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OCD Treatment Centers in Philadelphia

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can quietly take over how a person thinks, plans, and moves through the day. Intrusive thoughts, repetitive behaviors, and constant mental checking can make even simple routines feel exhausting. When OCD overlaps with anxiety, trauma, depression, or substance use, symptoms can become even more difficult to manage. MPower Wellness provides OCD treatment in Philadelphia through an integrated mental health and addiction recovery model.

Author: Tom DeVitis, MA, LPC, CAADC

1 min read

Date Published: December 17, 2025

What Is OCD, and When Do You Need an OCD Therapist Pennsylvania

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition marked by persistent, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges known as obsessions, along with compulsive behaviors or mental rituals intended to reduce distress. These compulsions may provide temporary relief, but they ultimately reinforce anxiety and keep OCD patterns in place.

At MPower Wellness, OCD is approached as a condition involving anxiety, fear responses, and learned behavior patterns rather than simply “bad habits” or lack of control. OCD is closely related to anxiety disorders, yet it requires specialized treatment that targets both thought patterns and behavioral responses. Without appropriate care, symptoms often become more rigid over time, interfering with work, relationships, and overall quality of life.

How OCD Affects Anxiety Disorders, Mental Health, and Substance Use

OCD presents differently for each person. Some individuals struggle with fears related to contamination, safety, or responsibility, while others experience intrusive thoughts tied to harm, morality, relationships, or identity. Compulsions may involve visible behaviors such as checking or cleaning, or internal rituals like mental reviewing or reassurance seeking.

Over time, OCD can:

Increase baseline anxiety and emotional fatigue
Disrupt focus, productivity, and sleep
Strain relationships with loved ones
Contribute to depression or panic symptoms
Reduce flexibility and sense of autonomy

For some individuals, alcohol or other substances become a way to quiet intrusive thoughts or reduce anxiety. While this may feel helpful in the short term, substance use often worsens OCD symptoms and lowers distress tolerance. This is why MPower integrates OCD treatment with substance use recovery for dual diagnosis treatment when needed, rather than addressing each issue separately.

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OCD Symptoms and Related Conditions

OCD symptoms are not always obvious from the outside. Many individuals experience intense internal distress while appearing functional in daily life.

Common symptoms addressed in treatment include:

Intrusive, distressing thoughts or images
Repetitive behaviors such as checking, cleaning, or counting
Mental compulsions, including reassurance seeking or reviewing thoughts
Avoidance of people, places, or situations that trigger anxiety
Heightened distress when compulsions are resisted

MPower Wellness also treats OCD-related and co-occurring conditions, including:

Body dysmorphic disorder
Hair-pulling disorder (trichotillomania)
Skin picking disorder (excoriation disorder)
Depression and other anxiety disorders
Substance use disorders linked to anxiety or compulsive coping

A thorough assessment by our clinicians helps clarify diagnosis, identify contributing factors, and guide a treatment plan that supports both symptom reduction and long-term recovery.

OCD Therapy Philadelphia: Compassionate Care at MPower Wellness

OCD treatment at MPower Wellness is built around the understanding that lasting change requires more than symptom management. When substance use, trauma, or depression is present, treatment addresses all conditions together. This integrated approach helps individuals build tolerance for uncertainty, reduce reliance on compulsions or substances, and develop coping skills that support stability beyond the therapy room.

OCD treatment at MPower Wellness is offered across multiple levels of care, allowing individuals to receive the right balance of structure, flexibility, and clinical support. Programs are designed to address obsessive-compulsive disorder alongside anxiety, trauma, and substance use, to help individuals move forward with greater flexibility, confidence, and control over their daily lives.

Drug and Alcohol Detox

While OCD itself does not require detox, some individuals enter treatment using substances to manage anxiety or intrusive thoughts. Drug and alcohol detox provides medical supervision and stabilization when substance use is present, creating a safer foundation for OCD-focused therapy.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

The partial hospitalization program provides full-day OCD treatment while allowing individuals to return home in the evenings. PHP is appropriate for those who need consistent therapeutic structure without overnight care and supports the application of skills in daily life.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

IOP supports individuals managing OCD while balancing work, school, or family responsibilities. Treatment includes structured therapy several days per week, reinforcing exposure-based work, emotional regulation, and relapse prevention strategies.

MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED

Up to 100% of the costs covered by insurance. At MPower Wellness, we accept most insurance plans. Verify your insurance to get information about your coverage.

Explore Therapies Used in OCD Treatment

OCD therapy at MPower Wellness integrates evidence-based and experiential approaches to support symptom reduction, emotional regulation, and long-term recovery.

EMDR Therapy

EMDR may be used when OCD symptoms are linked to trauma or distressing memories. By reducing emotional reactivity, EMDR can help lower triggers that intensify obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors.

Motivational Interviewing

Motivational interviewing supports individuals who feel ambivalent about treatment or behavior change. This approach strengthens engagement and helps individuals move toward recovery at a pace that feels manageable.

Individual Therapy

Individual therapy provides a structured space to address OCD symptoms, anxiety, and substance use patterns. Sessions focus on insight, skill-building, and consistent progress toward treatment goals.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps individuals recognize and change thought patterns that maintain OCD. CBT often supports exposure and response prevention work and reinforces emotional regulation skills.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT supports distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and impulse control. These skills are especially helpful for individuals with intense anxiety, emotional reactivity, or co-occurring substance use.

Somatic Therapy

Somatic therapy focuses on nervous system regulation and body awareness. This approach supports individuals who experience physical anxiety or difficulty tolerating distress during exposure work.

Mindfulness-Based Therapy

Mindfulness practices help individuals observe thoughts without reacting to them. Mindfulness supports reduced reactivity to intrusive thoughts and strengthens emotional flexibility.

Art Therapy

Art therapy provides a nonverbal outlet for processing anxiety, fear, and internal experiences related to OCD. Creative expression supports emotional regulation and stress reduction.

Yoga Therapy

Yoga therapy supports grounding, body awareness, and stress management. This practice helps individuals build tolerance for discomfort and improve overall mental well-being.

We’re here to walk with you through your options & answer every question.

Key takeaways

Effective OCD treatment, such as at MPower Wellness, requires an integrated approach addressing both thought patterns and reinforcing behavioral responses.
OCD frequently co-occurs with anxiety disorders, depression, trauma, or substance use, necessitating comprehensive dual diagnosis care for lasting stability.
Evidence-based therapies like CBT and DBT are crucial for building distress tolerance and regulating emotions, thereby reducing reliance on compulsions or substances.
Long-term recovery involves developing skills to tolerate uncertainty and reduce reliance on compulsions, enabling individuals to regain control and flexibility in daily life.

FAQ: OCD Treatment in Philadelphia at MPower Wellness

Give us a call at (484) 517-3005 with any other questions.

How do clinicians determine whether OCD treatment should include substance use care?

During the initial assessment, clinicians evaluate how OCD symptoms, anxiety, and coping behaviors interact. If alcohol, prescription medications, or other substances are being used to manage intrusive thoughts or distress, integrated treatment is recommended to address both OCD and substance use at the same time.

Can exposure and response prevention be used if I also struggle with addiction?

Yes. ERP can be safely and effectively used alongside addiction treatment when carefully structured. At MPower Wellness, ERP is paced to support emotional regulation and relapse prevention, helping individuals tolerate distress without relying on compulsions or substances.

What if my OCD symptoms worsen during early recovery from substances?

It is common for OCD symptoms or anxiety to temporarily intensify during early sobriety. MPower Wellness clinicians anticipate this and adjust treatment accordingly, using therapies such as CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and medication management to support stability during this transition.

Does MPower Wellness treat adolescents or families affected by OCD?

Yes. MPower Wellness works with adolescents and adults and includes family involvement when appropriate. Family therapy helps loved ones understand OCD, reduce accommodation behaviors, and support recovery without reinforcing compulsions.

How long does OCD treatment typically last?

The length of treatment varies depending on symptom severity, co-occurring conditions, and level of care. Some individuals benefit from short-term, focused ERP work, while others engage in longer-term treatment through IOP or outpatient care to support sustained recovery and daily functioning.

Begin OCD Treatment in Philadelphia with Support That Addresses the Whole Picture

Living with obsessive-compulsive disorder can feel relentless, but effective treatment is available. With the right support, it is possible to reduce the grip of intrusive thoughts, loosen compulsive patterns, and regain a sense of stability in daily life. An OCD treatment center like MPower Wellness does not require perfection. It requires the right structure, skilled guidance, and care that understands how OCD, anxiety, trauma, and substance use often intersect.

If you or someone you love is struggling with OCD symptoms, anxiety, or substance use, you do not have to navigate this alone. MPower Wellness is here to help you take the next step with clarity, care, and respect. Contact us today to learn more about our OCD and substance recovery treatment options, verify insurance, and begin your path toward lasting relief.

Sources

Brock, H., Rizvi, A., & Hany, M. (2024). Obsessive-compulsive disorder. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553162/

National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd

Virtanen, S., Kuja-Halkola, R., Sidorchuk, A., Fernández de la Cruz, L., Rück, C., Lundström, S., Suvisaari, J., Larsson, H., Lichtenstein, P., Mataix-Cols, D., & Latvala, A. (2022). Association of obsessive-compulsive disorder and obsessive-compulsive symptoms with substance misuse in 2 longitudinal cohorts in Sweden. JAMA Network Open, 5(6), e2214779. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.14779

To learn more, give us a call, fill out our free insurance form, or send us an email—whatever’s easiest for you. We’re here to answer your questions and help you take the next step.

Tom DeVitis, MA, LPC, CAADC

Executive Director

Tom DeVitis is a dedicated behavioral health leader and clinical expert with over a decade of experience in the field of substance abuse treatment. As the Executive Director of MPower Wellness, Tom combines his clinical background as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) with a passion for educational outreach and advocacy.

Dr. Deepraj Singh

Medical Director

Dr. Deepraj Singh is a board-certified psychiatrist and the Medical Director at MPower Wellness. With a career spanning emergency psychiatry to outpatient and inpatient care, she brings a wealth of clinical expertise and a passion for medical education to her work. Dr. Singh previously served on the faculty at Drexel University, where she dedicated herself to teaching resident physicians and medical students.

Last updated: January 31, 2026