About ocd
Explore profiles of therapists who work with OCD, with details on clinical focus, therapeutic approaches, languages, and years of experience. Browse the listings below to learn about different clinicians and find options that match your preferences.
What to compare in entries
| Credentials | A US state licence, or membership of a professional body such as BACP or NCPS. They are different kinds of thing; each profile shows what was supplied. |
|---|---|
| Focus | Whether ocd is listed as a main focus or among the wider list of areas. Entries show both. |
| Way of working | The approaches named on the entry. Two people working with the same concern can describe very different sessions. |
| Time in practice | Years in practice, as supplied. A fact to weigh, not a ranking. |
| Language | The languages sessions can be held in, where that matters to you. |
Common questions
How were these entries chosen?
Everyone listed on this page has ocd among the areas they told the platform they work with. They are not ranked, rated or endorsed by this directory, and the order is not a recommendation.
Do I need a referral to start?
No. You can contact a therapist through their entry directly. A GP referral is not required for independent online therapy.
What if the first therapist is not right?
Changing therapist is normal and expected, and can be done at any point. One session is a small sample of how someone works.
Entries for ocd
Pietro (Pete) Martucci, LPCC
Ref 37848
Calm guidance for stress and life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingAngela Neary, BACP
Ref 109659
Experienced person-centred counsellor with practical support
Works with: Addictions, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingMalak Alsaidi, LCSW
Ref 203999
Supportive New York LCSW focused on healing
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingYumi Lemaster, LCSW
Ref 2633
Skilled, practical therapy for real-life struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingWilliam Signey, BACP
Ref 113870
Practical, person-focused counselling for life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingJonetta Wakely, LPC
Ref 124539
Practical, listening-focused counseling for life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingWendy Mayfield, BACP
Ref 100144
Practical, steady support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingJonathan Stuart, NCPS
Ref 175272
Practical, respectful support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingBrittany Elledge, LPCC, LMHC
Ref 11729
Practical, client-centered support for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingWendi Makus, LPC
Ref 48129
Practical therapy for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingBrandi Kelly, LA Psychologist
Ref 201932
Experienced Louisiana psychologist focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Parenting, Depression Languages: English
View listingKatelyn McCrady, LPC
Ref 345230
Calm, practical counseling for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingShannon Mott, LCSW
Ref 108724
Compassionate, practical therapy for life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingTammy Russell, LMHC
Ref 181426
Compassionate, practical therapy for real-life struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingKeith Evans, LPC
Ref 312237
Faith-informed counselor focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDarwin Allen, LCPC
Ref 125869
Direct, practical counseling for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingAnnie Taylor, NCPS
Ref 153305
Experienced client-centred counsellor
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger Languages: English
View listingEthel-Caroline Miman, AASW
Ref 259803
Gentle, practical therapy for life’s big challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingAnna Gilmore, BACP
Ref 109642
Compassionate counsellor for complex life challenges
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Grief, Eating Languages: English
View listingNicholas Taylor, BACP
Ref 242465
Practical person-centred counselling for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Depression Languages: English
View listingJill Malcolm, BACP
Ref 231136
Gentle practical support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingJennifer Mcpherson (Norman), BACP
Ref 161239
Experienced relationship and trauma counsellor
Works with: Relationship, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingMark McConnell, BACP
Ref 208651
Practical support for stress and change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingDawn Redwood, NCPS
Ref 137085
Client-centred counsellor focusing on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, ADHD Languages: English
View listingLouis Blea, LPC
Ref 277410
Practical, strengths-focused counseling for common struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDarla McAdams, LPC
Ref 58935
Practical, person-focused counseling in Missouri
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, LGBT Languages: English
View listingFarah Southwell, LPC
Ref 203059
Practical, experienced therapist for life’s hard moments
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English, Haitian Creole
View listingSandra Johnson, LMFT, LPC
Ref 16121
Practical, skill-focused therapy for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingKerrie McCabe, BACP
Ref 128546
Compassionate counsellor blending listening with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDonna Khan, LMSW
Ref 29669
Experienced social worker focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingJosephine Sultana, AASW
Ref 309775
Compassionate social worker blending therapy and lifestyle care
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Sleeping Languages: English
View listingLoire Bennett, LMHC
Ref 25344
Experienced Florida LMHC focused on practical growth
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Grief Languages: English
View listingDeborah Youngblood, LCSW
Ref 229
Compassionate LCSW offering practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingSidonia Stiles, BACP
Ref 101572
Experienced counsellor for relationships and grief
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English, Portuguese
View listingLouise Wood, BACP
Ref 128568
Support to manage stress, trauma and change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingReuben Alexander, NCPS
Ref 212721
Practical, focused therapy for anxious and stuck feelings
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Sleeping, Depression Languages: English
View listingKalpna Kerai, BACP
Ref 165701
Calm, practical counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingMaria "Patti" Lorenzo, LCPC
Ref 26902
A practical, compassionate approach to emotional change
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Self esteem, Coping with life changes Languages: English
View listingEdward Mcguinness, BACP
Ref 263954
Practical, respectful support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingJay Cook, NCPS
Ref 200361
Compassionate counsellor focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Relationship Languages: English
View listingDebby Sawyer, LIMHP
Ref 236392
Experienced, practical help for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDaniel Windemer, NCPS
Ref 173238
Calm, practical counselling to help you move forward
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingRobert Marshall, BACP
Ref 116379
Person-centred counsellor with practical focus
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingCatherine Kearns, BACP
Ref 183397
Practical, person-focused therapy for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingAngeline Walton (Tabbada), NCPS
Ref 201900
Compassionate support for stress, grief and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Family Languages: English
View listingSophia Mas, LMHC
Ref 91155
Compassionate counselor with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English, Spanish
View listingLorelle Busby, BACP
Ref 182380
Practical counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingLouise Fielder, BACP
Ref 137857
Calm client-centred counselling for practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingMore about ocd
Understanding OCD and how it commonly affects people
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, often called OCD, involves recurring intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors that feel difficult to control. Obsessions are persistent ideas, images, or urges that cause distress or anxiety. Compulsions are actions - mental or physical - that you may use to try to reduce the anxiety produced by those obsessions. The cycle of obsessions and compulsions can demand a lot of time and energy, affecting your work, relationships, sleep, and daily routines.
People experience OCD in many different ways. For some, obsessions center on contamination fears and the compulsion is cleaning or hand washing. For others, obsessions may involve fears of harming someone or of committing a moral transgression, and compulsions take the form of checking, seeking reassurance, or mental rituals. Some people have intrusive thoughts without obvious outward rituals, while others perform visible routines that can be disruptive. The intensity of symptoms can fluctuate with stress, life transitions, or co-occurring conditions such as anxiety or depression.
Living with OCD can be isolating because the thoughts often feel embarrassing or at odds with your values. Recognizing the pattern and knowing that many people seek help for these symptoms is an important first step. Therapy offerings vary in focus and style, and exploring clinician profiles can help you find someone whose approach aligns with how you prefer to work and the areas you want to address.
Signs that you might benefit from therapy for OCD
You might consider seeking therapy if your thoughts or routines take up more time than you intend, interfere with work or relationships, or cause significant distress. If you notice that rituals are prolonging your day, disrupting sleep, or leaving you exhausted, these are practical signs that targeted support could help. You may also want therapy if avoidance behaviors - skipping events, steering clear of certain places, or withdrawing from social situations - limit your options or reduce your quality of life.
Another indication is when the strategies you use to cope stop working or begin to create new problems. For example, repeated checking might make you late for appointments, or constant reassurance-seeking may strain relationships. You may find your concentration is impaired by intrusive thoughts, or that anxiety spikes in specific situations. People often report feeling trapped in patterns they do not want but cannot change on their own.
Therapy can also be helpful if you want clearer strategies for managing symptoms, better communication about your experiences with family or partners, or a plan to reduce the time and energy OCD demands. When considering a therapist, think about clinicians who list OCD or obsessive-compulsive behaviors among their focus areas and whose approaches and languages align with your needs.
What to expect in therapy sessions focused on OCD
When you begin therapy for OCD, initial sessions typically focus on understanding your experience and establishing priorities. You and the therapist will discuss the patterns of obsessions and compulsions, when they started, how they affect daily life, and any contributing stressors. Intake conversations also cover your goals for therapy and practical matters like session length, communication preferences, and how progress will be reviewed.
As treatment progresses, sessions often blend learning about the mechanisms that maintain OCD with hands-on practice. You can expect a mix of psychoeducation, skills training, and guided practice tailored to your pace. Therapists may work with you to develop a hierarchy of situations to address - starting with less distressing items and gradually working toward more challenging ones. Homework between sessions is common because practice in everyday settings supports progress in controlled sessions.
Therapy for OCD aims to help you respond differently to intrusive thoughts and reduce reliance on rituals. Progress is often incremental and can include improvements in how you tolerate uncertainty, reduced time spent on compulsions, and increased participation in valued activities. Good therapeutic work attends to your safety, personal values, and the practical barriers you face while offering clear, collaborative steps forward.
Common therapeutic approaches used for OCD
Several evidence-informed approaches are commonly used with people who experience OCD. Exposure and response prevention, often abbreviated as ERP, focuses on gradual, planned exposure to anxiety-provoking thoughts or situations while preventing the usual compulsive response. This approach helps your brain form new learning about feared outcomes and can reduce the urge to perform rituals. You may see references to ERP in therapist profiles as a specific intervention they use.
Cognitive approaches aim to identify and shift unhelpful beliefs that maintain obsessions. These methods help you examine thinking patterns, challenge assumptions, and develop alternative ways of interpreting intrusive thoughts. Mindfulness and acceptance-oriented approaches encourage noticing thoughts without acting on them and making choices based on values rather than anxiety. You might also find therapists who list acceptance and commitment therapy among their approaches, or who describe mindfulness-based strategies that support distress tolerance.
Some clinicians emphasize a collaborative model that integrates education about OCD, family involvement when appropriate, and coordination with medical providers if medication is part of your plan. You may encounter therapists who list medication management coordination among their services, meaning they work alongside prescribers rather than prescribing themselves. When reviewing therapist profiles, note the specific approaches they mention so you can find someone who uses methods you are comfortable trying.
How online therapy works for OCD and tips for choosing the right therapist
Online therapy makes it possible to work with clinicians across distances and to practice skills in the environments where your symptoms occur. Sessions typically happen through video or phone, and some therapists include text-based messaging or workbook-style assignments to support between-session practice. When working online, you can plan exposures that take place at home or in your community while the therapist coaches and debriefs remotely. This format can be particularly useful for ERP because it allows practice in real-world settings under professional guidance.
Practical tips for choosing a therapist
When comparing profiles, focus on several practical factors. Look at the therapist's listed focus areas to confirm they mention OCD or obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Pay attention to the approaches they list, such as ERP, cognitive-behavioral strategies, or mindfulness-based methods, and consider whether those align with the types of skills you want to build. Review languages spoken and years of experience to ensure communication and cultural fit. Check credentials and licensure to understand a clinician's professional background, and read profile notes about population focus to see if they work with adults, adolescents, or specific communities.
It can also help to think about logistical preferences. Decide whether you prefer video sessions, phone-only, or a mix, and whether you want a therapist who integrates family involvement or works primarily one-on-one. Some clinicians describe a collaborative, structured approach that emphasizes homework and measurable goals, while others highlight a more exploratory or supportive style. Choose a profile that describes a working style that feels comfortable to you.
Finally, prepare a short list of questions you might ask during an initial consultation or introductory message. You could ask how they approach exposure work, how they help clients manage distress during practice, and what kinds of between-session supports they offer. Clear communication about your goals and what matters most to you can make it easier to identify a therapist whose approach matches your expectations and needs.
Finding the right therapist for OCD is often a process of matching your personal needs and preferences with a clinician's focus and methods. By reviewing profiles, noting approaches and languages, and considering how you want to work, you can make an informed choice that supports steady progress toward living with fewer compulsions and greater freedom in daily life.