Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition involving unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental acts (compulsions). The compulsions are usually attempts to reduce the anxiety or distress triggered by the obsessions, but the relief is almost always temporary.

What is Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP)?

ERP is the leading therapy for OCD. It involves gradually facing feared thoughts or situations without performing compulsions. This helps retrain the brain, reducing anxiety over time and weakening the urge to respond to obsessions.

OCD Treatment Vancouver

Counselling & Therapy for OCD

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) isn’t about being “quirky” or liking things clean—it’s a deeply distressing condition that can affect every part of your life. It can feel like your thoughts are hijacked, your behaviour isn’t fully your own, and no matter how hard you try to “just stop,” the anxiety always creeps back in.

At ARC, we specialize in helping people move beyond the cycle of intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. Whether your OCD has been present for years or is starting to interfere with daily life, therapy can help you regain a sense of control over your life again.

Symptoms of OCD

OCD can take many forms—but its impact is often the same. It can leave you feeling confused, isolated, or afraid of your own thoughts. You may know your fears are irrational, but they still feel urgent and real.

You might relate to:

Feeling trapped by intrusive thoughts or mental images
Performing rituals or mental “checks” to feel safe
Avoiding people, places, or objects that trigger anxiety
Repeating behaviours until they feel “just right”
Seeking constant reassurance from others
Feeling consumed by guilt, doubt, or fear
Struggling with thoughts that feel taboo, shameful, or out of character

OCD is treatable—and you don’t have to face it alone. We’re here to help you break the cycle and reconnect with your life.

Common subtypes and obsessions

Contamination: People with this subtype clean their surroundings or wash themselves to cope with fear around germs, dirt, or contaminating chemicals. For example, they might worry that they’ve been infected with a disease after touching poles on public transit.

Doubt/Harm: People with this subtype have anxiety about putting themselves or others in danger because of their carelessness. For example, they might imagine their house on fire because they worry they didn’t turn off the stove.

Symmetry/ Arranging: People with this subtype feel the intense need to arrange objects symmetrically or in a particular order until they are “just right”. Disorganized items and messy environments can be stressful and uncomfortable until they correct them.

Religious: People with religion-themed OCD are preoccupied with obsessive religious doubts and sinful or blasphemous thoughts, images, and urges. Compulsions can include religious rituals (e.g. constant praying) and seeking moral reassurance (e.g. asking others if they are doing the “right” thing).

Sexual: This subtype features intrusive, disturbing, and unwanted sexual thoughts, sometimes about children, sexual orientation, family members, or animals. People find these thoughts to be immoral and shameful.

Obsessions without compulsions: Also known as Pure-O, this type of OCD features obsessions without any observable or physical compulsions. Instead, Pure-O compulsions take the form of “hidden” mental rituals, for example: replaying memories, repeating words, or even mental avoidance. The obsessions usually have themes of social, moral, or religious deviance. People with Pure-O feel alarmed by their thoughts and react by trying to neutralize or suppress them. Unfortunately, attempts to control them only reinforce the thoughts and worsen the distress and anxiety.

Treatment for OCD

It is often said that the only way to get past OCD is to go through it. In other words, trying to avoid the obsessions and intrusive thoughts only serves to strengthen them. Instead, treatment must focus on two things: a) challenging the core beliefs behind the obsessions/ compulsions, and b) learning to disengage from the compulsions.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is considered the treatment of choice for OCD. Treatment begins by identifying the triggers that provoke the obsessions and compulsions. With your therapist’s guidance, you will gradually expose yourself to the anxiety-inducing thoughts, objects, and situations, and learn to resist the compulsions.

This is known as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). With gentle support, you will slowly learn to tolerate the distress of your obsessions, and your anxiety levels will start to drop. Eventually the anxiety should dissipate completely and you will no longer feel a need to perform the compulsions. This process is called habituation, and treatment usually takes between 12-16 sessions total.

Let’s work through OCD together

At ARC, we understand the toll that living with OCD can take on your life. The good news is that OCD usually responds well to therapy, and our therapists take pride in providing effective and compassionate support to help you find relief.

Whether you’re new to therapy or returning after past efforts, we’ll meet you exactly where you are. Reach out today to schedule your free consultation with one of our OCD therapists.

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