Online OCD treatment
in California.
OCD is frequently undertreated — often because the medication dose was inadequate, or because therapy wasn't OCD-specific. A proper evaluation and a well-informed treatment plan make a meaningful difference.
Request an AppointmentWhat OCD actually is
OCD is not about being clean or organized. It is a condition characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges (obsessions) that cause significant anxiety, and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) performed to reduce that anxiety. The relief is temporary. The cycle repeats.
Common obsession themes include contamination, harm (fearing you might hurt yourself or others), symmetry and "just right" feelings, forbidden or taboo thoughts (sexual, religious, violent), and doubt. Compulsions can be behavioral (washing, checking, arranging, seeking reassurance) or mental (counting, praying, reviewing).
OCD is defined by the time it consumes — typically more than an hour per day — and by the distress and impairment it causes. It is not a personality trait or a preference for order.
Medication for OCD
A clinically important point: SSRIs for OCD are dosed significantly higher than for depression. A dose of sertraline that is adequate for depression may be far below the threshold for meaningful OCD response. This is one reason people with OCD often have unsatisfying medication experiences — they've been on doses that weren't therapeutic for OCD.
The SSRIs with the most evidence for OCD are:
- Sertraline (Zoloft): typically 100–200 mg/day for OCD vs. 50–100 mg/day for depression
- Fluoxetine (Prozac): approved for OCD; doses up to 60–80 mg may be used
- Fluvoxamine (Luvox): the first SSRI FDA-approved specifically for OCD
- Paroxetine (Paxil): approved for OCD; higher discontinuation side effects than others
Clomipramine (Anafranil) is a tricyclic antidepressant with robust evidence for OCD — comparable to or greater than SSRIs in some studies. It has a more complex side effect profile but is an important option when SSRIs haven't worked adequately.
An adequate trial for OCD is typically 8–12 weeks at a therapeutic dose. Many patients are told medication "didn't work" after an inadequate trial at a subtherapeutic dose.
Medication decisions are individualized and depend on diagnosis, medical history, current medications, and clinical appropriateness. This page is educational and does not replace individualized medical advice. If you are in crisis, call 988 or go to the nearest emergency room.
The role of therapy in OCD treatment
Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is the gold standard psychological treatment for OCD and is more effective than medication alone for many patients. ERP involves gradually exposing yourself to obsession triggers while resisting the compulsive response — breaking the cycle. It is uncomfortable and requires a skilled therapist trained in OCD specifically.
The combination of medication and ERP typically produces the best outcomes. Umbrella Mental Health provides the medication management component and can coordinate a referral to an OCD-specialized therapist for ERP. Not all CBT therapists are trained in ERP — it matters to see someone with specific OCD expertise.
Insurance and cost
Accepted plans: Aetna, Cigna, Quest Behavioral Health, Carelon Behavioral Health, Anthem Blue Cross California. See insurance details.
OCD is treatable with the right approach. Start with an evaluation.
Request an AppointmentOCD questions,
answered plainly.
Medication can significantly reduce OCD symptoms. For many patients, the combination of medication and ERP therapy produces better outcomes than either alone. Medication management can be coordinated alongside ERP if you're already working with an OCD-trained therapist.
SSRIs at higher doses than for depression are first-line: sertraline, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine. Clomipramine has strong evidence for OCD and is used when SSRIs haven't been adequate. An adequate OCD medication trial typically requires 8–12 weeks at a therapeutic dose.
Umbrella Mental Health provides psychiatric evaluation and medication management, not ERP. A referral to an OCD-specialized therapist trained in ERP can be coordinated. Seeing someone with specific OCD expertise — not just a general CBT therapist — matters for OCD.
OCD is a clinical diagnosis based on a thorough psychiatric evaluation — the nature and content of obsessions, type and frequency of compulsions, time consumed, level of distress and impairment, and duration of symptoms.
Ready to get started?
Request an evaluation and your appointment will be confirmed within one business day.