OCD Therapy in Fort Lauderdale, FL

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.

While each person is unique in how OCD shows up, the research is clear that ERP is the gold standard treatment for OCD. At Still Minds Psychology we are highly trained in providing ERP. Other research backed OCD therapies include things like ACT and I-CBT. These are recommended second line treatments, meaning if you have tried ERP and have not gotten the symptom reduction you need, your therapist may incorporate these approaches to help you get the best result. Meghan often utilizes techniques from these other evidenced based therapies to help you get the best result.

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.

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

Yes, ERP is the #1 evidenced backed therapy designed to work with intrusive thoughts. It’s a common misunderstanding that ERP can only work with people who have physical compulsions, because research shows ERP is the most helpful regardless of which type of intrusive thought or compulsion you are struggling with.

Yes, ERP is the #1 evidenced backed therapy designed to work with OCD including Pure-O. It’s a common misunderstanding that ERP can only work with people who have physical compulsions, because research shows ERP is the most helpful regardless of which type of intrusive thought or compulsion you are struggling with. ERP addresses the underlying patterns of OCD, not the surface compulsion. At Still Minds Psychology we are highly experienced helping those with Pure-O recover, and will also incorporate other evidenced backed approached like ACT and I-CBT to aid in client’s recovery.

Yes! We now have substantial research to show ERP and OCD treatment delivered via telehealth is equally effective to in person treatment. Telehealth actually creates a unique opportunity for OCD treatment, as doing exposures for OCD is often best done in your home/real life environment. We often do exposures with people while at home, work, or wherever else they may experience OCD triggers. This allows you to get the best treatment possible without having to pay the cost for a therapist to travel to exposure sites, making treatment more accessible for many.

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

Yes, here at Still Minds Psychology we’ve worked with just about every OCD theme. There’s no need to be fearful about the content of your thoughts. We have years of experience working with a variety of presentation, and extensive training in applying ERP for every OCD presentation.

Yes our office is located at 2901 W Cypress Creek Rd Suite 114, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 and we offer in person appointments

Still Minds Psychology is not in network with any insurers. I am happy to provide you with a receipt (superbill) to make applying for reimbursement by your insurance easy. Please note because I am not a direct insurance biller you are paying the full cost of session at the time. of service and applying for reimbursement from your plan.

While therapy can be an expense, many clients 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 anxiety, OCD or phobias work. I work with people to recover and eliminate symptoms and teach you the skills to handle issues effectively once therapy is done. I am not in network with insurances. I am not a Medicare or Medicaid provider.

Having intrusive thoughts does not mean you’ve done anything wrong, and it does not automatically require reporting.

Intrusive thoughts are incredibly common. Many people experience unwanted thoughts about harm, sexuality, aggression, or other disturbing themes. These thoughts can feel upsetting or even frightening , but a thought is not the same as an action or intent. In therapy, you can talk openly about intrusive thoughts without fear of judgment.

As a licensed therapist, I am required to break confidentiality only in very specific situations , such as if there is an immediate and serious risk of harm to yourself or someone else, or in cases involving abuse of a child, elder, or dependent adult. Simply having intrusive thoughts does not meet that threshold.

Therapy is a space to explore what’s happening in your mind safely and honestly. You do not have to carry scary or unwanted thoughts alone.