You’ll finally have the tools to face your fears without performing compulsions. Most people see significant symptom reduction within 8-16 weeks of consistent treatment.
The constant mental battles quiet down. You stop avoiding situations that trigger your obsessions. Your relationships improve because OCD no longer dictates your choices.
This isn’t about managing symptoms forever—it’s about breaking the cycle that keeps you stuck. You learn that anxiety decreases naturally when you stop feeding it with compulsions.
The Anxiety and OCD Institute brings together nationally recognized researchers, published clinicians, and advocates—many with lived experience of OCD themselves. This unique combination gives us insight that goes beyond textbook knowledge.
We’ve been serving the Waco community with evidence-based care that’s both scientifically rigorous and deeply empathetic. In a college town where students and families face unique pressures, we understand how OCD shows up differently for different people.
Our team includes clinicians formally trained through the International OCD Foundation, with experience treating OCD since 2006. We know that one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to recovery.
First, you’ll work with your therapist to understand your specific obsessions and compulsions. Together, you’ll create a hierarchy of situations that trigger your OCD, starting with less challenging exposures and building up.
During exposure sessions, you’ll face these triggers without performing your usual compulsions. Your therapist guides you through managing the anxiety that comes up. This teaches your brain that the anxiety will decrease naturally without needing to perform rituals.
The process is gradual and collaborative. You’re never forced into situations you’re not ready for, but your OCD will be challenged. Sessions can range from weekly appointments to intensive daily treatment, depending on your needs and symptom severity.
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You have options beyond traditional weekly therapy. Intensive outpatient programs provide 45+ hours of individual support with 24/7 access to your therapist when you need guidance between sessions.
For Waco residents, this means getting the intensive care you need without leaving your community. Whether you’re a Baylor student dealing with academic pressures or a working parent juggling family responsibilities, treatment adapts to your schedule and circumstances.
Our approach combines individual ERP sessions with family education and support. This is especially important in Central Texas, where family connections run deep and everyone benefits when they understand how to support your recovery without enabling compulsions.
ERP therapy has a 65-80% success rate in treating OCD across all age groups, making it the most effective psychological treatment available. Research consistently shows that about two-thirds of people who complete ERP experience significant symptom improvement.
Most people see noticeable changes within 8-16 weeks of consistent treatment. Some intensive programs report even higher success rates, with 73% of participants achieving remission and another 22% showing significant response.
The key is working with a therapist who specializes in OCD and has formal training in ERP techniques. Generic therapy approaches simply don’t have the same track record for OCD treatment.
Intensive ERP involves substantially longer and more concentrated sessions than regular outpatient treatment. Instead of one hour per week, you might have multiple hours of therapy per day over a shorter time period.
This concentrated approach can lead to faster symptom reduction because there are fewer interruptions between exposure sessions. Your brain has less time to “forget” what it learned in the previous session, making the treatment more efficient.
Weekly therapy works well for maintenance and milder symptoms, but intensive programs are often recommended when OCD severely disrupts daily life or when traditional weekly care hasn’t provided sufficient relief.
No, ERP is always gradual and collaborative. You and your therapist create a hierarchy starting with less challenging situations and building up over time as you develop confidence and skills.
The process meets you where you are emotionally and practically. You won’t be forced into anything you’re not ready for, but your OCD will be appropriately challenged to promote real change.
Your therapist guides you through managing the anxiety that comes up during exposures, teaching you that these feelings naturally decrease without needing to perform compulsions. The goal is building your tolerance for uncertainty and discomfort, not overwhelming you.
Most people begin seeing symptom reduction within 8-16 weeks of consistent ERP treatment, though everyone’s timeline is different. Some notice changes sooner, while others with more complex presentations may need longer.
Intensive programs can accelerate this timeline significantly. Some concentrated formats show meaningful improvement within just a few weeks because of the increased frequency and duration of treatment sessions.
The key factors affecting timeline include symptom severity, how long you’ve had OCD, your commitment to the process, and whether you’re working with a specialist trained specifically in ERP techniques. Consistency matters more than speed.
Yes, ERP is especially effective for severe and treatment-resistant OCD. Many people who haven’t responded to other approaches find significant relief with properly implemented ERP therapy.
Intensive outpatient programs and residential options are specifically designed for individuals whose symptoms severely impact daily functioning. These programs provide the structure and support needed when weekly therapy isn’t sufficient.
The average time between initial OCD diagnosis and finding effective treatment is unfortunately 17.5 years, often because people haven’t had access to specialists trained in evidence-based ERP techniques. Working with the right clinician makes all the difference.
Family involvement is often crucial for successful ERP treatment. Family members frequently become involved in performing compulsions or providing excessive reassurance, which can actually maintain OCD symptoms.
ERP treatment includes family education about how to support your recovery without enabling compulsions. This might involve learning when not to provide reassurance and how to encourage exposure practice at home.
In Waco’s close-knit community culture, family support can significantly impact treatment success. When everyone understands how OCD works and how to respond helpfully, it creates a more supportive environment for lasting recovery.
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