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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Treatment in Minneapolis & Edina: A Complete Guide OCD is a common mental health condition that affects an average of 1% to 3% of the population. This means that 3 out of 100 people have OCD at some point in their lives. Still, unlike depression and anxiety, studies by Kevin Swierkosz-Lenart at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois in Switzerland suggest that only 10% are treated. It’s important to seek treatment before the behavior has enough time to reinforce itself. This improves your quality of life as the intrusive thoughts are brought under control. This article will offer more insight into OCD and how to treat the condition instead of just relieving the symptoms. Amanda Mulfinger, PhD, LP Updated: July 4, 2025 Get Started (952) 831-2000 Table of Contents   Table of Contents Key takeaways: OCD is more than just cleanliness; it’s a cycle of distressing intrusive thoughts driving compelling, often irrational, rituals. OCD disrupts daily life, leading to isolation and mental exhaustion as individuals struggle to manage their compulsions. At Cabot, we tackle OCD with evidence-based ERP and CBT, directly challenging obsessions and breaking the ritual cycle. Our personalized therapy, led by specialists like Noah Scanlon, aims for genuine recovery, not just temporary symptom relief. Starting treatment is straightforward: book an initial assessment to define your symptoms and begin a tailored path to healing. What Is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)? Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition that causes individuals to experience intrusive thoughts they feel the need to act on. Individuals with OCD will have the urge to perform certain routines so they can undo those thoughts and the anxiety they bring. Understanding OCD: More Than Just Cleanliness or Perfectionism OCD manifests in different ways, and it’s not just perfectionism. Many people misunderstand that OCD is just about cleaning or keeping things in a certain order, but the condition is caused by intrusive thoughts. This involves a series of distressing ideas and the feeling that certain physical or mental rituals can ease these symptoms. These “rituals” are compulsions that feel essential to perform at the moment. However, with time, they strengthen the cycle of doubt and fear. Below are the most common subtypes of OCD: Contamination OCD: Characterized by a fear of germs and toxins, which leads to excessive cleaning. Checking OCD: Expressed as the constant checking of things such as locks or appliances to prevent a bad thing. Harm OCD: Includes intrusive thoughts about harming oneself or others, causing you to avoid being near dangerous items. Counting OCD: The intrusive thought that something bad is going to happen, and you count up to a certain number over and over until it feels “just right.” Scrupulosity OCD: A religious OCD where one counters unwanted thoughts through obsessively praying or avoiding places or things that can trigger an episode. Symmetry OCD: The most common (and well-known) type of OCD, characterized by the need to arrange or align something “perfectly.” Whenever these thoughts repeat, a person with OCD will feel like they need to perform the ritual. This happens even if they know they’re irrational. How OCD Affects Daily Life OCD disrupts daily functioning because there’s no way to predict when an obsessive episode will begin. They can appear when you are at school, at work, or during important social events. Feelings of isolation frequently occur when someone with OCD can’t explain their compulsions to a loved one. Obsessive-compulsive rituals take a long time to complete in severe cases, causing people to skip their commitments entirely. Many individuals avoid certain situations or places to prevent a potential trigger. Eventually, this narrows their world. OCD also places a significant mental load. These obsessions create a lot of distress and anxiety, which in turn makes you feel drained. The rituals provide relief temporarily, but they only strengthen the idea that you have to do it again next time. Individual therapy is one of the most effective tools to break this vicious cycle. Behavioral therapies are a standard option that teach your psyche to perform without the ritual. How OCD Is Treated at Cabot Psychological Services At Cabot Psychological Services, OCD is treated using an evidence-based model. Noah Scanlon uses ERP and CBT in combination with other therapies in an attempt to “weed” the OCD from the root. Comprehensive mental health treatment from home 90% of Charlie Health clients and their families would recommend Charlie Health Get Started (952) 831-2000 We’re proud to partner with the following major insurance providers: Evidence-Based Approaches We Use We treat OCD using a mix of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). ERP is widely recognized as the gold standard because the treatment exposes individuals to their feared thoughts. Over time, the brain learns to tolerate it. Clients understand how to identify unwanted beliefs and balance their thinking with CBT. This way, the hold on the obsession weakens and treatment outcomes improve. Our therapists apply these strategies because they are more effective at treating OCD in the long run. Methods such as talk therapy, avoidance strategies, and other outdated techniques offer short-term comfort. However, they don’t tackle the root cause. This means that OCD can return anytime. Targeted, evidence-based therapy makes sure that recovery isn’t just a possibility. Studies at Cambridge University by Christopher Morgan on ERP therapy for OCD showed that 90.5% of patients see improvement after 12 months of therapy. Meet Noah Scanlon, M.A. — Your OCD Specialist Noah Scanlon is a licensed therapist at Cabot Psychological Service. He is the lead therapist for OCD treatments, and clients trust his evidence-based approach. Noah specializes in anxiety and the disruptions that OCD creates, helping his clients overcome their urges. Noah is qualified to work with numerous mental health disorders, including the following: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Specific Phobias (SP) Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) Noah believes in a collaborative approach where he works with you and your family to create a suitable environment for recovery. Studies