Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition driven by intrusive thoughts and the intense urge to reduce the anxiety they cause. These thoughts are unwanted, distressing, and often feel completely out of character—yet they can be incredibly convincing.

At Still Minds Psychology, we often see OCD misunderstood as being about cleanliness or organization. In reality, OCD can take many forms, and much of it happens inside the mind.

OCD typically involves:

• Obsessions: intrusive thoughts, images, urges, or doubts that cause distress

• Compulsions: behaviors or mental acts done to reduce anxiety, seek certainty, or “undo” the thought

Relief from compulsions is usually temporary, which is how OCD keeps the cycle going.

Signs You May Be Experiencing OCD

You might be dealing with OCD if you notice patterns like:

• Intrusive thoughts that feel disturbing, taboo, or opposite of your values

• Repetitive mental checking, analyzing, or “figuring it out”

• Strong urges to seek reassurance from others or online

• Avoiding people, places, or situations to prevent certain thoughts

• Feeling responsible for preventing harm, even when it’s unrealistic

• Difficulty tolerating uncertainty or doubt

• Thoughts that feel urgent, sticky, or impossible to let go of

• Spending hours each day caught in mental loops, rituals, or avoidance

Many people with OCD worry that having these thoughts means something about who they are. It doesn’t. OCD targets what you care about most—and uses fear to demand certainty.

The Good News

OCD is highly treatable with the right approach. Therapy focuses on changing how you respond to intrusive thoughts—not getting rid of them entirely or proving they “don’t mean anything.”

You don’t need to be certain this is OCD to reach out.
You don’t need to explain everything perfectly.
And you don’t need to keep managing this alone.

→ Learn how therapy for OCD works

If you’re living with OCD or anxiety, you may already worry that therapy could make things worse. It’s important to be clear about what you won’t experience at Still Minds Psychology.

• ERP is not about increasing intrusive thoughts on purpose or flooding you with fear.

• ERP does not aim to shock or overwhelm you.

• Intrusive thoughts may already fluctuate naturally; ERP does not create new ones or make them more “dangerous.”

What ERP does change is your relationship to the thoughts.

Many people notice that anxiety can rise temporarily at the start of ERP—not because thoughts are getting worse, but because the usual compulsions (reassurance, checking, avoidance) are no longer being used to get quick relief. Over time, as your brain learns that the thoughts don’t require action or certainty, their intensity and pull typically decrease, even if they still show up occasionally.

ERP here is:

• Collaborative and paced

• Tailored to your specific OCD theme

• Adjusted if something feels too much or unhelpful

• Focused on long-term relief, not short-term pushing

You will never be asked to do something without understanding why, and you always have a say in how therapy unfolds.

Therapy here is not:

• Reassurance-seeking or constant certainty-checking

• Judging, analyzing, or assigning meaning to your thoughts

• Being told to “just stop thinking that way” or “let it go”

• Forcing exposures before you feel ready

• Confession-based or moral evaluations of your thoughts

• A place where you have to explain, defend, or censor yourself

Intrusive thoughts can be graphic, disturbing, or completely opposite of your values. They do not shock us, and they do not define you.

Therapy here is about learning how anxiety and OCD operate, building skills that reduce their grip, and helping you respond to thoughts in ways that bring relief—without feeding the cycle. We work collaboratively, transparently, and at a pace that feels manageable.

If you’re nervous about starting therapy, that makes sense.

Many people who come to Still Minds Psychology worry about things like:
What if I say the wrong thing?
What if therapy makes my thoughts worse?
What if I’m judged for what goes through my mind?

If you’re asking those questions, you’re not alone—and nothing about them disqualifies you from therapy.

Intrusive thoughts, mental images, urges, or doubts can feel alarming, shameful, or hard to explain. They do not reflect who you are, what you want, or what you value. You do not need to filter, justify, or protect your therapist from your thoughts here.

Therapy is not about analyzing every thought, convincing you they “don’t mean anything,” or forcing you to face fears before you’re ready. It is about understanding how anxiety and OCD operate, learning skills that actually reduce their power, and moving forward at a pace that feels safe and collaborative.

You are allowed to:

• Ask questions

• Go slowly

• Feel unsure

• Take time deciding if this feels like the right fit

Nothing needs to be perfect for you to begin.

→ Schedule a consultation to Learn what therapy is like

I don’t just ask you how you’re doing, I utilize evidence-based treatments‍ , mainly ‍Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to get you symptom reduction.

We go at YOUR pace, working together. You don’t have to fight your thoughts alone

Item Intrusive thoughts can be graphic, disturbing, or completely opposite of your values. They do not shock us, and they do not define you.

Intrusive thoughts can be shocking, graphic, or frightening precisely because they clash with who you are. Having these thoughts does not mean you want them, believe them, or are capable of acting on them.

Therapy here is about helping you understand why these thoughts happen, how OCD uses fear and doubt to stay powerful, and how to respond in ways that reduce shame, anxiety, and mental checking—without feeding the cycle. We move carefully, collaboratively, and with respect for your values and boundaries.

You will not be punished for your thoughts here.
You will not be misunderstood for having them.
You are allowed to go slowly.

Meghan has worked with pretty much every OCD theme including POCD, sexually themed OCD, harm OCD, incest OCD, and more

That’s a completely valid concern, and one we hear often. Many of our clients have been through therapy before and felt like they only ever learned surface level coping skills or were just rehashing their obsessions over and over again, only getting reassurance that provided temporary relief.

At Still Minds Psychology, our team is trained specifically in treating OCD. We use evidence-based methods like ERP & ACT, strategies that go beyond surface-level coping. Therapy with us is structured, personalized and rooted in approaches proven to help people reduce OCD and build meaningful, lasting change.

Our standard rate for a one hour session is $175,

If you're using out-of-network benefits, we can provide superbills for possible reimbursement.

While therapy can be an expense, many view it as an investment. My patients find working with a highly trained specialist is still more cost effective than years spent trying to treat their condition with someone who does not understand how OCD works. I work with people to recover and eliminate symptoms and teach you the skills to handle issues effectively once therapy is done

That’s extremely common. We’ll go at a pace that feels manageable and respectful. While treatment may cause anxiety, that does not mean it isn’t healthy, or the right direction. Sometimes growth can be uncomfortable.

Besides, even without treatment just living with OCD is guaranteed anxiety