Obsessive Compulsive Disorder New York

3 Top-Rated OCD Therapists in Brooklyn

Liza Mordkovich, LCSW

Liza Mordkovich
  • Education: Masters degrees in art therapy and counseling, masters in social work with a concentration on mental health
  • Services: Individual psychotherapy, biopsychosocial assessments, coaching
  • Specializations: Perinatal mental health, anxiety, sleep issues, obsessive compulsive disorder, phobias, panic disorder, personality disorders, couples therapy, depression, trauma/grief and ptsd, ADHD 
  • Therapeutic Orientation: Cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention for OCD, prolonged exposure, cognitive processing therapy 
  • Years in Practice: 20 years in practice and 12 years in private practice. 
  • Learn more about Liza Here

Gabrielle Jakob LMHC

gabrielle jakob
 

 

  • Education: Masters in mental health counseling
  • Services: Psychotherapy for individuals, couples and families and coaching.
  • Specializations: Couples therapy, anxiety disorders, perinatal mental health, depression, trauma, ADHD.
  • Therapeutic Orientation: Cognitive behavioral therapy, Gottman level 3, solution focused psychotherapy. 
  • Years in Practice: 15 years in practice 
  • Learn more about Gabrielle Here

Patricia Giarraffa, MHC-LP

Patricia Giarraffa
 
 
  • Education: Masters in school counseling and masters in mental health counseling
  • Services: Psychotherapy for individuals, teens, couples and family. 
  • Specializations: Anxiety disorders, depression, teens and children, parenting support, obsessive compulsive disorder. 
  • Therapeutic Orientation: Cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy and exposure and response prevention. 
  • Years in Practice: 3 years in practice
  • Learn more about Patricia Here

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder New York

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a mental health disorder categorized by obsessions and compulsions. Often referred to as the “DOUBT DISORDER” because those with OCD want to know something for 100% certainty when this isn’t possible.

Obsessions are intrusive thoughts, frightening images that trigger overwhelming anxiety. Compulsions are behaviors an individual engages to rid themselves or naturalize the anxiety. If you have noticed that it takes you longer to get ready in the morning and leave your house because of rituals or routines that you just “have to do “than you may have OCD.

The obsessions need to be more pronounced and cause significant distress in order to be categorized as “obsessions”. If you find that most of your day is made up of intrusive thoughts and worrying about intrusive thoughts then it may be helpful for you to get screened for OCD.

There are different OCD subtypes. 

Here are some common OCD types:

Cleaning woman

Contamination OCD

When you think of OCD, most will consider this subtype. Obsessions could include fears around germs, bodily fluid, dirt, household cleaners, and environmental contamination. Compulsions can include excessive cleaning, avoiding places, or excessive hand washing.

Harm OCD

This subtype is consumed with scary and persistent fears around harming others thus causing them to avoid certain items or situations or places. For example, avoiding being around a knife “What if I stab my friend with this knife?” Avoiding any movie, news or article that describes harmdoing such as a murder: “Did I just enjoy reading/watching that? Am I a murderer?”

Compulsions may involve reassurance seeking from those around: “Am I a good person? Would I do this?” Avoidance, as mentioned above, is a compulsion. Checking behavior to make sure you don’t have a thought or haven’t actually done something harmful. Ritual behavior may include confessing everything and anything that you did.

Nature arid dry plants, succulents
Flowers

Sexual Orientation OCD

This subtype is categorized around sexual thoughts and sexuality. For example, intrusive thoughts around whether or not you could be a homosexual: “I just smiled at this person. Does that mean I’m gay?”

Because OCD is the DOUBT disorder, you may feel you need to know sexual orientation with 100% certainty. Thus, leads to compulsions of avoiding (avoiding speaking to friends, people). Another compulsion is checking physical sensations to see if you are aroused.

The obsessions and compulsions are nonstop and distressing!

We understand that struggling with obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors related to sexual orientation can be difficult and overwhelming. That’s why we approach each patient with empathy and understanding, recognizing the unique and individual needs of each person.

Pedophile OCD

This subtype consumes thoughts of whether or not they are a pedophile and therefore have attraction or have harmed children. These people aren’t pedophiles but are so scared and preoccupied with wondering if they are that this causes severe anxiety.

Compulsions of avoiding movies with children, playgrounds, children altogether. You ARE NOT a real pedophile similar to someone with harm OCD really ISNT a murdered but the thoughts remain.

Girl Explaining Her Problems To Psychiatrist
Girl Explaining Her Problems To Psychiatrist

Relationship OCD

Those of you with preoccupied thoughts around relationships and seeking certainty! Constantly questioning: “Am I still in love? ”Do they still love me?”. The OCD obsessions will not let you go about your day because you feel you must know your feelings and their feelings about the relationship. Compulsions may be seeking constant reassurance from your partner or others. Another common compulsion is making lists and mental tracking: eg. Listing reasons you DO love the person. The obsessions and compulsions cause anxiety and take up most of the day.

“Just right” OCD

Believing something is wrong and engaging in rituals to make it feel right. An example could be that furniture needs to be moved over and over again until you feel that it’s finally “right”. Someone may feel they need to express themselves perfectly and will reread emails over and over again for hours until they can send. “Just right” OCD is also a desire for perfectionism when perfectionism isn’t attainable.

OCD or obsessive compulsive disorder concept
Girl Explaining Her Problems To Psychiatrist

Pure-O OCD

When an individual experiences pure Obsessions without visible compulsions or rituals. The obsessions tend to be intrusive, inappropriate, distressing, unwanted thoughts or images. This is generally followed by rumination and reassurance seeking.

Scrupulosity OCD

This subtype is consumed with religious or moral beliefs. Obsessions concerning sin, blasphemy, going to hell, being immoral, punishment and death. Compulsions may be excessive trips to confessions, reassurance, self-sacrifice, and making pacts with God. Like with any OCD, the obsessions cause tremendous distress, consuming and anxiety provoking.

Fog in the forest
Sea sunset

Exposure and Response Prevention

Exposure and Response Prevention gradually exposes to the things that are scary in order to desensitize. In a nutshell, the more you do what you are fearful of, the least scary it becomes. To learn more about ERP, click HERE.

Get the Best OCD Treatment and Support in NYC - Contact Brooklyn Mindful Today

At Brooklyn Mindful in NYC, we understand just how challenging obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders can be. That’s why we’re committed to providing the best possible treatment and support to patients in the New York area. Our team of licensed clinical therapists and psychologists are highly trained and experienced in treating OCD and related disorders. We use a blend of cutting-edge research, proven techniques, and a caring approach to help our patients overcome their OCD symptoms. Whether you prefer individual therapy, group therapy, or a combination of both, we have the expertise and resources to design a personalized treatment plan that works for you.

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We believe that support and community play a crucial role in the treatment of OCD and related disorders. That’s why we offer a variety of support groups and resources for our patients, in addition to individual therapy services. Don’t let OCD continue to hold you back. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you find hope and support on your path to recovery.

Therapist New York, NY