Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Therapy & Treatment

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder isn’t the same as Anxiety Disorder, but living with the symptoms of OCD can certainly lead to issues with anxiety, depression, or substance abuse. People with OCD don’t get enjoyment from these thoughts and behaviors; they recognize that their behaviors are disruptive in their lives and might go to great lengths to avoid situations that trigger their obsessions. Some use alcohol or drugs to quiet the obsessive thoughts.

At Lukin Center, your OCD treatment will be tailored to your symptoms and your experience. Our qualified therapists can help you with focused interventions, concrete goals, and proven treatment options to help you find relief from your OCD symptoms and participate in your life the way you want to. 

What are the Symptoms and Treatments for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

Obsessions and compulsions are as individual as the people experiencing them. 

Obsessions 

Obsessions are repeated thoughts, urges, or ideas that are unwanted and can cause distress. These thoughts pop into your head when you’re trying to concentrate or do something else, and they can feel impossible to stop or avoid. You might try to get rid of the thoughts by performing certain personal rituals. 

Obsessions can include: 

• Fear of objects being “contaminated” by germs
• Feeling stress when items aren’t arranged in a certain order or symmetry
• Images of harm: driving your car into a crowd, hitting a stranger on the street
• Urges to act inappropriately in public: shouting obscenities, removing clothing, etc. 
• Disturbing sexual images or thoughts

Compulsions

Compulsions are behaviors or actions you feel you must perform in order to stop obsessive thoughts or prevent something bad from happening. Some people create their own rules and rituals to quiet their obsessions, even if the rituals don’t affect the obsessions that trigger them (reciting the alphabet 6 times to keep the phone from ringing, for example). 

Compulsions are very personal and can include:

• Washing your hands until your skin is raw
• Cleaning things that are already clean
• Checking doors, alarms, candles, locks, ovens repeatedly
• Routines that must be performed in order
• Counting in patterns
• Repeated words and phrases

At Lukin Center, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder treatment is personalized to the patient, and might include individual psychotherapy, medication, or both. Effective treatment also considers any other mental health issues that you might be dealing with at the same time, from anxiety and depression to eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder, or bipolar disorder. 

While there is no cure for OCD, many patients find relief with compassionate, evidence-based treatment.

What to Expect: Starting OCD Treatment at Lukin Center

Care at Lukin Center follows a consistent path, whether OCD appears on its own or alongside anxiety or depression.

1. Reach out: Submit our online intake form or call the number listed on our contact page.
2. Personalized clinician match: Our founding doctors match you with a clinician experienced in treating obsessive compulsive disorder.
3. First appointment: You review your history, current challenges, and goals, in person or by telehealth.
4. Treatment plan and cadence: Your clinician sets session frequency, the skills you practice between sessions, and how progress gets measured.
5. Psychiatry coordination, as needed: If medication may be appropriate, our in-house psychiatry team handles the evaluation and ongoing management.
6. Ongoing support: We revisit the plan as your symptoms change and involve family when that helps.

New Jersey Locations & Telehealth

Find OCD treatment close to home, or from home. Our clinicians see clients at offices across Northern and Central New Jersey, and virtual sessions are available statewide when travel or scheduling gets in the way.

• Therapy in Ridgewood, NJ serves Bergen County clients looking for in-person OCD care.
• Therapy in Englewood, NJ is a second Bergen County option with its own clinical team.
• Therapy in Hoboken, NJ covers Hudson County and the commuter corridor into Manhattan.
• Therapy in Jersey City, NJ offers Hudson County appointments close to the PATH and light rail.
• Therapy in Montclair, NJ serves Essex County clients and surrounding towns.
• Therapy in Chatham, NJ provides Morris County access for clients west of the Newark corridor.
• Therapy in Westfield, NJ covers Union County and the central New Jersey suburbs.
• Teletherapy is available to clients anywhere in New Jersey, on the same clinical model as our in-office care.

We also see New York City clients by appointment.

Insurance & Payment

Lukin Center for Psychotherapy is an out-of-network mental health practice. We do not bill insurance directly. Instead, our office manager generates a monthly superbill you can submit to your insurer, and you may be eligible for out-of-network reimbursement depending on your plan.

Our rates & insurance page explains how out-of-network coverage works and which questions to ask your insurer before you begin. Reading it early helps you understand what your plan covers and plan for the cost of care with clear expectations.

If you would rather talk it through first, a free 15-minute consultation is a low-pressure way to ask about clinician fit, scheduling, and payment before you commit to a session. You can request one through our contact form.

How Can Lukin Center Help Me with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Treatment? 

If you or your loved one are experiencing symptoms of OCD, don’t wait to get help. Lukin Center clinicians must maintain the highest possible degrees and certifications in their fields, including best practices in treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in adults, teens, and children. As one of the largest mental health therapy practices in Northern New Jersey, Lukin Center gives you access to more highly trained therapists and a broader range of specialties, so you can get exactly the help you need. We’ll help you connect with the right mental health professional to get the results you want.

Frequently Asked Questions About OCD Treatment

This page is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your specific situation. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or call 911.