Get Help for OCD: Find the Best OCD Therapy Near You or Online

Did you know that about 2% of the world’s population suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)? It is one of the most frequent mental health problems. You’re probably reading this because you searched “OCD therapy near me” or “OCD therapy online.” There are several possibilities, for example, internet platforms such as BetterHelp.com are effective answers if you live far from a metropolis.

Here’s the deal: OCD therapy has been shown to be quite beneficial even without the use of medication. If you or someone you care about has this illness, you could go to counseling. But getting ready ahead of time is important if you want to find a good therapist who can give you the right treatment.

What exactly is OCD?

OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, is a habit in which a person performs an activity or activities repeatedly as a response of thoughts or feelings. This could be as simple as double-checking doors and windows or as complex as obsessing over religion or another person.

The name obsessive-compulsive disorder comes from the fact that the thoughts or feelings present as obsessions, yet the behavior resulting from them is frequently compulsive, i.e., beyond the person’s control.

OCD Treatment Options

Persons with OCD typically have two treatment options: medication and therapy. These two are frequently used simultaneously, particularly in severe situations and in conjunction with other mental diseases such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or general anxiety.

In an article in the World Journal of Psychiatry, the two most researched and proven ways to treat OCD were talked about. It indicates that OCD treated solely with medication has a higher risk of relapse. Therapy, on the other hand, produces superior results.

It also says that the dropout rates for people who do go to therapy are much higher, which shows how important it is to work with a skilled therapist who knows how to treat a client with this kind of problem.

On the pharmacological front, antidepressants are commonly used to treat OCD. This raises the possibility of overdependence or addiction to antidepressants, which opens up even another can of worms. In such cases, the client may deteriorate and confront additional challenges.

Best Online OCD Therapies

Let’s talk about the specific therapies available for treating OCD before we talk about locating an OCD therapist near you or opting for OCD therapy online. This will allow you to discuss the best course of action with a therapist in greater detail.

A psychologist will usually use more than one therapy to treat OCD.

Here are several well-known treatments for OCD:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (CBT)

CBT is one of the most widely used therapies in the field of psychology. It has been used to treat a wide range of mental diseases and conditions, including OCD. The primary goal of CBT is to assist the client in comprehending their thoughts and where they are coming from.

It teaches people how to recognize their own thought patterns and understand the incorrect messages their brain sends in order to control their fixation and, eventually, their compulsiveness. This therapy may not work as well as it could in some cases, especially when OCD is paired with a major mental illness like schizophrenia.

ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention)

ERP is a type of cognitive behavior therapy that is thought to be the most effective for OCD. Numerous studies have demonstrated that it is the most effective in the treatment of OCD. Recently, an Italian study on OCD patients during the Covid-19 outbreak demonstrated that ERP works, particularly when combined with other therapies.

EPR involves slowly exposing the person to things or situations that make them feel scared or anxious. It also teaches how to respond to these kinds of triggers and how to control compulsions by changing how you react to them.

Desensitization and Reprocessing of Eye Movements (EMDR)

Although EMDR is more commonly used to treat PTSD, anxiety, and depression, it can also be used to treat OCD, particularly trauma-related OCD. According to research, EMDR can also help cure OCD induced by PTSD.

For such individuals, therapists typically combine EMDR and CBT.

If the individual is unable to complete the task with which they are fascinated, they may get frustrated, anxious, and even upset.

These people have no control over their ideas or behaviors. As a result, this disease can have a significant impact on their lifestyle as well as the people around them.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Examples

While OCD symptoms vary widely, there are some common symptoms and behaviors that suggest the presence of OCD. These could include:

• Excessive apprehension about pollutants or pathogens that can make one sick. Such people may wash their hands frequently, avoid physical contact with others, and have apprehensions about attending hospitals.
• Unwanted violent or strange sexual impulses, as well as the compulsion to act on those thoughts.
• Obsession with order or perfection, such as having an even number of objects, straight lines, and precisely labeled items.
• Overemphasis on religion to the point of fanaticism, resulting in excessive dread of God or fixation with morals.
• Superstitious notions such as lucky or unlucky socks, numbers, dates, or colors. Overreliance on zodiac signs may also be considered an OCD symptom.

How Can I Find OCD Counseling Near Me?

Now, let’s get to the point: where can I find OCD therapy near me? Because OCD is so common in many parts of the world, many psychotherapists offer OCD therapy. So, finding an OCD therapist in your town or city shouldn’t be too tough.

However, it can be challenging in some areas where there aren’t many therapists, or those who are there are fully booked. It is also possible that you have tried local therapists and want to switch. Whatever the cause, here are some options close to you:

Look it up on the internet.

The first thing you may do is search for “OCD doctors near me” or “OCD therapists near me” and browse the results. It may take some effort to separate the relevant from the unimportant.

Because not all therapists are experts in OCD, once you’ve located a therapist or a mental healthcare clinic, make sure to look at their website. You can even phone them directly to discuss therapy alternatives, fees, and insurance coverage.

Look through online directories.

Searching online directories for trained OCD therapists is another option. They may not offer recommendations for every area, but if you reside in a large city, you will almost certainly discover several

Consult a doctor, a friend, or a family member.

You can also seek advice from a medical professional, such as your primary care physician. Similarly, you can ask friends and family whether they know of an OCD therapist.

How Do I Locate Online OCD Therapy?

Online therapy for OCD is a great way to deal with this illness because it can be hard for some people, especially those with few options, to find and see an OCD therapist in person.

The only difference is that you use telemedicine technologies like voice calls, video calls, and text messages instead of being there in person.

While some therapists offer teletherapy online on their own, your best bet is to use an online therapy platform. This will shorten your search time by introducing you to a qualified therapist.

BetterHelp.com’s therapists offer the most dependable online OCD therapy. The platform is one of the largest in the world, with hundreds of skilled and trained therapists.

You may even find one in your own town or state. However, you can contact a therapist from anywhere. The nicest aspect is that it corresponds with the therapy. As soon as you indicate OCD in the first sign-up form, you’ll be paired with an OCD-specific therapist.

If you are looking for a specific therapy, such as ERP or EMDR, you can also locate it on our site.

Tips for Choosing an OCD Therapist

• Make sure to describe your circumstances and symptoms as thoroughly as possible.
• You should connect with the therapist and feel at ease.
• Before attempting a certain therapy, consult with a professional to learn more about it and what to expect.
• Make sure to look into their credentials and certificates.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions or express concerns, especially if you’re feeling uneasy.

Bottomline
OCD counseling is available near me for both in-person and online treatment. Online therapy, on the other hand, may be more adaptable and cost-effective. In any case, do what seems right for you. Don’t get discouraged if therapy takes a while; OCD cannot be cured immediately. Relapse is also possible, but to get back in control, you need to go back to therapy. OCD is not completely incurable. Even if you cannot completely cure it, you can manage it and learn how to cope with the obsessions and compulsions.