Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Therapy in Calgary
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)‑based therapy to reduce compulsions and intrusive thoughts
OCD therapy in Calgary helps adults reduce intrusive thoughts, break free from compulsive behaviours, and regain a sense of control. At Clear Minds Psychology, treatment is provided by a Registered Psychologist using evidence-based approaches, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold-standard therapy for OCD.
If you’re considering OCD therapy, a brief 15-minute consultation can help you determine whether this approach feels like the right fit.
What is OCD?
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition involving persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental rituals (compulsions). These patterns can be time-consuming, distressing, and interfere with daily life.
With the right treatment, OCD is highly manageable. Therapy focuses on helping you respond differently to intrusive thoughts so they have less impact over time.
If you’re unsure whether your experiences may be affecting you in this way, speaking with a psychologist can help clarify your next steps.
What are Obsessions?
Most people experience intrusive thoughts occasionally. However, in OCD, these thoughts are:
- Persistent and difficult to dismiss
- Distressing or anxiety-provoking
- In conflict with your values (ego-dystonic)
This often leads to increased anxiety and a strong urge to neutralise the thought through compulsions.
What are Compulsions?
Compulsions are repetitive behaviours or mental acts performed to reduce anxiety or prevent a feared outcome.
They may include:
- Overt behaviours: checking, washing, reassurance seeking
- Mental rituals: counting, repeating phrases, reviewing events
While compulsions provide short-term relief, they reinforce OCD over time, maintaining the cycle of distress.
What are the Different Types of OCD?
While there are no official ‘types’. OCD symptoms often centre around common themes, including:
Common obsessions in OCD include:
- Contamination fears
- Harm-related thoughts
- Intrusive sexual or violent thoughts
- Religious or moral concerns (scrupulosity)
- Symmetry or “just right” feelings
- Relationship or identity doubts
Common compulsions in OCD include:
- Excessive cleaning or checking
- Repeating or ordering behaviours
- Avoidance
- Reassurance seeking
- Mental rituals such as counting or reviewing
Clinical Experience
Many individuals I work with describe feeling stuck in cycles of doubt, anxiety, and repeated checking or reassurance seeking. Despite recognising that the fears may not be rational, the urge to perform compulsions can feel overwhelming.
With structured support, clients learn to gradually face feared situations, reduce compulsions, and build confidence in their ability to tolerate uncertainty.
How is OCD Diagnosed?
A comprehensive assessment evaluates the presence, severity, and impact of obsessions and compulsions.
For an OCD diagnosis, symptoms typically:
- Take more than one hour per day
- Cause significant distress
- Interfere with daily functioning
Accurate diagnosis is essential for guiding effective treatment.
Evidence-Based OCD Treatment
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the gold-standard treatment for OCD.
ERP involves:
- Gradually facing feared situations (exposure)
- Reducing or eliminating compulsive responses
Over time, this helps your brain learn that anxiety can decrease without rituals, breaking the OCD cycle.
Treatment is guided by current research, including inhibitory learning models, which focus on building tolerance for uncertainty and reducing relapse risk.
For a deeper overview, you can read my article ‘Understanding ERP for OCD in Calgary: How Exposure and Response Prevention Can Help‘, where I explain what ERP is, how it works, and what to expect in OCD treatment.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps you change your relationship with intrusive thoughts rather than trying to eliminate them.
It supports:
- Increased psychological flexibility
- Reduced struggle with thoughts
- Action guided by personal values
When combined with ERP, ACT helps build tolerance for uncertainty and supports taking meaningful action based on your values, rather than avoiding discomfort.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) for OCD Therapy
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) may be used in some cases to reduce the emotional intensity of intrusive images and sensations.
It can complement ERP by helping distress feel more manageable during treatment.
A brief consultation can help you understand how these approaches apply to your specific situation.
Who I Work With
I work with adults and seniors in Calgary and across Alberta. This includes professionals, students, and individuals navigating life transitions. I do not provide couples or child therapy.
If this sounds like your situation, you’re welcome to reach out to explore whether OCD therapy may be helpful.
Professional Credentials
- Registered Psychologist, Province of Alberta (College of Alberta Psychologists)
- Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology (MACP), Yorkville University
- Advanced training in EMDR and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
- Member of Psychologists’ Association of Alberta (PAA) and IS-ART
- Contributor, Alberta Senior Living Magazine — Spring Mental Health Check-In: Managing Anxiety, SAD Transitions & Light Exposure
About the Psychologist
Michelle Fox is a Registered Psychologist in Calgary with over 30 years of experience working with adults and seniors. She has specialised training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold-standard treatment for OCD.
She works with adults experiencing intrusive thoughts and compulsions, and anxiety using structured, evidence-based approaches tailored to each individual. Her approach is practical, collaborative, and focused on helping clients reduce compulsions and regain a sense of control.
Book a Free Consultation
If you are considering OCD therapy, a brief consultation can help you determine whether this approach feels like the right fit.
Clear Minds Psychology offers OCD therapy in Calgary and online across Alberta, offering structured, evidence-based support tailored to your needs.
You can book a free consultation to discuss your concerns and next steps.