Find A Treatment Provider

Disclaimer and Terms of Use

The mental-health professionals on this list have expressed an interest in treating individuals with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) has not investigated these individuals nor does it have the facilities to evaluate their competence in treating OCD. This list is a compilation of treatment providers who have requested that their names appear on this referral list. The IOCDF does not recommend nor endorse the competence or expertise of anyone listed. The listing of treatment providers is not an endorsement, but merely a source listing of individuals who have indicated they treat OCD.

How to Use this Treatment Provider Database

On the following page you will be able to search for a therapist or medicine prescriber nearest you. For a general search by your location:

• On the next page, click on the “View Map” button.
• A map will come up with a place to enter in your location.
• Once you enter your location, the map will fill up with treatment providers located nearest to your location.
• Move closer in and further out on the map using the tool on the left side of the map itself.
• You will see treatment providers listed on the right side of the page in the location you have selected
• Click on any of the treatment providers’ names to learn more about that provider.

For an advanced search:

• On the next page, at the top, fill in the required fields for your location. You can search in an area as small as 5 miles or as large as 200 miles.
• You can be very specific and enter your street address, city, state and postal/zip code. Or you can look over a broader region by just entering your city and state or postal/zip code.
• You also need to fill in the country. This is a required field.
• You can then search by population, payment options, treatment strategies, as well as other options. However, as with any database, the more options you choose the more it will narrow your search.
• If you do a search and no treatment providers come up, choose less search criteria. This will help broaden your search.
• Note: You will see that you can search by a BTTI designation. BTTI stands for Behavior Therapy Training Institute. This is a training program by the IOCDF and a provider indicating that they are a BTTI “grad” means they have completed this training. A BTTI “faculty” means they were one of the trainers.

Important Things to Keep in Mind When Looking for a Therapist

Remember that some therapists are better at treating OCD than others. It is important to interview therapists to find out if they know how to do Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy well. Their responses to your questions are a good guide to what you want to know about a new therapist.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• You have a perfect right to ask questions. This is your life and health!
• If he or she is guarded, withholds information, or becomes angry at your requests for information, you should probably look elsewhere.
• If the therapist appreciates how important a decision this is for you and is open, friendly, and knowledgeable, you may have a gem of a therapist!
• Your relationship with the therapist is important. Especially since they will be asking you to do things that you find uncomfortable.
• Tips for Interviewing Therapists: What Should I Ask?

Tips for Interviewing Therapists: What Should I Ask?

The following checklist can help guide your search for the right therapist. The answers to most of these questions are available on the individual listings in our Treatment Provider search engine, but it never hurts to ask a therapist yourself:

"What techniques do you use to treat OCD?"

If the therapist is vague, or does not mention cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), use caution.

"Do you use Exposure and Response Prevention to treat OCD?"

Be cautious of therapists who say they use CBT, but won't be more specific.

"What is your training and background in treating OCD?"

If they say they went to a CBT psychology graduate program or did a post-doctoral fellowship in CBT, it is a good sign. Another positive is if a therapist says they are a member of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) or the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapists (ABCT). Also, look for therapists who say they have attended specialized workshops or trainings offered by the IOCDF, like our Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) or Annual Conference.

"How much of your practice currently involves anxiety disorders?"

"Do you feel that you have been effective in your treatment of OCD?"

"What is your attitude towards medicine in the treatment of OCD?"

If they are negative about medicine, this is a bad sign. Medicine is an effective treatment for OCD.

"Are you willing to leave your office if needed to do behavior therapy?"

It is sometimes necessary to go out of the office to do effective ERP.

This has been adapted from: "How to Choose a Behavior Therapist" by Michael Jenike, M.D.

Are There More Intensive Therapy Options Available?

Yes. If you or a loved one has tried traditional outpatient therapy and would like to try a more intensive level of care, there are options. The following lists therapy options from least intensive to most intensive:

• Traditional Outpatient - Patients see a therapist for individual sessions as often as recommended by their therapist, generally one or two times a week for 45-50 minutes.
• Intensive Outpatient - Patients attend several groups and one individual session per day several days per week.
• Day Program - Patients attend treatment during the day at a mental health treatment centertal, usually from 9am - 5pm, up to five days a week.
• Partial Hospital - Same as the Day Program, but patients attend the treatment at a mental health hospital.
• Residential - Patients are treated while living voluntarily in an unlocked mental health treatment center or hospital. (Examples: MGH/McLean OCD Institute, Rogers Memorial Hospital's OCD Residential Program, Houston's OCD Residential Program)
• Inpatient -This is the highest level of care for a mental health condition. Treatment is provided on a locked unit in a mental health hospital on a voluntary or sometimes involuntary basis. Patients are admitted into this level of care if they are unable to care for themselves or are a danger to themselves or others. The goals of inpatient treatment are to stabilize the patient, which generally takes several days to a week, and then transition the patient to a lower level of care.

 

The IOCDF keeps a database of intensive treatment centers across the United States. Click here to look for a program in your area.