OCD & Perinatal OCD Therapy
The anxiety is real. But the story might not be.
What It Is:
How We Help:
Our therapists are highly trained in treatments that help break the OCD cycle rather than provide short-term relief. Our primary modality for OCD is Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT), an evidence-based treatment that quickly gaining in popularity due to its effectiveness at treating OCD sustainably, no whack-a-mole approach. I-CBT is a specialized treatment for OCD that addresses the reasoning processes underlying your obsessions. Instead of focusing primarily on exposures, I-CBT helps you understand why certain thoughts feel so compelling and real in the first place. You’re not crazy- there’s a reason these thoughts feel so scary, so real, and so intense. I-CBT aims to help you understand OCD’s tricks so you can respond differently.
We practice with a whole-body approach, so we also include nutritional and lifestyle recommendations to help address OCD from all angles.
Why Specialized Treatment Matters:
OCD is more than “bad anxiety”, and it’s about way more than washing your hands. Often called “the doubting disorder,” OCD can lead you to question your senses, your memories, your intentions, and even who you are. It starts with a doubt, a worry, an intrusive thought, or a “what if” (the obsession) that prompts some sort of action to reduce the anxiety or resolve the doubt (compulsion). Compulsions can be observable by others (checking locks, asking for reassurance, Googling, repeating actions) or can be mental (analyzing, replaying memories, trying to reassure yourself).
A real pain point with OCD is that you know your compulsions aren’t necessary - and yet, you feel compelled to do them anyway. This is because they are in response to a story your mind is telling you, and stories can be incredibly powerful. Stories rooted in imagination and possibility can prompt real-life emotions in reality. This mismatch can not only be distressing, but can cause signifiant problems in your life.
Only one in six Americans living with OCD are properly diagnosed. Many people spend years in therapy without realizing they have OCD, and some studies suggest it takes 7-10 years to get properly diagnosed. That’s because OCD is tricky, highly individualized, and is not adequately addressed in most therapy training programs. Traditional talk therapy is not only ineffective at treating OCD, but it even has the potential to make it worse due to therapists co-compulsing with clients, diving into possibility/probability, or arguing against the thoughts.
If you’ve found yourself stuck in endless loops of anxiety, rituals, or “what if” thinking, you’re not alone, and you're not broken. At MWC, we provide specialized, evidence-based OCD therapy in Maryland and Pennsylvania to help you break the cycle and reclaim your life.
OCD During Pregnancy, Postpartum & Beyond
OCD often intensifies or appears for the first time during major life transitions like trying to conceive, pregnancy, and postpartum. The high stakes, uncertainty, and responsibility of growing your family can trigger or worsen obsessions and compulsions.
As PMH-C certified specialists, we understand how OCD presents differently during these seasons:
During Fertility Treatment:
Obsessive tracking and rituals around conception
Intrusive thoughts about "deserving" to be a parent
Hypervigilance about body symptoms
Compulsive research and reassurance-seeking from doctors
Magical thinking about what will make it work
During Pregnancy:
Intrusive thoughts about harming the baby or losing the pregnancy
Contamination fears or health anxiety about what you're eating, touching, breathing
Excessive checking or avoidance behaviors
Hyperresponsibility about every decision
Constant reassurance-seeking from doctors or partners
Postpartum:
Disturbing intrusive thoughts about the baby being harmed (the most common and misunderstood presentation)
Compulsive checking (Is the baby breathing? Is the temperature right? Did I feed them correctly?)
Excessive cleaning or contamination fears
Inability to let others care for the baby
Avoidance of being alone with the baby or certain objects (knives, stairs, bathtubs)
Needing to confess every thought or action
In Motherhood:
Continued checking and reassurance-seeking as your kids grow
Intrusive thoughts about harm or safety
Hyperresponsibility about parenting decisions
Difficulty trusting others with your children
FAQs
What's the difference between OCD and anxiety?
1
We offer a range of solutions designed to meet your needs—whether you're just getting started or scaling something bigger. Everything is tailored to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
How do I get started?
2
Getting started is simple. Reach out through our contact form or schedule a call—we’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.
What makes you different?
3
I-CBT targets the creation of obsessional doubt; ERP targets tolerance of anxiety
How can I contact you?
4
You can reach us anytime via our contact page or email. We aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day.
“Their attention to detail and commitment to quality truly stood out. We’ve already recommended them to others.”
– Former Customer
Get In Touch
If you're interested in working with us, complete the form with a few details about your project. We'll review your message and get back to you within 48 hours.