Obsessive compulsive disorder - OCD treatment and therapy from NOCD

NOCD vs. other virtual therapy: Why our approach delivers faster, more effective OCD care

By Taneia Surles, MPH

Nov 22, 2024

Reviewed byPatrick McGrath, PhD

Finding the right virtual therapy can be overwhelming—especially when you have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). While many online therapy platforms offer general counseling, most don’t provide the specialized, evidence-based treatment that OCD requires. NOCD is different. We focus exclusively on OCD and related conditions, delivering exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy—the most effective, research-backed approach—through licensed, highly trained therapists. 

Let’s dive deeper into what sets NOCD Therapy apart from nearly every other virtual therapy provider for the OCD community.

What sets NOCD apart from other virtual therapy providers?

NOCD is the world’s leading provider of OCD treatment, offering exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy. ERP is backed by decades of research showing that it can reduce symptoms in about 80% of people with OCD who complete treatment.

Unlike general therapy platforms that treat many conditions without OCD-specific expertise, NOCD Therapists specialize in OCD from day one, ensuring treatment is targeted, efficient, and effective.

How quickly can you see results with NOCD?

Many NOCD Members start to feel relief in as little as 11 hours of virtual ERP therapy sessions. Because our therapists are OCD specialists, treatment is focused on the exact tools and exposures that drive change—shortening the time to improvement compared to standard talk therapy or non-specialized virtual care. 

ObsessionCompulsionResponse prevention technique
What if I stab my partner with a kitchen knife?Avoiding sharp objectsHandling sharp objects near others
I’m afraid that if someone who is sick touches me, I’ll get deathly ill.Excessive handwashing and/or sanitizingDeliberately touching “contaminated” surfaces without immediately washing hands or sanitizing
If the books on my shelf aren’t perfectly lined up, something bad will happen.Repeatedly rearranging or aligning items until they feel “just right”Purposely leaving books slightly askew or out of order without fixing them
What if my partner is not “the one?”Seeking constant reassurance from your partner or othersWorking with your partner to agree to no longer answer questions that have been asked and answered
What if I offend God by thinking about something sinful?Excessive prayer and/or confessionAllowing sinful thoughts to be there without trying to neutralize them

Is NOCD Therapy covered by insurance?

Yes. Over 90% of Americans with commercial insurance can access NOCD Therapy through major carriers, including United Healthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and many regional plans.

Insurance coverage significantly lowers out-of-pocket costs, making high-quality OCD treatment more accessible than paying cash for general teletherapy services or in-person ERP therapy.

“People in rural areas can now access treatment because you just need a Wi-Fi connection versus needing to drive to a major city,” explains Patrick McGrath, PhD, NOCD’s Chief Clinical Officer. “ERP therapists also tend to be extremely expensive if you’re not using insurance, so the fact that we continue to accept more and more insurance plans opens the door for millions of people to get the treatment they need.”

What makes NOCD Therapists uniquely qualified?

Every incoming therapist at NOCD completes an intensive four-month onboarding program dedicated to ERP therapy for OCD. This includes advanced coursework, supervised practice, and Clinical Advising Meetings (CAMs) with senior clinicians. 

“We want to make sure that our therapists can use powerful evidence-based forms of treatment because we’re really focused on helping our Members get better, faster,” says Jennifer Dalimonte, MSW, LCSW, a Clinical Training Specialist at NOCD.

Only those who meet our rigorous standards are cleared to work with Members. Ongoing training ensures therapists stay at the forefront of OCD treatment research.

Find the right OCD therapist for you

All our therapists are licensed and trained in exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), the gold standard treatment for OCD.

How does NOCD support you between sessions?

With the NOCD app, you’re never on your own between therapy sessions. Members can:

  • Securely message their therapy, with responses guaranteed within 24 hours 
  • Join live, therapist- and member-led support groups daily
  • Access tools for tracking progress and practicing ERP exercises at home 

This constant support helps you stay engaged and on track toward recovery.

Can NOCD treat all OCD subtypes and severity levels?

Yes. NOCD Therapists are trained to treat every OCD theme, including:

… as well as less common subtypes.

We work with children as young as 5, teens, and adults at all severity levels, offering up to five sessions per week for those who need more intensive support. 

Does NOCD coordinate with medication providers?

Absolutely. While ERP therapy is the most effective for OCD, some people benefit from adding medication to their treatment plan. NOCD Therapists collaborate closely with prescribing providers—sometimes even training them in OCD-specific care—to ensure a fully integrated approach. 

“We have done intensive training for medication providers so that they understand how OCD works, as well as the types of medications that may be best to prescribe, versus the types that may not be the most effective,” says Dr. McGrath. “We want to collaborate with them to ultimately give every NOCD Therapy Member the best results possible.”

Bottom line

If you’re comparing virtual therapy options for OCD, it’s important to know that specialized care leads to faster, more effective results. Evidence-based approaches include ERP therapy, medication, mindfulness-based strategies, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which are often used in combination. NOCD therapists are trained to use these methods in ways that fit each Member’s needs, with insurance coverage, between-session support, and nationwide availability. 

You don’t have to navigate OCD alone—effective, expert help is within reach. Book a free 15-minute call with our team to start your treatment journey.

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