CABT treats all subtypes of OCD, including contamination OCD, harm OCD, scrupulosity OCD, relationship OCD (ROCD), Pure O, health OCD, sexual orientation OCD (SO-OCD), and perinatal OCD. No matter how unusual or distressing your obsessions feel, our therapists have worked with every presentation of OCD and are here to help.

During treatment, you will never be forced into anything, including an exposure. Your therapist will also never surprise you with an exposure without your knowledge. In fact, early work in ERP found that it works best when you choose to do the exposure with a therapist’s support and guidance. Our expert therapists will help create a gradual plan of exposure that’s specifically tailored to you that helps go at the pace that’s right for you.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the gold-standard, most researched treatment for OCD. It works by gradually and systematically exposing you to the thoughts, images, or situations that trigger your obsessions, while supporting you in resisting the compulsions you would normally perform to get relief. Over time, your brain learns that the anxiety will pass on its own and that the feared outcomes are either unlikely or manageable, breaking the OCD cycle.

If you have tried ERP in the past, our hope is that you found some improvement. But because OCD can return, often during stressful times, it’s not uncommon for people to need further treatment. ERP can be helpful when you try it at a different time in your life, using a different mindset, and with a different provider. The therapists at CABT have worked with severe and complicated cases of OCD, often finding ways to tailor ERP to the needs of the client in order to find some freedom and relief.

Many people with OCD feel that their symptoms and experience are unique. Some feel that their thoughts are so awful that no one else could dare to think them, while others feel that they have no compulsions, and yet still others believe that their fears are legitimately possible. These beliefs often lead to pessimism and hopelessness about treatment. While it is true that the specific thoughts and compulsions that each person experiences as part of their OCD may truly be unique, the overall framework of the disorder is the same. The principles that guide ERP are rooted in this framework, meaning that ERP can be individualized to every kind of OCD, so long as you have a knowledgeable therapist to partner with when tackling OCD.

No. We typically start OCD treatment with ERP, as it is the most well-supported treatment with a long history of high-quality research. But if ERP is not working as well as we expect, your therapist will discuss other options. As extensively-trained therapists in CBT, therapists may suggest including aspects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness, or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to enhance your ERP. Many CABT therapists are also trained in Inference-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy (I-CBT) for OCD, having spent over a year in consultation with the treatment developer. Lastly, if the addition of medication is recommended, your therapist can provide you with recommendations for trusted prescribers tailored to your unique needs.

Yes. CABT treats OCD in children, adolescents, and adults. Our clinicians are trained in ERP specifically adapted for younger patients, and we involve parents in treatment in a way that supports, rather than accidentally reinforces, their child's recovery.

Yes, we offer in-person OCD therapy appointments at our office in Bryn Mawr, PA for patients in the greater Philadelphia area and Main Line. We also offer secure telehealth virtual sessions for patients located throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland — as well as 40+ additional states through PSYPACT. See all PSYPACT eligible states. ERP can be conducted very effectively online, and for many patients, telehealth actually allows for more realistic and meaningful exposures in their own home environment.

Most of the treatments delivered at CABT are designed to be short-term, but the exact number of sessions depends on two main factors: the exact treatment protocol being used and how frequently clients complete the prescribed homework exercises. The scientifically-supported treatments we offer range typically range from as few as 8 sessions to as many as 35 sessions. You will be given more specific information about which treatment we recommend after you complete the initial evaluation. 

We do not accept insurance, but instead offer a range of fees to help make our services more accessible; please reach out for our most up-to-date rates. If your health insurance has out-of-network benefits, we can provide Superbills for you to submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement. We strongly encourage you to contact your insurance company directly to confirm your benefits, and how to access them.

The first step is a free 15-minute intake call with a member of our team. You can get started by calling (610) 455-5757, emailing newpatient@centerabt.com, or completing our contact form.