What Is Pure-O OCD? Understanding and Treating It with Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy in South Florida

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in a loop of intrusive thoughts and endless mental reassurance-seeking, you may be experiencing a lesser-known subtype of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder called Pure-O OCD. While many people are familiar with OCD that involves visible compulsions—like handwashing or checking—Pure-O primarily involves obsessive thoughts and mental rituals that are much harder to spot from the outside.

If you’re located in South Florida and struggling with unwanted thoughts that won’t go away, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy is the gold-standard treatment—and it can help you reclaim your life and our speciality at Still Minds Psychology.

What Is Pure-O OCD?

“Pure-O” stands for Purely Obsessional OCD, although the name is a bit misleading. People with Pure-O do engage in compulsions, but they are typically internal or mental rather than physical, which while functioning the same in OCD can be trickier to spot.

Common Themes in Pure-O:

• Harm OCD: Fear of harming others accidentally or on purpose

• Sexual Orientation OCD (SO-OCD): Persistent fears about one's sexual identity

• Relationship OCD (ROCD): Constant doubt about one’s partner or the relationship

• Religious or Scrupulosity OCD: Fear of moral failure or offending a higher power

• Sexual Intrusive Thoughts: Unwanted and disturbing sexual images or thoughts

These thoughts are not reflective of your true character. In fact, they usually go against your values, which is why they cause so much distress. While some obsession themes are more likely to lead to mental compulsions, ANY theme or obsession can be mental or lack physical compulsions.

🔁 The Compulsion Cycle in Pure-O

Although there are few (if any) visible behaviors, people with Pure-O often engage in:

• Repetitive mental reviewing

• Self-reassurance ("I would never do that")

• Avoidance of triggers (e.g., knives, children, religious services, driving)

• Googling for answers

• Confessing to others for reassurance

• Constantly trying to debate the truthfulness of the intrusive thought

• Ruminating for hours

These are mental compulsions, and they keep the OCD cycle alive.

🛑 Why Reassurance Doesn’t Work

The urge to “figure it out” or find certainty feels logical—but in OCD, certainty is the enemy of healing. Each time you try to prove your thoughts aren’t real or dangerous, you reinforce the idea that they might be.

This is where Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy comes in.

Many people seek mental health therapy to manage their OCD. Perhaps you've even attempted traditional talk therapy before but didn't see the results you wanted. That might be a sign that you're not receiving the right kind of therapy.

🧠 What Is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy?

ERP is the gold-standard, evidence-based treatment for OCD, including Pure-O. It involves:

1. Exposure: Gradually facing the thoughts, images, or situations that trigger your obsessions

2. Response Prevention: Resisting the urge to engage in mental compulsions/ mental rituals

This helps retrain the brain to tolerate uncertainty and reduce anxiety over time.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that was specifically developed to treat OCD and OCD-related illnesses. Backed by decades of research, ERP that is guided by a knowledgeable therapist helps individuals extinguish fears and eliminate compulsive behaviors in a structured, supportive environment. At Still Minds Psychology, we specialize in helping individuals overcome Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy—the most effective, evidence-based treatment for OCD. ERP helps clients gradually face their fears while resisting the urge to perform compulsive rituals, breaking the cycle of anxiety and reassurance-seeking that keeps OCD strong.

It’s important to work with an OCD specialist, as research from the International OCD Foundation shows other therapy modalities such as traditional talk therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Hypnotherapy, Psychoanalysis, and Brainspotting have not been found to be effective for OCD and are not recommended for OCD. Start with first-line treatments like ERP therapy, as this have the strongest evidence for success.

During your sessions at our Fort Lauderdale office, you’ll work collaboratively with a licensed therapist trained in ERP to identify triggers, build tolerance to uncertainty, and regain control of your thoughts and behaviors. Over time, ERP therapy helps rewire the brain’s response to intrusive thoughts, creating lasting freedom from obsessive worries and compulsions.

I have helped many people overcome their OCD and live a life without fear. OCD is highly treatable, but many never get help out of fear of stigma and lack of trained providers who specialize in OCD.

Stop Suffering and take the first steps to get help today

🌴 Getting ERP Therapy for Pure-O in South Florida

If you're looking for Pure-O OCD treatment in South Florida, you're not alone—and effective help is available.

At Still Minds Psychology, we specialize in Exposure and Response Prevention therapy for OCD and anxiety disorders. Whether you're dealing with intrusive thoughts, chronic doubt, or exhausting mental rituals, we can help you break the cycle with compassionate, evidence-based care.

We offer:

• In-person therapy in South Florida

• Virtual sessions across Florida and Texas, Vermont, Idaho, and South Carolina

• Specialized treatment for OCD, panic, and phobias

📞 Ready to Take the First Step?

Living with Pure-O can feel isolating, but it doesn't have to be. ERP therapy works, and recovery is possible.

Contact Still Minds Psychology today to schedule a consultation and learn how ERP can help you face your fears, quiet your mind, and start living again.

📍 Serving South Florida and offering online therapy across Florida, Texas, South Carolina, Idaho & Vermont