Understanding OCD
Intrusive thoughts and compulsive rituals that loop without relief.
OCD is highly treatable but often under-recognized. We use exposure and response prevention (ERP) alongside medication when appropriate, and address the neurochemical and behavioral loops that keep the cycle running.
OCD care at a glance
- Who we treat
- Adults 18+
- Where
- In person in Scottsdale, AZ · Telehealth in AZ, NY, KS, MN, OR, WA
- Insurance
- Commercial insurance accepted for psychiatry and therapy
- Care team
- Psychiatry, therapy, and primary care clinicians working as one team — not a single provider
How it shows up
OCD is intrusive, unwanted thoughts paired with compulsive rituals — mental or physical — that you perform to relieve the anxiety. The relief is temporary and the loop returns, often consuming significant time each day. It's frequently misdiagnosed as generalized anxiety or missed entirely.
What's driving it
OCD is a distinct neurobiological condition, not a quirk or a preference for order. It responds to a specific approach — exposure and response prevention (ERP) — more than to generic therapy, with medication support when the symptoms are severe.
When to seek help
If intrusive thoughts and rituals are taking significant time, driving your decisions through fear, or limiting your life, specialized treatment helps. OCD is highly treatable with the right approach, but the right approach is specific.
Who We Typically See
Someone stuck in loops of intrusive thoughts and the rituals, checking, or mental reviewing that bring temporary relief. Many hide it out of shame, especially with taboo or "Pure O" thoughts. Most have been misdiagnosed with generalized anxiety at least once.
Treatment Options at a Glance
Breaking the loop takes the right kind of treatment.
OCD responds to a specific approach. Generic talk therapy and standard doses often aren’t enough.
ERP therapy
What it targets
The compulsion cycle itself.
Exposure and response prevention is the most effective OCD treatment, including for mental compulsions.
SSRIs at OCD doses
What it targets
Intensity of obsessions and urges.
OCD typically needs higher doses and more time than depression.
Clomipramine
What it targets
Severe or SSRI-resistant OCD.
A powerful, long-established option used with careful monitoring.
Augmentation strategies
What it targets
Partial response to first-line treatment.
Low-dose add-ons can unlock progress when OCD plateaus.
Options are prescribed only when clinically appropriate, after evaluation by a licensed provider.
The evidence
OCD affects roughly 1–2% of the population; ERP is the first-line, best-supported psychotherapy for it.
Source: Fenske & Petersen, 2015; NICE
Quick Self-Check
Could it be OCD?
Answer a few questions to see whether your responses point toward OCD or toward something else. Either way, we'll help you take the next step.
Over the past two weeks, how often have you experienced each of the following?
01Unwanted intrusive thoughts or images that keep returning
02Feeling driven to repeat certain behaviors or mental rituals
03Spending significant time each day on these thoughts or rituals
04Anxiety when you try to resist the thoughts or rituals
05The patterns interfering with your daily life or relationships
OCD — Frequently Asked
Common questions about OCD.
What is the best treatment for OCD?
Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is the first-line, best-supported therapy for OCD, often paired with medication when symptoms are moderate to severe.
How is OCD different from anxiety?
OCD involves intrusive, unwanted thoughts paired with compulsions performed to relieve distress. It needs a specific approach — ERP — rather than generic anxiety therapy.
Can OCD be treated via telehealth?
Yes. ERP and psychiatric care work well via telehealth, and we also see patients in person in Scottsdale, AZ.
Medically reviewed by
Clay Hall, NP, PhD, MBA
PRX Founder · Primary Care & Psychiatry
Double-board certified in Primary Care and Psychiatry, with post-graduate training in Psychiatry and Neuroscience from Purdue University.
Take the next step.
Whether the screening pointed here or somewhere else, the right next move is a conversation. Reach out and we'll help you find your path.
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