Do any of these scenarios sound familiar?

  • You repeatedly try the door handle to confirm that its locked

  • You replay conversations in your head and can’t stop worrying that you offended someone

  • You must perform an action a certain number of times before you’re satisfied 

  • You are concerned that you or someone you love will get sick

  • You wash your hands and then feel they are contaminated so you wash them again…and again

You go to enormous lengths to hide your obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors to appear normal. You don’t trust many people with your secret because you’re worried that you will be judged, ridiculed, misunderstood, or called “crazy”. And you are beyond stressed. 

Counseling for OCD in Seattle

The cycle of obsession and compulsion IS stressful. It is also exhausting and time consuming (often taking more than 1 hour a day), making completion of simple daily tasks a great effort. This can significantly impact your home, work, or social life. Not to mention the stigma and lack of understanding others may have about your condition.

The trick OCD plays is to convince you that if you do it just ‘one more time’, you will feel better. But OCD will demand that you do it again, and again, and again. It’s like extortion.

OCD is a burden that you no longer want to carry

According to the International OCD Foundation, it can take up to 17 years to get a proper diagnosis and effective treatment for OCD. Whether you have tried to get help before, or if this is the first time, I am glad that you are here, taking this step towards a happier, healthier future. OCD is hard but it can be treated successfully.

What Works?

Although OCD tends to be a long-term condition, most people who receive effective treatment for OCD can lead full and functional lives. Effective treatment often consists of medication and therapy to help you learn ways to master your thoughts and live with OCD.

There are different approaches to working with OCD: the Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) protocol, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Rumination-Focused ERP, and Inference-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy (I-CBT). We collaborate on the approach that would work best for your needs. You CAN live a life without fear. You CAN improve and manage your obsessions and compulsions. You deserve it.

Tic Disorders and Tourette Syndrome

It's important to note that OCD often coexists with tic disorders or Tourette Syndrome. This is why I employ a targeted strategy, Comprehensive Behavior Intervention for Tics (CBIT), to address these conditions. While many children naturally outgrow these issues, if persistent tics significantly affect your child's and your family's daily life, it's essential to seek assistance. I am here to provide that help.