OCD Specialist Near Me:

Effective Therapy for Harm OCD

If you're seeking an expert in OCD therapy, you're in the right place.

With over a decade of experience as a licensed therapist, I specialize in helping individuals navigate the complexities of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). While many are familiar with common OCD themes like cleanliness and orderliness, other concerns—such as intrusive fears about harming yourself or others—are less recognized outside the OCD community.

I've worked with many individuals struggling with these distressing thoughts and understand the unique challenges they pose, as well as how isolating these experiences can feel. The good news is that with the right support and therapeutic techniques, relief is possible, and you can regain control over your life.

Understanding Harm OCD

Harm OCD is characterized by overwhelming fears of causing harm to yourself or others, either intentionally or unintentionally. People with this type of OCD often experience intrusive thoughts or images about violent or harmful actions, which can feel distressing and terrifying, even though they are completely out of alignment with their true intentions.

Common fears include:

Hurting yourself or others, either on purpose or by accident
Acting out violent or aggressive behaviors
Losing control and causing harm
Fearing that your thoughts or actions could lead to catastrophic consequences

Individuals with harm OCD may respond to these obsessive thoughts with compulsive behaviors such as seeking reassurance, avoiding certain situations, or mentally “neutralizing” the feared action. While these responses provide temporary relief, they ultimately reinforce the cycle of anxiety and obsession.

Therapy can offer significant relief from the cycle of distressing thoughts and behaviors associated with harm OCD. I use evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to help clients confront their intrusive thoughts, reduce compulsive actions, and regain a sense of control and peace.

How Can I Tell if I Really Have Harm OCD?

Many individuals with harm OCD worry that their intrusive thoughts may not be a sign of OCD at all, but instead reflect a deeper, more dangerous part of themselves. This uncertainty can be especially distressing, as they fear that their thoughts may be an indication of true violent tendencies or intentions. However, it's important to understand that harm OCD is a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder, and the intrusive thoughts experienced are often completely out of character and unwanted. Here are some of the ways that an OCD expert can identify Harm OCD:

Intrusive vs. Intentional Thoughts:

Harm OCD involves distressing, intrusive thoughts about harming others that are unwanted and out of alignment with the person’s values. These individuals typically feel horrified by the thoughts. In contrast, someone who is a genuine threat may have consistent, intentional thoughts or plans about causing harm.

Level of Distress and Anxiety

Individuals with harm OCD experience significant anxiety, guilt, and distress about the intrusive thoughts. They often engage in compulsions or avoidance behaviors to prevent harm. Someone who is a real threat is less likely to experience this level of distress or anxiety regarding their thoughts or actions.

Empathy and Moral Concerns

People with harm OCD generally have strong moral values and empathy. They are deeply troubled by the mere possibility of harming others, which drives them to seek help. A person who poses a real threat may lack empathy or show little concern for the consequences of their actions.

Response to Therapy

Individuals with harm OCD tend to respond well to evidence-based treatments, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which help reduce the anxiety and compulsive behaviors associated with the obsessions. A person with harmful intentions may not show the same willingness or response to treatment.

woman in chair representing expert therapy for ocd in san jose ca

Recovery from OCD

Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP) is widely recognized as the gold standard in treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In ERP, we will change the way you respond to your thoughts. You will learn not to take intrusive thoughts literally and stop feeling like you have to do what OCD wants you to do. We will test your fears by going towards situations that you have been avoiding and reducing the behaviors that reinforce the cycle.

Here’s why ERP is highly effective:

Face Your Fears: ERP directly challenges OCD symptoms by facing your feared situations or triggers and learning that anxiety decreases naturally over time without engaging in rituals. It may seem counterintuitive but avoiding your triggers is actually increasing your anxiety and making OCD worse!
Change What You Do: ERP focuses on changing behaviors rather than thoughts or beliefs. By breaking the cycle of compulsions, you will experience reduced anxiety and gain greater control over you OCD symptoms.
Build Your Confidence: ERP is conducted in a structured manner, starting with less distressing exposures and progressing to more challenging ones. ERP always goes at your pace! This gradual approach ensures you are learning to tolerate anxiety while resisting compulsions.

Learn more about ERP

Inference-based Cognitive Behavior Therapy (I-CBT) is a relatively newer approach that addresses OCD symptoms by targeting the cognitive processes underlying obsessions and doubts. I-CBT is considered evidence-based for treating OCD.

Cognitive Focus: IBT focuses on challenging and modifying the cognitive interpretations and inferences that drive OCD symptoms. It aims to change how you perceive and interpret your thoughts rather than directly targeting behaviors.
Normal Versus Obsessional Doubts: IBT helps you recognize how doubts in OCD are different from normal doubts. When you see the thoughts differently they are not as threatening and you won't need to do compulsions.
Collaborative: IBT involves collaborative exploration between the therapist and the client to understand the underlying cognitive processes driving OCD symptoms. This exploration will help us develop personalized strategies to challenge and change your cognitive patterns.

Why is it important to work with an OCD specialist?

Specialized Expertise: An OCD specialist has specific training in evidence-based treatments for OCD, such as Exposure and Response Prevention. Many therapies that help with other disorderes like anxiety and depression can actually make OCD worse.

Personalized Treatment: OCD specialists develop personalized treatment plans that address your unique symptoms, triggers, and goals. This individualized approach is crucial in OCD treatment, where one-size-fits-all methods may not be effective.

In-Depth Understanding: OCD specialists have a deep understanding of the complexities of OCD, including its various subtypes and how it can show up differently in individuals.

Proven Track Record: Choosing an OCD specialist means opting for a professional who has successfully helped many others overcome OCD symptoms. Effective treatment is within reach!

Get Started

Frequently asked questions

Complete the Potential Client Form and I will be in touch with you within 24 hours to set up a consultation call to discuss your symptoms and answer any questions about OCD, Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP), and other OCD treatment options . If we are fit will will book an intake session from there. After our initial meeting, most clients meet with me weekly for 45-minute sessions, ideally at the same day and a time each week. We will meet more or less depending on your needs.

My fees are $340 per 60 minute initial assessment session and $255 per 45-minute therapy session.

I am an out-of-network provider for all insurance panels. If you have a PPO you may be eligible for out of network benefits and I will submit electronic claims on your behalf so that you may be partially reimbursed for your CBT sessions. You can contact your insurance company directly to find out more information about your out of network coverage.

Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP) is more structured than other types of therapy. We will start our sessions by setting an agenda and intention for the session. The majority of our session time will be spent on understanding the cycle of OCD, building your coping skills and practicing challenging your fears. We will end with an action plan for you to take into your week. ERP, like cognitive behavior therapy, is at its core, flexible and collaborative so we will tailor our sessions to your needs and go at your pace.

It truth is that treatment length varies a lot. The severity of your symptoms, how long you have OCD, your motivation to work on OCD outside of session, and your life circumstances will all factor in to treatment length. With ERP, most clients start to feel some noticeable relief within three months and may achieve their goals by six months. For others it can take a year or more to achieve goals, or they find it helpful to continue to meet with a therapist to stay focused and accountable.

If you recongize yourself in the description above it is absolutely worth seeing your doctor or making an appointment wiht a therapist who specializes in OCD. They can assess your symptoms, provide a diagnosis, and recommend appropriate treatment options, such as therapy, like Exposure with Response Prevention and discuss if medication could be helpful to you. If you find yourself with worries that others don't understand or that traditional talk therapy and CBT are not giving you the results you hope for, a consolation with an OCD therapist may be useful.

About CAITLYN

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist with a master’s degree in clinical psychology. I have been working as a therapist since 2009, specializing in Cognitive Behavior Therapy for anxiety disorders and obsessive compulsive disorders. Before starting my own practice in 2021 I worked at a specialty anxiety/OCD group practice for many years, as well as community mental health, and school settings.

My practice is located in Campbell, CA in the South SF Bay Area, near San Jose, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Los Altos, Mountain View, Sunnyvale and Cupertino.

I have been working primarily with clients struggling with anxiety since 2012. Read more about my speciality training here.

My approach to anxiety and OCD treatment is compassionate and personalized. This work is challenging but we will go at your pace and focus on the symptoms that are getting in the way of your life.

Ready to get started or have more questions?

Let's TALK

caitlyn oscarson cognitive behavior therapist

Caitlyn OSCARSON

cognitive behavior therapy

OCD Specialist Near Me:

Effective Therapy for Harm OCD

Understanding Harm OCD