People with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) have worries or intrusive/unwanted thoughts, images, or urges (“obsessions”) that cause intense distress and anxiety. Compulsions, or rituals, are behaviors that help the individual reduce or escape the distress caused by the obsessions. For example, an individual with OCD might have intense fears of getting sick or vomiting (obsessions) which lead them to avoid touching things that might have germs on them and wash their hands in a very specific way (compulsions). Common obsessions include worries about contamination (e.g. germs, body fluids, toxins), worries about causing harm to oneself or others, “not just right” feelings that will lead an individual to repeat a behavior until it feels complete or just right, worries about doing something morally wrong or offending a higher power, superstitions (e.g. having lucky/unlucky numbers), and unwanted sexual thoughts. Common compulsions include excessive checking behaviors, reassurance seeking, avoidance, counting, repeating certain behaviors or statements, and washing or cleaning. If you suffer from OCD, exposure with response prevention is the gold-standard evidence-based treatment. Together, we’ll help you face your fears, resist your compulsions, and live more freely – instead of letting OCD call the shots.