Intensive Therapy in Ventura and Online

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is empirically validated as a twice per week treatment for OCD.

While it may not be feasible or clinically necessary for all sufferers to receive twice per week therapy, it can be beneficial for many with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder to receive a more frequent approach. About half of my clients with OCD receive two sessions per week and benefit from a more intensive approach.

Meeting twice per week may be indicated if you want to experience faster recovery or if in addition to OCD you have depression, a specific phobia, or if your basic functioning is compromised. For example, if OCD is really costing you socially, at work, at school, in your ability to take care of yourself, or with your responsibilities at home, intensive therapy may be warranted.

Why do some people want intensive treatment for OCD?

For some sufferers the once per week 50 minute cadence feels too fragmented and more therapeutic contact is desired. I recommend intensive therapy for clients who feel the typical therapy hour is too short or the 7 days between sessions is too long. Meeting more frequently or for longer sessions will allow us to approach the active stage of treatment faster (eg. exposure work).

Clients who live with parents or a spouse are good candidates for occasional family sessions in addition to individual weekly sessions. Having the support of your loved ones during treatment will help your recovery.

What are some benefits of intensive therapy?

Although recovery speed varies and is based on many individual factors, in my practice I witness fast gains with twice per week sessions. Healing also occurs with once per week sessions, it is just typically a little slower.

Meeting twice per week will likely increase motivation, accountability, commitment to home practice, and trust, which translates into potent OCD treatment.