OCD Treatment in Dartmouth, MA

About OCD

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) performed to reduce anxiety. OCD is not a personality quirk or preference for orderliness — it is a serious anxiety disorder that can significantly impair daily functioning.

DLH Consulting provides evidence-based OCD evaluation and medication management, and can coordinate care with ERP-trained therapists for comprehensive treatment.

When to Seek Help

OCD warrants professional evaluation when obsessions (unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce anxiety) are consuming more than one hour per day and significantly interfering with daily functioning. Many people with OCD spend years suffering in silence because they feel embarrassed by their thoughts or do not recognize what they are experiencing as a medical condition. OCD thoughts are ego-dystonic — they are contrary to your values and deeply distressing, not pleasurable. If you are spending significant time on rituals, avoiding situations to prevent obsessions, or experiencing significant distress from unwanted thoughts, a professional evaluation can provide answers and effective treatment.

Our Treatment Approach

OCD treatment at DLH Consulting focuses on medication management with SSRIs, which are the evidence-based first-line treatment for OCD — typically at higher doses than used for depression or anxiety. Fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, sertraline, and paroxetine all have FDA approval for OCD. Clomipramine is a highly effective alternative for medication-resistant OCD. We work closely with therapists trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which is the gold-standard psychological treatment for OCD. ERP gradually exposes you to feared situations without performing compulsions, allowing anxiety to naturally decrease over time. The combination of medication and ERP produces the best outcomes for OCD.

What to Expect

OCD typically requires higher medication doses and a longer trial period than other conditions — it often takes 8-12 weeks at a therapeutic dose to see meaningful improvement. Do not give up on a medication before this timeframe. ERP therapy is typically conducted weekly with a trained therapist and involves gradual, structured exposure exercises between sessions. Most people with OCD experience significant symptom reduction with the right combination of medication and ERP, though OCD is generally considered a chronic condition requiring ongoing management rather than a one-time cure.

Common Symptoms

• Unwanted, intrusive thoughts or images
• Fear of contamination or germs
• Need for symmetry or exactness
• Excessive doubt and difficulty making decisions
• Repetitive behaviors (washing, checking, counting)
• Mental compulsions (praying, counting, repeating phrases)
• Significant time spent on obsessions/compulsions
• Distress and interference with daily life

Treatment Approaches

• SSRI medication (often higher doses than for depression/anxiety)
• Coordination with ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) therapists
• Augmentation strategies for treatment-resistant OCD
• Psychoeducation