OCD Therapy Denver
Does It Feel Like Obsessive Thoughts and Compulsive Behaviors Control Your Life?
Are you battling recurring, unwelcome thoughts, images, or urges that leave you uneasy and anxious? When you attempt to suppress these thoughts, images, impulses, or urges, does it seem like nothing is working?
Perhaps your relationships and happiness have suffered because you worry that you have or will do something wrong. These thoughts, images, and/or impulses may even have begun to affect your performance at work or school. Or perhaps your thoughts have become so terrifying that you experience fear and panic, making it difficult for you to concentrate and/or sleep.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder consists of a pattern of obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions. Breaking free from intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors can be extremely challenging.
OCD Is Much More Than Just Cleaning And Counting
A lot of people think of OCD as having an excessive need for order, cleanliness, and organization. While this can be true for some, you likely identify with more specific subtypes of OCD, which our therapy practice very frequently treats. These often include:
We also very commonly treat OCD related disorders, including:
Additionally, many people experience social anxiety as a co-occurring challenge with some forms of OCD. There’s no question, OCD and related disorders can drastically reduce your quality of life, affecting your functionality and productivity, and leaving you hyper-aware and drained.
Fortunately, you can learn how to effectively manage your OCD and anxiety symptoms with the help of a specialized therapist.
While Uncertainty Is A Normal Part Of Life, You Do Not Have To Fear It
According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), OCD affects 2-3 percent of people in the United States. Among adults, slightly more women than men are affected.
OCD equally affects people of all ethnicities and backgrounds. It can start at any time, from preschool to adulthood. And although it can begin at any age, it tends to appear more often among children between 8 and 12 and late teens to early adulthood.
People with OCD often feel misunderstood because society is ignorant about the disorder. This is especially true for those who have taboo categories, like pedophilia OCD (POCD) or harm OCD, which can contribute to feelings of shame and treatment avoidance.
Genetics Play A Role In The Development Of OCD
OCD does has a genetic component. However, genes are only partly responsible for the development of the disorder. Environmental factors like stress or childhood trauma can interact with genetic vulnerabilities and increase the chances of developing OCD.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, general fear and OCD symptoms have increased throughout our society. Unavoidable messages such as “when, how and why you should wash your hands,” “stay away from people and public places,” and “disinfect everything” became contributing factors to overall fear and discomfort, which in turn led to more frequent obsessions and compulsions.
Seeking support through therapy to truly understand your OCD and its effect on your life, and learning what works and what doesn't to treat the disorder, is an important first step.
OCD Therapy Can Drastically Help Manage Intrusive Thoughts And Ruminations
We understand that it may be difficult for you to reach out and seek help because of how complex and misunderstood your disorder is. You may even worry that you will be judged, shamed, or criticized for your obsessions or compulsions.
But we are here for you, providing you with a safe, understanding, and supportive place to speak openly about your OCD. Our practice very frequently treats every form of OCD, including taboo categories, and our therapists are warm and supportive, wanting nothing more than to help you overcome your obstacles.
What To Expect From OCD Therapy Sessions
The goal of treatment at Elevation Behavioral Therapy is to provide you with the tools you need so that you can eventually fully cope with OCD on your own. During therapy sessions, we will effectively and naturally treat your OCD by teaching you how to handle flare-ups in OCD symptoms, what to do when you’re feeling anxious or triggered, and how to plan and prepare for specific events that typically make you uncomfortable.
Therapy sessions can take place wherever will be most suitable for you. We offer sessions in person at our office, via teletherapy, in the community, or at your home. We also offer walk-and-talk therapy, where you can meet your therapist at a park, or somewhere outdoors, for sessions.
OCD Treatment Methods
We utilize several highly effective treatment methods for OCD & Related Disorders including:
CBT for OCD involves challenging and changing maladaptive thoughts and beliefs contributing to your obsessions and compulsions. Our therapists can show you how to identify these thoughts and help you to adapt your behavior so you are not enabling OCD symptoms.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
ERP is a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that allows you to work with your therapist to gradually expose you to situations or thoughts that would trigger your obsessions. You can expect to begin with the smallest exposures, work up to those which are moderately challenging, and then move on to the more challenging exposures. Through repetitive exposure and response prevention exercises, you can learn how to tolerate anxiety, and your obsessions and compulsions will substantially decrease as time goes on.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder helps you to accept both your thoughts and feelings. You will learn to truly focus on values and activities that mean the most to you, despite how uncomfortable OCD symptoms may make you. Our compassionate therapists teach you how to clarify your values, develop mindfulness skills, and utilize behavioral activation, so you may become more aware of your thoughts and emotions, as well as what truly matters to you.
Specialized Treatment for BFRBs
We also specialize in therapy for the treatment of Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs), such as hair-pulling, skin-picking, and nail-biting. Those who engage in BFRBs typically feel a sense of anxiety or uneasiness before performing the compulsion, and afterward, a sense of relief or satisfaction. However, the relief is only temporary. The behavior often leads to harmful consequences, like physical injury and emotional distress, and requires therapeutic intervention.
At Elevation Behavioral Therapy, our therapists have received extensive training in Comprehensive Behavioral (ComB) treatment to effectively treat BFRBs. During sessions, you can expect to work through the four phases of ComB treatment, including assessing variables that contribute to BFRB episodes, such as emotions, sensations, thoughts, behaviors, and environment. The stages that follow include identifying and selecting target domains, implementing specific interventions, and evaluating, terminating, and preventing relapse.
Our ultimate goal in therapy is to guide you towards a fulfilling and functional life not controlled by OCD related symptoms.
You May Be Considering OCD Therapy But Have More Questions…
Let Us Help You To Fully Enjoy Life Again
If OCD is interfering with the life you want to live, you can get back in the driver’s seat with Elevation Behavioral Therapy. To learn how you can manage symptoms of OCD and live a happy, healthy life, please schedule a free initial consultation or your first appointment directly online by clicking below.
Or if you would like to address further questions or concerns, please email us at support@elevationbehavioraltherapy.com or call or text us at (720) 295-6566.
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