Intensive Treatment for OCD

Finding specialized, expert care for OCD and anxiety disorders can be challenging, especially if you live far from qualified providers. Weekly therapy sessions may not always be practical—particularly if you face long commutes or have a more severe case of OCD requiring focused attention.
To address these barriers, I offer an intensive outpatient treatment program designed for people who:
  • Live outside the area and are willing to travel to Chapel Hill, North Carolina for treatment.
  • Reside locally but require frequent sessions to address more complex or severe symptoms.
  • Prefer a focused, accelerated approach to treatment.
During the COVID pandemic, I successfully adapted this program for telehealth, helping many individuals through virtual sessions. This option continues to be available for those unable to attend in person.

How Does Intensive Treatment Work?
  1. Initial Consultation
    Before beginning the program, we’ll schedule a consultation to ensure it’s the right fit for your needs. During this session, I’ll assess your symptoms and provide a detailed overview of the treatment process.
  2. Structured 3-Week Program
    • Daily Sessions: Therapy is provided Monday through Friday for three weeks, with each session lasting about 60 minutes.
    • Evidence-Based Approach: The program centers on exposure and response prevention (ERP), the gold-standard treatment for OCD. Elements of cognitive therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) may also be included as needed.
    • Homework: Between sessions, you’ll complete practice assignments to reinforce the skills learned in therapy.
  3. Accommodations and Travel
    Patients are responsible for arranging their own accommodations and transportation to treatment sessions. I can provide a list of convenient lodging options to help with planning.
  4. Involving Loved Ones
    If you’d like to bring a supportive family member or significant other, they are welcome to attend some or all sessions. I’ll provide guidance on how they can assist you in treatment and support your progress.
  5. Follow-Up Support
    At the end of the program, I’ll work with you to identify a professional in your local area for ongoing maintenance and support. I’ll also remain available for follow-up consultations or check-ins to help you maintain the gains you’ve achieved.
Why Choose Intensive Treatment?
Research shows that intensive ERP therapy is highly effective for OCD, offering:
  • Significant Symptom Reduction: Studies report an average 60–70% reduction in OCD symptoms, though individual results vary.
  • Comparable (or Superior) Results to Medication: ERP often matches or exceeds the effectiveness of medication in managing OCD symptoms, without the potential side effects.
If you’re looking for a concentrated, impactful approach to addressing OCD, this program offers the tools, structure, and expertise needed to help you make meaningful progress.

Don't take my word for it... read the studies for yourself:
Effectiveness of intensive outpatient treatment for OCD
Outpatient intensive treatment compared to medication for OCD