Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is more than being neat or organized—it’s a serious anxiety disorder that can significantly disrupt daily life. People with OCD experience persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and feel compelled to perform rituals or behaviors (compulsions) to reduce the resulting anxiety.
Fortunately, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)—especially a specialized form called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)—is a highly effective, evidence-based treatment for OCD. If you’re looking for support in the Sacramento area, CBT with a trained therapist like Susan Haverty, MFT, can make a real difference.
Understanding OCD
OCD typically involves a cycle:
- Obsessions: Intrusive thoughts (e.g., fear of contamination, harm, or making a mistake)
- Anxiety: The thoughts cause intense stress or fear
- Compulsions: Repetitive behaviors or mental rituals performed to relieve anxiety (e.g., hand washing, checking, counting)
Over time, compulsions may provide temporary relief—but they reinforce the cycle, making the condition more severe.
What Is CBT?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps individuals identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. For OCD, CBT focuses not just on managing symptoms, but on breaking the obsession-compulsion cycle altogether.
The most effective form of CBT for OCD is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).
How ERP Works
ERP involves two key components:
- Exposure: Gradually and safely confronting the situations or thoughts that trigger obsessions.
- Response Prevention: Resisting the urge to perform compulsions in response to anxiety.
For example, a person afraid of contamination might touch a “dirty” surface and then delay or avoid handwashing. Over time, their anxiety decreases, and they learn they can tolerate the discomfort without giving in to the compulsion.
This process helps retrain the brain and reduces the power obsessions hold.
Why Choose a CBT Specialist?
OCD is complex, and not all therapists are trained in evidence-based methods like ERP. Susan Haverty, MFT, has over 20 years of experience treating OCD and anxiety disorders. She trained under renowned OCD expert Dr. Paul Munford, Ph.D., and works directly with each client using proven methods tailored to their needs.
What You Can Expect in Therapy
- A supportive, non-judgmental environment
- Step-by-step guidance through the ERP process
- Tools to manage intrusive thoughts without rituals
- Long-term strategies for relapse prevention
CBT for OCD is challenging—but it works. And you don’t have to go through it alone.
Take the First Step
If OCD is interfering with your life, effective help is available. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a skilled therapist can help you regain control and live more freely.
Set up a free 15-minute phone consultation with Susan Haverty today to learn more about how CBT and ERP can help.
