Quieting Obsessive

Thoughts

A desert landscape at sunset with a dirt path reflecting the colorful sky, cacti and desert shrubs along the path, and mountains in the background.

You are pretty sure you forgot something when you left the house, so you run through your checklist again. You lock and unlock the door a third time, just to be safe. Don’t want anyone to steal something while you’re gone. You only got 5 hours of sleep last night. Probably enough to make sure you don’t get into a car accident on the way to work. Right? You could still make a mistake though and everyone would hate you. Better triple check all your projects today, just in case. 3 feels safe.

A car cuts you off and you picture yourself crashing. You sit up straighter in your seat and check all three mirrors three more times so you can see any cars coming. You knew this would happen, you didn’t sleep enough last night. Maybe tomorrow you will call out sick, driving is too risky. You are exhausted.

You just want to be sure you’re safe.

This doesn’t have to control your life.

I work with people who struggle with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and it is so much more than preferring for things to be neat and clean. OCD can feel all-encompassing, steal your time, and start to shrink your world.

It isn’t a personality quirk; it is fear. I use a narrative approach to help us talk back to the intrusive thoughts that enter your mind so that you can move forward.

OCD does not have to get the final say.

If you experience intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, please reach out. I would love to meet you and find a way forward. You don’t need to navigate this alone.

You deserve help quieting the mental chatter.

Schedule Today

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a disorder with very specific patterns of thinking and behaviors.

    Typically, a person with OCD will experience anxiety due to an unwanted or distressing thought, then follow a specific ritual to soothe their anxiety. These behaviors tend to reinforce the anxiety rather than reduce it.

  • Usually no. Many people enjoy and prefer having a clean, neat, and organized space. Without the presence of obsessions or compulsions, cleanliness is not OCD.

    If you are following specific cleaning rituals or having distressing thoughts about things being contaminated, these may be related to OCD. Please reach out if you are worried this may be true for you.

  • No — OCD is closely related to, but distinct from general anxiety.

    OCD follows specific thought loops and requires the presence of either obsessions or compulsions, or both. Anxiety has overlapping symptoms with OCD, but they are separate conditions.

  • I am not currently formally trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).

    I do incorporate concepts and principles from ERP into my approach to OCD, but it is not my primary method. We will still practice challenging obsessions and compulsions through narrative therapy.

  • Intrusive thoughts, or obsessions, are unwanted and distressing thoughts that happen involuntarily. They often involve disturbing content (themes) like:

    • contamination or health

    • doubt

    • symmetry

    • harming yourself or others

    • sexual content

    • morality and religion

    Most people experience intrusive thoughts occasionally, but in OCD, they become stuck and difficult to move past.

  • Compulsions are specific behaviors that people with OCD perform in order to reduce their anxiety. Compulsions can include:

    • washing and cleaning

    • checking

    • ordering

    • following a strict routine

    • demanding reassurance

    Compulsions usually do not reduce anxiety long-term and only offer short-term relief.

  • If you notice that your distress or anxiety is increasing, you are avoiding situations that create anxiety for you, or you are spending large amounts of time following rituals or repeating behaviors, then it may be helpful to speak with someone about your symptoms.

    If OCD symptoms are starting to interfere with your daily life or relationships, please reach out.

    Outpatient therapy is not an emergency service. If you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, call or text 988 or contact your local emergency number immediately.

  • Yes — OCD tends to be very responsive to therapy.

    I use a narrative approach to therapy, which allows us to work together to tailor therapy to you.