Obsessive-Compulsive Disorderr
Triangle Cognitive Therapy provides specialized support for adults and teens struggling with the intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We understand that OCD is not a personality quirk; it is a challenging cycle of anxiety that can consume hours of your day and significant mental energy.
Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, specifically focusing on Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), we help you break the cycle and reclaim your time and focus.
You’re not alone, OCD is a cycle of the mind
Many people think OCD is just about being neat or organized, but the reality is often much more distressing. You may experience intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) that feel impossible to ignore, followed by an overwhelming urge to perform certain actions or mental rituals (compulsions) to soothe the anxiety that results from intrusive thinking.
This cycle can feel exhausting and isolating. Many people feel a sense of shame or confusion regarding their intrusive thoughts. Please know that having these thoughts does not define who you are, they are simply symptoms of a stuck "misfire" in the brain.
OCD can manifest in different ways. Some common themes include:
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Contamination: Fear of germs, chemicals, or illness.
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Checking: Repeatedly ensuring doors are locked, appliances are off, or mistakes haven't been made.
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Symmetry and Order: The need for things to feel "just right."
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Intrusive Thoughts: Unwanted or distressing mental images regarding harm, morality, or religion.
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Hoarding or Saving: Difficulty discarding items due to perceived future need or emotional attachment.
When it may be time to consider therapy for OCD
It is time to take action when your rituals or "checking" behaviors begin to interfere with your quality of life.
Consider therapy if:
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You spend more than an hour a day focused on intrusive thoughts or compulsions.
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You find yourself avoiding people, places, or objects to prevent anxiety.
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Your rituals are causing significant stress in your relationships or at work.
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You feel "trapped" by the need to perform an action perfectly before you can move on.
How Triangle Cognitive Therapy can help you
We use the CBT framework to help you understand that while you cannot always control the automatic thought that enters your mind, you can control your response to it. By changing your behaviors, you eventually change the power the thoughts have over you
Therapy for Children & Teens with OCD symptoms
With this group, OCD can often look like extreme perfectionism, taking a long time to finish homework, or asking for constant reassurance. We empower children and teens to develop the skills needed to manage OCD symptoms effectively, while collaborating with parents to provide essential support and ensure their responses do not inadvertently reinforce compulsive behaviors.
Take the first step toward a healthier, happier life
Therapy for OCD is active, goal-oriented and requires consistent practice. After an initial assessment, we will build a "hierarchy" of your triggers. In our sessions, we will work together to face these triggers in small, manageable steps. You will never be forced to do something you aren't ready for. Instead, we provide the coaching and support needed to sit with discomfort until the anxiety naturally subsides.
You don't have to live at the mercy of intrusive thoughts. We are here to help you find the freedom and confidence to live your life on your own terms.
Want to learn more? Visit our Meet the Team and our Practice Information page.