Intensive OCD treatment programs?

[libbykt]

I am not impressed with the therapist my son has been seeing for the past few weeks, so I was looking into more intensive OCD treatment programs. There aren't any near me, so I'll have to travel, and willing to go anywhere for good results. My son's symptoms are mild compared to others that I have read about, but it's bad enough that it's affecting his ability to enjoy school and other activities because he is so worried about everything he sees. I still don't know for sure if it's PANDAS, and I am waiting on results from another strep test, but I also don't want to sit around and watch my little guy get worse week over week.

 

I'm currently looking into Dr. Storch at USF and the Mayo Clinic, but I'm open to all suggestions. I'm in Texas, and the Austin OCD center JUST this week stopped treating children as their child therapist left the center.

 

Just wondering if anyone has been there/done that?

[MomWithOCDSon]

Personally, I think the USF/Dr. Storch program is as good as it gets, especially for children. A number of other medical centers and practictioners offer good programs, too, but they're more often geared toward adults or adolescents.

 

You can check the International Obsessive Compulsive Foundation (IOCDF) web site for information on other programs and providers.

 

IOCDF - Intensive Programs

 

Another option to consider is to continue your local search for a good ERP practitioner and then engage in "intensive" therapy locally. For example, when our DS was at his worst and not really capable of attending a full day of school or even focusing on schoolwork for a full day at home, we arranged with a good, local therapist to do three, 1-hour sessions per week (every other day), with a full load of "homework" for the days in between. It takes a lot of participation on the parents' part when done that way, but the better programs like USF also require parental participation, so it's probably not all that different.

 

The key again, though, is to find a good therapist with good techniques who's also capable of developing an excellent rapport with your child. Again, the IOCDF may be able to offer you some other options on that local basis (we've found two good therapists via these listings).

 

IOCDF - Find a Therapist

 

Good luck to you!

[dcmom]

libbykt-

 

I went to USF with both of my girls for intense ocd therapy in August. I can say the docs there are extremely knowledgeable. Dr Storch is amazing, and the doc we saw Dr R- was a gift to our family.

 

He was knowledgeable, smart, and tough (which was the key for us). He got right to the heart of my kids issues (each being totally different) and was relentless in making them work at it.

 

He took the mystery out of ocd for me, and gave me the my power as a parent back.

 

It was one of the most positive things we have ever done for our kids.

 

We were there for three weeks, insurance completely covered it, and we stayed at the Ronald McDonald house (which in itself was a positive life changing experience)- so the whole time was very easy on the budget.

 

PM me if you have any questions...

 

Eileen