OCD Treatment in Westchester, New York
Compassionate, evidence-based trauma therapy to help you heal and feel safe again
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Therapists in Westchester County, NY
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is one of several anxiety disorders that can significantly interfere with daily functioning. OCD often involves a pattern of obsessions and compulsions that feel intrusive, persistent, and difficult to interrupt without support. These patterns can affect relationships, school, work, and overall well-being.
As a licensed clinical psychologist, I work with individuals who experience OCD as well as anxiety and related disorders. Some people come to therapy after years of managing symptoms on their own. Others seek support soon after symptoms begin. My role is to help you understand what is happening and to offer appropriate treatment that is grounded in research and clinical experience.
I collaborate with psychiatrists when medication management is part of care, and I focus on providing outpatient psychological services that fit into your life rather than taking it over.
Common OCD Concerns
-
Contamination Fears / Washing Compulsions
You may feel intense fear around germs, dirt, or illness, leading to repeated washing or cleaning rituals. These behaviors often provide brief relief but increase anxiety over time
-
Hyper Responsibility OCD and Checking
This form of OCD is driven by fear of making a mistake or causing harm. You may find yourself checking repeatedly for reassurance or replaying situations in your mind.
-
Symmetry and Just Right Obsessions
You may feel a strong need for things to feel balanced, even, or complete. Discomfort builds until actions or arrangements feel just right.
-
Health Anxiety and Hypochondria
Intrusive worries about illness can lead to constant body checking or reassurance seeking. Even normal sensations may feel threatening and hard to dismiss.
-
Harm OCD
This involves unwanted violent or disturbing thoughts that feel deeply upsetting. These thoughts do not reflect your values, yet they can create intense fear and self doubt.
When should I seek treatment for trauma?
You may want to seek treatment for OCD if intrusive thoughts or compulsive behaviors are interfering with your daily life, relationships, or sense of well-being. Many people come to therapy when they feel stuck in repetitive cycles of doubt, checking, or mental review, or when reassurance no longer brings relief. If you find yourself spending significant time managing anxiety or avoiding situations because of fear, therapy can help.
You do not need to wait until symptoms feel severe to reach out. Early support can make treatment more manageable and prevent patterns from becoming more entrenched. If OCD is affecting how you live, work, or connect with others, it is a valid and appropriate time to seek help.
Get Started with Therapy
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation today and explore whether OCD Therapy is right for you.
Expert OCD Therapy in Westchester, NY
I provide OCD therapy grounded in clinical training, experience, and evidence-based care. My focus is on understanding how OCD shows up for you personally, not just which symptoms you experience. Treatment is thoughtful and structured, while still allowing room for curiosity, flexibility, and compassion. I work to create a space where difficult thoughts can be explored without judgment and where change feels possible without pressure.
My role is not to push you or rush the process. It is to help you build skills that reduce the hold OCD has on your life and to support you as you practice responding differently to fear and uncertainty. Over time, this work can lead to greater confidence, improved functioning, and a stronger sense of trust in yourself.
My Approach to Therapy for OCD
My approach to OCD treatment is structured, collaborative, and compassionate. I primarily use cognitive behavioral therapy, including exposure and response prevention, which is considered the gold standard treatment for OCD. This work focuses on changing how you respond to intrusive thoughts rather than trying to eliminate them.
Exposure and response prevention, often referred to as ERP, helps you gradually face specific triggers while reducing compulsive responses. Over time, this allows anxiety to decrease naturally and helps weaken the cycle that keeps OCD active. CBT and cognitive-behavioral therapy support this process by helping you develop new ways of relating to obsession driven thoughts.
I also integrate behavior therapy and elements of dialectical behavior therapy when emotional regulation or distress tolerance need additional support. In some cases, trauma therapy is appropriate when OCD symptoms are connected to earlier experiences. My goal is to offer an evidence-based approach that is responsive to your unique needs.
What happens if OCD is not treated?
When OCD is left untreated, symptoms often become more ingrained. Obsessions may increase in intensity, and compulsive behaviors can take up more time and mental energy. Over time, OCD can affect relationships, academic or professional functioning, and overall quality of life.
Untreated OCD can also complicate anxiety treatment more broadly and increase distress over time. Early intervention supports better treatment outcomes and can reduce the need for more intensive care later.
How long does OCD treatment take?
There is no fixed timeline for OCD treatment. The length of therapy depends on symptom severity, the types of compulsions involved, and how consistently skills are practiced. Some people notice meaningful improvement within a few months. Others benefit from longer-term support or require additional treatment at different stages.
Treatment typically involves regular therapy sessions and practice between sessions. In some cases, intensive outpatient programs are recommended, though many individuals make progress through standard outpatient therapy. My focus is on helping you move at a pace that feels challenging but manageable.
Working with me as your OCD therapist in Westchester, NY
When you work with me, therapy sessions are focused but flexible. I specialize in working with adolescents and adults, including adolescents and young adults who are navigating OCD during important developmental stages. I also have experience working with children and supporting individuals and families affected by OCD.
Individual therapy allows us to focus on your client’s unique needs rather than applying a generic model. We work together to identify patterns, specific triggers, and thoughts and compulsive behaviors that interfere with your life. Skills learned in therapy are practiced gradually and reviewed regularly.
Returning to therapy at different points in your life is common, especially if stressors change or symptoms resurface. OCD treatment is not about perfection. It is about building tools that support long-term stability and confidence.
Living with OCD in the fast-paced Westchester area
Living in a busy and demanding environment can intensify OCD symptoms. High expectations, academic pressure, professional stress, and family responsibilities often make it harder to slow down and notice what is happening internally. For some people, OCD exists alongside generalized anxiety or separation anxiety, especially during adolescence.
OCD often thrives in environments where control feels necessary. Therapy provides space to pause, reflect, and learn new ways of responding. Outpatient therapy allows you to continue school, work, and family life while receiving consistent support and treatment.
Book a Free Consultation
Taking the first step toward seeking help for OCD can feel overwhelming, especially if intrusive thoughts or compulsive behaviors have made you doubt yourself or feel stuck. You do not have to navigate this alone. As an OCD therapist, I invite you to schedule a consultation so we can talk about what you are experiencing and what kind of support may be most helpful for you.
This conversation gives you space to ask questions, share concerns, and learn more about my approach to OCD treatment. We can explore whether working together feels like the right fit and what next steps might look like. Reaching out can be the beginning of greater clarity, confidence, and relief from the cycle of OCD
What are the Benefits of Therapy for Trauma?
Therapy for OCD can help you change your relationship with intrusive thoughts and reduce the need to respond to them with compulsive behaviors. Rather than trying to eliminate thoughts, therapy focuses on helping you tolerate uncertainty and respond with greater flexibility. Over time, this can lessen anxiety and decrease how much space OCD takes up in your life.
Many people notice improvements in daily functioning, concentration, and emotional regulation as therapy progresses. As you practice new responses, confidence often grows and avoidance decreases. Therapy can also help you better understand your patterns, develop coping skills, and build a sense of trust in your ability to manage distress without relying on compulsions.
Using mindfulness in OCD Treatment
Along with ERP, I use mindfulness-based therapy. I use this to help you adjust your perspective to thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations. Mindfulness is a skill that is developed over time. It will encourage you to lower resistance to your OCD through non-judgmental acceptance. Resistance intensifies OCD. But, acceptance helps to create room for your thoughts and feelings. Mindfulness helps you to change your relationship with your thoughts, feelings, and more.
Many clients report a sense of relief that they no longer have to stop their thoughts from happening. They are ecstatic to overcome something they have been failing at for years. People with OCD often find that when they embrace their internal private experiences, the frequency and intensity of their thoughts and feelings can be reduced.
I am dedicated to working with you to help you overcome your OCD behaviors so that you can take part in your life again.
Begin OCD treatment when you feel ready to take that step. Seeking support for OCD takes courage, especially when doubt and uncertainty have been running the show for a long time. OCD does not have to continue shaping your thoughts, behaviors, or daily life in ways that feel limiting or exhausting.
If you are looking for OCD therapy, I invite you to reach out. Together, we can work toward greater flexibility, confidence, and relief from the cycle of intrusive thoughts and compulsions.