Child & teen OCD therapy · Atlanta & virtual
OCD therapy for children and teens
When your child is stuck in rituals, keeps asking "are you sure?", or melts down when things don't feel "just right," it's hard on the whole family. Childhood OCD is common and very treatable. We use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), adapted for kids, with parents as part of the team.
Who we see
Kids (5+) & teens
Approach
ERP & SPACE
Sessions
In person or virtual
Location
Atlanta, GA
What OCD can look like in kids
OCD in children doesn't always look like hand-washing. Kids often hide their worries, or don't have words for them yet. Parents usually notice the rituals and the distress first.
Your child isn't being difficult on purpose. OCD makes these urges feel urgent and real, and it's not anyone's fault.
How families get pulled into the cycle
Loving parents naturally try to ease their child's distress: answering the question one more time, waiting while a ritual finishes, or avoiding a trigger altogether. This is called accommodation, and almost every family of a child with OCD does it.
Accommodation brings quick relief, but over time it teaches the OCD that it's in charge. Treatment helps families step back gently, without being harsh.
- 1A trigger. A worry, a doubt, or something that feels "not right."
- 2Distress. Your child becomes anxious, upset, or stuck.
- 3A ritual or accommodation. Reassurance, redoing, avoiding, or a parent stepping in.
- 4Quick relief. Everyone feels better, for now.
- ↻The OCD grows. Next time it asks for more, and the family adapts again.
How we treat it
Kid-friendly ERP, with parents on the team
ERP for children is gradual, playful where it can be, and always collaborative. Kids learn to "boss back" their OCD in small, manageable steps. Parents learn how to support brave behavior and reduce accommodation, often using SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions).
01
Family consultation
We learn about your child's symptoms, your family's routines, and your goals.
02
Understanding OCD together
We help your child see OCD as something separate from them, often with a name or a character.
03
Step-by-step practice
Gradual exposures your child helps choose, starting small and building confidence.
04
Parent coaching
Practical ways to respond with warmth while stepping back from accommodation.
Who we help
We work with children, teens, and the parents who support them.
Younger children (5–11)
Treatment uses games, stories, and lots of parent involvement to make ERP approachable.
Teens (12–17)
Teens take a bigger role in their own treatment, with privacy and independence respected.
Parents and caregivers
Coaching and support, including our free monthly parent and caregiver OCD support group.
When to reach out
Every child has quirks and worries. It may be time to talk to a specialist if:
It takes up time
Rituals, worries, or reassurance-seeking take up an hour or more a day, or make you late.
It causes real distress
Your child seems tormented by thoughts or urges they can't shake.
It shapes family life
The household rearranges routines, words, or plans to avoid upsetting the OCD.
Common questions
Is my child too young for OCD treatment?
We work with children as young as 5. For younger kids, treatment leans more on parent coaching and playful, gentle practice, so it fits their age and attention span.
Will I be in the room during sessions?
Often, especially with younger children. Parents are a key part of treatment. With teens, we balance private time with family sessions.
What if my teen doesn't want to come?
That's common. We start by building trust and focusing on what your teen wants to change. Parents can also begin with SPACE, which helps even when a child isn't ready to engage.
Will ERP be too scary for my child?
No. Your child is never forced into their biggest fear. Exposures start small, your child helps choose them, and we build up step by step at a pace that's challenging but doable.
Should we tell the school?
It depends on how much OCD shows up at school. With your permission, we can help you decide what to share and suggest simple supports for teachers.
What if the OCD started suddenly?
A very sudden, dramatic onset of OCD symptoms in a child can sometimes be linked to PANDAS/PANS. If that sounds familiar, talk with your pediatrician as well. We can help with the OCD symptoms either way.
Do you offer virtual sessions?
Yes. We see clients in person at our Atlanta office and virtually.
How do I get started?
Fill out our short New Patient Screener Form and we'll reach out within 24–48 hours to schedule your free consultation. You can also call us at (404) 462-5533.
Help your child take their life back from OCD
Start with a short screener, and we'll follow up to set up your consultation.
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