Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Treatment of OCD at the CTSA
OCD has been a specialty at the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety since its founding in 1979. Many of the state-of-the-art treatments for this disorder have been developed at the Center. We have several treatment programs for adults with OCD. In addition, we offer a program for children that is specifically formatted to treat younger patients.
Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder is typically completed in 17, 2-hour individual sessions. This treatment emphasizes a behavioral approach to this disorder called exposure and ritual prevention. These sessions involve gradual exposure to one's feared thoughts and situations, while the patient learns to control their compulsive behaviors such as washing and checking.
- Standard treatment: Most patients complete treatment for their OCD in twice-weekly sessions over the course of 9 weeks.
- Intensive treatment: For patients from outside the greater Philadelphia area or in very severe cases of OCD, the Center offers the option of intensive treatment completed in daily sessions over approximately three-and-a-half weeks.
- Weekly treatment: For patients with relatively mild cases of OCD, we might recommend that treatment be conducted in once-per-week sessions.
- Medication treatments are also available for patients with OCD. These medications may be used in addition to, or instead of, cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Eligibility for the OCD programs is determined through an extensive interview with one of the Center's clinicians. A complete evaluation of OCD and related symptoms, and a thorough discussion of treatment options including free research studies and fee-for-service alternatives.
Treatment of childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
OCD has been a specialty at the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety since its founding in 1979. Many of the state-of-the-art treatments for this disorder have been developed at the Center, including specialty programs tailored to the needs of younger patients.
Treatment programs for children and adolescents with OCD follow the same exposure and ritual prevention approach as our programs for adults. However, the treatments are modified to take into account the developmental status of the child and, where beneficial, parents are encouraged to work actively with the child on therapeutic tasks. Age appropriate metaphors and examples are used to help the child understand the rationale for therapy, and the length and frequency of treatment sessions may be changed to conform to the needs of the child.
Eligibility for this program is determined through an extensive interview with one of the Center’s clinicians. This interview includes a complete evaluation of OCD and related symptoms, and a thorough discussion of treatment options including research studies and fee-for-service alternatives.
