Therapy for Adolescents Stuck in OCD
When irrational thoughts consume your life, even though you know it makes no sense.
Parents often reach out to me when they feel stuck, exhausted, and unsure how to help anymore… but they know in their gut that something more is going on.
You might notice:
Constant reassurance seeking that never actually helps
Intrusive or upsetting thoughts your teen can’t shut off
Avoidance that doesn’t seem logical
A teen who says “I know it doesn’t make sense, but I can’t stop”
Behaviors that don’t make sense
If this sounds familiar, this may not be “just anxiety.” This is often how OCD shows up in teens and it’s frequently missed and, therefore, mistreated.
What OCD Often Looks Like in Teens…
Even When You Don’t Know It’s OCD Yet
OCD doesn’t always look obvious. Many teens with OCD are aware that their fears don’t make sense, which makes it even more confusing.
Parents often notice:
Repeated “what if” questions
Needing certainty about things that can’t be certain
Mental checking or replaying thoughts over and over
Avoiding situations “just in case”
Perfectionism, rereading, rewriting, or getting stuck
Your teen isn’t being dramatic or defiant.
They’re stuck in a cycle that feels impossible to escape without the right help.
Why Parents Choose Me To Help Their Child
When families work with me, parents often notice:
Reassurance loops start to decrease
Avoidance stops spreading to other areas: school, social activities, restaurants
Their teen feels less trapped by their thoughts and irrational fears
They start to return to their “normal” activities
There are less panic attacks at bedtime
I specialize in helping teens with OCD learn how to respond differently to intrusive thoughts without overwhelming them or pushing too fast.
Why Traditional Talk Therapy Often Isn’t Enough for OCD
This is one of the most important things for parents to understand.
Most teens with OCD already know their thoughts don’t make sense.
The problem isn’t insight… it’s how OCD demands certainty.
When therapy focuses mainly on talking about fears, it can unintentionally:
Increase reassurance-seeking
Strengthen mental checking and rumination
Keep OCD in control
Leave teens feeling frustrated and stuck
Parents often tell me that their child/teen “can explain exactly what’s happening, but they can’t stop doing it.”
That’s a sign the right type of OCD therapy is needed.
What Actually Helps Teens With OCD Improve
OCD improves when teens learn how to respond differently to intrusive thoughts, not when they try to get rid of them.
I help teens:
Understand the OCD cycle in a clear, non-scary way
Practice responding without reassurance
Build tolerance for uncertainty
Reduce avoidance gradually and safely
Take their life back from OCD
This work is structured, supportive, and paced carefully for your teen.
No shaming.
No forcing.
No overwhelming.
Frequently Asked Questions
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When reassurance feels necessary but never actually helps, it’s often a sign of OCD. Reassurance temporarily reduces anxiety, but it strengthens the OCD cycle over time.
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This is very common in OCD. Insight doesn’t stop intrusive thoughts. OCD is driven by the brain’s need for certainty, not logic.
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If reassurance, talking it through, or logic makes things worse instead of better, it is important to consider OCD. The thing is that OCD often looks like anxiety at first.
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Yes. OCD in teens often shows up as mental loops, perfectionism, rereading, rewriting, or getting stuck, not just visible rituals.
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Yes. Reassurance and making accommodations are very understandable responses, but they often reinforce OCD. Learning how to respond differently makes a big difference.
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If anxiety feels intense, illogical, reassurance-driven, and stuck, it is important to seek the right treatment to prevent it from spreading and getting worse.
Parents often tell me that their teen feels comfortable with me quickly. I take the time to build rapport in the beginning to create a safe, comfortable therapy space. It is important to help adolescents understand what is happening in their brain and how we can make our fears seem less overwhelming. We move at a pace that works for them and I support parents in knowing how to respond at home so anxiety doesn’t keep running the show.
Speak to me TODAY
If you’re worried about your teen and unsure what to do next, we can talk it through.
No pressure. No obligation.
Just clarity about whether therapy is the right next step and if this would be a good fit.