OCD", and contamination OCD.

In the practice, we use mindfulness based CBT with ERP therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which allows you to learn ways to resource anxiety and fears between sessions and use the learned skills as coping tools while engaging in your exposure plans. The work you do in therapy is vital to your life outside of our sessions.

I am trained in conducting therapy with those suffering from obsessions and compulsions, including mental compulsions. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) to help individuals progressively face and free themselves from feared and situations that keep them trapped in a loop of unwanted ruminating thoughts and repetitive behaviors.

Ralph's approach to OCD is to initially discuss the symptoms, beliefs, and rituals that your OCD is presenting in your life. You and Ralph will work together to learn more about OCD and its cycle and the best course of action for how to break it. Ralph will help you learn how to live your life free of the thoughts that run your life so that you can focus on the things that bring your peace and joy.

I specialize in family-based exposure and response prevention (ERP). This type of intervention leverages the unique position of family members to compassionately and empathetically help a client engage in therapist-directed exposure to feared stimuli. The family then supports the client in finding other ways to occupy his/her/their time that are different from how the client typically responds when trying to alleviate anxiety as a result of exposure to feared stimuli.

Recurrent thoughts and mental images can cause significant anxiety, leading you to engage in an endless cycle of behaviors that reduce your distress temporarily. I can support you in breaking free from this cycle and gaining back control in your life. I utilize exposure and response prevention (ERP), in which you will gradually confront fears in a supportive and encouraging setting.

I have intensive training from the International OCD Foundation’s Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) in Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) which is the gold standard in support with OCD and some anxiety experiences as well as training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy exposure based work for anxiety and OCD.

My deep understanding of the intricate relationship between anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder allows me to provide effective support for clients struggling with it . I recognize that anxiety often serves as a catalyst for OCD, where persistent worries can lead to compulsive behaviors as a means of coping. My approach involves teaching clients practical skills to reframe their thinking and guiding them through structured sessions to set goals, empowering them to take control of (OCD).

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder can be a disabling condition and, sadly, there is a dearth of providers adequately trained to manage the problems it causes. I've learned from both personal and professional experience that generic talk therapy doesn't help OCD. In contrast, I'm trained in evidence-based treatments for it, including Inference-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention, and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.

In working with OCD, I do a deep assessment related to the onset of your obsessive rumination and compulsive behaviors or mental rituals to break the cycle of feeling like you are on a constant hamster wheel you can't exit. I utilize a blend of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Exposure Response Prevention collaborating with you to treat your OCD. You will likely be working on constructing a hierarchy of feared events so we can develop exposure activities to help you overcome your anxiety.

In treating OCD with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), we’ll work together to gradually face the thoughts, images, or situations that trigger your anxiety while resisting the compulsive behaviors meant to reduce it. ERP helps you break the cycle of obsessive fear and compulsive responses by teaching your brain that anxiety doesn’t have to control your actions. It’s a structured, compassionate approach designed to reduce OCD’s grip on your life and empower you to live more freely.

Have you worked with other providers who are not familiar with OCD? Would you like to talk with someone who has received specialized training and consultation in this area? If so, please e-mail me to learn more about my specialty treatment groups.