Talk to a therapist before, during, or instead of residential care.
Many families benefit from speaking with a licensed therapist first. An evaluation can clarify whether residential treatment is the right next step, or whether outpatient therapy is a better fit.
BetterHelp
SponsoredOnline therapy with licensed providers, available nationwide.
- •Matched with a licensed therapist within 24-48 hours
- •Messaging, phone, and live video sessions
- •Financial aid available for those who qualify
- •Switch therapists at any time at no extra cost
Talkspace
SponsoredOnline therapy and psychiatry, covered by many insurance plans.
- •In-network with major insurers including Cigna, Aetna, and Optum
- •Therapy, couples therapy, and psychiatry options
- •Asynchronous messaging plus scheduled live sessions
- •Adolescent therapy available (ages 13-17)
BetterHelp and Talkspace are sponsored partners. OCD RTC may receive a referral fee when you sign up through these links, at no additional cost to you. We list these services because they are widely available, but inclusion is not a clinical endorsement. Confirm that any therapist you work with has ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) training before beginning OCD-specific care.
How to evaluate an OCD therapist
Exposure and Response Prevention is the gold-standard OCD therapy. Ask directly whether the therapist has formal ERP training and how many OCD cases they have treated.
OCD treatment usually requires weekly sessions for at least three to six months. Confirm the therapist has consistent availability before committing.
A good therapist will tell you if your case needs a higher level of care than outpatient. That recommendation alone can be worth the evaluation.
Other ways to find a therapist
If online therapy is not the right fit, these independent directories let you search for licensed OCD specialists by location, insurance, and modality.
- International OCD Foundation Provider Directory →
Member directory of clinicians, programs, and support groups specializing in OCD.
- Psychology Today OCD Therapists →
Broad directory of licensed therapists; filter by OCD specialty and insurance.
Already know residential is the next step?
Browse verified residential OCD programs across the United States.
Browse residential programs →