OCD Therapy: ERP Near Me
Discover Expert OCD Therapists in Ontario
We're here to help you tackle anxiety and obsessions that happen when those unwanted thoughts pop up. You don't have to feel ashamed or embarrassed about what crosses your mind - seriously, we've heard it all! Everyone gets strange or even scary thoughts now and then.
We offer gold-standard therapy for OCD because we understand how tough it can be. You don't have to battle your thoughts alone. Exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy can make a difference in your life so that you can find some calmness in your thoughts.
What is ERP?
If you or a loved one is struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), you may be wondering where to turn for help. Luckily, there are effective treatments available such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy. ERP is a type of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) that has been proven to be effective in treating OCD (American Psychological Association, 2007).
The Best Way to Treat OCD. Source: Psych Hub
How does ERP help me?
ERP works by gradually exposing you to things that you are afraid of. While avoiding things that make you anxious helps you feel better in the short term, it makes your obsessions worse over time. Another aspect of ERP is not doing your compulsions (also known as rituals or behaviours). By doing these two things, it will help break the cycle of OCD and reduce anxiety. We find that the stricter people are at not doing their rituals, the better they feel. By the end of ERP, you should feel much better.
In ERP treatment, we conduct all OCD exposures safely and in a controlled manner. We never pressure you to do anything you're not comfortable with. Your therapist will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan.
Connect with an OCD therapist in Ontario
If you are looking for OCD treatment near you, our team of experienced therapists is here to help. We have therapists across Ontario including Ottawa, Midland, and Barrie. We offer video counselling sessions to anyone (12 years of age and older) who resides in Ontario. This means you can receive the treatment you need to overcome OCD- all from the comfort of your home.
Book a free consultation by clicking the tab below and we will match you with an ERP therapist. Our Clinical Directors will answer any questions you have about ERP and make sure that it is a good fit for you.
Source: American Psychiatric Association, Koran, L. M., Hanna, G L., Hollander, E., Nestadt, G., & Simpson, H. B. (2007). Practice guidelines for the treatment of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association, 2007. Available online at https://psychiatryonline.org/pb/assets/raw/sitewide/practice_guidelines/guidelines/ocd-1410197738287.pdfMeet the OCD Team
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Celissa Vipond
RSW Psychotherapist
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Anneliese Surmann
RSW Psychotherapist
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Lauren Steinhart
Clinical Psychologist
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Alpar Szotyori
Psychotherapist
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Alana Weinberg
RSW Psychotherapist
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Angela Hammond
RSW Psychotherapist
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Jennifer O'Connor
Psychotherapist
What is OCD?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that can affect people of all ages. People with OCD have persistent and uncontrollable thoughts and images (also known as obsessions). This causes a great deal of anxiety and distress. People cope with obsessions by engaging in certain actions to relieve anxiety. These actions are called "rituals" or "compulsions."
Almost everyone will have an intrusive thought at some point in their life. And yet, most of us feel embarrassed to talk about it because there is a “don’t ask, don’t tell culture”. Because of this, we feel embarrassed and shameful about our intrusive thoughts. If you think that you may have OCD, you can read this blog post: Could my thoughts be OCD?
What is OCD? (Source: Psych Hub)
Examples of OCD Themes:
Contamination (also known as “cleaning OCD”)
Fear of harming yourself or someone else (also known as “harm OCD”)
“Just not right” feelings
Sexual thoughts (e.g. incest, sexual orientation, rape, pedophilia)
Religious or morality (moral) OCD
Relationship OCD (e.g. is my partner right for me?)
Obsessions that you might be gay or bisexual
Please know that there are thousands of OCD thoughts that could be considered OCD and these are just some of the most common. If your thoughts cause you distress, it may be worth it to talk to an OCD therapist near you.
We have written blog posts on specific themes including: Incest OCD. We also have a blog post on perinatal and postpartum OCD and moral OCD.
Examples of OCD rituals:
Cleaning
Checking
Asking family members for reassurance
Mental rituals (e.g. saying special phrases or numbers in your mind)
The rituals (compulsions) help you to feel better in the short term. But over time, it forms a strong habit where you want to do it again and again. Unfortunately, these rituals strengthen the obsessions and worsen anxiety over the long term. This is why OCD tends to get worse as you get older and the habits or rituals become harder and harder to break.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I know if I need treatment?
If you find your thoughts bothersome and time-consuming, it might be time to reach out for help. You can read our blog post Could my Thoughts be OCD?
Does online ERP therapy work for OCD?
Research shows that video ERP therapy for OCD is as effective as face-to-face treatment (Smith & Johnson, 2023, p. 78).
Reference:Smith, A., & Johnson, B. (2023). Video exposure and response prevention therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A comparative effectiveness study. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 15(2), 75-89.How will I meet with my therapist?
Jane (our scheduling system) will send you a secure link, where you will meet with your therapist via a video program. If you prefer to have your sessions over the telephone, we can call you. You can connect with a therapist from anywhere in Ontario.
How long does it take to overcome OCD with treatment?
The length of treatment for ERP can vary depending on your individual needs and goals. Generally, it can take up to 17 weekly therapy sessions to complete ERP. But, some people may need fewer sessions. For example, someone who has mild OCD may need fewer sessions.
What if I am not ready to begin ERP?
If you are not ready to begin ERP, we will meet with you to develop an individualized treatment plan. Learn more about CBT skills and treatment components.
How do I find in-person ERP near me?
You can use a search engine like Psychology Today and filter your search for your area. The International OCD Foundation also has an OCD therapist directory.
What to expect at your first therapy session
If you are attending your first therapy session, you may be wondering what to expect. Here are some things to expect:
Your therapist will likely begin by asking you questions about your symptoms. For example, they may ask you how long you have been experiencing them. They may also ask how they affect your daily life and how they make you feel.
They may also ask you about your medical history and any previous treatments you have tried.
Your therapist may also provide you with information about OCD and how ERP works.
You can discuss any concerns or questions you have about the therapy process.
Remember, the first therapy session is the beginning of a journey toward recovery. With time and commitment, you can overcome your OCD symptoms. If you have any questions, you can book a free consultation with us.
Self-Help Resources for OCD
Books for Adults
Getting Over OCD, Second Edition: A 10-Step Workbook for Taking Your Life Back (Abramowitz, 2018)
Treating your OCD with Exposure and Response (Ritual) Prevention, 2nd Ed (Foa & Lichner, 2012)
Getting Control: Overcoming Your Obsessions and Compulsions (Baer, 2012)
The Imp of the Mind (Baer, 2002)
You can also check our blog post “Best Books for OCD”
Websites
Connect with a Therapist
Book a free consultation with our team by clicking the tab below. We will meet with you for 15 minutes and see if you would be a good fit for ERP. We can also help match you with an OCD therapist in Ontario. If you have questions but don’t want to book a free consultation, send us an email at virtualcbt@gmail.com. Learn more about our ERP therapy fees.