Deciding to start treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a significant step, and it’s completely normal to feel hesitant.
You might have tried other therapies that didn’t click. You might feel like no one truly understands the “rules” your brain creates. You may even feel a sense of shame or embarrassment about the specific thoughts in your head, making it feel impossible to share them with someone else. Perhaps it’s even hard to imagine life without the compulsions that, while exhausting, feel like the only way to stay safe. If this sounds familiar, you aren’t alone.
At InStride Health, we understand that motivation isn’t something you either “have” or “don’t have.” It is something we build together, and we recognize that your drive to engage in treatment may naturally wax and wane over time. Here is how our model works and how you can begin navigating the path toward relief.
How is InStride different from traditional therapy?
InStride uses a multidisciplinary, team-based approach delivered via telehealth. Instead of seeing a lone provider once a week, or managing separate, disconnected providers in the field, you are supported by a coordinated care team. This includes a psychiatrist, a therapist, and an exposure coach who all work together to provide a unified “surround-sound” approach to your care.
Our model is skills-based and exposure-driven. While some talk therapies focus on why you experience distressing thoughts and urges, we focus on helping you cultivate the core capabilities needed to reclaim your life. We use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold standard for OCD treatment.
In ERP, we help you gradually face the thoughts, images, urges, or situations that trigger anxiety or distress while resisting the compulsive behaviors or mental rituals (the “responses”) you’d normally do to reduce that distress. Over time, your brain learns through experience that the perceived danger isn’t actually there, that you can tolerate the uncertainty OCD creates, and that you are capable of handling the discomfort.
What if my OCD feels “different” or misunderstood?
OCD symptoms show up differently for everyone. Whether your compulsions are visible to others or exist entirely as mental loops, it can often feel like your specific experience doesn’t “fit” a standard definition. At InStride, we don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach. Your team works with you to build a personalized “ladder” of challenges, typically called a hierarchy, that is specifically tailored to your unique triggers and rituals.
Our model also relies on active caregiver participation. We know that OCD often affects the whole house. We partner closely with your family to help them become a strong support system, learning how to encourage your brave steps and reduce “family accommodation,” the ways loved ones may unintentionally reinforce OCD by participating in compulsions.
“I’m not sure if I’m ready to let go of my compulsions yet. Is treatment still for me?”
The short answer is: Yes. Almost everyone starts treatment feeling a mix of hope and fear. This is called ambivalence, and it’s a natural part of the process. We don’t expect you to be 100% “ready” on day one. Our team meets you where you are, supporting you as you practice taking brave steps forward even when things aren’t perfect.
We start by helping you identify your “Why.” This involves two key questions:
- What matters most to you and who do you want to be (e.g., being a loyal friend, playing a sport, feeling independent)?
- How is OCD standing in the way of those things?
By focusing on your values, we help you find the fuel needed to take those first brave steps.
Steps to Build Motivation Right Now
Behavior change is a journey. If you are feeling stuck, try some of these exercises to gain clarity:
- Audit the “Cost” of OCD: Make two lists. On one, write down what OCD “gives” you (usually temporary relief). On the other, list what it “takes” (e.g., time, sleep, fun, friendships). Looking at these lists side-by-side helps you see the “trade-off” you are currently making. Use this as a motivational tool: ask yourself if the temporary relief is worth the long-term cost, and let that clarity fuel your decision to try a different path.
- Identify Your Core Values: Write down two things that matter most to you (e.g., “being a good friend” or “creativity”). Ask yourself: Is OCD helping me live a life that reflects what matters to me, or is it holding me back from these things and from being the person I want to be?
- The “Magic Wand” Visualization: If you woke up tomorrow and your OCD was gone, what is the very first thing you would do? Who would you call? Where would you go? What would that be like for you? Visualizing this freedom helps build motivation by making your “why” feel real and attainable. It shifts your focus from what you are giving up (the compulsions) to what you are gaining (your life back).
- Acknowledge your Courage: Simply reading this page is an act of bravery. Acknowledge that considering change is hard, and give yourself credit for exploring your options.
Deciding to start treatment is a process, not a single moment. When you are ready to reclaim your life from OCD, our team is ready to walk alongside you.
