OCD & ERP Therapy in Reston and Arlington, VA
When doubt, intrusive thoughts or rituals take up more of your day than you want, it can be hard to know where to begin. Sage House Therapy offers counseling for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), including exposure and response prevention (ERP), for adults, teens and children. We offer in-person therapy in Reston and Arlington and online therapy for clients in Virginia.
Connect with an OCD and ERP therapist
Understanding the OCD Cycle
OCD involves a cycle of obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are unwanted thoughts, images or urges that bring distress. Compulsions are actions or mental rituals used to try to reduce that distress or reach certainty. Relief may be brief, and the urge to repeat the ritual can return.
OCD can involve contamination fears, repeated checking, a need for things to feel “just right,” unwanted taboo thoughts, reassurance seeking or reviewing events in your mind. It is more than a preference for neatness. A careful clinical assessment considers how these experiences affect your life.
How Exposure and Response Prevention Helps
ERP is an evidence-based form of cognitive behavioral therapy for OCD. With your therapist, you develop a plan to gradually approach situations, thoughts or uncertainty that trigger obsessions while practicing how to resist compulsions. The aim is to change your relationship with the OCD cycle so it has less influence over your choices.
ERP is collaborative and purposeful. You and your clinician discuss goals, choose appropriate practice steps and review what you learn. It can be challenging, and practice between sessions is part of the work. Treatment does not require you to agree with an intrusive thought or achieve perfect certainty.
ERP Therapy for Children and Teens
Sage House provides ERP for children and teens as well as adults. We adapt explanations and practice steps to your child’s age, development and goals, helping them understand OCD and build confidence in responding differently to it. A child’s ERP plan includes gradual, agreed-upon practice with feared situations or uncertainty while learning to resist rituals. Parents and caregivers can be an important part of care. Your therapist can help you support practice at home and respond to OCD in ways that encourage your child’s growing independence.
If repeated checking, reassurance seeking, rituals or avoidance are interfering with school, friendships or family routines, contact us to discuss an assessment and whether pediatric ERP is a fit. Ask about child and teen ERP appointments in Reston or Arlington.
Care That Fits Your Life
We begin by listening to what brings you to therapy, how symptoms show up and what you want to be able to do differently. Your clinician will discuss whether outpatient ERP is a fit and build a treatment plan with you. We will also talk about any other support or referrals that may be helpful.
For children and teens, therapy is adapted to developmental needs and may include parent or caregiver involvement. For adults, treatment can focus on the ways OCD affects work, relationships, parenting or everyday routines.
OCD During Pregnancy and Postpartum
OCD can begin or become more noticeable during pregnancy or after a baby arrives. Our perinatal services include support with unwanted intrusive thoughts and compulsive patterns. Read more about pregnancy, postpartum OCD and ERP therapy.
Psychological Testing for Adults, Children and Teens
If you are also exploring psychological testing, learn more about our adult psychological testing services and child and teen psychological testing services. Testing is available in Reston and Arlington, VA. Our testing team can discuss your questions and whether an evaluation fits your needs.
Start With a Conversation
Contact Sage House to tell us what you are looking for and ask about OCD/ERP clinician availability, appointment options and fees. We will help you explore whether our services fit your needs.
Request a consultation | Call 703-483-9442
Learn more about OCD and ERP treatment from the International OCD Foundation.