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What is OCD therapy?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental rituals (compulsions) performed to reduce the anxiety those thoughts create. While many people associate OCD with excessive cleaning or checking, it can take many different forms. Common presentations include contamination fears, intrusive thoughts about causing harm, relationship doubts (sometimes called relationship OCD), religious or moral scrupulosity, a need for symmetry or things feeling "just right," and an ongoing search for certainty. Because OCD can look so different from one person to another, many people live with symptoms for years without realizing that OCD is the underlying cause.
The most effective, evidence-based treatment for OCD is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a specialized form of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). In ERP, a therapist helps you gradually face situations, thoughts, or sensations that trigger obsessions while resisting the urge to perform compulsions. Over time, this process helps reduce anxiety and weakens the OCD cycle.
Because ERP requires specialized training, it's worth seeking a therapist with specific experience treating OCD rather than assuming any CBT therapist will provide ERP. Many OCD specialists also incorporate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which helps people develop a different relationship with intrusive thoughts instead of trying to eliminate or control them.
On First Session, you can watch a short introductory video from each OCD therapist serving Saskatoon before booking. This gives you a chance to learn about their therapeutic approach, understand whether they use ERP, and decide whether they feel like the right fit.
What to know about OCD therapy in Saskatoon
In-person and online therapy
At this time, First Session does not have therapists offering in-person OCD therapy in Saskatoon. However, residents can access virtual therapy with licensed therapists across Saskatchewan, giving you access to a wider range of clinicians with specialized OCD training.
Therapist credentials in Saskatchewan
You'll find several professional designations among therapists serving Saskatoon, including:
- Registered Social Workers (RSW), regulated by the Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers
- Registered Psychologists, regulated by the Saskatchewan College of Psychologists
- Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCC), a national professional designation through the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)
The therapist's experience treating OCD, particularly with ERP, is often more important than their specific designation.
Cost and insurance
Individual therapy sessions on First Session typically range from $100 to $250 per session, depending on the therapist's credentials and level of experience. Many extended health benefits and employer insurance plans reimburse sessions with Registered Social Workers and Registered Psychologists. Coverage varies by provider and policy, so it's a good idea to review each therapist's profile under Insurance Coverage and verify your benefits before booking.
How to choose an OCD therapist in Saskatoon
- Confirm training and experience with OCD
- Look for experience with your type of OCD
- Before booking, confirm that the therapist's professional designation matches what your extended health benefits or workplace insurance plan covers. Coverage varies between insurers, so reviewing your plan ahead of time can help you avoid unexpected out-of-pocket costs.
- Use the free consultation to assess fit: All First Session therapists offer brief introductory calls you can use to ask about their experience, learn how therapy with them looks like, and gauge if they're the right fit for you.
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