OCD treatment for kids, teens, and young adults
When unwanted thoughts and rituals take over, school or work, sleep, and family life all feel harder. Our licensed clinicians use proven, OCD-specific therapy to help kids, teens, and young adults break the cycle, and help you support them at home.
Clinically reviewed by Amy Kranzler, PhD
- Licensed, specialized therapistsTrained in evidence-based care for kids, teens, and young adults
- Fully virtualVisits that fit around your schedule
- Evidence-based skillsStrategies for the moments that matter
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
What is OCD?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) involves two core features. Obsessions are intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that recur and cause significant distress. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts a person feels driven to perform to reduce that distress or prevent a feared outcome.
Compulsions are often time-consuming, taking an hour or more each day, and interfere with school or work, sleep, relationships, and family life. Many people recognize that these behaviors are excessive, yet still feel unable to resist them.
The good news: OCD responds very well to treatment, and with the right support, most people see meaningful, lasting relief.
Everyday habits or OCD?
Everyday habits and preferences
- Liking things a certain way
- Easy to skip when needed
- Doesn’t cause real distress
- Takes little time
OCD
- Driven by fear, disgust, or a feeling that something isn’t “just right”
- Feels impossible to skip
- Takes an hour or more a day, or causes real distress
- Gets in the way of school or work, sleep, or family life
Signs to watch for
Many people have small habits or preferences. These signs are concerning when they cause distress, take up a lot of time, or start to run the day.
Obsessions (thoughts)
- Unwanted thoughts that keep coming back
- Fear of germs, illness, or contamination
- Worry that something terrible will happen to them or someone they love
- Needing things to feel “just right”
- Upsetting thoughts that go against their values
Compulsions (rituals)
- Washing or cleaning over and over
- Checking locks, homework, or appliances repeatedly
- Counting, tapping, or repeating actions
- Arranging things until they feel right
- Mental rituals, like repeating phrases or praying to undo a thought
Everyday impact
- Asking the same reassurance questions again and again
- Avoiding certain places, objects, or people
- Running late or getting stuck because of rituals
- Pulling family members into rituals
- Distress or anger when a ritual is interrupted
How it can show up at different ages
Kids
Younger kids often can’t explain why they need to do a ritual. It just feels like they have to.
- Long bedtime routines that must be done exactly
- Washing hands until they’re red and sore
- Asking “Are you sure?” again and again
Teens
Teens often hide rituals out of embarrassment, so OCD can go unnoticed for a long time.
- Spending hours redoing homework
- Mental rituals no one else can see
- Avoiding friends’ houses or shared spaces
Young adults
OCD often starts or flares in the late teens and early adulthood.
- Checking and rechecking work or messages
- Long routines before leaving home
- Intrusive thoughts that make relationships or work hard
Is it OCD, or something else?
OCD can look like anxiety, tics, ADHD, or perfectionism, and it often overlaps with them. You don’t need to have it figured out. Our clinicians will help you understand what’s going on and what will help.
How we treat OCD
Our therapists are trained in exposure and response prevention (ERP), the most effective treatment for OCD. ERP is a specific form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) designed to target obsessions and compulsions.
ERP for you or your child
ERP is the first-line therapy for OCD. With a therapist’s guidance, you or your child gradually face what triggers OCD while resisting the urge to perform rituals.
- Gradually face the thoughts and situations that trigger OCD
- Break the OCD cycle by not doing the ritual
- Learn that the anxiety fades on its own
Family involvement
Parents learn how to respond to reassurance requests and gradually step back from rituals, so progress carries over at home.
- Respond with warmth instead of reassurance
- Step back from rituals gradually
- Practice new responses together
Medication, when it helps
Many people improve with ERP alone. For moderate to severe OCD, an SSRI medication combined with ERP often works best.
- Considered for moderate to severe OCD
- Combined with ERP, not instead of it
For young adults 18 and older, care is one-on-one with their therapist and does not include parent involvement.
What parents are saying
“Lindsay LITERALLY changed not just my daughter's life, but our entire family dynamic. We thought we were going to have to consider homeschool, as she was experiencing debilitating separation anxiety. We assumed she would end up on medication - not only did she not need medication, she has not missed a single day of school this year.”
“Megan was so valuable to our family during a trying time in our lives. My son needed someone to understand him and show him how to ask for help when he needs it. He has gone from failing multiple classes to being an honor student. He’s been so helpful around the house and is all around a happy child. We’re so grateful that we made the choice to go with Handspring.”
“There has been a marked change in my daughter's ability to cope with anxiety and stressors and using the coping skills she learned she has been able to get through situations that she couldn't before. Her self confidence has also increased. Many thanks to Shanna - my daughter was sad to not see her each week any more, but the reason for that was a great one.”
“I have seen a huge improvement in the way my daughter communicates, manages her emotions, and behaves since she started her weekly sessions. I am so grateful to see such a positive impact with her and within a short period of time. Tried other solutions and none worked. Thankful for Handspring services helping our family."
“Lindsay LITERALLY changed not just my daughter's life, but our entire family dynamic. We thought we were going to have to consider homeschool, as she was experiencing debilitating separation anxiety. We assumed she would end up on medication - not only did she not need medication, she has not missed a single day of school this year.”
“Every aspect has been great so far. The onboarding process was quick and easy - everyone was so professional, responsive, and compassionate. Our child was quickly matched with a therapist with a suitable personality, style, and approach. Additionally, the parents’ needs are being addressed as well - the option to have that support is invaluable!”
“We were so happy with the care our son received. There has been such a change in him over the past year and we are so grateful! Morgan was able to connect with him so well and teach him so many skills that he now uses every day. Thank you all so much for everything you have done!”
“My daughter had such a positive experience with Handspring. Christine was amazing with her and my daughter felt very comfortable talking to her. My daughter’s self confidence and attitude have improved drastically since starting Handspring. Thank you so much!”
“Megan was so valuable to our family during a trying time in our lives. My son needed someone to understand him and show him how to ask for help when he needs it. He has gone from failing multiple classes to being an honor student. He’s been so helpful around the house and is all around a happy child. We’re so grateful that we made the choice to go with Handspring.”
“Natasha was extremely patient and kind, but also very clear and honest with my daughter when speaking to her. She also handled dealing with myself and my ex extremely professionally and was always available to help when I had any concerns outside of my daughter’s appointment.”
“Michael built a great relationship with my son early on in the sessions, therefore my son felt extremely comfortable speaking to him and opening up about his feelings. Michael was kind, fun and gave excellent coping techniques. My son is much more open and vocal with his feelings and uses Michael’s techniques when he’s upset or getting frustrated.”
“There has been a marked change in my daughter's ability to cope with anxiety and stressors and using the coping skills she learned she has been able to get through situations that she couldn't before. Her self confidence has also increased. Many thanks to Shanna - my daughter was sad to not see her each week any more, but the reason for that was a great one.”
Get started with therapy fast
Your first consultation is free, then insurance covers the sessions after that with a nominal copay.
Start with a free consultation
Meet with our clinical services team to discuss what brings you here and get matched to one of our licensed therapists. No waitlist, available within 48 hours.
Meet your therapist for an assessment
Meet with your therapist so they can form an accurate diagnostic assessment and develop an effective treatment plan.
Begin treatment within a week
With remote sessions, flexible scheduling, and length of treatment tailored to your needs, this is high-quality care that’s made to fit your life.
Questions parents ask
Don’t see your question? Talk to our care team.
How is OCD different from everyday habits?
Plenty of people like things a certain way. OCD is different: the thoughts and rituals cause real distress, feel impossible to skip, take up an hour or more a day, or get in the way of school or work, sleep, or family life.
Do scary thoughts mean someone wants to act on them?
No. Intrusive thoughts in OCD are unwanted and upsetting, and they can go against a person’s values. Having them doesn’t mean wanting to act on them.
Should I keep reassuring my child?
Reassurance brings quick relief but can feed the OCD cycle. A therapist can help you respond with warmth while gradually cutting back on reassurance.
Is medication needed?
Many people improve with ERP alone. For moderate to severe OCD, an SSRI combined with ERP often works best.
Ready to talk it through?
A free consult with our care team is the first step. We’ll listen to what’s going on and help you decide what comes next.
Sources
- Ruscio AM, Stein DJ, Chiu WT, Kessler RC. The epidemiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Molecular Psychiatry, 2010;15(1):53–63.
- Geller DA, March J; AACAP Committee on Quality Issues. Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2012.
- Pediatric OCD Treatment Study (POTS) Team. Cognitive-behavior therapy, sertraline, and their combination for children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder. JAMA, 2004;292(16):1969–1976.
- American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), 2022.