OCD and ERP Therapy
Specialized Child & Teen Therapy for OCD and Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) in Jenkintown, PA and Wellesley, MA
Helping Children and Teens Break Free from OCD and Reclaim Their Lives
At The Center for Family Empowerment, we provide specialized, evidence-based treatment for children, teens, young adults, and families impacted by Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Our clinicians understand that OCD is much more than a preference for cleanliness or organization—it can become exhausting, confusing, and disruptive for both children and their families.
Using evidence-based approaches such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), parent coaching, and family-centered interventions, we help children reduce the power OCD has over their lives and build the confidence to face uncertainty.
You Might Be Here Because...
Many people picture OCD as excessive handwashing or needing everything to be perfectly organized. While those can be symptoms, OCD often looks very different in children and teens.
Your child may be struggling with:
• Constant fears about germs, illness, or contamination • Intrusive thoughts that feel scary, violent, sexual, or "bad"
• Repeated checking of locks, homework, backpacks, or personal belongings • A need to repeat actions until they feel "just right"
• Constant reassurance seeking from parents, teachers, or siblings • Religious or moral worries (sometimes called scrupulosity)
• Perfectionism that feels driven by fear rather than achievement • Mental rituals such as silently repeating words, praying, counting, or reviewing memories • Avoiding people, places, objects, or activities because they trigger anxiety
You may notice your child:
• Asking the same questions over and over, even after you've answered them • Becoming extremely distressed when routines are interrupted
• Spending excessive time getting ready for school or going to bed • Avoiding touching certain objects or entering certain places
• Becoming frustrated because they know their fears don't make sense but can't stop thinking about them
• Growing increasingly anxious despite constant reassurance from family members
Does any of this sound familiar?
Your child seems trapped in a cycle of fear and rituals.
Your family spends a great deal of time providing reassurance just to get through the day.
School mornings or bedtime have become overwhelming because of compulsive behaviors.
OCD is beginning to affect friendships, family life, or your child's confidence.
You've tried comforting your child, but the fears always seem to return.
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. OCD can significantly impact daily life, but with specialized treatment, children and teens can learn to manage symptoms, reduce compulsive behaviors, and get back to the activities they enjoy.
Our Approach
At The Center for Family Empowerment, we believe OCD treatment should be individualized, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based care. We begin with a comprehensive assessment to understand how OCD is affecting your child's daily life, relationships, school, and emotional well-being. Because OCD can present differently in every child, we develop a treatment plan based on your child's developmental level, strengths, and specific symptoms.
Depending on your child's needs, treatment may include:
• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) • Parent coaching • Family therapy
• Emotional regulation and coping skills • Collaboration with schools, pediatricians, psychiatrists, and other providers when appropriate
Our clinicians work with children and teens experiencing many forms of OCD, including:
• Contamination OCD • Checking compulsions • Intrusive thoughts • "Just right" OCD • Reassurance seeking
• Perfectionism-related compulsions • Harm OCD • Scrupulosity (religious or moral OCD)
• Health-related obsessions
• Mental compulsions and rumination
Because OCD frequently overlaps with anxiety, perfectionism, ADHD, and trauma-related symptoms, we take a comprehensive approach to understanding the whole child—not just the diagnosis.
Why Specialized Treatment Matters
OCD is often misunderstood and can easily be mistaken for generalized anxiety, perfectionism, or behavioral concerns. While these conditions may share similarities, OCD requires a specialized treatment approach.
One of the challenges of OCD is that reassurance and rituals often provide temporary relief. Although these responses are well-intentioned, they can unintentionally strengthen the OCD cycle over time.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is considered the gold-standard treatment for OCD and has been extensively researched. When appropriate, ERP helps children gradually face feared situations while resisting compulsive behaviors in a supportive, collaborative way. Over time, children learn that anxiety naturally decreases without relying on rituals or constant reassurance.
Our goal isn't simply to reduce anxiety—it's to help children reclaim the parts of life OCD has taken away.
What Parents Can Expect
Beginning therapy for OCD can feel overwhelming, especially if your family has been living around OCD for months or even years. Our first sessions focus on understanding your child's experiences, identifying the patterns that keep OCD going, and building trust before introducing new skills. Treatment is collaborative and moves at a pace that feels challenging while remaining supportive.
Parents are an essential part of treatment. We provide education about how OCD works, help families recognize accommodations that may unintentionally reinforce symptoms, and teach practical strategies that support progress at home.
As treatment progresses, many families notice improvements not only in OCD symptoms but also in confidence, independence, emotional regulation, and overall family functioning.
Why Families Choose The Center for Family Empowerment
Families choose The Center for Family Empowerment because they are looking for more than symptom management—they are looking for specialized care that understands the complexity of OCD.
Our clinicians receive advanced training in evidence-based treatments and work collaboratively with parents, schools, pediatricians, psychiatrists, and other providers when appropriate. We recognize that OCD affects the entire family, and we believe successful treatment includes supporting caregivers alongside the child.
Every treatment plan is individualized to meet your child's developmental needs, strengths, and goals while helping your family build lasting skills that continue well beyond therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ERP scary?
ERP is collaborative, gradual, and individualized. Children are never forced into situations before they are ready. Instead, therapists work alongside each child to build confidence while gently facing fears at a pace that feels manageable.
Will parents be involved?
Yes. Parents play an essential role in treatment. We'll help you understand OCD, learn how to respond effectively to reassurance seeking and compulsions, and support your child's progress between sessions.
How long does treatment take?
Every child is different. Some families notice meaningful improvements within a few months, while others benefit from longer-term support depending on symptom severity, treatment goals, and individual needs.
Do you prescribe medication?
No. We provide psychotherapy and frequently collaborate with pediatricians and psychiatrists when medication may be a helpful part of a child's overall treatment plan.
Suggested Reads
Related Areas of Expertise
Children with OCD often experience additional concerns that benefit from specialized support.
Anxiety Therapy
Many children with OCD also experience generalized anxiety, perfectionism, or panic symptoms. Learn more about our Anxiety Therapy services.
Trauma & EMDR
Sometimes traumatic experiences and OCD symptoms overlap or occur together. Our clinicians provide comprehensive assessments to determine the most appropriate treatment approach for your child's unique needs.
Parent Coaching
Parents play a vital role in OCD treatment. Our Parent Coaching services help families reduce accommodations, respond effectively to reassurance seeking, and support lasting progress at home.
School Anxiety & School Refusal
When OCD makes it difficult to attend school, complete assignments, or participate in daily activities, specialized support can help children return to learning with greater confidence.
Schedule a Consultation
Your family doesn't have to navigate OCD alone.
Whether your child is struggling with intrusive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, reassurance seeking, or overwhelming anxiety, our team is here to help them build confidence, reduce the impact of OCD, and get back to being a kid.