Find an OCD Specialist

Learn how to find a licensed provider with specialized training in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), including telehealth options and what to look for in OCD care.

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Why Finding the Right Care Matters

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Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a complex condition that benefits from specialized assessment and treatment. While many mental health providers work with anxiety, OCD requires a different clinical approach and specific training.

This page is designed to help you find a licensed provider with experience treating OCD and related disorders.

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Why specialization matters

OCD is often misunderstood or misidentified as generalized anxiety, trauma, or perfectionism. When treatment does not account for the unique mechanisms of OCD, symptoms can unintentionally worsen over time.

Working with a provider who has specific training in OCD can improve diagnostic clarity and help ensure that treatment targets the disorder accurately and effectively.

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Who may treat OCD

OCD specialists come from a range of professional backgrounds. Depending on location and scope of practice, this may include:

  • Licensed therapists or counselors

  • Psychologists

  • Psychiatrists

  • Other licensed mental health providers with focused training in OCD

Credentials and availability vary by state, and no single title guarantees specialization. Training and experience matter most.

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Recommended starting point

I recommend using the International OCD Foundation Find Help Directory (IOCDF.org/find-help) as a starting point for locating providers with OCD-specific training.

The directory allows you to:

  • Search by location or telehealth availability

  • Filter by provider type

  • Identify clinicians who focus on OCD and related disorders

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Tips for using a provider directory

Finding the right fit can take time. When reviewing provider profiles or reaching out, consider asking:

  • What training or experience do you have specifically with OCD?

  • How do you typically approach OCD treatment?

  • Do you offer telehealth, and in which states are you licensed?

It’s appropriate to ask questions before scheduling and to continue looking if something doesn’t feel like a good fit.

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A brief note

Directories are a helpful starting point, but they cannot guarantee availability, insurance coverage, or clinical fit. Continuing the search when needed is a normal part of finding specialized care.

If you are a clinician or provider seeking professional education about OCD, training resources are available elsewhere on this site.