OCD Treatment
Columbus, Ohio
Expert obsessive-compulsive disorder care — medication management for OCD and anxiety, ERP therapy coordination, and personalized treatment plans by board-certified PMHNPs across all of Ohio.
Symptoms of OCD: What Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Actually Looks Like
OCD is far more than checking if you locked the door. It's an exhausting, time-consuming cycle of intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that can consume hours of every day. Understanding what causes OCD and recognizing its symptoms is the first step toward getting help from an OCD specialist.
Contamination OCD
Obsessive fear of germs, illness, or dirt. Compulsive handwashing, cleaning, or avoidance of "contaminated" surfaces — hours per day.
Checking OCD
Repeatedly checking locks, appliances, or actions to prevent imagined harm. Returning home multiple times to verify — even when you watched yourself lock the door.
Intrusive Thoughts OCD
Unwanted, distressing thoughts about harm, taboo subjects, or "Pure O" OCD — where the compulsion is mental (reassurance-seeking, reviewing, praying) rather than visible.
Symmetry & Ordering OCD
Intense discomfort if things are "not right" — objects misaligned, tasks not completed in a specific order. The "just right" feeling drives hours of ritualistic behavior.
OCD and Anxiety: Closely Related, Distinctly Different
OCD was reclassified as separate from anxiety disorders in DSM-5, but anxiety and OCD frequently co-occur. Many patients with obsessive compulsive disorder also experience generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, or panic disorder. Our providers are trained in diagnosing and treating both — creating a personalized treatment plan that addresses the full picture. Working with a qualified therapist alongside medication management through cognitive behavioral therapy produces the strongest outcomes for most patients.
OCD Treatment Center Approach:
Your Evidence-Based Treatment Plan
Research consistently shows that the most effective approach to treating obsessive compulsive disorder combines SSRI medication management with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) — a specialized form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). As an OCD treatment center, we build each treatment plan around evidence-based methods proven to reduce symptoms of OCD.
As a psychiatric practice, we specialize in the medication management side and coordinate closely with an ERP-trained therapist in the Columbus anxiety and OCD space. Many patients find that medication reduces the intensity of obsessions enough to make CBT and ERP tolerable and effective. Our behavioral health team is here to support your recovery at every step.
Also treating OCD and anxiety together →SSRIs for OCD (First-Line)
Sertraline, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, and paroxetine are FDA-approved for OCD. Higher doses than typically used for depression are often required. 10-12 weeks to assess response.
Clomipramine (TCA)
FDA-approved specifically for OCD. A tricyclic antidepressant used when SSRIs haven't produced adequate relief. Highly effective but requires monitoring.
Augmentation Strategies
For treatment-resistant OCD, we may add low-dose antipsychotics (risperidone, quetiapine) or buspirone to enhance SSRI response.
ERP Therapy Coordination
We work alongside ERP therapists for comprehensive OCD treatment. We can provide referrals to therapists who specialize in OCD and anxiety in Columbus.
Getting Started Is Simple
Appointments within 48 hours. No referral needed. Most insurance accepted.
Submit Your Request
Fill out our short online intake form. Takes 5 minutes.
Meet Your Provider
Comprehensive evaluation via telehealth or in-person in Columbus.
Start Treatment
Receive your personalized treatment plan with ongoing medication management.
Telehealth statewide · Columbus office · Most insurance accepted
Insurance Plans We Accept
Most major Ohio insurance plans accepted, including Medicaid, Medicare & VA
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about our treatment services in Columbus, Ohio.
Do you treat OCD in Columbus, Ohio?
Yes. We provide OCD evaluation, diagnosis, and medication management for obsessive-compulsive disorder in Columbus and statewide via telehealth. We coordinate with ERP therapists for comprehensive OCD treatment. Appointments available within 48 hours — no referral needed.
What is ERP therapy for OCD?
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the gold-standard psychotherapy for OCD. It involves gradual, controlled exposure to obsession triggers while preventing the compulsive response, retraining the brain over time. As a psychiatric practice, we provide the medication management piece and coordinate with ERP-trained therapists.
What medications are used to treat OCD?
SSRIs are the first-line medications for obsessive-compulsive disorder — typically at higher doses than used for depression. FDA-approved options include sertraline, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, and paroxetine. Clomipramine is another effective option. We develop a personalized treatment plan based on your OCD symptoms and history.
Is OCD the same as anxiety?
OCD was separated from anxiety disorders in DSM-5, but OCD and anxiety frequently co-occur and share overlapping brain circuitry. Many patients with OCD also have GAD, panic disorder, or social anxiety. We assess the full picture and treat both when present.
How long does OCD medication take to work?
SSRIs for OCD typically require 10-12 weeks at therapeutic doses to show meaningful response — longer than for depression or anxiety. Patience and consistent follow-up are essential. We monitor closely and adjust the treatment plan as needed throughout the process.
OCD is treatable.
Relief is possible.
The right combination of medication and ERP therapy helps most people with OCD reclaim hours of their day. You don't have to manage this alone.
Book Your OCD AssessmentHIPAA-Compliant · Accepting New Patients · Columbus, OH & Statewide Telehealth