Online OCD Therapy
Mount Vernon Counseling Center
OCD tries to trick you into thinking that what it wants you to do makes sense
OCD is like a stop signal in your brain that isn’t working quite right
OCD is a mental hiccup that can’t be trusted
Let’s Talk Back to OCD and Silence It
We are offering a comprehensive program to diagnose and treat OCD in you or your child. Our program’s success depends on your backing off from helping with rituals, but in a very specific and controlled way. We use a step by step cognitive behavioral approach to pursue that goal. If needed we use medications to achieve our goals more efficiently and faster.
“OCD is like athlete’s foot. You know it’s there—it itches and you scratch—and you know it’s separate from the rest of you. That’s going to make it a lot easier to get rid of.”
Our program starts with a comprehensive assessment by one of our team members and then we plan the treatment from there. We rule out any medical reason for the symptoms and assess the need for the medication intervention right off the bat.
Comprehensive cognitive behavioral therapy for the patient and if the patient is a child their families will be started. If needed we assess the need for medication intervention.
OCD is like a stop signal in your brain that isn’t working quite right. When it should get flipped to red so your brain stops worrying about something that OCD wants you to worry about, your brain gets stuck on green, and bingo—you’re off to the OCD races.“. So what can we do about it? Let’s fix the switch!
Sara Bahraini, M.D.
Board-certified psychiatrist with expertise in treating children, adolescents and young adults. She provides care that is culturally-sensitive, trauma-informed, LGBT-inclusive and highly-individualized to your needs.
Is your child dealing with OCD?
If your child has unwanted obsessions or compulsive behavior, or both, that interfere with his or her daily life, your child might have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It is estimated that one in 100 children has OCD, which means that millions of children worldwide are suffering from this disorder. Therefore, if your child is exhibiting symptoms that could be OCD, he or she is not alone.
OCD is considered a neurobiological disorder, which means that the brain of a child with OCD functions differently than the brain of a child who does not have OCD. It is characterized by obsessions and compulsions that can happen, multiple times, on a daily basis. The obsessions can present as: imagining loved ones getting hurt, being afraid of getting sick from touching dirty objects, feeling that something terrible will happen if things are not in the right order, etc. In addition, compulsions can manifest as the child washing their hands repeatedly, continuous praying, counting or tapping, behaving in mildly superstitious ways, etc.
OCD can affect your child in many ways:
Ongoing problems at school such as trouble paying attention or doing homework
Physical problems arising from feeling stressed or lack of sleep
Social problems such as trying to avoid social interactions due to fear of behaviors being seen by others. The child begins to spend more time on obsessions and compulsions than spending time with friends or family.
Self-esteem can be impacted due to worrying and thinking that they are different from friends and family or that they are not in control of their behavior
To be the parent of a child with OCD can be challenging. Feelings of guilt or blaming oneself for your child’s OCD can impact the relationship and feed into the compulsive behaviors. However, if you notice your child has the following symptoms, it is advisable to have your child evaluated for OCD by a licensed professional.
Other mental health problems
Severe obsessions and compulsions beyond what his/her peers experience
Obsessive thoughts and compulsive behavior that upsets the child, prevents them from enjoying life, and interferes with the family’s everyday activities
Symptoms that last for more than six months
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for OCD. This form of therapy gives your child the support needed to develop skills to change their patterns of thinking and behaviors by identifying situations that might trigger their anxiety and resisting the urge to engage in the compulsive behavior. In addition, relaxation techniques, breathing exercises and mindfulness together with the CBT are complementary forms of support that can be provided. Overall, these techniques help your child manage symptoms better and minimize the chances that the OCD will come back in the future. Our team at McLean Counseling Center and Mount Vernon Counseling Center are providing comprehensive OCD treatment.
YOU DESERVE TO BE HEARD
Reach out to us with any questions and see if we are a right fit for you
Contact us for free 15 minute consultation
703-821-1073
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