Therapy with Alex G
OCD Therapy
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and intrusive thought counseling for pre-teens, teens, and adults in Santa Barbara, CA.
Break Free from the Cycle and Reclaim Your Life
OCD can feel like a constant battle in your mind—obsessive thoughts, compulsions, and the overwhelming need for certainty. You might feel stuck in a cycle of checking, redoing, or avoiding things because they feel “not right,” even when you know they don’t make sense. You might find yourself doubting your decisions or needing constant reassurance, leaving you exhausted and disconnected from the life you want to live. Even though you know these patterns don’t make sense, they can feel impossible to escape.
Let me help!
In therapy, we’ll explore the root causes of your OCD. Together, we’ll identify how your thoughts and behaviors are fueling the OCD cycle and give you effective tools to break free from its grip. You’ll gain the confidence to challenge OCD and start living life on your own terms.
OCD Can Show Up As…
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a complex and often misunderstood condition that can affect every aspect of your life. OCD is not a reflection of your personality or willpower, but rather a product of neurological and psychological factors. If you are struggling with OCD, you will likely be feeling stuck in a constant cycle of fear, doubt, and ritualization, while also experiencing both distressing thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental rituals (compulsions). OCD can feel like an unrelenting storm; however, I am here to offer you the calm and support you need to navigate through it. Through the use of personalized strategies and a warm, nonjudgmental environment, we will work together to uncover the root of your OCD, develop coping mechanisms, and build resilience.
Relationship & “Just Right” OCD
OCD can show up in relationships by causing constant doubts about your partner or the relationship itself, even when everything appears fine. You might find yourself endlessly questioning your feelings, your partner’s feelings, or the relationship’s future, leading to anxiety, reassurance-seeking, and overanalyzing every interaction. Similarly, "Just Right" OCD involves a compulsion to make things feel perfect or aligned, often driven by the fear of something bad happening if it’s not "just right." This can include everything from arranging objects a certain way to performing specific rituals to avoid bad luck. Both forms of OCD can create significant distress, leaving you feeling stuck and overwhelmed. I’m here to help you break these cycles by addressing the root causes of your OCD, teaching you effective coping strategies, and guiding you toward a life where you can feel secure and at ease in both your relationships and your daily activities.
Intrusive Thoughts
Intrusive thoughts are unwanted, distressing thoughts or mental images that pop into your mind without warning. They often cause feelings of fear, guilt, or confusion and can make you feel as though something is wrong with you. Many people feel embarrassed or ashamed of these thoughts, but it’s important to understand that they are common and don’t reflect your true desires or character. You might find yourself trying to suppress them, but the more you fight them, the more persistent they become, leading to a cycle of anxiety and self-doubt. I’m here to help you recognize that these thoughts don’t define you, and provide you with strategies to regain control. Together, we’ll work on breaking the cycle, so you can stop being consumed by them and feel more at ease in your own mind.
