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Postpartum OCD Therapy Near Me | Near San Jose or Online in California

Becoming a new parent is full of joy, but, for some, it also brings intrusive, unwanted thoughts.

 

If you find yourself plagued by fears you might hurt your child, doubt your ability to parent safely, or replay “what if” scenarios over and over, you may be experiencing Postpartum (or Perinatal) OCD.

 

I offer specialized CBT and ERP therapy for Postpartum OCD, available in-person at my Campbell office near San Jose or online throughout California.

help for postpartum OCD
woman reading book depicting treatment for pregnancy and postpartum ocd

Understanding Pregnancy and Postpartum OCD 

OCD affects millions of individuals, but for new parents, it can take on a unique and often overwhelming form. ​Postpartum OCD is a subtype of OCD that can occur during pregnancy or after childbirth. It involves intensely distressing thoughts or mental images, sometimes violent or taboo in nature, about harming your baby, neglecting their safety, or failing as a parent, despite having no desire to act on them.

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Common obsessions include:

  • What if I I make a terrible mistake and hurt my baby when I’m sleep-deprived?

  • What if I make the wrong choices and they negatively affect my baby?

  • What if I don’t love my baby enough?

  • What if these thoughts mean I’m a bad mother?

 

These obsessions often trigger compulsions such as:

  • Repeatedly checking on the baby (monitoring breathing, ensuring they’re safe)

  • Seeking constant reassurance from partners, family, or providers

  • Avoiding being alone with the baby

  • Mentally reviewing every action to “prove” you didn’t harm your child

The Impact of Perinatal OCD

1. Intrusive, Disturbing Thoughts 

Repeated, unwanted thoughts or images about something bad happening to your baby. Many parents with OCD report constantly worrying that they might hurt their baby, even though they have no desire to do so.

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2. Repetitive Behaviors or Mental Rituals

Time consuming actions or mental rituals, like checking your baby for signs of harm, counting, or repeating tasks in a very specific way.

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3. Overwhelming Anxiety About Baby's Safety

Your worry makes it nearly impossible to relax. Many parents find themselves hypervigilant, constantly checking on baby and researching to make sure they are doing things correctly. 

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4. Feeling Detached and Disconnected 

It's hard to to fully enjoy time with your baby when you're consumed by fears or anxieties that you can’t control.

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5. High Need for Control

You may also feel the need to follow rigid routines or engage in repeated rituals to ensure your baby stays safe, like obsessively sanitizing baby items or adhering to strict feeding or nap schedules.

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6. Fear of "Losing Control"

You may also find yourself worrying that you could act on your intrusive thoughts or fears, even though you have no intention of doing so.

therapy for postpartum OCD

My Approach to Pregnancy & Postpartum OCD 

​If you’re juggling the demands of new parenthood while also experiencing intrusive, distressing thoughts, you need a therapist who  understands OCD and the challenges of the perinatal period. My approach combines structure and empathy to help you move from fear to confidence.

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What you can expect: 

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  1. Collaborative Assessment & Goal–Setting
    We begin by mapping out your specific fears and rituals, then we will set personalized, achievable goals for reducing those behaviors.

  2. Gradual, Values-Driven Exposures
    Together, we’ll design exposures that mirror real-world parenting tasks, (e.g., holding or bathing your baby without checking), working from least to most anxiety-provoking so you can build your confidence as a parent.

  3. Skill-Building With CBT & ERP
    You’ll learn practical strategies to challenge unhelpful beliefs (such as “I must keep checking to keep my baby safe”) and resist compulsive urges to retrain your brain’s natural anxiety response.

  4. Acceptance & Self-Compassion 
    Parenting already demands so much of you. We’ll weave in techniques, like mindfulness and self-compassion practices, to help you sit with discomfort, acknowledge the difficulty of these thoughts, and stay connected to the love and values that matter most.

  5. Ongoing Support & Adjustment
    With each session, we’ll review your progress, troubleshoot setbacks, and adjust your exposure hierarchy. My goal is to ensure you feel empowered, not overwhelmed, as you reclaim confidence in your parenting and in yourself.

 

By blending evidence-based methods with a warm, supportive stance, I’ll help you break free from postpartum OCD’s grip and rediscover the joy of parenting.

Recovery from Pregnancy & Postpartum OCD

postpartum OCD specialist

Start Therapy for Postpartum OCD Today

You don’t have to face your intrusive thoughts alone. With proven, collaborative treatment, you can reclaim your confidence as a parent.

 

Contact me today to schedule a consultation or learn more about Postpartum OCD therapy and perinatal OCD support.

learn about cognitive behavior therapy in san jose, california

Contact Me

Use my client information form to tell me about yourself and how you are hoping I can help you. 

free consultation with cognitive behavior therapist in san jose, california

Schedule a Consultation

Get a feel for my style and get your questions answered during our no-obligation phone screen.

Located in CAMPBELL near SAN JOSE

Address

51 E Campbell Ave 

Campbell, CA 98005

What to EXPECT

My office is located near San Jose in Campbell in the historic Heritage Village Offices. Conveniently located near restaurants and shops, my office is quiet with a peaceful courtyard view. There is plenty of parking. When you arrive at the Campbell Ave entrance, you will be greeted by our front desk staff and I show to to my private office.

Frequently asked questions

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. 

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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. 

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

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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. 

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Ready to get started or have more questions? 

caitlyn oscarson cognitive behavior therapist

Caitlyn OSCARSON, LMFT

cognitive behavior therapy

San Jose Area psychotherapy practice focused on cognitive behavior therapy for anxiety and OCD.

In person in Campbell, CA and online throughout California.

© 2025 by Caitlyn Oscarson, LMFT

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Caitlyn Oscarson, MS, LMFT

#MFC 51585

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

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​​​51 E Campbell Ave Suite 101-H

Campbell, CA 95008

 

Caitlyn@CaitlynOscarsonCBT.com

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