Why See an OCD Specialist?
OCD isn’t about being tidy. It’s torturous, unwanted thoughts, and compulsions that try to make them stop, often silently, in your head. Some things a general therapist might do, like offering reassurance, can make it worse.
I came to this work as a parent. My daughter has OCD, and our family had hard experiences finding help that worked. I’ve spent 13 years learning about OCD through the International OCD Foundation, first as a parent and now as a clinician, to be the therapist I wish we’d had.
How I Can Help With OCD and Anxiety
How OCD Therapy Works
OCD used to be called the doubting disease: did I lock the door, did I hurt someone, is any of this real? The harder you argue with those thoughts, the louder they get, so instead, we face them.
We start with short assessments that track your progress, then build a fear ladder together, rating what OCD makes you avoid from 0 to 10. We begin near the bottom, usually with a small exposure on day one. It’s like watching a scary movie on purpose, again and again, until it stops being scary.
I’ll be honest: it can feel harder before it gets easier, because OCD thinks it’s protecting you. We never do anything you aren’t willing to do, and part of my job is helping you find your reason.
Who I Work With
Meet Richelle Brodsky, MSW, RSW
I came to this work the long way. After years as a stay-at-home parent, I earned my BSW and spent about 12 years as a medical social worker, supporting patients and families from diagnosis through palliative care, so I know how much families carry. Supporting my own daughter through OCD, and serving on the Parent Advisory Council for Foundry Kelowna, showed me how hard the system can be for parents, so I went back for my MSW to help other caregivers through it.
Master of Social Work, University of Waterloo · Registered Social Worker, BC College of Social Workers #13982, with the college title of psychotherapist · International OCD Foundation member · SPACE-certified · Working toward ERP certification, Wilfrid Laurier University
I attend IOCDF conferences and consult with an experienced OCD specialist. It’s a one-therapist practice, so the person at your free consultation is the person you’ll work with.
In Person in Langford, Online Across BC
My office is in Langford, and I see clients in person from Langford, Victoria and the West Shore. Anywhere else in BC, we meet by video or phone. In the community, I give free talks for parents at local schools on what to do when your child is anxious.
Frequently Asked Questions About OCD Therapy
No, that’s the biggest misconception I hear. OCD is torturous thoughts and the struggle to manage them, and many compulsions are invisible, like arguing with yourself in your head.
It’s up to your teen, but a supportive parent in the room usually works best. I’ll show you how to support exposures at home without accidentally undermining them.
It varies a lot. Research suggests ERP can take up to about six months, and we’ll track your progress together as we go.
Text and email support between sessions isn’t emergency care. If you or someone you love is in crisis, call or text 9-8-8, the Suicide Crisis Helpline, any time.
We take you from struggling to thriving.
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