OCD Intensive Treatment Service

Our OCD intensive treatment service is built on the same strong evidence and treatment principles for OCD that are recognized globally and here at NOCD. Research consistently shows symptom reduction (up to 47%) in peer-reviewed studies evaluating ERP-based intensives. At NOCD, we are proud that our approach to ERP therapy has been validated in the largest peer-reviewed study of OCD treatment ever of individual therapy, and our members experience meaningful results. We are proud to expand our services to include intensive treatment offerings to serve the needs of our community.

Yes, we are part of the same dedicated community striving to get clients the help they need without the burden of extensive travel. A crucial step in our admission process is to coordinate closely with your client's current treatment team. Please note, we ask that you do not refer clients who have not yet completed 8 or more sessions of ERP treatment and show medical necessity for a primary OCD that is not majorly complicated by another disorder, as this intensive is designed for those who have not made sufficient improvement after that initial level of care. Please click here to visit our form for providers to submit a referral.

Our intensive treatment combines comprehensive psychoeducation and group process to help you truly understand how OCD works, hands-on ERP focusing on exposures without compulsions, and practical skills for navigating intrusive thoughts and integrating ERP effectively into your daily life—not just within the day of your treatment. We also incorporate CBT methods for OCD treatment alongside values, motivation, and creativity. Our well trained staff help you navigate with a deep understanding of how to use the skills with your OCD subtypes and navigating relationships in living with OCD.

For adults 18+ in California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Montana, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Wisconsin, or Wyoming who have completed at least 8 ERP sessions without sufficient progress and meet medical necessity criteria. Current NOCD members require a therapist referral. Those new to NOCD should discuss their application to the program with their therapist so we can coordinate care. This program is designed for OCD, illness anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, and/or emetophobia.

The schedule of the intensive treatment runs for up to eight consecutive weeks. You'll attend sessions Monday to Thursday, from 12 PM–3 PM MST, receiving consistent, focused treatment. Our service is based on treatment outcomes. Some members may be discharged earlier based on treatment progress. We recommend that you plan for the 8 weeks.

The Intensive is structured as eight consecutive weeks, with progress evaluated weekly using standardized measures and clinical assessments to monitor symptom change and treatment response. While some members may complete treatment earlier based on their clinical progress, we recommend planning for the full eight weeks of treatment.

The OCD Intensive Treatment Service is currently offered on a cash-pay basis. During your pre-screen appointment, we will discuss the financial details of treatment and review what your insurance may have covered for a comparable service. Payment plans are available for those who need them.

We are actively pursuing in-network agreements with additional insurance plans to expand access to care. In the meantime, we work individually with members to make treatment as accessible as possible, including exploring financial options based on individual circumstances and insurance coverage. If you are interested in the Intensive but have concerns about affordability, we encourage you to reach out so we can discuss available options. Please submit your information above to connect with our team.

Unfortunately, Medicaid plans are not eligible for this service, including for cash-pay participation.
An admission assessment is required to determine clinical fit and medical necessity. If you do not meet admission criteria, we will provide appropriate treatment recommendations, which may include another level of care or referral options.

To maintain personal, effective, and safe interactions, we limit each 3-8 week cohort to 12 participants at this time.

In short, not at this time. However, you will need to discuss with your therapist to determine if you have a clinical recommendation for a higher level of care and if it is medically necessary.

You will need to discuss with your therapist to determine if you have a clinical recommendation for a higher level of care and if it is medically necessary. You can submit your application to our program and we will coordinate with your treatment team and diagnostics for next steps. Care is determined by medical necessity which relates to both severity and function in your day to day living.

The Intensive OCD Treatment provides ERP and comprehensive therapeutic support in a more intensive, structured, and group-supported format than traditional weekly sessions. Our platform offers once a week therapy with your assigned intensive therapist, group process, psychoeducation, and peer support, and the support of the intensive community you see each day. This allows for deeper and faster progress in a shorter time frame. However, it's important to note that this higher level of care is not suitable for everyone and does require a certain level of impairment in your day-to-day functioning to be medically necessary.

Upon completion, you will collaborate with our team to develop a personalized aftercare plan. This plan is crucial for continuing your ERP practice and may include ongoing weekly therapy, joining support groups, or engaging in skills, and daily check-ins to maintain your progress and ensure lasting recovery.

No. The Intensive offers the flexibility of virtual treatment in many states in the future. We are currently enrolling members who are located in California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Montana, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Wisconsin, or Wyoming at the time of treatment. Because licensure requirements vary by state, members must be physically located in an eligible state when receiving care.

Some members choose to travel to another state during the course of treatment. If you plan to travel, please reach out to your treatment team in advance to confirm whether you can continue participating in the Intensive while traveling.

We are excited about the future growth of this service and its potential expansion to additional states. If you are unsure whether the Intensive—or NOCD therapy more generally—is right for you, we encourage you to speak with your current NOCD therapist or reach out to our Intensive team to discuss whether you meet the admission criteria.

You can submit an inquiry above to have a member of the Intensive team reach out to you.

Given the intensive nature of this treatment, consistent attendance is strongly encouraged to ensure participants receive the full benefit of the therapeutic experience. However, we recognize that unforeseen circumstances may arise. Therefore, participants are permitted to miss a limited amount of time throughout the course of your treatment. This allowance balances flexibility with the need to maintain the integrity and effectiveness of the treatment process. While maintaining employment during the duration of treatment is possible, participants should be aware that the treatment includes therapeutic assignments and engagement, including the practice of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) outside of scheduled session time assigned in the NOCD app. This is not a lecture or teaching-based platform, it is treatment and a high level of engagement is expected. As such, a temporary leave of absence or workplace accommodations may be recommended to support full engagement in treatment and optimize outcomes.

Each participant is assigned a primary therapist who provides weekly individual therapy and closely monitors progress throughout the duration of the treatment, ensuring consistent and personalized support amongst the team. In addition to 1 weekly individual session with your intensive therapist, participants will attend group therapy, group psychoeducation and process, support from our peer specialist, and ERP practice check-ins facilitated by a team of experienced clinicians. This rotation among group facilitators offers a variety of perspectives and therapeutic approaches, while the primary therapist ensures continuity of care and tracks overall progress in treatment.