Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a mental health condition characterized by Obsessions (repeated, uncomfortable or distressing intrusive thoughts) and Compulsions (rituals or behaviors an individual feels they must do to get relief from the distress of the obsessions). OCD is diagnosed when the obsessions and compulsions significantly interfere with a person’s social, academic/work, and home life. There are many types of OCD based on the focus of the obsessions. These types can include contamination, harm/violence, “just right,” taboo thoughts, symmetry. Similarly, compulsions can take many forms as well. For example, repeating words or actions a certain number of times, cleaning/washing, mental reviewing or repetition, checking, and reassurance seeking. For more information check out the International OCD Foundation website.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is considered the gold-standard treatment for OCD and many Anxiety Disorders for children, teens, and adults based on decades of research studies. In ERP, patients develop a list of the triggers for their anxiety/OCD, then practice gradually experiencing the situations without engaging in avoidance behaviors or compulsions. By doing this, patients are reteaching their brain that the feared object/thought/situation can be tolerated.  The new learning pathways in the brain created by repeated practice eventually drown out the original fear associations. For more information check out the International OCD Foundation website.

In short, Yes! There are many studies demonstrating the efficacy of teletherapy. CBT and ERP can be completed via video, allowing patients to be in the environment where they are most affected by their symptoms. This allows real-time, real-world practice. For more information see Feusner et al’s 2025 study and Gittens Stone et al’s 2023 study and de Pablo et al’s 2023 study and Hiranandani et al’s 2023 study.

Meredith typically meets with people for a standard 45-minute therapy session once per week. How long you remain in treatment depends on your treatment goals, severity of your symptoms, and motivation for treatment. Treatment could last anywhere from several months to over one year.

Medication can only be prescribed by someone with a medical degree, such as a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, or primary care physician. Meredith, as a psychologist cannot prescribe. However, she works closely with several prescribers for whom she can provide referrals.