In the United States, about 1 in 40 adults will be diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) during their lifetime, and roughly 1 in 100 children and teens live with the condition.1 A disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors or rituals, OCD is also one of the most frequently misdiagnosed behavioral health disorders, often leading to patient distress, symptom escalation, and higher costs due to misguided treatment.2
Despite these challenges, OCD is highly treatable. Exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy is a first-line treatment for OCD3,4,5 that works by gradually exposing patients to stimuli that evoke their obsessions, associated distress, and urges to do compulsi. The therapist guides patients to resist those behaviors, so both the distress and the urge to do the behaviors decrease over time. But patients can’t always access ERP-based therapy, whether due to a lack of transportation, time, or finances.4
To deliver consistent care, NOCD developed a digital ERP program that uses live video sessions, app-based tools, community forums, and therapist messaging between sessions to support patients with OCD. On average, most patients receive three weeks of twice-weekly video ERP sessions, six weeks of weekly check-ins and follow-up assessments.6