Licensed OCD Therapists
OCD Treatment in Indianapolis: Break Free From Obsessions & Compulsions
Sommer Psychology Group provides evidence-based OCD therapy for young adults and adults in Indianapolis. Our therapists specialize in treating obsessions, compulsions, intrusive thoughts, and obsessive doubt using CBT, I-CBT, ERP, and ACT to help you break out of fear-based cycles, reduce anxiety, and regain confidence and control in your life. We offer in-person OCD therapy in Indianapolis and secure online therapy across Indiana.
- I get stuck in the same thoughts over and over, and I can’t shut them off.
- I feel like I have to do certain things “just right” or something bad might happen.
- I know my fears or rituals don’t make sense, but I can’t seem to stop them.
- I spend so much time on mental or physical routines that I constantly feel exhausted.
- I feel isolated and ashamed, like no one would understand what I’m going through.
- I’m constantly second-guessing myself, my actions, and even my memories.
Living with OCD can consume your focus and steal your peace.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) involves intrusive, unwanted thoughts, fears, or urges (obsessions) that create intense anxiety and compulsive behaviors or mental rituals performed to reduce distress. According to the Mayo Clinic, these compulsions often provide only temporary relief and can become time-consuming or disruptive to daily life.
Common OCD themes include contamination, harm, morality, relationships, perfectionism, and “just right” feelings, while compulsions may involve checking, cleaning, reassurance-seeking, repeating, organizing, or mental reviewing.
Over time, OCD can become exhausting and interfere with relationships, work, school, and daily life. Evidence-based treatments including CBT, I-CBT, ERP, and ACT can help individuals break out of obsessive-compulsive cycles, reduce anxiety, and regain a greater sense of freedom and control.
What to Expect from OCD Therapy
How OCD Therapy Can Transform Your Life
The outcomes of OCD therapy vary for each person, but with commitment and the right support, it’s possible to experience meaningful, lasting change. As you move forward, you may notice:
- Fewer obsessions and compulsions, giving you more mental space and peace
- Increased confidence in your decisions without the need for constant reassurance
- Improved ability to tolerate uncertainty and resist compulsive behaviors
- Stronger boundaries and healthier relationships built on trust, not rituals
- More time and energy for the things that matter, instead of exhausting routines
- A greater sense of control over your life, rather than feeling controlled by OCD
Contamination OCD
Contamination and cleaning are two common dimensions of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Contamination-related symptoms involve an intense fear of germs, illness, or contact with unclean environments. Individuals may experience overwhelming anxiety after touching commonly used objects, such as doorknobs or public surfaces, and feel compelled to wash, clean, or sanitize excessively. These behaviors are intended to reduce the distress associated with perceived contamination and the fear of becoming ill or spreading illness to others.
Checking OCD
Moral OCD
The unacceptable or taboo thoughts dimension of OCD is marked by intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or impulses that center around topics considered morally or socially inappropriate, such as violence, sex, blasphemy, or other culturally taboo subjects. These obsessions are ego-dystonic, meaning they conflict sharply with the person’s values, identity, and beliefs, often leading to intense shame, guilt, or fear. Individuals experiencing this dimension may worry that having these thoughts means something bad about them, even though they have no desire to act on them. In response, they may engage in mental rituals such as neutralizing thoughts, excessive praying, avoidance of triggering situations, or seeking reassurance to ensure they are not dangerous or immoral. These compulsions, while intended to reduce anxiety, typically reinforce the obsessive cycle.
"Just Right" OCD
“Just Right” OCD is characterized by an intense need for things to feel balanced, precise, or “just right”. Individuals with this symptom dimension may experience overwhelming discomfort or anxiety when objects are misaligned, patterns are disrupted, or actions feel incomplete. This can lead to repetitive behaviors such as arranging items symmetrically, evening things out (e.g., tapping both sides of the body equally), rewriting or redoing tasks, or mentally rehearsing phrases or movements until they achieve a subjective sense of correctness. These compulsions are often time-consuming and can interfere with daily functioning, including work, school, or social relationships.
Religious OCD (Scrupulosity)
Harm OCD
Harm-related symptoms involve intrusive thoughts, images, or urges about accidentally or intentionally causing harm to oneself or others. These obsessions are often deeply distressing and inconsistent with the person’s values, leading to significant guilt and anxiety OCD. In response, individuals may engage in compulsive behaviors such as avoiding certain objects, seeking reassurance, or mentally reviewing past actions to ensure they haven’t caused harm. While the thoughts are unwanted and irrational, the fear of acting on them can feel intensely real.
Perfectionism OCD
Relationship OCD (ROCD)
Perinatal/Postpartum OCD
Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs)
Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) are a group of disorders closely related to OCD, characterized by compulsive, repetitive actions that cause physical harm and emotional distress. Trichotillomania, or hair-pulling disorder, involves uncontrollable urges to pull out hair from the scalp, eyebrows, or eyelashes, often resulting in noticeable hair loss and distress. Similarly, excoriation disorder, or skin-picking disorder, is marked by repetitive picking at the skin, which can cause wounds, infections, or scarring. These behaviors typically arise from tension or anxiety and may provide temporary relief, though they are often followed by feelings of guilt or shame.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is not technically classified as OCD, but it shares overlapping features. BDD involves obsessive preoccupation with perceived flaws in appearance, leading to excessive grooming, mirror checking, or cosmetic procedures to “fix” imagined defects.
Supportive care can help you overcome OCD.
OCD Treatment in indianapolis
What is OCD Therapy?
OCD can feel all-consuming, turning daily life into a constant battle with intrusive thoughts and urges to perform rituals or seek reassurance. Whether it’s mental checking, repetitive behaviors, or a fear of losing control, the cycle of obsessions and compulsions can leave you feeling trapped and exhausted.
In therapy, we work together to understand how OCD shows up in your life, identify the patterns that keep it going, and create a personalized plan for breaking free. Our approach uses evidence-based tools like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention (ERP) to help reduce OCD’s grip.
This isn’t just about short-term symptom relief. It’s about helping you build the tools and confidence to face uncertainty, manage distress, and reclaim your life.
At Sommer Psychology Group we help you move beyond OCD’s control, toward greater freedom, clarity, and resilience.
Meet Our OCD Therapists
Sommer Psychology Group is a specialty OCD and anxiety clinic for young adults and adults in Indianapolis. Our licensed therapists use evidence-based approaches, including CBT, ERP, and I-CBT, to help clients reduce anxiety, break out of obsessive and fear-based patterns, and create lasting change. We offer in-person therapy in Indianapolis and secure online therapy across Indiana.
All of our therapists are active members of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF).
Strategies We Apply in OCD Therapy
At Sommer Psychology Group, we use evidence-based strategies to help you break free from the cycle of obsessions and compulsions. Our approach is tailored to your specific challenges, providing practical tools that empower you to manage intrusive thoughts, resist compulsive behaviors, and reclaim a greater sense of control and peace in daily life.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for OCD
CBT is a well-established, evidence-based approach to treating OCD. In sessions with trained psychologists with expertise in obsessive-compulsive disorders, we use CBT to help you understand the connection between intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and compulsive behaviors. Through guided exercises, worksheets, and supportive one-on-one sessions, you’ll learn how to face distressing thoughts without resorting to rituals or avoidance. CBT for OCD empowers you with knowledge and practical tools to tolerate uncertainty, reduce compulsions, and take back control of your life.
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD
ERP is the gold-standard, evidence-based treatment for OCD. In our sessions, we’ll work together to identify the intrusive thoughts, triggers, and compulsions that keep you stuck in the OCD cycle. Instead of avoiding discomfort or giving in to rituals, you’ll gradually face these triggers in a safe, supportive environment, without performing compulsions or seeking reassurance. Over time, this process helps retrain your brain to tolerate uncertainty, reduce anxiety, and loosen OCD’s grip. ERP empowers you to respond differently to obsessive thoughts and reclaim a greater sense of freedom and control in your life.
Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT) for OCD
I-CBT is an evidence-based treatment for OCD that focuses on the reasoning process behind obsessive doubt. In therapy, we work together to identify how OCD pulls you away from reality and into imagined possibilities, fears, and “what if” scenarios that fuel obsessions, anxiety, and compulsive behaviors.
Rather than treating intrusive thoughts as dangerous or meaningful, I-CBT helps you recognize obsessional reasoning patterns, reconnect with reality-based thinking, and build greater trust in your own senses and experiences. Over time, this process helps reduce compulsions, reassurance-seeking, and fear-based thinking while increasing your ability to tolerate uncertainty and respond differently to obsessive thoughts.
I-CBT helps individuals break free from the OCD cycle and regain a greater sense of confidence, flexibility, and control in daily life.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for OCD
ACT is an evidence-based approach used to support individuals with OCD to build a healthier relationship with their thoughts and emotions. In our therapy sessions, we use ACT to help you respond to intrusive thoughts and anxiety without judgment. Through experiential exercises, mindfulness techniques, and supportive one-on-one work, you’ll learn how to face uncertainty, and reduce avoidance. ACT empowers you to live a meaningful life, even when distressing thoughts or feelings are present, by fostering greater psychological flexibility and reducing the need for control.
Habit Reversal Training (HRT) and Comprehensive Behavioral Treatment (ComB) for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs)
Habit Reversal Training (HRT) is a widely used behavioral therapy for treating body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) such as hair-pulling and skin picking. HRT helps individuals become more aware of their urges and teaches them alternative, less harmful behaviors to replace the compulsive actions. A comprehensive review confirms that HRT has been shown to be effective across dozens of studies for reducing these repetitive habits and replacing them with healthier responses.
The Comprehensive Behavioral (ComB) model expands on HRT by addressing multiple factors that contribute to BFRBs, including sensory, cognitive, emotional, and environmental triggers. This personalized approach helps individuals understand their specific patterns and develop tailored strategies to manage urges and reduce symptoms.
For Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), similar behavioral techniques combined with cognitive therapy are used to challenge distorted beliefs about appearance and decrease compulsive behaviors like mirror checking. Both HRT and ComB have shown effectiveness in reducing symptoms and improving quality of life for individuals struggling with BFRBs and BDD.
ABOUT US
Why Work With Sommer Psychology Group
We understand that life can sometimes feel overwhelming, whether it’s managing anxiety, balancing responsibilities, or facing the fear of the unknown. As specialists who work with individuals and families who struggle with anxiety, OCD, and related disorders, we aim to help you find your way forward.
Our approach is solutions-focused and evidence-based, designed to meet your unique needs and help you achieve lasting change. Whether you’re dealing with stress, life transitions, mental health struggles, or relationship challenges, we are dedicated to giving you the tools to overcome obstacles and thrive.
At Sommer Psychology Group, we believe in the power of quality care. That means giving you dedicated, thoughtful, and individualized support, with the flexibility of virtual sessions that fit into your life, wherever you are.
Our evidence-based therapy is grounded in three core principles:
Integrity
We believe integrity is the foundation of effective therapy. It fosters trust, respect, and accountability, ensuring our clients receive honest, consistent, and ethical guidance throughout their journey.
Compassion
Compassion is at the heart of our practice. It nurtures emotional healing, creating a safe space where clients can feel heard, valued, and understood while developing a culture of collaboration and respect.
Quality Care
We prioritize quality care to ensure the best outcomes for our clients. By addressing both clinical needs and emotional well-being, we build trust and deliver effective therapy that supports long-term growth and success.
Our Approach
How Our OCD Therapy Works
Our approach is designed to help you understand the cycle of obsessions and compulsions, set meaningful recovery goals, and build skills that support lasting change and greater freedom from OCD.
We begin with a comprehensive intake session to explore your unique experience with Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), including your specific obsessions, compulsions, and how they affect your life.This step lays the foundation for a strong therapeutic relationship built on trust and understanding.
Using targeted assessments and collaborative goal-setting, we identify the patterns, triggers, and beliefs driving your OCD. This helps us tailor treatment to your specific needs and ensure we’re working toward what matters most to you.
You’ll learn effective techniques like exposure and response prevention (ERP), cognitive restructuring, and mindfulness to help you face distressing thoughts without giving in to compulsions. These strategies teach you to observe intrusive thoughts without judgment, challenge unhelpful beliefs, and build healthier habits. Together, these tools empower you to reduce OCD’s hold on your life and move toward greater freedom and well-being.
OCD Treatment in Indianapolis
Questions About OCD Therapy
Can OCD be treated or cured with the help of a therapist?
While OCD can’t be “cured,” it can be effectively treated and managed using evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), acceptance and commitment therapy, and medication (such as SSRIs), or a combination of these methods. Our Indiana OCD therapists specialize in treating OCD and related conditions, working closely with you to create a personalized treatment plan. With the convenience of online therapy, we support you every step of the way toward lasting change and greater freedom from OCD.
How can I stop OCD from interfering with my life?
The key to reducing OCD’s impact is learning and practicing effective coping strategies. In OCD therapy, we teach you tools to manage intrusive thoughts, resist compulsions, and improve emotional regulation. Techniques like exposure and response prevention (ERP), cognitive reframing, mindfulness, and relaxation strategies can help you regain control and prevent OCD from disrupting your daily life and relationships.
What causes OCD? Why do I experience these intrusive thoughts and urges?
OCD is a complex condition with no single cause. Common factors include genetics, family history, brain chemistry imbalances, chronic stress, and past trauma. Perfectionism, high levels of anxiety, and certain personality traits can also contribute. Identifying the underlying factors behind your OCD symptoms, whether intrusive thoughts, compulsions, or related behaviors, is an important step toward effective treatment and recovery.
Why won’t my intrusive thoughts just go away?
Intrusive thoughts in OCD aren’t simply random, they’re part of a cycle where your brain gives extra attention to certain fears or worries. The more you try to push these thoughts away or avoid them, the stronger and more persistent they often become. OCD fuels this loop by linking anxiety to these thoughts, making it feel impossible to stop them. Through therapy, you can learn to change your relationship with these thoughts, reducing their power and helping them fade naturally over time.
What can I do to help my teen with their OCD?
Helping your teen with OCD starts with learning about the condition and understanding their experience. Validating their feelings and showing empathy is crucial. You can model healthy coping strategies and work together on manageable steps to reduce compulsions and anxiety. Collaborating with a therapist who specializes in teen OCD can provide you with professional guidance and parenting techniques to support your teen’s progress. In some cases, medication may also be recommended to complement therapy and help manage symptoms.
How long will it take to feel better?
Every individual’s experience with OCD is unique. A typical treatment plan lasts around 12 weeks, though progress can vary depending on the severity of symptoms and commitment to therapy. With specialized OCD treatment, including exposure and response prevention (ERP), often offered conveniently online, many find relief sooner. Our goal is to help you build lasting skills to manage OCD and regain control over your life.
Have More Questions?
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OCD therapy in indianapolis
Sommer Psychology Group
Relief from OCD starts with the right support.
