A behind-the-scenes look at who I network with and who I’d actually trust to treat OCD
READ TIME : 4 min
So I recently scrolled through dozens of therapist profiles on Psychology Today who claimed to treat OCD.
I wanted to network with people who I’d feel good referring clients to in the future, because my practice is almost full. Solid plan I thought…
But here’s what I noticed…
A lot of therapists say they treat OCD, but their profiles didn’t reflect actual OCD expertise. So I’m gonna take you behind the scenes.
Here’s what I look for before I reach out: (aka: what tells me they’re the real deal):
OCD listed in their top 3 specialties
→ That tells me they’re confident in treating OCD and likely are passionate about it too (since they are directly asking for these clients).
Mention of ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) because this is the gold standard in treating OCD
→ Or other evidence-based modalities like ACT or I-CBT (because these are also shown to be effective in the research)
They actually talk about OCD in their write-up, not just a long list of conditions
Bonus points if…
They’ve completed IOCDF BTTI training
They link to a website that clearly shows their OCD expertise
Their treatment specialties and modalities don’t look like they just clicked every button possible, they’re intentional
Other therapists mention OCD or ERP in reviews on their profile
Is this a strict checklist? Not necessarily.
These aren’t hard rules, but they are the filters I use when I want to feel confident in someone’s ability to treat OCD well. (Followed up by a phone call or in-person chat of course)
So you’re probably curious what makes me swipe past a profile?
OCD buried in a list of 20+ specialties
ERP, ACT, or I-CBT missing entirely
A generic bio that could apply to literally anyone
If the self-pay rate is super low (this is how I predict burnout primarily)
Why does this matter for clients?
Because if I wouldn’t reach out to them as a colleague, then I wouldn’t send you to them for treatment.
OCD deserves targeted, evidence-based care...not a generalist approach.
Therapists: It’s okay to not treat everything.
You don’t need to list every diagnosis under the sun.
Knowing your lane and owning it actually builds trust.
There's a major shortage of therapists who are properly trained in ERP, even though it's the gold standard for OCD and related disorders.
And even among those who say they use ERP, the work is often oversimplified or diluted. It's not just about exposing someone to their fears...it's about doing it in a way that's structured, collaborative, and actually addresses the compulsions keeping them stuck.
Therapists also need to work through their own discomfort with exposures. Because if we're not confident in the process, clients won't be either.
I'm really intentional about who I network with and refer to. OCD deserves real treatment, not just reassurance disguised as therapy.
If you’re a therapist who truly treats OCD (using ERP, ACT, or I-CBT), I’d love to connect, especially if you’re in Central New York.
And if you’re a client looking for solid OCD care, I hope this helps you scroll a little smarter.
Hi, I’m Michelle
I’ve been working in mental health since 2010 and struggling with anxiety for oh, idk, maybe my entire life.
And with my lived experience having anxiety, I know what works, what doesn’t, and what makes things feel worse. In here, you’re not alone, and I’ll work with you to shed the shame along with the anxiety. And by using evidence-based practices, I’ll help you recover, not just feel better.