Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
The International OCD Foundation has a wealth of resources, research, and videos to help you learn more about obsessive compulsive disorder. Their fact sheets help explain what OCD is and the different types of OCD. Many people consider OCD to focus on contamination, germs, or organization. However, these are only some of the themes of OCD. Some other OCD themes include: just right OCD, scrupulosity, violent obsessions, sexual obsessions, relationship or perfectionism.
Our approach to treating OCD at Nova Mental Health, is guided by psychological research. The two approaches that we use have consistently been shown to be effective in numerous research studies. We use Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP), a form of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, that is considered to be the gold standard for treating OCD (and anxiety disorders). ERP helps clients systematically and gently break the cycle of OCD so that they can learn new ways to respond to triggers. We also use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in therapy to help clients identify the things that are important in their lives. Our aim is to help clients begin engaging more in the things that they value in their lives rather than being stuck in the OCD cycle. To stay up to date with treatment approaches in this area, we engage in regular continuing education, trainings, readings, and consultation with other professionals in this area, as this is a specialized area of mental health.
We view therapy as a collaboration, and therefore we take an active role when working with our clients. In sessions, we help you apply strategies and skills and you will have the opportunity to practice these skills between sessions. Although we focus on providing you with latest treatment recommendations, we also aim to help you feel confident in this work and we find ways to make the process fun, especially when working with children and teens.
Videos
Other Resources
The International OCD Foundation has a wealth of resources, research, and videos to help you learn more about obsessive compulsive disorder. Their fact sheets help explain what OCD is and the different types of OCD. Many people consider OCD to focus on contamination, germs, or organization. However, these are only some of the themes of OCD. Some other OCD themes include: just right OCD, scrupulosity, violent obsessions, sexual obsessions, relationship or perfectionism.
Our approach to treating OCD at Nova Mental Health, is guided by psychological research. The two approaches that we use have consistently been shown to be effective in numerous research studies. We use Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP), a form of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, that is considered to be the gold standard for treating OCD (and anxiety disorders). ERP helps clients systematically and gently break the cycle of OCD so that they can learn new ways to respond to triggers. We also use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in therapy to help clients identify the things that are important in their lives. Our aim is to help clients begin engaging more in the things that they value in their lives rather than being stuck in the OCD cycle. To stay up to date with treatment approaches in this area, we engage in regular continuing education, trainings, readings, and consultation with other professionals in this area, as this is a specialized area of mental health.
We view therapy as a collaboration, and therefore we take an active role when working with our clients. In sessions, we help you apply strategies and skills and you will have the opportunity to practice these skills between sessions. Although we focus on providing you with latest treatment recommendations, we also aim to help you feel confident in this work and we find ways to make the process fun, especially when working with children and teens.
Videos
- Unstuck: is a documentary about six kids living with OCD. It can provide a great deal of hope for children.
Other Resources
- AnxietyCanada provides information on OCD.
- Beyond OCD aims to help those who struggle with OCD by providing information. They have great videos available online.
- Kids IOCDF is a website that focuses specifically on the topic of pediatric OCD.
- IOCDF has a very comprehensive reading list for OCD and an excellent list of OCD books (and workbooks for kids).
