OCD Therapy in Alberta
Maybe a thought gets stuck and won't let go until you check, wash, count or repeat something. Maybe you know it doesn't quite make sense, but the anxiety feels unbearable until you do it. And the relief never lasts.
OCD isn't a personality quirk, and it isn't your fault. KP Psychological offers online therapy for adults with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) across Alberta, including Edmonton and Calgary. Sessions are by secure video, for people who are physically in Alberta at the time of each session.
What OCD is
Obsessive compulsive disorder has two parts, which feed each other.
Obsessions are unwanted and unpleasant thoughts, images or urges that keep entering your mind. They bring anxiety, disgust or unease.
Compulsions are repeated actions or mental acts that you feel you need to do to relieve those feelings for a while. The relief is short, so the cycle starts again.
For example, someone who fears a break-in might check that every window and door is locked, again and again, before they can leave the house.
Common themes
OCD can latch onto almost anything. Some common themes include:
- fear of germs, contamination or illness, often with washing or cleaning
- fear of causing harm or of something bad happening, often with checking
- needing things to feel "just right," even or in order
- unwanted, upsetting thoughts about violence, sex or religion, which go against who you are
- doubting and seeking reassurance, over and over
Compulsions aren't always visible. Some happen in your head, like counting, praying, replaying events or mentally checking.
Having intrusive thoughts doesn't mean you want them or will act on them. With OCD, the distress they cause is often a sign of how much they clash with your values.
What can contribute
There's no single cause. The NHS describes several factors that may play a part: family history and genes, differences in the brain, life events such as bullying or a bereavement, and personality traits such as very high standards or a strong sense of responsibility.
Stress can make OCD symptoms louder, and for some people OCD is tangled up with painful or traumatic experiences. If that fits your story, we'll look at it together, including whether trauma-focused therapy belongs in your plan.
What the research says helps
CBT with exposure and response prevention (ERP). This is the treatment with the strongest evidence. The International OCD Foundation calls ERP the proven, most effective first-line therapy for OCD. In ERP, you gradually face the thoughts and situations that trigger your fear, while practising not doing the compulsion. Over time, the anxiety loses its power.
The NHS notes that people with fairly mild OCD usually need about 8 to 20 sessions of this kind of therapy. More severe OCD may need a longer course.
Medication. SSRIs, a type of antidepressant, are the first-line medications for OCD. The NHS notes that they can take up to 12 weeks to help. For more severe OCD, a combination of therapy and medication may be recommended. Medication is a conversation with your family doctor or psychiatrist. We don't prescribe.
EMDR. EMDR has its strongest evidence for PTSD. Research on EMDR for OCD is limited, so it isn't a first-line treatment for OCD. If trauma is also part of your story, EMDR may help with that part.
Things that can help day to day
- Notice the cycle. Naming a thought as "an OCD thought" can create a little space from it.
- Delay the compulsion. Even a short delay helps you learn that anxiety rises and falls on its own.
- Go easy on reassurance-seeking. Reassurance brings short relief, but it tends to feed OCD over time.
- Look after your stress level. Sleep, movement and calming skills can lower the volume. In this video, Kyle teaches box breathing.
- Be patient with yourself. OCD responds to steady practice, not perfection.
How we can help
We don't offer exposure and response prevention (ERP), the therapy with the strongest evidence for OCD. If OCD is the main thing you want help with, a clinician or program that provides ERP is usually the best place to start. We're glad to talk through options at your free consult.
We can help with what often comes with OCD, such as anxiety, stress, low mood and trauma. We start by understanding where you are now and what you want to feel different, then plan together at a pace that feels manageable. If trauma is part of your story, trauma-focused therapy such as EMDR may help with that part.
We'll be honest with you at your free consult about whether working with us is the right fit. Either way, we want you to get treatment that matches the evidence.
Who you'd see
You'd work with Kyle Poon, R.Psych. OCD is one of the areas he works with, alongside anxiety, trauma and PTSD. Kyle currently has a waitlist, and the free consult is a good time to talk about timing.
What therapy looks like here
Sessions are 50 minutes, by secure video. How often we meet is up to you. We work it out together, based on what fits you best, including your finances and your coverage.
A session with Kyle is $250. Alberta Health Care doesn't cover psychologists, but many extended health plans do, and we can bill most insurance companies directly. See fees and insurance for details.
Common questions
Is it OCD or am I just a perfectionist?
Many people like things tidy or double-check sometimes. OCD is different: the thoughts are unwanted and distressing, the compulsions feel necessary, and the cycle takes up time and gets in the way of life. A professional can help you sort it out.
Does having intrusive thoughts mean I'm dangerous?
No. Intrusive thoughts are common, and in OCD they're usually the opposite of what you want. The distress they cause is part of the OCD, not a sign that you'll act on them.
How long does treatment take?
It depends on how severe the OCD is. The NHS notes that fairly mild OCD usually needs about 8 to 20 sessions of CBT with ERP, and more severe OCD may need longer.
Can I get help for OCD online?
Yes. Our sessions are by secure video, for people who are physically in Alberta. If ERP is what you need, ask any provider you're considering whether they offer it by video.
Do you bill insurance directly?
We can bill most insurance companies directly, so you only pay the part your plan doesn't cover. Tell us your plan at your free consult, and we'll confirm before your first session.
Book a free 15-minute consultation
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