Receiving a referral for OCD therapy from your healthcare provider can come with a mix of emotions. You might feel hopeful about finally getting an explanation for the symptoms you’ve been experiencing, or uncertain about what treatment could involve. Maybe you even feel unsure about whether or not you really have OCD.
At NOCD, we understand these feelings on a personal level. Many of us have OCD, and we know that entrusting someone with your mental health journey can feel like a big step—especially when you’re dealing with symptoms that might seem confusing or feel difficult to talk about. We want you to feel comfortable and confident using your referral, so we’re sharing nine key takeaways for navigating these first steps:
You can still seek help, even if you aren’t sure if you have OCD.
It’s common to have doubts about whether or not you actually have OCD because the condition can be so misunderstood. As a result, many people live with symptoms for years before getting an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
Even if you’re unsure, getting assessed by a specialized therapist is still a good idea. They can help you better understand what you’re going through, and provide insight into what the best next steps are.
Your symptoms may not match what you’ve seen about OCD, but your experience is still valid.
Contrary to how the condition is often represented in popular culture, OCD isn’t really about liking things organized. People with OCD often deal with unwanted, intrusive thoughts or fears that can feel deeply personal, frightening, or even taboo. The distress caused by these unwanted thoughts can lead them to engage in behaviors in an attempt to reduce that anxiety—many of which can be mental, and therefore unseen. This can make it harder to recognize the condition, and harder to open up about it.
It’s important to know that OCD tends to latch onto whatever matters most to you, and these thoughts are no indication of your character or true desires. No matter what you’re struggling with, you deserve proper care and support. Your NOCD Therapist will never judge you; their job is to make sure you feel comfortable.
General talk therapy falls short for OCD—it needs specialized treatment.
Standard therapy approaches, like general talk therapy, aren’t recommended for OCD. In some cases, these techniques can even make things worse by reinforcing compulsions. The gold-standard treatment for OCD is exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, a type of specialized therapy proven to be the most effective for OCD. ERP helps you gradually and safely confront the things that trigger your OCD, and learn new, healthier responses—so your fears have less power over you.
ERP therapy is proven to work for all OCD subtypes.
Whether your OCD focuses on fears of harming others, religious or moral concerns, health anxiety, or something else entirely, ERP is the most effective approach. It’s backed by decades of research and real-world results across every theme or subtype of OCD.
Therapists need extensive training in order to understand OCD and effectively deliver ERP therapy.
OCD is a complex condition that often gets misdiagnosed. Treating it requires more than general mental health training. And yet, many therapists can miss the mark when it comes to treating OCD due to a lack of specialized training.
That’s why every NOCD Therapist completes extensive training led by world-renowned experts in OCD—so they’re prepared to effectively treat your symptoms and provide a safe, judgment-free space where you can get better.
NOCD Therapy can deliver results twice as fast as in-person ERP therapy.
A peer-reviewed study validated by the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR) examined the treatment outcomes of NOCD’s virtual ERP therapy for OCD, and found that NOCD Members experienced significant symptom improvements in less than half the time of standard, in-person ERP therapy.
Medication is an evidence-based treatment for OCD that works well with ERP therapy.
ERP therapy is proven to be the most effective treatment for OCD, and it works beautifully alongside medication. While medication helps regulate brain chemistry and reduce anxiety, ERP gives you tools for addressing the behavioral patterns that fuel OCD. In ERP, a specialized therapist will teach you how to resist compulsions and build tolerance for uncertainty.
NOCD Therapy Members often achieve life-changing results through ERP therapy alone, but for others, taking medication while they do ERP can give them the best chance at managing OCD. In fact, when combined with medication, ERP has been shown to be twice as effective, helping people regain their lives.
NOCD Therapists coordinate with providers for holistic care.
To ensure our Members always receive the very best evidence-based OCD treatment, we work with healthcare providers so they have a solid understanding of OCD. Your NOCD Therapist will stay in close communication with your other providers to make your treatment experience as smooth as possible—and deliver the best possible results.
NOCD is the leading provider of OCD treatment, and you’ll have support between therapy sessions, so you’re never alone.
NOCD provides live, face-to-face video therapy sessions with therapists who specialize in OCD and ERP therapy. And since we know that OCD doesn’t always let up when your therapy session ends, we also make sure you’re supported between sessions. From direct messaging with our therapists, to in-app tools and a community that truly understands, we’ve got your back whenever OCD shows up.
Getting started with your referral
OCD can feel overwhelming, but as healthcare providers know, this condition is highly treatable when approached with the right kind of care. NOCD Therapists specialize in OCD and ERP therapy, and they’re here to help you move toward a life where OCD no longer dictates your choices.
To learn more about using your healthcare provider’s referral for OCD therapy, book a free 15-minute call with our team. During your call, we’ll share more about what to expect from treatment, answer any questions you have, and help you figure out your next steps. Our goal is to make sure you feel supported in getting any care you might need.
