How We Treat OCD at TAC (And Why It Works)

It starts with a whisper you can’t ignore.

“Did I lock the door?”

“What if I hurt someone?”

“Am I a bad person for thinking that?”

You try to push the thoughts away, but they only come back louder.

Then come the rituals, the checking, the mental reviews, just to feel a moment of peace.

If this is your world, you're not alone.

You're not broken.

And you're not stuck forever.

This guide will walk you through what OCD really is, why it’s not your fault, and how we help people reclaim their lives every single day.

🔁 The Loop That OCD Traps You In (And Why Willpower Isn't Enough)

OCD isn’t about being neat or liking things a certain way.

It’s a distressing cycle of unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and rituals (compulsions) performed to feel safe, clean, or certain.

You might wash your hands 30 times.

Or mentally replay a conversation to make sure you didn’t say something wrong.

At first, the compulsions bring short-term relief.

But over time, they strengthen the fear and deepen the cycle.

It’s not about logic or discipline.

OCD operates in a different part of the brain, one that hijacks your threat response system.

According to the journal Nature Reviews Disease Primers (2019), people with OCD often show increased activity in brain regions tied to error detection and fear processing, such as the orbitofrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex.

This neurobiological basis explains why willpower alone isn’t enough, and why evidence-based treatment matters so much.

“Many of my clients are incredibly insightful. They know their fears aren't logical. But that doesn’t stop the anxiety. That’s where treatment comes in. We teach the brain a new response.” — Lisa Willis, LSW, TAC Indianapolis Office, Associate Clinician

Even reaching out can feel overwhelming.

That’s why we make sure every first step is simple, human, and pressure-free.

🛠️ The Tools That Actually Help: How We Treat OCD at TAC

We use a blend of approaches that meet each person exactly where they are, including:

• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) — the gold standard for OCD treatment

• CBT and DBT to support anxiety regulation, emotional insight, and behavioral change

• Medication support, including SSRIs when appropriate

• Innovative options like TMS and Ketamine-Assisted Therapy for treatment-resistant OCD

• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for those whose symptoms are too intense for weekly sessions

Whether you're a college student in Cincinnati, a working parent in Dayton, or a teen in Indianapolis, we tailor your care to your needs and goals.

“Real healing takes more than just tools. It takes trust, pacing, and consistent support, because treating OCD means walking with someone through the hard parts, not just teaching a strategy.” — Sarah Snow, MSW, LSW, TAC Dayton Office, Clinician

🌱 What Progress Really Looks Like

Healing from OCD doesn’t mean never having another intrusive thought.

It means not letting those thoughts run your life anymore.

One person we worked with in Dayton described learning how to let thoughts pass without panic.

They stopped doing rituals, not because the anxiety vanished overnight, but because they had the tools to sit with it.

Another in Cincinnati began driving again after months of avoiding it.

Small steps added up to big change, and eventually, freedom.

🚀 Starting OCD Therapy at TAC: What Happens First (And Why It’s So Simple)

👉 Fill out our 30-second form to get started

We start with something simple:

Listening.

No pressure to retell every detail.

No expectations of where you “should” be.

Just a safe space to say,

“I’m struggling. And I need help.”

You’re not alone.

And you’re not failing.

You’re already doing the most important thing: seeking support.

Let us walk with you the rest of the way.

👉 Fill out our 30-second form to get started

DISCLAIMER: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; always consult a licensed professional.