How Does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Help with OCD?

The first step to treating OCD is building awareness about what is real and what is not. Your child must be able to see past their fears and worries and focus on reality. 

Through CBT, your counselor will help the child confront their obsessive thoughts, worries, images, and fears. From there, it will gradually become easier to avoid the compulsive behaviors being used as a coping mechanism. 

Ultimately, we will show your child that the less time and attention they give to their obsessive thoughts, the less affected they are by them. This is not a goal that can be achieved overnight, but with our tools and strategies, your child will ultimately overcome their anxiety.

How Else You Can Help a Child Experiencing Anxiety and/or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Unfortunately, it is not just the child who is affected by an OCD or anxiety diagnosis. It can cause conflict and increase stress in a way that is felt by the whole family. 

The best way to help a child experiencing anxiety and/or OCD is by connecting them with a qualified counselor. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is proven to be the most effective method for treating OCD and thereby avoiding some of the long-term consequences that can occur without treatment. 

In addition to counseling and CBT, there are other things you can do at home to support a child with OCD. The first is to understand that your child is not trying to be difficult. This disorder can be very frustrating for you and for other members of the family, especially when compulsive behaviors make you late to work or school. However, it’s important to remember that compulsive behaviors are usually the result of extremely distressing thoughts and your child’s time-consuming rituals are a coping mechanism.

Keep in mind that your child’s OCD is typically accompanied by anxiety, sometimes debilitating them from functioning at school, socially or even at home. So they may find it helpful to engage in healthy anxiety-reducing behaviors, like yoga, meditation, relaxed breathing, and more. There are also many YouTube videos and apps specifically for children that you may find helpful. 

You can also look for ways to help your child stay active and eat a well-balanced diet. Most people are unaware that the primary neurotransmitter at play with OCD is serotonin of which 95% is manufactured in the lining of our gut. The Brain-gut Axis theory has now shown us how balanced diets of vegetables and fruits are necessary for our mental health. At NPS, we address the critical nature of a healthy gut biome and coach clients on how to make small changes in eating that can bring about more healthy neurotransmitter production in the gut.