OCD Therapy in Sandy, Utah
Does it feel like OCD has taken the driver's seat of your life?
Are intrusive thoughts constantly showing up, refusing to quiet down unless you perform certain rituals?
Do you feel as if your thoughts are all consuming and go against your value system?
Are you terrified of being forced to confront the fears that scare you the most?
You may find yourself dealing with intrusive thoughts that feel intense, unwanted, and difficult to control. These can range from irrational doubts to disturbing mental images or impulses that have nothing to do with who you are. Even when you know these thoughts aren't a reflection of your character, they can still feel incredibly real and frightening.
To get relief, you may feel compelled to engage in certain actions—checking, counting, cleaning, praying, repeating phrases, or avoiding specific situations. These compulsions might give you temporary relief, but the peace never lasts. Before long, the thoughts return, and the cycle begins again, leaving you frustrated, exhausted, and unsure how to break free.
Living with OCD can be exhausting
Perhaps the most painful part of OCD is how foreign your intrusive thoughts feel. You know they contradict your values, yet they produce so much anxiety and uncertainty that you begin second-guessing everything. This can leave you feeling confused, frightened, and emotionally drained.
The fear tied to these obsessions can be intense. You might be terrified that if you don’t engage in certain rituals, something terrible might happen—or worse, that you might cause harm without intending to. This fear can feel paralyzing, trapping you in a cycle where compulsions feel like the only thing keeping you safe, even though you know deep down that they are not solving the problem.
But OCD counseling can teach you how to interrupt this cycle. With support, you can learn effective tools to manage intrusive thoughts, reduce compulsions, and regain control of your life.
Many people with OCD feel completely alone
About 2.5% of the population is impacted by OCD at some point in their life. That’s about the size of New York City
The most common symptoms of OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) include intrusive, distressing thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) performed to reduce the anxiety caused by these thoughts.
Some of the most common obsessive themes include contamination fears, intense doubt, unwanted sexual thoughts, intrusive violent thoughts, scrupulosity, relationship-focused worries, and perfectionism. Compulsions can involve washing, checking, repeating, counting, arranging, seeking reassurance, or performing mental rituals.
The OCD Cycle
People with OCD often feel trapped in a cycle where performing the compulsive actions temporarily relieves anxiety, but the obsessions return, leading to further compulsions. This cycle can interfere significantly with daily life, relationships, and overall well-being, as the individual spends excessive time engaging in rituals to manage the intrusive thoughts.
A major reason people with OCD feel isolated is that their intrusive thoughts often feel shameful or disturbing. Because the thoughts go against their values, many fear they’ll be judged or misunderstood if they talk about them. Loved ones, unaware of the severity of OCD, may accidentally invalidate the experience by calling compulsions “quirks” or “habits.” This lack of understanding makes it even harder to reach out for help.
But here’s the good news: OCD is highly treatable, and with the right approach, you can break out of this cycle and reclaim your life.
With the help of OCD counseling, you can face your fears and take your life back
If you're scared to start OCD counseling, you’re not alone—and your fear makes sense. You may have spent years relying on compulsions to cope with your intrusive thoughts. The idea of voluntarily facing those triggers can feel overwhelming.
It’s also normal to worry about losing control, feeling worse before feeling better, or confronting thoughts you’ve tried hard to avoid. However, you won’t go through this process alone. My role is to walk with you step-by-step, helping you face your fears at a pace that feels safe and manageable.
Together, we’ll create a treatment plan that aligns with your needs, your fears, and your long-term goals for recovery.
What You Can Expect In OCD Counseling Sessions
The most effective and widely recommended treatment for OCD is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). ERP helps you confront your fears gradually, while learning to resist the urge to perform compulsions.
In our sessions, we’ll create a “fear hierarchy,” which is simply a list of triggers ranging from mildly uncomfortable to more challenging. You start small, practicing exposures you can handle. As you gain confidence and your anxiety decreases, we gradually move toward more difficult situations.
For example, if you have contamination OCD you might start by touching a doorknob without washing your hands, while if you have harm OCD you might write down a scary thought without trying to mentally undo it.
The goal is not to eliminate the thoughts—everyone experiences unwanted thoughts at times—but to teach your brain that you can tolerate the anxiety without relying on compulsions. Over time, your brain learns that the feared outcome doesn’t happen and that anxiety naturally fades when rituals are not performed.
Personalized treatment solutions for your OCD
As your OCD therapist, I will meet you with compassion, patience, and understanding. I know how painful and confusing OCD can be, and I also know how effective the right treatment can be. You can expect:
Here are some examples of what you can expect from me:
Clear, practical education about OCD—so you fully understand what’s happening in your brain and body.
A thorough assessment of your obsessions and compulsions—allowing us to tailor treatment to your unique symptoms.
A non-judgmental space—where you can openly discuss thoughts that may feel frightening or shameful.
Weekly homework and practice exercises—so you can continue building skills outside of sessions and strengthen your progress.
If you are willing to show up to therapy and do the work, I am confident that you will see a reduction in your distress and an increase in your ability to manage your obsessive thoughts.
Still Have Questions About OCD Therapy?
What if ERP doesn’t work for me?
While ERP is the gold-standard treatment, it isn’t the only option. If ERP isn’t the right fit, we can explore second-line approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) or Inference-Based Cognitive Therapy (I-CBT). Additional modalities such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) or mindfulness-based strategies can also support your progress.
What if facing my fears makes me feel even worse?
It’s completely normal to feel anxious about exposures—after all, compulsions have provided short-term relief for a long time. ERP may increase your anxiety at first, but this is a temporary part of the healing process. Over time, as you resist rituals, your brain learns that the danger isn’t real and the anxiety fades naturally. The long-term relief is worth the short-term discomfort.
What if I can’t do the things that I know will help me get better?
OCD is often called “the doubting disorder” for a reason—it makes you question your abilities. But you are far more capable than OCD wants you to believe. As we progress through treatment, you’ll begin to witness your own strength and courage. You’ll learn how to challenge your OCD, step by step, and eventually reclaim the authority it has held over your life.
You can overcome your OCD and live the life you deserve
If you’re tired of feeling controlled by OCD, therapy can help you gain the confidence to face your fears and stop living by OCD’s rules. I invite you to contact me today to learn more about how I can help you treat your OCD.
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