People with OCD tend to tell themselves fictional, or near-fictional, stories about what would happen if. We call these the obsessional stories. In I-CBT (Inference-based CBT), the therapist helps the client ask the question: how did I come to accept this obsessional story? Furthermore, why is it that the obsessions or doubts feel so real? We get attached to the stories that we tell ourselves and these fictions begin to define us.

Crisis therapy describes a short-term stabilization therapy with attentive support between 7am-10pm, when needed. This is an appropriate therapy if a client is not feeling stable enough to only receive weekly or bi-weekly therapy, but is not in acute and imminent risk of relapse on substances, suicidality, or other dangerous behavior. Additionally crisis therapy is appropriate after a community trauma, such as the Marshall Fires or the King Soopers Shootings.

Postpartum depression and anxiety affect women differently. Postpartum depression is a feeling of overwhelming sadness and a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable. It may also include feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and hopelessness – the culmination of so many months of preparation have instead left the woman feeling empty and disconnected from herself.

Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based form of therapy that focuses on helping people become more mindful and emotionally aware, while also learning to accept their thoughts and feelings without judgment or criticism. This type of therapy has been found to be effective in treating a wide range of issues, including anxiety disorders.

EMDR is an evidence-based psychological treatment for depression. Through this intervention, a therapist guides the client to identify and work through past experiences or traumas that may be causing or exacerbating their current depressive symptoms. By revisiting these memories in a safe environment, clients are able to gain insight into how these events have impacted them emotionally and psychologically.

Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) are those among us who have a more sensitive nervous system than the average person. This can lead to increased levels of anxiety, and HSPs often find it difficult to cope in highly stimulating situations or environments. Thankfully, with the right treatment, individuals can learn how to manage their anxiety and gain a better understanding of their sensitivity.

The digital world has become a part of everyday life for many young people, and technology has become an integral part of the way they interact with the world. As technology use continues to grow, so too does concern about how it may be affecting the brains and mental health of this age group. Ultimately, it is essential that young people are aware of the potential impact of technology and how to use it responsibly. Taking steps towards mindful and responsible technology use can help ensure that young people stay safe and healthy in today’s digital world.

At Kairos Wellness Collective, each clinician has an individual style to achieve the same result: effective and timely OCD treatment so that clients may move on with their lives unfettered by intrusive thoughts, compulsions, and maladaptive behaviors. Many treatment modalities exist for OCD work, including ERP, iCBT, and ACT.

TikTok has become one of the most popular platforms for users to share short-form videos – but for those with OCD it can present a less than pleasurable experience which feeds into compulsive tendencies.

Journaling is a powerful tool which can help to increase self-awareness and improve mental health. However, for those of us with OCD, it can present a unique set of challenges despite its many potential benefits.

For an adolescent, a sense of agency is very important.  However, very few can initiate to select their own practitioner, and thus, we are left with setting up first appointments with clinicians that we can only guess will be a good fit.  Here are my top suggestions for matching your teen with the right clinician:

Make sure the therapist has significant experience working with adolescents

OCD Advice written by the now college-aged child of our parent trainer and dedicated OCD advocate.

Anxiety is a complex mental and physiological phenomenon that can have lasting effects on the human brain. Anxiety can affect the way we think, feel, and behave by impacting both short-term and long-term memory, cognitive processing speed, decision making abilities, and emotional regulation.

While play therapy may be the most standard intervention for child mental health therapy, at Kairos Wellness Collective, therapists look beyond the mainstream techniques and utilize varied evidence-based approaches to support. Every child that enters our office has a significantly different emotional profile and it is often helpful to additionally draw on CBT, Sand Tray, Art Therapy, and Digital Art therapy to support their mental health growth.

Polyvagal Theory is based on the recognition that our autonomic nervous systems are a key factor in determining how we respond to stress and trauma. By understanding how polyvagal theory applies to OCD work, clinicians can help their clients better manage experiences of distress and more effectively address persistent symptoms.

Mushroom psychedelics have a long and varied history of use by humans. Evidence of mushroom consumption dates back over 10,000 years, with some accounts indicating that the ancient Egyptians even used them in their rituals and beliefs systems. Some evidence suggests that mushroom use was also prevalent among many other cultures throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Recent studies have suggested that MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) may be an effective treatment for mental health issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. The drug has been shown to reduce fear responses in patients with these conditions, allowing them to revisit difficult memories more easily and to process them in a more productive way. In addition, MDMA also appears to increase the levels of neurotransmitters associated with feelings of pleasure and well-being, providing additional relief from distressing symptoms.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based psychological treatment that helps people manage difficult emotions and decrease conflict in their relationships. It has been used successfully for treating a variety of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder.

Meditation is an effective tool to help with OCD, especially when combined with Exposure Response Prevention (ERP). ERP is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy used to treat OCD by gradually exposing the patient to their OCD triggers and helping them resist engaging in rituals. By combining meditation with ERP, patients can learn how to observe their thoughts and feelings without responding in unhealthy ways.

Neurofeedback is a form of biofeedback that helps to re-train the brain and build new neural pathways. Neurofeedback, also known as brainwave biofeedback, is a technology that was invented in the 1960s. While Neurofeedback has been around for decades, recent advances in technology have made it much more accessible and effective than ever before. It is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative therapy for people looking for improved brain health and cognitive functioning.