Therapy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Treatment in Greenwich, Darien, Westport, Westchester, and Surrounding Areas in Connecticut and New York
We treat OCD in children, adolescents, and adults. We use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). We will work with you to gradually and systematically approach anxiety-provoking situations while simultaneously reducing or eliminating compulsions. This type of approach is highly effective for OCD.
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We also work with you to understand what factors may be maintaining your OCD, increase tolerance of uncertainty, change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors that may be maintaining your OCD, and learn to respond in helpful ways to intrusive thoughts.
What is OCD?
People with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) often have scary and stressful thoughts, urges, or images (obsessions), such as fears about contracting a terrible disease or picturing oneself hurting another person. Often, the development of behaviors or routines (compulsions) follows to reduce distress caused by obsessions. Some compulsions may include frequent hand-washing, checking, or counting.
What is your treatment approach?
We treat OCD with Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), which involves exposure to anxiety-provoking stimuli in a gradual and systematic fashion while reducing compulsive behaviors that are typically used to reduce anxiety. ERP provides the opportunity to learn that what you fear is unlikely to come true. It also helps to desensitize and build tolerance to obsessions. We also incorporate mindfulness and acceptance-based strategies to increase focus on the present, decrease avoidance, decrease attachment to thoughts, and help you clarify your values and goals.
What experience do you have treating OCD?
Dr. Sala has received training and supervision in exposure therapy for OCD and other anxiety disorders by some of the leading experts in anxiety disorders in the country. She has completed training in ERP at UCLA. Please contact her to learn more about her experience with exposure therapy.