OCD Treatment in NYC

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a challenging condition characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors or mental rituals. At Grove Street Psychiatry, I provide comprehensive treatment for OCD, helping you break free from exhausting cycles and reclaim your time and peace of mind.

Understanding OCD

OCD involves obsessions—intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that cause significant anxiety—and compulsions—repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce that anxiety. The condition can be time-consuming and exhausting, taking over hours of your day and interfering with work, relationships, and quality of life.

Common experiences include:

• Intrusive thoughts about contamination, harm, or other disturbing themes

• Repetitive behaviors like checking, washing, or arranging

• Mental rituals like counting, praying, or reviewing

• Difficulty tolerating uncertainty or "not knowing for sure"

• Temporary relief from compulsions followed by the return of anxiety

• Recognition that the thoughts or behaviors are excessive but feeling unable to stop

• Shame or secrecy about symptoms

My Approach to OCD Treatment

OCD is highly treatable with the right combination of medication and therapy. I take a comprehensive approach:

Thorough Assessment: We'll explore your specific obsessions and compulsions, how much time they take, and how they're affecting your life. Understanding your unique OCD patterns is essential for effective treatment.

Medication Management: SSRIs and other medications can significantly reduce OCD symptoms, often making it easier to engage in therapy. I'll work with you to find the right medication and dosage.

ERP-Informed Care: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy is the gold standard for OCD treatment. While I primarily provide medication management, I understand ERP principles and often work alongside therapists who specialize in this approach.

Building Tolerance for Uncertainty: A key part of OCD recovery is learning to sit with doubt and discomfort rather than seeking reassurance or performing compulsions. We'll work on developing these skills together.

What to Expect

Treatment begins with an initial evaluation where we'll discuss your symptoms in detail. OCD can feel shameful to talk about, but remember that intrusive thoughts don't reflect who you are—they're symptoms of a medical condition.

Many people experience significant improvement with treatment, though recovery takes time and effort. The goal isn't to eliminate all intrusive thoughts but to change your relationship with them, learning to let them pass without engaging in compulsions.

Who I Work With

I specialize in working with young adults struggling with OCD in the context of school, work, or relationships. Whether your OCD centers on contamination fears, harm obsessions, religious concerns, or other themes, effective treatment can help you take your life back from the condition.

Getting Started

If OCD is consuming your time and energy, you don't have to suffer alone. With appropriate treatment combining medication and therapy, most people experience substantial improvement.