Medically reviewed by Gabriela Asturias, MD on May 23, 2025If you feel trapped in distressing thoughts or stuck in repetitive rituals, you're not alone—and you're not broken. An experienced obsessive compulsive therapist can help you regain control and find relief from the exhausting cycle of OCD.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
9000 West Chester Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53214
Carla Weismantel is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They treat OCD, Anger Issues, Anxiety.
The best of mental healthcare in one place. At Geode, we combine full-spectrum psychiatry and talk therapy to better meet changing patient needs.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Education Specialist (EdS), Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP), Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
Remote only
Solace Healthcare Services PLLC is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 15 years. They treat OCD, School Concerns, Psychosis.
Our mission is to support each individual in achieving optimal mental wellness through evidence-based & patient-centered integrative psychiatric practices
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
215 North East Avenue, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
Becky Gonelli is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Fayetteville, Arkansas and has been in practice for 15 years. They treat OCD, Social Anxiety, Burnout.
I really enjoy working with college students. I find that they are motivated to become the best they can be and welcome encouragement.
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
Remote only
Nicholas Del Pesco is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 13 years. They treat OCD, Social Anxiety, Perfectionism.
Offering individual online counseling for PA residents ages 18 and above.
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
1626 North Litchfield Road, Goodyear, Arizona 85395
Cooper Buranen is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in Goodyear, Arizona. They treat OCD, Personal Growth, Physical Stress.
I am passionate about working with both individuals and partners to achieve realistic goals. I'm here to help you figure out your next step.
Psychotherapist
Remote only
Diana Beltran is a Psychotherapist in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 6 years. They treat OCD, Depression, Career.
Hola! I am a bilingual Latina therapist that specializes in anxiety disorders, OCD, and trauma! Let's get control of your life back together!
You don’t need to be less complicated to deserve help. You already do.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) isn’t just about being tidy or organized. It’s a serious mental health condition involving unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions) that you feel driven to repeat—even if you know they don’t make logical sense.
You might have OCD if:
A licensed OCD therapist can help you understand your symptoms and guide you toward effective, evidence-based treatment.
OCD can look very different from person to person. Some people struggle with outward rituals, while others are plagued by internal mental loops.
Common obsessions:
Common compulsions:
If your thoughts and rituals are causing distress or interfering with daily life, it may be time to find a therapist for OCD.
According to the DSM-5, OCD is diagnosed when a person experiences:
A qualified obsessive compulsive disorder therapist can perform a diagnostic assessment and help you understand whether your symptoms meet criteria—and what treatment options are right for you.
Diagnosis typically starts with a detailed interview with a licensed mental health provider. They’ll ask about:
Sometimes, OCD is misdiagnosed or mistaken for general anxiety or perfectionism. That’s why it’s important to work with an OCD specialist who understands the nuances of the disorder.
OCD is complex, and no single cause explains it entirely. Instead, it likely arises from a combination of:
Importantly, OCD is not caused by bad parenting or personal weakness. A therapist for OCD can help you understand your personal triggers and teach skills to manage them.
OCD symptoms often wax and wane over time, but they rarely disappear entirely without treatment. Left unaddressed, OCD may become more severe and harder to manage. Avoiding triggers often leads to more time spent performing rituals and more disruption in daily life.
That’s why early intervention is key. The right cognitive behavioral therapy for OCD can significantly reduce symptoms and help you reclaim your time, focus, and peace of mind.
OCD is very treatable, especially with a targeted, evidence-based approach. The most effective treatment combines therapy, medication (if needed), and support systems.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for OCD
The gold-standard treatment is CBT for OCD, specifically a method called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). ERP helps you:
ERP is challenging but highly effective. Many people see dramatic improvements in just a few months with a trained OCD therapist.
Medication
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are often prescribed to help manage OCD symptoms. These medications:
An OCD psychiatrist can assess whether medication is right for you and monitor your progress.
Environmental and Behavioral Strategies
Psychoeducation
Understanding how OCD works helps you separate yourself from your symptoms. OCD specialists often teach clients about:
Whether you choose in-person or online therapy for obsessive compulsive disorder, building awareness and education is an essential first step.
The best treatment comes from professionals trained in treating OCD specifically. This includes:
When searching for care, ask whether they use ERP or have specific experience treating OCD—not just general anxiety.
It’s common to confuse perfectionism with OCD, but they’re not the same.
Perfectionism:
OCD:
A cognitive behavioral therapy for OCD provider can help distinguish between perfectionistic traits and a diagnosable condition—and offer the right kind of support.
OCD is not caused by trauma or poor parenting, although trauma may worsen symptoms in people already predisposed. Parenting style doesn’t cause OCD, though critical or overly cautious environments might interact with underlying anxiety.
OCD is a medical and neurological condition. Blame has no place in recovery—compassion and treatment do.
No. This common phrase can be misleading and hurtful. Liking things clean or organized doesn’t mean you have OCD.
True OCD involves distressing, time-consuming thoughts and compulsions that significantly interfere with life. It’s not a quirk—it’s a mental health condition.
If you suspect what you’re experiencing goes beyond habits or preferences, a licensed obsessive compulsive therapist can help you figure it out.
Not at all. OCD has many different themes, including:
Some people don’t perform outward rituals—they engage in mental compulsions instead. That’s why proper diagnosis by an OCD specialist is so important.
No. OCD can involve cleanliness, but it also includes distressing thoughts, fears, or urges that have nothing to do with neatness. In fact, many people with OCD feel distressed by how much time they spend on rituals they don’t enjoy or even believe in.
OCD is about anxiety and compulsion, not preference. A therapist for OCD can help break this cycle and offer new ways to cope.
Both OCD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) involve anxiety—but they function differently.
OCD:
GAD:
Treatment for both may involve CBT, but OCD requires specialized approaches like ERP to address the compulsive behavior.
Though both were once classified under OCD, hoarding disorder is now a separate diagnosis.
OCD:
Hoarding Disorder:
If you or a loved one struggles with hoarding, an OCD therapist or psychologist can help determine which condition is present and offer appropriate treatment.
OCD is treatable. You don’t have to keep suffering in silence, and you don’t have to face it alone. Whether you’re looking for CBT for OCD, an OCD intrusive thoughts therapist, or online therapy for obsessive compulsive disorder, there are proven tools and compassionate professionals who can help.
Let’s take the next step—together.
Recovery is possible. With early intervention, a supportive community, and the right professional care, you can overcome challenges and build a fulfilling life. We’re here to help you find the support you need.
