Home / OCD Treatment
OCD affects 2-3 million American adults and is often misunderstood — it is much more than being neat or organized.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Our intake coordinator will reach out within 2 business days of receiving your completed intake forms.
Complete Intake Forms (774) 929-7420Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: 516 Hawthorn St., Dartmouth, MA
Telehealth: Available statewide
We accept most major plans including:
Fear of germs, dirt, or contamination driving excessive cleaning or avoidance behaviors.
Intrusive thoughts about harming oneself or others, causing significant distress (contrary to the person's values).
Need for objects to be arranged in a particular way, or for things to "feel right."
Unwanted, distressing thoughts of a sexual, religious, or violent nature.
Repeated checking behaviors (locks, appliances, etc.) to prevent feared harm.
True OCD involves unwanted, intrusive thoughts that cause significant distress, and compulsions performed to reduce that distress — not behaviors driven by preference or enjoyment. OCD thoughts are ego-dystonic (contrary to the person's values and desires), unlike preferences or habits.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a type of CBT specifically designed for OCD. It involves gradually confronting feared situations without performing compulsions, allowing anxiety to naturally decrease. ERP is the gold-standard psychological treatment for OCD.
SSRIs are the first-line medication treatment for OCD, often at higher doses than used for depression or anxiety. Clomipramine (a tricyclic antidepressant) is also FDA-approved for OCD. It typically takes 8-12 weeks to see the full medication benefit.
OCD rarely resolves without treatment. However, with the right combination of medication and therapy, most people experience significant improvement in symptoms. Some people achieve full remission.
Yes. OCD is classified as an anxiety disorder and is covered by most major insurance plans under behavioral health benefits.
DLH Consulting treats a full range of mental health conditions. Learn more about other conditions we commonly treat:
Insurance We Accept
Our board-certified PMHNPs are accepting new patients in Dartmouth, MA — in-person and via telehealth statewide.