OCD Therapy for Children, Teens, and Young Adults
Specialized ERP therapy that helps kids break free from obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.
Support for contamination fears, harm obsessions, symmetry needs, and other OCD presentations.
Insurance accepted. Appointments often available within days.




OCD, at a glance
OCD, at a glance
1 in 50
About 1-2% of children and adolescents are affected by OCD.
2+ year delay
Average delay between OCD symptom onset and diagnosis in children.
Highly treatable
60-80% of children respond to ERP-based therapy.
Understanding OCD
What OCD looks like and how it affects daily life.

OCD is a neurobiological condition that causes unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) performed to reduce anxiety.
A licensed clinician evaluates the cycle of obsessions and compulsions and considers overlapping conditions like anxiety or ADHD.
Obsessions
Intrusive, unwanted thoughts that cause significant anxiety. Common themes include contamination, harm, and symmetry.
Compulsions
Repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety. Common examples include washing, checking, and counting.
The OCD Cycle
Obsessions trigger anxiety, compulsions temporarily relieve it, reinforcing the cycle. ERP breaks this pattern.
Common OCD presentations by age
Symptoms look different at every stage of development.

Young Children (4-7)
Repetitive rituals at bedtime
Excessive handwashing
Need for things to be 'just right'
Separation fears tied to rituals
School-Age (8-12)
Intrusive harm thoughts
Checking and rechecking
Avoidance of 'contaminated' items
Difficulty completing homework due to rituals
Teens (13-17)
Mental compulsions and rumination
Social avoidance tied to OCD
Perfectionism and reassurance-seeking
Hidden rituals and shame
Young Adults (18-25)
Impact on work and relationships
Avoidance patterns that limit independence
Masking compulsions
Co-occurring anxiety and depression
How OCD therapy helps
ERP-based strategies for breaking the obsession-compulsion cycle.
- Breaks the obsession-compulsion cycle with ERP
- Builds tolerance for uncertainty and anxiety
- Reduces avoidance behaviors
- Tracks progress with Y-BOCS screening
- Supports school and social functioning

Why families choose Emora
Specialized pediatric OCD care vs. general providers.
Other providers
Licensed pediatric and young adult clinicians
Generalist providers
ERP-trained OCD specialists
Talk therapy without ERP training
Parent-inclusive model
Limited parent involvement
Y-BOCS tracking built into the platform
Limited progress tracking
Insurance accepted
Insurance not always accepted
Virtual sessions reduce OCD-related avoidance
In-office visits can trigger OCD avoidance
Get started in minutes
Three simple steps to connect with the right clinician.
- 1
Share what’s going on
Answer a few questions about symptoms and goals.
- 2
Verify coverage
See insurance estimates and available times.
- 3
Start sessions
Meet your clinician and begin building skills.

Frequently asked questions
What parents and young adults ask most about OCD therapy.
OCD involves two components: obsessions (unwanted, intrusive thoughts that cause distress) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce that distress). If your child spends significant time on rituals, asks for constant reassurance, or seems trapped in repetitive patterns, it may be OCD.
Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is the gold-standard treatment for OCD. It involves gradually facing feared situations while learning to resist performing compulsions. Research shows 60–80% of children improve significantly with ERP — it's the most effective approach available.
Most children see meaningful improvement within 12–16 sessions of ERP-based therapy. Some children benefit from longer treatment depending on OCD severity and how many areas of life it affects.
Yes — OCD affects 1–2% of children and teens, but it's often underdiagnosed because children may hide their symptoms. On average, there's a 2+ year delay between symptom onset and diagnosis.
Yes. Family involvement is critical in OCD treatment. You'll learn how OCD works, how to avoid accidentally reinforcing rituals, and how to support your child's exposure work at home.
Yes, we accept most major insurance plans and verify your coverage before your first appointment. Most families pay between $0 and $30 per session.
Many children achieve significant symptom reduction with proper ERP-based treatment. While OCD is a condition that can wax and wane, the skills learned in therapy provide lasting tools for managing symptoms throughout life.
Real stories of growth
Every session is rated by parents. Our therapists maintain a 4.9+ average, because results matter.
Stefanie has helped me immensely in both my professional and personal life
An Adult client
8 hours ago

Stefanie Luttrell, LPC, NCC, C-DBT
Assurance that there is no judgment.
Parent of a 12 year old
8 hours ago

Monica Valentine, LCSW-A
It went really well, my son felt really good after his call and he even said that he picked a really good therapist.
Parent of a 12 year old
8 hours ago

Blanca Orellana, LPC-A
Leah was very professional, easy to talk to and gave me all the feedback I was looking for. Thank you for all your help!
An Adult client
8 hours ago
Leah Medina, PMHNP, FNP
Kept my son engaged for 60mins and he felt comfortable right away to share. Great experience!
Parent of a 9 year old
9 hours ago

Anita Plank, LCSW
Today was. A hard day that Tara stepped right into with us and was amazing.
Parent of a 12 year old
10 hours ago

Tara Devlin, LCSW
It felt like Kourtney has a good idea of what our family is needing
Parent of a 13 year old
15 hours ago

Kourtney Raven, LPC
Liliana seemed very positive after, was happy to return to school and is excited for her next session!
Parent of an 8 year old
15 hours ago

Mary Barahona, RMHCI
The person listened to me attentively.
An Adult client
18 hours ago

Chiedza Nwakudu, PMHNP
What I thought was helpful was receiving positive self talk and being more aware of my negative thoughts
An Adult client
1 day ago
Katrease Matthews, LPC
She seems like a great fit for my daughter. She is very patient and understanding..
Parent of an 11 year old
1 day ago

Shalena Mosley, LPC
She was amazing and sweet and kind I really loved her
Parent of a 6 year old
1 day ago

Dr. Apree Clicque, PsyD
Loved the activity and work done within the session!
Parent of a 10 year old
1 day ago

Yari Reyes, RMHCI
Jennifer was so amazing and kind she walked us through some tough decision-making and emotions
Parent of an 8 year old
1 day ago

Jennifer Guzman, LPC
She was very helpful. Wish we could move forward with her but I appreciate her help navigating our next steps!
Parent of a 13 year old
1 day ago

Kayla Kimes, PMHNP
She made me comfortable and heard. I am really happy I scheduled my first therapy session with her.
An Adult client
1 day ago

Shanice Watson, LPC-A
My daughter feels comfortable sharing with Ericka and is enjoying her sessions.
Parent of a 12 year old
1 day ago

Ericka Jarvis, LCMHC-A
Was very attentive and caring
An Adult client
1 day ago

Kourtney Raven, LPC
OCD does not define your child
Structured, developmentally informed therapy can help build skills that last.
Not sure where to start? Book a clinical matching session.



