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

Do you find yourself overwhelmed by intrusive fears of having done something morally wrong, sinful, or “impure,” even when there’s no evidence you’ve crossed any lines? You may be experiencing Scrupulosity OCD, a subtype of OCD where obsessions center on religion, morality, or ethics, and compulsions often involve mental rituals or reassurance seeking.

 

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

Stressed Woman
Library Book Reading

Understanding Scrupulosity & Morality OCD

Scrupulosity OCD involves persistent, unwanted thoughts about moral or religious wrongdoing. Common obsessions include:

  • Fearing you’ve offended God, violated a religious rule, or sinned in thought or deed

  • Worrying that your private thoughts make you a “bad” person

  • Doubting whether you’ve prayed “correctly” or followed rituals perfectly

  • Worrying that you cheated or got an unfair advantage 

To neutralize these fears, people with scrupulosity often engage in compulsions such as:

  • Repetitive prayer or confession

  • Mental reviewing of thoughts or actions

  • Seeking reassurance from clergy, friends, or family

  • Avoiding people, places, or topics that trigger moral anxiety

The Impact of Scrupulocity/Morality OCD

1. Excessive guilt or fear of being immoral or sinful

You feel guilt, like you did something wrong even when no wrongdoing has occurred. You often obsess over whether your thoughts, intentions, or actions might be "bad" or offensive.

2. Compulsive confessing or seeking reassurance

To reduce anxiety, you may feel compelled to confess and repeatedly ask for reassurance from others (e.g., friends, family, religious leaders, therapists) to gain certainty that you haven’t done something wrong.

3. Intrusive thoughts related to religion, ethics, or morality

Blasphemous thoughts, fears of offending God, or doubts about being a “good” person.

4. Time consuming mental reviewing or rumination

Repeatedly going over past actions, conversations, or thoughts to check for potential moral or ethical missteps.

5. Avoidance of situations or content

Staying away from certain media, people, or environments that might trigger moral or religious anxiety or lead to "sinful" thoughts.

Psychologist Session
Stressed Young Man depicting erp approach to morality ocd

My Approach to Scrupulosity

/Morality  OCD 

The gold-standard treatment for Scrupulosity OCD is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). ERP helps you face moral or religious fears without performing your usual mental or behavioral rituals. Over time, this reduces anxiety and weakens the belief that rituals are necessary.

As a therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety, I understand the sensitive nature of scrupulosity and morality concerns —especially its overlap with deeply held beliefs. My approach is nonjudgmental, structured, and personalized. We’ll work collaboratively to:

  • Separate unwanted thoughts from your values and identity

  • Build confidence in tolerating moral uncertainty

  • Practice real-life exposures that respect your faith and culture

  • Develop healthy, values-aligned ways to engage in religious or ethical practices

 

Together, we’ll break the cycle of doubt and ritual, so you can live your life in alignment with your beliefs without fear.

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  • How do I make an appointment?
    Complete the Potential Client Form and I will be in touch with you within 24 hours to set up a consultation call. If we are a fit, we 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. If you need to change your appointment time or cancel, I require 48 hours notice to avoid a full session charge.
  • How much does therapy cost and do you take insurance?
    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.
  • Do you offer in-person/face -to-face sessions?
    YES! It has been so good to be back in the office! I offer both in person and online therapy. My in person office is in Campbell, CA, serving the Silicon Valley region. I can provide online therapy to residents throughout California.
  • Do you work with children and teens?
    Most of my therapy clients are adults, young adults and older teenagers. I don’t often work with children under age 11 but if you feel your child could be a good fit for me I am happy to speak with you. I also offer Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) treatment for parents seeking to help their children with anxiety disorders and OCD.
  • What will our sessions be like?
    CBT is more structured than other types of therapy. We will start by setting an agenda and intention for the session. Then the majority of our session time will be spent on discussing your problems and applying CBT interventions. We will end with an action plan for you to take into your week. CBT, is at its core, flexible and collaborative so we will tailor our sessions to your needs.
  • How long does therapy take?
    It truth is that treatment length varies a lot! The severity of your symptoms and how long you've had them , your motivation to work outside of session, and your life circumstances will all factor in to treatment length. 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.
  • What is a Good Faith Estimate?
    You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

In-Person and Online Therapy Options in California

Whether you’re looking for scrupulosity OCD therapy in San Jose (Campbell, CA) or prefer online sessions from anywhere in California, I offer flexible options to suit your needs. My Campbell office provides a calm, private setting for in-person work, and secure video sessions make specialized care accessible statewide.

Start OCD Therapy Today

You don’t have to navigate confusing doubts and rituals alone. With the right strategies and support, you can reclaim freedom, reduce guilt, and engage with your faith and values without fear.

Contact me to schedule a consultation or learn more about how therapy for Scrupulosity OCD can help you find peace of mind.

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Contact Me

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

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Schedule a Consultation

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

  • How do I make an appointment?
    Complete the Potential Client Form and I will be in touch with you within 24 hours to set up a consultation call. If we are a fit, we 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. If you need to change your appointment time or cancel, I require 48 hours notice to avoid a full session charge.
  • How much does therapy cost and do you take insurance?
    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.
  • Do you offer in-person/face -to-face sessions?
    YES! It has been so good to be back in the office! I offer both in person and online therapy. My in person office is in Campbell, CA, serving the Silicon Valley region. I can provide online therapy to residents throughout California.
  • Do you work with children and teens?
    Most of my therapy clients are adults, young adults and older teenagers. I don’t often work with children under age 11 but if you feel your child could be a good fit for me I am happy to speak with you. I also offer Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) treatment for parents seeking to help their children with anxiety disorders and OCD.
  • What will our sessions be like?
    CBT is more structured than other types of therapy. We will start by setting an agenda and intention for the session. Then the majority of our session time will be spent on discussing your problems and applying CBT interventions. We will end with an action plan for you to take into your week. CBT, is at its core, flexible and collaborative so we will tailor our sessions to your needs.
  • How long does therapy take?
    It truth is that treatment length varies a lot! The severity of your symptoms and how long you've had them , your motivation to work outside of session, and your life circumstances will all factor in to treatment length. 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.
  • What is a Good Faith Estimate?
    You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

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. 

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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. 

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

Caitlyn Oscarson, MS, LMFT

#MFC 51585

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

​​​51 E Campbell Ave Suite 101-H

Campbell, CA 95008

 

Caitlyn@CaitlynOscarsonCBT.com

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