“There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.” ― John Green
Therapy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in Milwaukee
You feel out of control. You get intense thoughts that get stuck in your head and that you can’t seem to escape.
The only thing that you have found that has helped are things you do to help regain a sense of it. Washing, cleaning, checking, repeating. These compulsions are calming, soothing, anxiety relieving.
Until it isn’t.
This is because you’ve now noticed that you are plagued by constant intrusive, obsessive OCD thoughts that you can’t get out of your mind. And you now find that you have to engage in compulsions to feel safe and to relieve your anxiety and OCD. You don’t understand how something which you began to help calm yourself and to instill a sense of control in your life, is now what leads to you feeling so trapped.
The good news is that with treatment for OCD, you can experience relief and freedom again. You are not alone. You can break free of your OCD and live a full life again.
Signs and Symptoms of OCD
Performing compulsive behaviors and having obsessive thoughts does not necessarily mean you have obsessive compulsive disorder. The behaviors and thoughts of individuals with OCD cause extreme distress, interfere with relationships and daily life and take up a sufficient amount of time, or at least one hour per day.
Common compulsive behaviors in OCD include:
- Praying excessively
- Engaging in rituals triggered by religious fear
- Spending lots of time cleaning or washing
- Arranging or ordering items in a particular fashion
- Accumulating refuse like empty food containers or old newspapers
- Double-checking things incessantly, like switches, appliances or locks
- Checking in on loved ones throughout the day to ensure they’re safe
- Tapping, counting or repeating certain words
Common obsessive thoughts in OCD include:
- Fear of being contaminated by germs
- Violent or sexually explicit images and thoughts
- Fear of harming oneself or others
- Fear of losing control
- Repetitive thoughts that everything must “line up just right”
- Excessive attention on places or things that are considered lucky or unlucky
- Fear of not having or losing essential items
- Extreme focus on moral or religious ideas
Gettting Started With Therapy For OCD
We work with teens, young adults, and adults experiencing Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images or urges that feel out of your control; intense, distressing emotions including fear, disgust, and restless doubt; as well as compulsions.
We can help with all types of obsessions, including:
- Contamination Obsessions
- Responsibility Obsessions
- Perfectionism-Related Obsessions
- Identity Obsessions
We can help with all types of compulsions as well, including:
- Checking Compulsions
- Washing, Cleaning, and Contamination Compulsions
- Symmetry Compulsions
- Repeating Compulsions
- Mental Compulsions
- “Just Feels Right” Compulsions
We are passionate about offering treatments for OCD that are based in research that are designed and found to be effective. OCD treatment approaches we specialize in include Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), relaxation training, and stress management.
Are you ready to gain freedom over your thoughts, moods and life?
What are the most effective treatments for OCD?
The most effective treatments for OCD are Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), specifically Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and/or medication.
Together, ERP and medication are considered the first-line treatments for OCD, benefiting around 70% of people.
What causes OCD?
The best answer to this question is, “We don’t fully know,” and “there is no single cause.”
Factors such as family history, psychology, environment, and biological functioning may all contribute. Personality traits like perfectionism can increase the risk of developing OCD, and stressful life events or psychological trauma may also play a significant role.
How long does OCD counseling usually last?
We don’t have a requirement for a specific number of therapy sessions that you have to attend. The length of therapy varies based on individual needs, goals, and the issues being addressed.
We recommend that you plan to engage in weekly therapy sessions for about 12 to 16 weeks. This consistent approach helps build a strong foundation for exploring your history, understanding the origins of your OCD, gaining insight into yourself, and developing a personalized plan with effective coping strategies.
After that initial period, depending on your progress and the severity of your symptoms, the frequency of sessions may be adjusted.
Some clients may reduce to bi-weekly sessions, while others may continue with weekly sessions if needed. Your therapist will work with you to tailor the treatment plan based on your needs and goals.
How does OCD counseling work?
OCD counseling typically consists of 50-minute one-on-one sessions designed to help you address your concerns and work through challenges. Our counselors combine active listening with insights from research to help you understand what’s happening and explore the thoughts, feelings, family history, and environmental factors contributing to your anxiety.
Here’s what you can expect:
- A Safe, Supportive Space: From the start, we create a welcoming, non-judgmental environment where you’ll feel comfortable sharing your struggles.
- Understanding Your Story: By hearing about your life history and experiences, we begin to gain a clear understanding of your unique challenges.
- Tackling Immediate Concerns: We’ll start by helping you manage difficult emotions and navigate challenging situations you may be facing right now.
- Identifying Your Goals: Together, we’ll explore what you want to achieve in therapy and in life, helping you set meaningful goals.
- Building a Roadmap for Progress: With your personal goals in mind, we’ll develop a plan to help you reach them, using proven therapeutic techniques.
- Ongoing Improvement: Over time, you’ll begin to notice positive changes in how you think, feel, and behave.
Research shows that OCD counseling can lead to lasting changes in your thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and behaviors, helping you overcome what’s holding you back from living a more fulfilling life.
Do you prescribe mediation for OCD?
No, we do not prescribe medication for OCD at Hillary Counseling. However, if medication is something you’re interested in, we will offer referrals to a medical professional, psychiatrist or nurse practitioner, who can assess your needs and discuss medication options.
Our primary focus is on providing therapeutic approaches, such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), mindfulness techniques, and other strategies to help manage OCD.
