Obsessions are frequent, unwanted, and intrusive thoughts, urges, or images that cause significant distress. Individuals with OCD often seek to avoid situations that can trigger this distress or they engage in mental acts or physical behaviors (compulsions) that help them escape or find relief from distress.

OCD affects people of all ages and it is estimated that roughly 2-3 million adults and 500,000 children in the United States have OCD (IOCDF). Sometimes people struggle with OCD for many years before seeking treatment, but it is never too late to get help and most people who engage treatment get better! In addition to ERP, some people benefit from medication.

At Seva, we have experience in treating the many manifestations of OCD and we do so with compassion and non-judgment. Your Seva therapist will not prescribe medications, but can help you connect with a provider who has experience treating OCD.

Anxiety Disorders include a wide range of disorders that share features of excessive fear and related behavioral disturbances (DSM-V-TR). The fear experienced in anxiety disorders is different from “normal” fear or stress that we experience in that it is persistent, often excessive, and it causes significant impairment in functioning.

Common anxiety disorders include Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Specific Phobias, and more. We treat anxiety disorders using evidence-based treatments, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and exposure-based treatment.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is often referred to as the “gold standard” treatment for OCD.

Exposure involves working with your provider to identify the situations you’ve been avoiding and making a therapeutic plan to start facing these challenges with support and new skills for facing fears.

Response Prevention interventions involve learning tools and strategies for resisting compulsions, learning to “unhook” from urges, and engaging in life more meaningfully.

CBT and exposure is also an evidence-based treatment for anxiety disorders. Some components are different in anxiety treatment, but many treatment exercises are similar.

When it comes to effective therapy for OCD and anxiety, not all therapists are created equal. We recommend looking for therapists who have been trained in evidence-based treatments for anxiety and OCD, such as ERP, CBT, and ACT.

Unfortunately, many individuals seek out a trained therapist after having an experience (or many) that was not helpful or that worsened symptoms.

At Seva, our therapists receive intensive training and ongoing consultation in delivering CBT and exposure-based therapies.

When we are not a good fit, we help clients connect with other trained and competent providers in the community.

Being reluctant about exposure and the possibility of facing your greatest fears is normal. While most people who face their fears in exposure-based treatments become less afraid and find more freedom to engage more meaningfully in their lives, not everyone starts therapy with the same level of readiness.

It is important to note that our therapists will never force you to face your fears. Exposure work is always a collaboration between you and your therapist; you will always direct your care. Our therapists help you learn skills to develop greater awareness about your symptom cycles, connection to your values, and skills for unhooking from thoughts and rumination.

Whatever your level of readiness, we are here to help you on your journey to finding more freedom and peace in your life!

At Seva, we believe that better understanding your symptom cycles and developing a more objective relationship to your symptoms helps you become more confident and efficient in responding to symptoms. Our therapists offer resources for psychoeducation and a roadmap for how and why treatment works.

Visit our resource page and/or the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) website for more information.