Las Vegas OCD Therapy
*Warning: This is not medical advice. Do not self-diagnose. If you are struggling with what you suspect is a mental health disorder, please contact a licensed mental health professional. If you are located in Nevada, you can schedule an appointment with us. If you are not located in Nevada, we recommend using Psychology Today and/or your insurance provider to find a qualified professional to help you.
Patient Guide to Obsessive-Compulsive Treatment
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What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder? (OCD)
It involves a cycle of obsessions—unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges—and compulsions—ritualistic behaviors aimed at reducing the distress caused by those obsessions. The relief compulsions provide is short-lived, and the cycle tends to repeat many times throughout the day.
Obsessions can focus on themes such as contamination, harm, perfection, sexuality, morality, or order. Compulsions may be overt (like handwashing or checking locks) or internal (like repeating phrases or silently praying). Importantly, people with OCD usually recognize that their thoughts or behaviors are irrational, but feel powerless to stop them.
OCD affects individuals across the lifespan and often begins in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood. It is a treatable condition, but many suffer in silence due to shame or misunderstanding.
Common Signs You or a Loved One Is Suffering from OCD
People with OCD often go to great lengths to hide their symptoms, making it difficult for others to recognize what they’re going through. Below are some common signs that someone may be struggling with OCD:
Intrusive thoughts that feel disturbing, violent, or immoral and are hard to control
Repetitive behaviors or rituals, such as excessive handwashing, checking, counting, or arranging
Mental compulsions, such as silently repeating words, analyzing past actions, or trying to “neutralize” thoughts
Avoidance behaviors, like avoiding certain places, people, or objects to prevent triggering obsessions
Time-consuming routines that interfere with work, relationships, or daily activities
Extreme distress when routines are interrupted or rituals cannot be completed
Examples include needing to wash hands a specific number of times to “feel clean,” or fearing that not checking the stove repeatedly could lead to catastrophe. These aren’t just preferences or quirks—they’re attempts to manage overwhelming anxiety.
Left untreated, OCD can become increasingly rigid and all-consuming. But with the right support, recovery is absolutely possible.
OCD Symptom Checklist from American Psychiatric Association
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What Are the Most Effective Therapies for OCD?
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD
ERP is the gold standard treatment for OCD and is a specialized form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It involves gradually exposing individuals to their feared thoughts, situations, or images (exposure) while helping them resist the urge to perform their usual rituals (response prevention).
Over time, ERP retrains the brain to tolerate discomfort without relying on compulsions. Clients learn that anxiety naturally decreases on its own, and that feared outcomes are less likely or less catastrophic than imagined. ERP is highly structured and evidence-based, with a strong track record of success in both children and adults.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for OCD
While ERP is technically a form of CBT, traditional CBT techniques also play an important role in treatment. These include identifying and challenging distorted thinking patterns, such as catastrophic beliefs or black-and-white thinking.
CBT helps clients understand the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and it equips them with tools to break the OCD cycle in daily life. CBT is often used in combination with ERP to build a robust foundation for recovery.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for OCD
ACT is a newer, evidence-supported treatment for OCD that focuses less on eliminating thoughts and more on changing the individual’s relationship to them. ACT teaches mindfulness, acceptance, and values-based action—empowering clients to notice their thoughts without becoming entangled in them.
ACT can be particularly helpful for clients who experience intrusive thoughts that conflict with their values or identity (such as harm or sexual obsessions), helping reduce shame and increase psychological flexibility.
Psychiatric Medication Options for OCD
SSRIs (e.g., Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Fluvoxamine)
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first-line pharmacological treatment for OCD. Common choices include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and fluvoxamine (Luvox). These medications help regulate serotonin levels in the brain, which are often disrupted in individuals with OCD.
SSRIs can reduce the intensity and frequency of both obsessions and compulsions, though they often require higher doses and a longer trial period than when used for depression. They are frequently used in combination with therapy, particularly ERP.
Clomipramine
Clomipramine (Anafranil) is a tricyclic antidepressant that predates SSRIs and remains one of the most effective medications for OCD. It is particularly useful for individuals who do not respond well to SSRIs alone. However, it tends to have more side effects, so it's usually considered after SSRIs have been tried.
Antipsychotic Augmentation (e.g., Aripiprazole, Risperidone)
In cases where OCD is resistant to treatment, psychiatrists may prescribe an antipsychotic medication in combination with an SSRI. Low doses of medications like aripiprazole (Abilify) or risperidone (Risperdal) can enhance the effects of SSRIs in some individuals, especially when intrusive thoughts are severe.
Lifestyle Changes That Support OCD Treatment
While professional treatment is key, certain lifestyle changes can support recovery and reduce symptom intensity over time.
Practice Daily Mindfulness
Mindfulness techniques help create space between obsessive thoughts and compulsive urges. Meditation, breathing exercises, or mindful walking can build awareness and reduce reactivity to intrusive thoughts.
Reduce Stress
Chronic stress can intensify OCD symptoms. Practices like yoga, time management, journaling, or creative hobbies can lower stress and increase emotional regulation.
Limit Reassurance Seeking
Although it feels helpful in the moment, reassurance seeking (asking others repeatedly if things are “okay”) feeds the OCD cycle. Setting limits on these behaviors and learning to tolerate uncertainty is essential for long-term progress.
Sleep and Nutrition
A well-regulated sleep schedule and balanced nutrition can improve mood, focus, and overall brain function—making it easier to manage intrusive thoughts and resist compulsions.
Gradual Exposure Outside of Therapy
While ERP is most effective under clinical guidance, clients can gently challenge avoidance behaviors in everyday life. Taking small, manageable steps toward feared situations (without performing rituals) reinforces progress and boosts confidence.