Different Approaches to Anxiety and OCD Treatment

Finding the right therapist for your anxiety can be the difference between a deeply productive relationship and, in some unfortunate cases, a reinforcer of your anxious thinking patterns.  Anxiety treatment is variable and it is helpful for clients to be savvy about the different approaches. CBT and ERP are the most commonly utilized treatment modalities for OCD and anxiety; however, they are by no means the only options!

While a mental health professional may have great insight as to which technique may match with your personality and presenting issues, it is nonetheless important that you follow your intuition and self-advocate for the approach that resonates with you.  Note: most therapists are skilled in only one or two approaches.  

ACT (Acceptance Commitment Therapy):

This therapy modality is increasingly popular with clients and therapists alike because it has a very positive, actionable framing.  While in the family of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, it is less focused on homework and worksheets, and more open to creative approaches, including value card sorts, vision boards, and strength-based personality assessments.  Basically, ACT incorporates mindfulness, positivity, and commitment to action, and leaves clients feeling uplifted and motivated to leave behind their obsessive negative thoughts.  

Inference-Based Therapy (i-CBT):

This is another up and coming model that is especially effective for OCD.  Inference Based Therapy is another offshoot of CBT, but is based on the idea that obsessions come from inference, doubt, and imagination rather than real connections.  Our compulsions are meant to change reality, however, they do not work to solve doubt long term, because reality is not the source of our stress, our imagination is.  When we worry, we tend to lose trust in our senses and our knowledge.  I-CBT helps us ground back into true reality by debunking the negative inferences that our inner voice makes about the world.  

Group therapy:

One of the most powerful and underutilized modalities for Anxiety and OCD treatment is group therapy.  Group therapy allows you to both give and receive the healing power of human connection.  Group therapy creates a safe space that becomes a regular community, a landing pad for otherwise individuated humans.  We can relate to others, and have a voice.  When we learn from other individuals with similar experiences, rather than just therapists, we broaden the scope of our treatment and also can conceptualize our own agency more clearly.  

Mentorships: 

Once a client has stabilized in treatment, additional therapy can consist of a mentorship wherein they support and motivate another client who is in the beginning stages of treatment.  These mentorships are especially powerful for younger adults, who are new to their mental health autonomy and agency.  Supporting others in recovery helps solidify the work done in therapy.  Teaching healthy coping skills to others builds confidence and helps reinforce continued progress.  

Kairos Wellness Collective is proud to offer a variety of anxiety treatments, including but not limited to, ACT, I-CBT, group therapy, and a mentorship program.  Please contact us for more details.