Therapy for Anxiety and

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a natural response to stress, manifesting as feelings of nervousness, worry, or unease about uncertain situations. While it serves as an internal alarm system alerting us to potential threats, excessive anxiety can disrupt daily life and lead to significant physical and emotional distress.

Anxiety Disorders

When anxiety becomes persistent and overwhelming, it may indicate an anxiety disorder. These disorders involve excessive fear or anxiety, even in the absence of immediate danger, and can severely impact daily functioning. Common anxiety disorders include:

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

  • Panic Disorder

  • Social Anxiety Disorder

  • Phobias

  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD is characterized by unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) performed to alleviate the distress caused by these thoughts. This cycle can become debilitating, interfering with personal relationships, work, and overall well-being.

Common Obsessions:

  • Fear of contamination

  • Aggressive or horrific thoughts about harming oneself or others

  • Unwanted forbidden or taboo thoughts involving sex, religion, or harm

  • Need for symmetry or exactness

Common Compulsions:

  • Excessive cleaning and handwashing

  • Ordering and arranging items in a particular, precise way

  • Excessively seeking reassurance (learn more about this here!)

  • Repeatedly checking things, such as locks or appliances

  • Compulsive counting

“Anxiety was born in the very same moment as mankind. And since we will never be able to master it, we will have to learn to live with it— just as we have learned to live with storms.”
—Paulo Coelho

Effective Treatments for Anxiety and OCD

At Sanctuary Counseling, we offer evidence-based therapies tailored to individual needs:

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):

CBT helps clients identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviors, fostering healthier coping mechanisms.

2. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP):

A specialized form of CBT, ERP is considered the gold standard for OCD treatment. It involves gradual exposure to feared stimuli without engaging in compulsive behaviors, reducing anxiety over time. (learn more about ERP treatment here!)

3. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR):

MBSR incorporates mindfulness practices to help individuals stay grounded, reducing the impact of anxiety-provoking thoughts.

4. Medication Management:

In some cases, medication such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be prescribed alongside therapy to manage symptoms effectively.

  • "I have had an amazing experience with my therapist at Sanctuary. From the minute I walked in the door I started to feel safe and hopeful. I’ve had a lot of trauma in my life, and I thought I was going to be too much to handle. But Heather never made me feel that way and she really understood and knew what to do to help me get through things. She is the best."

    — Client

  • "I have been to therapy before but didn’t find it very helpful to be honest. When I started working with Derek at Sanctuary I finally found a counselor that did more than stare at me. He actually had ideas and helped me build tools for managing my OCD and overall anxiety. Things have gotten much better. You should come here."

    — Client

  • "I can absolutely say that the counseling I experienced at Sanctuary was exceptional. From my first session, I felt safe and listened to and I felt like I finally found a therapist who understood how to work with my trauma. Oriana helped me to explore my feelings and experiences, and to develop strategies to cope. I highly recommend Sanctuary to anyone looking for help."

    — Client

Our Specialized Therapists

Our team includes experienced professionals like Derek Petersen, MSEd, LAPC, who specializes in treating OCD and anxiety disorders. Derek utilizes evidence-based approaches, including ERP, to help clients regain control over their lives.

Getting Started

If anxiety or OCD is affecting your quality of life, seeking professional help is a courageous and essential step toward healing. At Sanctuary Counseling, we provide a safe and supportive environment to explore your concerns and develop effective coping strategies.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment and take the first step toward reclaiming your well-being.