Is OCD Therapy Right for You?
OCD therapy may be right for you if you’re experiencing:
Intrusive, unwanted thoughts that feel impossible to ignore or control
Repetitive behaviors or mental rituals you feel compelled to perform to reduce anxiety
Significant time lost to obsessions and compulsions (often 1+ hours per day)
Interference in daily life — school, work, relationships, or sleep disrupted by OCD symptoms
Previous anxiety treatment that didn’t work — OCD requires specialized approaches like ERP
We specialize in distinguishing OCD from general anxiety and creating treatment plans tailored to your specific symptoms. OCD and anxiety disorders frequently co-occur, and our therapists are experienced in treating both — if anxiety is part of the picture alongside OCD, our anxiety therapy in Westport can help.
Why Choose Gofman Therapy for OCD Treatment?
Specialized ERP Training & Experience
Our therapists are specifically trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold-standard treatment for OCD. Unlike general talk therapy, ERP directly targets the cycle of obsessions and compulsions through gradual, structured exposure work.
Understanding OCD at Different Life Stages
OCD often emerges or intensifies during periods of transition and stress. We work with teens managing school pressures, young adults navigating college and career, and adults balancing work, relationships, and responsibilities—helping you manage OCD while building the life you want.
Collaborative, Not Prescriptive
You’re the expert on your own experience. We work together to identify your specific OCD triggers, create exposure hierarchies at your pace, and build coping strategies that fit your life. Therapy is a partnership, not something done to you.
Evidence-Based & Action-Focused
We use proven approaches (ERP, CBT, ACT) and focus on measurable progress. You’ll leave each session with concrete tools and practices, not just insights.
Flexible Options: In-Person or Virtual
In-person sessions at our Westport, CT office
Virtual therapy available across Connecticut and Virginia
Consistent therapist regardless of format
What Happens in Your First OCD Therapy Session?
Your first therapy session is about understanding your unique experience with OCD and creating a foundation for treatment. This follows your free 15-minute consultation where you determined we’re a good fit.
In your first session we’ll:
1. Listen to your story — What does OCD look like in your life? What triggers your obsessions? What compulsions do you use to cope?
2. Clarify your diagnosis — Not all intrusive thoughts are OCD. We’ll help distinguish OCD from general anxiety, perfectionism, or other conditions.
3. Discuss treatment options — We’ll explain how ERP works, what to expect, and answer any questions about the process.
4. Create initial goals — What would your life look like if OCD had less control? We’ll start mapping out your treatment objectives.
5. Talk logistics — Session frequency, scheduling, and any accommodations you might need.
No exposure work happens in the first session. This is a time for assessment, questions, and building trust.
Understanding OCD: What Is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by two main components:
Obsessions — Unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that cause significant anxiety or distress. These might include fears of contamination, concerns about harm, need for symmetry or order, or unwanted sexual or religious thoughts.
Compulsions — Repetitive behaviors or mental rituals performed to reduce the anxiety caused by obsessions or to prevent a feared outcome. Common compulsions include excessive washing, checking, counting, arranging, or seeking reassurance.
OCD is different from perfectionism or “being particular.” True OCD involves thoughts and behaviors that are distressing, time-consuming (often 1+ hours daily), and significantly interfere with normal functioning.
Common OCD themes include:
- Contamination and washing
- Harm obsessions and checking
- Symmetry and ordering
- Intrusive thoughts (sexual, religious, violent)
- Reassurance-seeking and rumination
How OCD Therapy Works: The ERP Process
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the most effective treatment for OCD. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Build Your Exposure Hierarchy
Together, we create a list of situations, thoughts, or objects that trigger your OCD — ranked from least to most anxiety-provoking. This becomes your roadmap for treatment.
Step 2: Gradual Exposure
Starting with lower-anxiety triggers, you’ll practice facing feared situations without performing your usual compulsions. For example, if you have contamination OCD, you might touch a doorknob and resist washing your hands.
Step 3: Response Prevention
The key is learning to tolerate the anxiety without using compulsions to make it go away. Over time, your brain learns that the feared outcome doesn’t happen, and anxiety naturally decreases.
Step 4: Practice & Progress
ERP requires practice between sessions. You’ll have “homework” exposures to do on your own, building confidence and independence in managing OCD.
Step 5: Relapse Prevention
As you master your hierarchy, we’ll focus on maintaining progress and recognizing early warning signs if OCD symptoms try to resurface.
How long does treatment take?
Most clients see meaningful improvement within 12-16 weeks of consistent ERP therapy. Severe OCD may take longer, but progress is typically measurable within the first month.
Treatment Approaches We Use for OCD
While ERP is the primary approach, we integrate other evidence-based techniques to provide comprehensive OCD treatment:
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
The gold-standard treatment for OCD. ERP involves gradually exposing individuals to feared situations while preventing compulsive responses, allowing anxiety to naturally decrease over time.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps identify and challenge distorted thought patterns that fuel OCD behaviors. We work together to develop healthier ways of responding to intrusive thoughts.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT teaches you to observe obsessive thoughts without judgment and without reacting to them. This approach helps reduce the power of intrusive thoughts and breaks the compulsion cycle.
Mindfulness Techniques
Mindfulness practices help you notice obsessive thoughts and feelings without engaging with them, reducing reactivity and the urge to perform compulsions.
Goals of OCD Therapy
Effective OCD therapy focuses on these core objectives:
- Reduce anxiety and distress caused by obsessive thoughts
- Decrease compulsive behaviors and the time spent performing rituals
- Improve daily functioning in work, school, relationships, and self-care
- Build confidence in managing OCD symptoms independently
- Develop long-term coping strategies to prevent relapse
- Increase psychological flexibility and tolerance for uncertainty
- Restore quality of life and engagement in meaningful activities
The ultimate goal isn’t to eliminate all intrusive thoughts (everyone has them), but to change your relationship with those thoughts so they no longer control your behavior or cause significant distress.
Who Can Benefit from OCD Therapy?
OCD therapy can help:
- Teens and young adults experiencing first-onset OCD symptoms
- Adults with long-standing OCD looking for specialized treatment
- People with mild to severe symptoms — ERP is effective across the spectrum
- Individuals with specific OCD subtypes (contamination, harm, sexual, religious, symmetry, etc.)
- Those with co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression, or ADHD
- Family members learning how to support a loved one without enabling compulsions
- People seeking relapse prevention after previous treatment success
You don’t need a formal OCD diagnosis to benefit from therapy. If obsessions and compulsions are interfering with your life, an initial consultation can help determine the right treatment approach.
Learn More About OCD & Treatment
Explore our in-depth guides on OCD:
Understanding Your Symptoms:
Anxiety vs OCD: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters - Learn how to distinguish OCD from general anxiety
Managing OCD in Daily Life:
10 Tips for Managing OCD During the Holidays - Practical strategies for high-stress situations
OCD Research & Insights:
Understanding OCD: Prevalence, Symptoms, and Effective Management - Evidence-based overview of OCD
View all OCD-related articles →
Investment in OCD Treatment
Our session rate is $260 per session (50 minutes). A free 15-minute consultation is available to discuss fit and answer questions about treatment and payment.
Insurance & Payment: We are an out-of-network practice, which means we do not bill insurance directly. However, many clients receive partial reimbursement by submitting our superbills to their insurance company. We’ll help you understand your out-of-network benefits and expected costs during your consultation.
Why out-of-network? Operating out-of-network allows us to provide specialized ERP treatment without insurance restrictions, maintain longer sessions when clinically beneficial, and ensure your treatment remains confidential.
Why specialized OCD treatment is worth the investment: ERP therapy typically produces measurable results in 12-16 weeks, compared to years of general therapy that isn’t OCD-specific. The focused, evidence-based approach often means faster relief and fewer total sessions over time.
Meet Our OCD Therapists
Getting Started with OCD Therapy
Starting OCD therapy is straightforward:
- Schedule a free 15-minute consultation by filling out our contact form or calling (203) 402-8681. In this brief call, we’ll discuss your concerns, answer initial questions, and determine if we’re a good fit.
- Attend your first therapy session where we’ll conduct a thorough assessment, discuss treatment options in detail, and create your personalized treatment plan.
We offer flexible scheduling with both in-person appointments in Westport, CT and virtual sessions across Connecticut and Virginia. Most clients start with weekly sessions and adjust frequency based on their needs and progress.
