4 Best OCD Treatment Centers in Connecticut
Key takeaways:
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a highly treatable condition with the right combination of therapy, support, and resources.
This round-up can help you choose the right OCD treatment program for your unique needs.
If these options aren’t right for you, consider working with a private practice therapist who specializes in OCD treatment.
"I know it's not that big of a deal, but I still feel like I have to do it". This is a sentiment that I hear from my clients with OCD. Their compulsions negatively impact their daily lives. They know that their obsessions are conjuring a disproportional amount of distress. This can lead to those with OCD feeling irrational or dramatic. Despite a desire to stop, their urgency holds their attention hostage resulting in more compulsions.
Looking for an OCD treatment in Connecticut? Our experienced professionals at Cope & Calm Counseling offer comprehensive care to treat OCD. Our OCD care consists of research verified interventions. For example, we offer Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP), Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (iCBT). Our founder, Amber Young, is a member of the IOCDF. She is highly involved in training her associate therapists with this holistic approach.
How we selected these OCD treatment centers
ERP is a prominent feature of their treatment
They offer a range of care from intensive treatment to step-down outpatient care
Expressed awareness of related disorders, including substance use and disordered eating
Multidisciplinary approach including a physician in the evaluation and assessment
Inclusion of medication management and collaboration with a prescriber
Expressed Understanding of the unique challenges that arise in OCD treatment
Awareness of what interventions can exacerbate OCD symptoms
Bringing family and loved ones in for support as relationships are a vital part of recovery
When treating OCD it is important to understand the neurological processes of anxiety and fear. The mind can learn through talking. Yet, the brain needs lived experiences to incorporate new information. To regulate anxiety activation, we need to provide opportunities to teach the brain to react differently. This is why ERP is one of the most important factors to consider when selecting a treatment center.
4 top-rated Connecticut OCD treatment centers
Below is a list of a few OCD Treatment Providers near me:
1. NOCD
This is one of my favorite resources for OCD. We love a wordplay moment, and there are a ton of free resources available for patients and providers. NOCD is an OCD one stop shop. Their providers are trained in OCD and all of its sub-types, depression, and other disorders. NOCD is a virtual therapy provider and can meet with clients in all 50 states.
Location: Nationwide
Services offered: Virtual Therapy, ERP
Specialty areas: OCD specific care
2. Newport Academy
When seeking a higher level of care, I most often refer my clients to the Newport Academy or Newport Institute. This facility has treatment centers all over the country. They offer counseling services in the range from outpatient care to residential treatment. In 2022 they opened their OCD program right here in Connecticut. Each program is separated by age, are gender inclusive, and have a multidisciplinary support. Want to address additional mental health concerns. They specialize in treating common comorbid conditions, such as trichotillomania, body dysmorphia, and agoraphobia.
Location: Darien, CT and nationwide
Services offered: Outpatient, Intensive Outpatient, and Residential care for OCD & ERP
Specialty areas: Teenagers and Young Adults
3. The Sterling Institute
The Sterling Institute is an integrated, multidisciplinary practice. We are big supporters of psychoeducation at Cope & Calm. And The Sterling Institute prioritizes education in their relapse prevention. They use proven interventions and are a great option for OCD recovery.
Location: Danbury, CT
Services offered: Medication, Ketamine Assisted Therapy, TMS, OCD and related disorders, and more
Specialty areas: Psychiatry
4. The Institute of Living
The Institute of Living is a great fit for those with co-occuring anxiety disorders.
Location: Hartford, CT
Services offered: Inpatient, Outpatient, and Telehealth
Specialty areas: Treatment for a variety of mental health disorders, Full age spectrum programs
What’s the most successful treatment for OCD?
A provider will consider which level of care will be most beneficial to the client. A residential program is appropriate for clients whose symptoms are causing significant impairment. These programs can range in length and structure, but are the most comprehensive. Typically care ranges from 30 days to several months, depending on the client's needs. Residential treatment provides ample time for a thorough evaluation. They provide a range of therapeutic services. There will be support and process groups. These build a sense of community and provide validation in shared experiences.
For supportive outpatient care, clients can consider Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPS). An IOP requires a 3-9 hours commitment 3-4 days a week for 6-12 weeks. Days will consist of individual and group therapy. There may be sessions for art therapy and mindfulness training. This is a great way to make a lot of progress in a brief amount of time. There has been an increase in virtual IOPs, making care more accessible to patients.
For less intensive care, a client can consider outpatient care at a private practice. This is the most suitable option for most clients suffering with OCD symptoms. In IOPs or residential care you have a provider for 6-12 weeks. In private practice, you will develop a close connection with one therapist. Allowing you to develop strong rapport. When you feel confident in your relationship with your therapist, therapeutic efficacy increases. The client- therapist relationship is the number one indicator of therapeutic success. This can make it easier to disclose about the more "taboo" or sensitive compulsions in addition to the common compulsions. In private practice, a provider can tailor your treatment to your specific needs. We are not restricted to a corporate treatment protocol. These approaches may be effective for most but not specific enough for all. Your treatment will not be limited to your OCD diagnosis. We can accommodate other conditions, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and autism. This scope can provide a beneficial context. This context can inform your OCD's development and other barriers to recovery and increase your overall well being. Depending on your need and therapist's recommendation you will meet once per week. I will often offer brief periods of 2-3 sessions per week to efficiently lay a solid foundation.
How to choose the right OCD treatment for you
It can be difficult to know which OCD treatment centers in Connecticut may be right for you. When collecting information, consider the following:
How impactful are your symptoms. Is it necessary or beneficial for you to take a break from your current commitments in order to seek a higher level of care?
How much time and energy are you hoping to invest in your treatment?
In addition to ERP, what types of therapy would you like to receive?
Are you looking for virtual or in person treatment?
What is their success rate and how is that measured?
Is medication management or collaboration available? Are they familiar with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors? Do they know about OCD's unique dosage needs with these medications?
Do providers treat all subtypes of OCD and Taboo obsessions?
Cost. Given the range of treatment levels, the cost of services can range significantly. Effective care will be comprehensive, impacting the cost. Quality treatment will have providers with extensive experience. It will offer a variety of approaches and ERP. It will offer medical consultations outside of the session. Check with your insurance company to inquire about coverage and reimbursement options.
Other OCD resources
Psychoeducation is an important part of OCD recovery and symptom management. To learn more about OCD and treatment options check out the following resources.
IOCDF website and its annual conferences for patients and providers
ICBT research proven talk therapy to enhance ERP
Jon Hershfield books (Enjoyable reads by a funny author and therapist with lived OCD experience)
Kimberly Quinlan's Podcast "Your Anxiety Toolkit"
Final thoughts on OCD treatment in Connecticut
OCD is often depicted in media as being really into hygiene and organization. However, it is so much more complicated than that. Living with OCD feels isolating, distressing, and limiting. Intrusive thoughts and mental acts can consume someone. Compelled acts are not always observable or common compulsions. Prior to treatment, symptoms can be prevent clients from leaving their house. OCD might prevent them from pursing a job or social connection. They may even struggle to maintain basic self-care, such as showering and eating.
My clients with OCD tend to have the harshest inner critics. They feel that their pain is self-inflicted and the result of a lack of willpower. This results in self-loathing, anger, and distress. After focusing psychoeducation and validation to clients, I get to witness their relief as levity drop in. A stereotypical "Good Will Hunting" moment when the realization hits that "It is not your fault". Once there is this space for self-compassion, then we can explore how to get a handle on their obsessions.
At Cope & Calm Counseling, our OCD treatment follows a consistent structure. The outline below is flexible and informed by the client's collaboration.
Intake session- diagnosis and trust building. We get an idea of your goals and the full scope mental health symptoms to address
Psychoeducation "OCD 101"- we will focus how anxiety functions in the brain, what parts we can intervene in, and why it is so hard to disengage from an obsessive thought.
Assessment- Yale- Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS). We will dive in to each specific subtype of OCD and conceptualize your unique OCD presentation
iCBT introduction- build cognitive flexibility and awareness about the process between trigger and compulsion.
Review Nervous System activation and Introduce ERP
Build Fear inventory and hierarchy
ERP planning and informed consent
ERP and fear response reprogramming
Rarely is a person so singular in their symptom presentation that only OCD symptoms are present. Your specific treatment plan may vary to support your unique challenges. Each treatment plan empowers individuals to decide which steps you take and when. That is not to say that your therapist will not challenge you. We will question hesitation as it arises. But, in order for any therapeutic intervention to make an impact the client has to be on board. You get to steer the wheel and we will be here to help you navigate your treatment journey.
