At Houston OCD Counseling we only provide the most effective treatment for our clients suffering from OCD, anxiety, and phobias. We implement powerful,
up-to-date therapies and techniques which are based on the latest scientific research.

All of the treatment techniques that we use with our clients are the gold-standard. In other words, there are no other treatments in the world that are more effective tha those that we practice with our clients.

On average, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure-Response Prevention (ERP) reduce the symptoms of OCD by 60-70%! We also include other proven treatments, in conjunction with CBT and ERP, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness techniques, relaxation training, educational seminars for clients and families, support groups, and referrals to other qualified health professionals.

TREATMENT WITH COMPASSION AND CARE AT HOUSTON OCD COUNSELING

“I am more intimately involved with my clients and their families than per se a clinic, a hospital, or a multi-day intensive treatment program. It is this way between my clients and myself because there are no barriers or obstacles between us. Clients get better results when they can trust and relate to their therapist. A comprehensive understanding of my clients’ and a strong relationship leads to an effective, individualized treatment plan in contrast to a cookie-cutter treatment plan monitored by a non-licensed psych tech or a different counselor for each group.”

-Michael Soderstrom, MA, LPC-S

(Michael is a compassionate Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor who has personally experienced and overcome OCD thus giving him an inside perspective with his clients during the treatment process. He has a passion for always being on the cutting-edge of the latest, most effective treatment methods for OCD and anxiety disorders. He is motivated to help you beat OCD.)

COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (CBT)

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy​ (​CBT​) is a ​psycho-social intervention​ that aims to improve ​mental health​. CBT focuses on challenging and changing unhelpful ​cognitive distortions​ (e.g. thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes) and behaviors, improving ​emotional regulation​, and the development of personal ​coping strategies​ that target solving current problems. Originally, it was designed to treat ​depression​, but its uses have been expanded to include treatment of a number of mental health conditions, including anxiety​ disorders, OCD, and phobias. CBT includes a number of cognitive or behavior psychotherapies that treat defined psychopathologies using evidence-based techniques and strategies.​ ​Numerous research studies of various behavioral treatments confirm that CBT is by far the most empirically supported psychotherapeutic option in the treatment of OCD, anxiety disorders, and phobias. Thus, CBT is the gold standard in the behavioral treatment of patients with these behavioral disorders.

EXPOSURE/RESPONSE PREVENTION (ERP)

Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is a variant of exposure therapy that is recommended by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the International OCD Foundation, and the Mayo Clinic as the first-line treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) citing that it has the richest empirical support for both youth, adolescent, and adult outcomes. ERP is predicated on the idea that a ​therapeutic​ effect is achieved as subjects confront their fears, but refrain from engaging in the escape response or ritual that delays or eliminates distress. In the case of individuals with OCD or an anxiety disorder, there is a thought or situation that causes distress. Individuals usually combat this distress through specific behaviors that include avoidance or rituals. However, ERP involves purposefully evoking fear, anxiety, and or distress in the individual by exposing him/her to the feared stimulus. The response prevention then involves having the individual refrain from the ritualistic or otherwise compulsive behavior that functions to decrease distress. The patient is then taught to tolerate distress until it fades away on its own, thereby learning that rituals are not always necessary to decrease distress or anxiety. Over repeated practice of ERP, patients with OCD expect to find that they can have obsessive thoughts and images but not have the need to engage in compulsive rituals to decrease distress. The AACAP and the IOCDF’s practice parameters for OCD recommend Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and more specifically ERP, as the first-line treatment for youth and adults with mild to moderate severity OCD and combination psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy for severe OCD.

RELAXATION TRAINING

Relaxation training is a powerful tool used by therapists and individuals for the improvement of mental health. Different activities or methods are used in relaxation training like progressive muscle relaxation, breathing exercises, guided meditation, and visualization. These techniques help to relax the mind and body and bring a state of calmness to reduce fears, depression, and anxiety. Relaxation Training helps our clients utilize other therapies more successfully. At Houston OCD Counseling we can show you how to practice these effective techniques to help you overcome OCD, anxiety, and phobias.

OCD SUPPORT GROUPS

We provide educational support groups for adolescents and adults with licensed counselors to help provide support for people suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders. Houston OCD Counseling plans to add additional support groups in the future to assist a larger, more diverse audience and provide a helping hand for people to overcome the hopelessness and anxiety that results from suffering from OCD and numerous anxiety disorders.

EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS FOR PARENTS, FAMILIES, AND CLIENTS

Houston OCD Counseling fundamentally believes in helping many suffering people and their families in the greater Houston area to overcome OCD, anxiety disorders, and phobias. We will continue to educate, inspire, and comprehensively treat every single individual tormented with obsessive fears, impulsive compulsions, and anxiety. Michael Soderstrom, MA, LPC-S conducts regular psychoeducational seminars and presentations in Houston with other local OCD experts. Michael is an eloquent and effective speaker who has conducted presentations for Fortune 500 companies, mental health institutions, and continuing education for mental health professionals. He speaks about the treatment of OCD, anxiety disorders, and helping families assist in better treatment outcomes for the sufferer.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION, TESTING, AND DIAGNOSIS

Houston OCD Counseling offers comprehensive psychological testing and evaluation. This assessment and evaluation method uses multiple techniques and tests to gather crucial psychological information. Our evaluation will also collect all relevant background, personal, and cognitive-behavioral data that is synthesized to create your evidence-based treatment plan. The plan you will use to overcome your mental health condition. Our fees are very reasonable for the behavioral evaluation, multiple assessments, and psychological tests. All testing is completed at home so that our time together can be maximized for the evaluation and assessment of your mental condition. This will assist me in determining your specific, individualized treatment plan based entirely on your mental health condition and the things that make you unique as a person.