OCD THERAPY IN CALGARY
OCD Therapy for Adults
Evidence-based support for intrusive thoughts, compulsions, and the anxiety that keeps the OCD cycle going.
Understanding OCD
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can involve unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, urges, or doubts that create significant anxiety or distress. In response, people may feel driven to perform compulsions, seek reassurance, avoid certain situations, or repeatedly analyze their thoughts in an attempt to feel certain or safe.
OCD can take many different forms, and the content of the thoughts can be very different from person to person. What often keeps OCD going is the cycle between intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and the behaviours or mental strategies used to get rid of that anxiety.
I work with adults experiencing OCD and related concerns and use evidence-based approaches, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), to help you understand this cycle and develop different ways of responding to obsessive thoughts and anxiety.
My training in OCD treatment includes specialized training in Exposure and Response Prevention with Dr. Jonathan Abramowitz.
OCD Can Take Many Forms
OCD does not always look like repeated handwashing or checking. Obsessions and compulsions can take many different forms, and some compulsions happen entirely in your mind.
Intrusive Thoughts
Unwanted thoughts, images, urges, or doubts that feel upsetting, disturbing, or inconsistent with who you are. These thoughts can become difficult to let go of and may lead to repeated attempts to figure out what they mean or gain certainty.
Relationship OCD
Persistent doubts or intrusive thoughts about a relationship, your feelings, or whether your partner is “right” for you. This can lead to repeatedly analyzing your feelings, comparing relationships, checking attraction, or seeking reassurance.
Checking & Doubting
Repeatedly checking things or mentally reviewing situations because of persistent doubt. This can include checking locks, appliances, messages, conversations, memories, or decisions in an attempt to feel certain that nothing went wrong.
Harm & Responsibility
Intrusive fears about accidentally or intentionally causing harm, making a serious mistake, or being responsible for something bad happening. These fears can lead to checking, avoidance, reassurance-seeking, or mentally reviewing past events.
Contamination & Health Concerns
Fears related to germs, illness, contamination, or becoming sick. This may involve excessive washing or cleaning, avoiding certain people or places, checking for symptoms, or seeking reassurance about health concerns.
Mental Compulsions & Reassurance-Seeking
OCD compulsions are not always visible. They can include repeatedly analyzing thoughts, reviewing memories, mentally checking, or asking others for reassurance to reduce uncertainty.
OCD therapy focuses on changing the cycle that keeps obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours going. Rather than trying to eliminate every unwanted thought or achieve complete certainty, therapy can help you learn to respond differently to thoughts, uncertainty, and anxiety.
One of the main approaches I use for OCD is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). ERP involves gradually facing thoughts, situations, or sensations that trigger anxiety or uncertainty while learning to reduce the compulsive responses that have been providing temporary relief.
Treatment is collaborative and tailored to your individual concerns. We will work together to understand your OCD patterns, identify what is maintaining them, and develop a treatment plan that fits your goals and circumstances.
How OCD Therapy Works
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
ERP is a specialized form of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and is a well-established psychological treatment for OCD. It does not involve forcing you to confront your fears before you're ready. Instead, exposures are developed collaboratively and introduced gradually as you build your ability to tolerate uncertainty and respond differently to OCD.
My Training in OCD & ERP
My training in OCD treatment includes specialized training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) with Dr. Jonathan S. Abramowitz, a clinical psychologist and researcher known for his work in OCD and anxiety disorders.
I continue to develop my knowledge and clinical skills in OCD treatment and use evidence-based approaches to support adults experiencing OCD. My approach is grounded in evidence-based treatment while being tailored to each person's individual concerns, goals, and circumstances.
OCD therapy is a collaborative process, and you do not need to have everything figured out before starting. We’ll begin by understanding what you’re experiencing, how OCD is affecting your life, and the patterns that may be keeping it going.
From there, we’ll develop a treatment plan based on your specific symptoms, goals, and circumstances. If ERP is appropriate, we’ll work together to develop exposures gradually and at a pace that feels manageable while still creating meaningful progress.
You’ll have opportunities to ask questions, understand why we’re using particular strategies, and build skills you can use outside of therapy.
What to Expect From OCD Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions About OCD Therapy
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No. You do not need to arrive with a formal diagnosis. We can talk about what you’re experiencing and determine whether OCD-focused therapy may be appropriate.
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OCD can involve mental compulsions such as rumination, reviewing, analyzing, mentally checking, or trying to achieve certainty. These can be addressed in OCD therapy just like more visible compulsions.
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Not necessarily. We can discuss your concerns at a level that feels manageable, and you can ask questions about the treatment process at any time. The goal is to understand the patterns that are keeping OCD going and develop effective ways of responding.
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Treatment is collaborative, and we’ll first make sure you understand the approach and feel prepared to begin. When ERP is appropriate, exposures are developed together and introduced gradually.
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Yes. I offer virtual OCD therapy to adults across Alberta, as well as in-person appointments in Calgary.
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A free 15-minute consultation is a chance to ask questions, describe what you’re experiencing, and learn more about my approach. We can then discuss whether working together may be a good fit.
If you’re looking for support with OCD, intrusive thoughts, compulsions, or anxiety around uncertainty, I invite you to book a free 15-minute consultation. It’s an opportunity to ask questions, learn more about OCD therapy, and see whether we might be a good fit.