OCD Therapy in Fort Lauderdale, FL
OCD therapy is private sessions for people caught in unwanted, repeating thoughts and the checking, counting, or mental rituals that try to quiet them. Challenges Conquered Counseling offers it at our Fort Lauderdale office, 800 E Cypress Creek Rd, Suite 431, and by secure telehealth across Florida. Call (954) 600-9403 to ask about a first visit.
What OCD can look like day to day
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is not about being tidy. It is a loop. An unwanted thought, image, or doubt shows up, it feels alarming, and doing something (or avoiding something) brings brief relief that fades and sends you back around again.
The content of the loop varies a great deal from person to person:
Going back to check the stove, the door, or the car again, even though you know you already did
Washing or cleaning until your skin hurts, or avoiding places that feel contaminated
Distressing thoughts that seem to go against everything you value, followed by mental review or reassurance-seeking
Needing things arranged, counted, or repeated a certain way so that nothing bad happens
Spending an hour on a task that should take ten minutes
The part people rarely say out loud
Many people with OCD hide it for years. The thoughts can feel shameful, even frightening, and it is common to worry that having them says something about who you are. It does not. An unwanted thought is not a wish, and a therapist who works with OCD has heard versions of yours before.
Family members often get pulled in too, by answering the same question again and again or helping with a ritual. That is usually done out of love, and it can be part of what a therapist talks through with you.
How OCD differs from worry and from perfectionism
Ordinary anxiety tends to be about real-life concerns that are hard to switch off. OCD is more specific: a trigger, a distressing thought, and a ritual that follows it. If your worry is wide and constant, our anxiety therapy page may describe it better. If you hold very high standards but without the rituals, you might relate to the high achievers page.
You do not have to decide which one fits before you call. A first visit is a chance to describe what a normal day looks like and let your therapist help sort it out.
How sessions approach OCD
The National Institute of Mental Health describes a type of cognitive behavioral therapy, often called exposure and response prevention, as one of the treatments with research behind it for OCD. In plain terms, that means gradually facing a feared trigger while practicing not performing the ritual, at a pace you agree to.
Our therapist Morgan lists OCD among the areas of focus on the Morgan profile page. When you call, tell us what you are looking for and we will explain how the first visits would go and which therapist is a good match. Nothing is done to you without your agreement, and you set how quickly to move.
Many people meet weekly at first. We cannot promise a particular result or a set number of visits, because OCD looks different in each person and the pace depends on you.
Support for children and teens
OCD often begins in childhood or the teen years, and it can look like long bedtime routines, repeated questions, or meltdowns over small changes. Parents are part of the process for younger clients. You can read about child and behavioral therapy or teen and adolescent therapy if the person you are worried about is under eighteen.
Starting in the office or by video
You can meet at our Fort Lauderdale office or by secure video from home. Some people find it easier to begin on video, especially when leaving the house is itself a struggle. Both are real sessions with the same therapist.
If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Getting started
Many major insurance plans are accepted, and we check your benefits before the first appointment. The how it works page explains self-pay, telehealth, and what a first visit involves. To begin, call (954) 600-9403 or use the appointment request form. Please leave detailed health information out of the form and share it in session instead.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if it is OCD or just anxiety?
Only a clinician can say for sure. A common difference is the loop: an unwanted thought, a strong urge to do something about it, and a ritual that brings short relief. Your therapist will ask what you notice and help you tell the two apart. You do not need a diagnosis to book.
Will I have to tell my therapist my scary thoughts?
You choose what to share and when. Many people hold back at first, and that is understood. Intrusive thoughts are common in OCD and therapists who see it are not shocked by them. Your therapist will explain confidentiality at the start so you know exactly where the limits are.
Is OCD only about washing and checking?
No. Washing and checking are the best-known forms, but OCD can also center on unwanted thoughts about harm, doubts about relationships or morality, symmetry, or mental rituals nobody else can see. If you recognize the loop, the specific theme does not change whether support is worth asking about.
Can my child be seen for OCD?
Yes. Tell us your child's age when you call and we will suggest a therapist. Parents take part in the process for younger clients, and sessions are paced to what a child can handle. We cannot promise outcomes, but we can explain how visits are structured before you decide.
Can I start with video sessions?
Yes. Secure telehealth is available across Florida, and some people prefer to begin from home, especially when triggers make going out hard. You can move to the office later if you choose. Call (954) 600-9403 and we will help you pick a day and time.