AI technology is evolving fast—and it’s already making a big impact in mental healthcare. At NOCD, we use AI to support our human-first approach to OCD treatment. But let’s be clear: AI doesn’t replace our highly-trained, specialized therapists. An experienced, licensed ERP clinician guides every Member. AI simply helps our therapists work more efficiently and stay focused on what matters most—delivering expert, personalized care. It’s the best of both worlds.
We believe in the power and potential of AI, and we also know that exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy—the most effective form of OCD treatment—requires human therapists. Facing fears and learning new responses can be uncomfortable, and real progress happens when Members work with a human therapist who can recognize nuance, hold them accountable, and ensure they’re moving forward in a way that’s both challenging and sustainable.
How AI helps our therapists do their jobs
At NOCD, AI plays a significant role in our crisis detection by identifying and prioritizing individuals at high risk within our community for urgent outreach. AI then alerts human moderators to step in and assess the Member’s situation quickly. By combining AI with human support, we ensure that Members receive timely, compassionate care—while still relying on a specialized, human therapist to tailor each response with a deep understanding of both the condition and the individual.
AI technology has also made a big difference in supporting our therapists with administrative tasks, allowing them to spend more time focused on our Members. Building strong therapeutic relationships takes time—as does crafting the individualized treatment plans that help Members progress and thrive. AI makes this possible by minimizing the time our clinical team spends on paperwork, allowing them to focus on working one-on-one with Members.
Why human connection matters in OCD treatment
At NOCD, we believe the foundation of effective OCD treatment is a strong human connection. Our therapists are highly trained specialists who understand how distressing and ego-dystonic intrusive thoughts can be. They meet Members with empathy, not judgment—especially when OCD targets taboo or deeply personal themes. “If you’ve ever been judged by a therapist, that person was not a specialist in OCD,” says Tracie Ibrahim, LMFT, CST, Chief Compliance Officer and therapist at NOCD.
OCD isn’t one-size-fits-all. Symptoms evolve, and successful treatment requires someone who can recognize those changes and respond with insight and nuance. Our therapists form genuine relationships with Members that make it easier to do the hard work together, guiding them through exposure hierarchies, adjusting plans when progress stalls, and offering daily clinical support behind the scenes.
AI can enhance parts of the treatment process, but it can’t replace the instincts, empathy, and clinical judgment that human therapists bring to every session. “As therapists, we’re able to pay attention to human cues and pick up on things that are happening with the people we’re working with,” says Ibrahim.
Even though opening up can be scary, there’s nothing quite like talking to another person who truly understands and can empathize—without judgment. We want everyone with OCD to have this opportunity, which is why we’ve invested in fostering human connection at NOCD—both through our community and our highly trained clinicians.
Find the right OCD therapist for you
All our therapists are licensed and trained in exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), the gold standard treatment for OCD.
Bottom line
AI is changing the landscape of mental healthcare, and at NOCD, our therapists use this cutting-edge technology to make our treatment better. AI helps us identify and prioritize high-risk individuals for urgent outreach, track Member progress, and assist with administrative tasks. This allows us to respond to Member needs as they arise, and our therapists have more time available to devote to therapy.
Effective OCD treatment depends on human connection, accountability, and personalized care. That’s why we use innovative AI to support—not replace—our therapists. This way, Members benefit from the efficiency of AI and the expert, personalized treatment our highly trained clinicians provide.
At our core, we’re focused on making OCD treatment as affordable and accessible as possible. That’s why we partner with over 40 major insurance providers, including Aetna, United Healthcare, Cigna, and various Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. This extensive network enables NOCD to offer therapy to over 155 million Americans. No one should have to wait for effective, specialized treatment. Everyone with OCD deserves to reclaim their life, and our human therapists are with our Members every step of the way.