Specialized OCD Therapy in Asheville, NC
OCD Treatment with I-CBT and ERP
Focused treatment for intrusive thoughts, compulsions, reassurance seeking, and avoidance.
Do These Experiences Sound Familiar?
- ✓ Unwanted, intrusive thoughts that won't go away
- ✓ Feeling driven to perform rituals or mental compulsions
- ✓ Constant doubt, even when you "know" something is fine
- ✓ Spending hours each day stuck in obsessive cycles
- ✓ Avoiding situations that trigger your fears
- ✓ Seeking reassurance from others repeatedly
- ✓ Feeling like your mind is working against you
- ✓ Exhaustion from the constant mental battle
These are common OCD patterns. Treatment focuses on reducing compulsions, avoidance, and the time OCD takes from your day.
Specialized OCD Treatment Approaches
I typically begin with I-CBT, then move into more structured ERP-focused sessions when useful. The balance depends on your symptoms, goals, and response to treatment.
Inference-Based CBT (I-CBT)
I-CBT examines the reasoning process that makes an imagined possibility feel like a real threat. Early sessions are often less structured and focus on understanding how OCD creates doubt, then practicing how to rely more on direct evidence.
This approach can be the main focus of treatment or establish a foundation for later ERP work.
Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP)
ERP is a well-studied, first-line behavioral treatment for OCD. We identify triggers, build an exposure hierarchy, and practice allowing anxiety and uncertainty to be present without responding with compulsions.
ERP sessions are more structured. We decide together when to introduce them and adjust the plan based on your progress.
OCD Takes Many Forms
I have experience treating all presentations of OCD, including:
Why Work With an OCD Specialist?
Most therapists aren't trained in OCD
According to the International OCD Foundation, it takes an average of 14-17 years from the onset of OCD symptoms to receive appropriate treatment. Many general therapists use talk therapy approaches that can actually reinforce OCD patterns. Specialized OCD treatment requires specific training in ERP and/or I-CBT.
Specialized treatment gets better results
Research consistently shows that ERP and I-CBT produce significantly better outcomes for OCD than general therapy approaches. The American Psychological Association recommends ERP as the first-line psychological treatment for OCD. Working with someone who understands the nuances of OCD means more effective, efficient treatment.
About Tim Prokesch, LCSWA
I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate who has made OCD treatment the primary focus of my practice. I've seen firsthand how much OCD can take from a person's life when left untreated, and how dramatically things can improve with the right approach.
I'm trained in both I-CBT and ERP. I typically begin with I-CBT, then move into more structured ERP-focused sessions when useful. Some clients spend more time in I-CBT; others lean more heavily into ERP.
Most of my current clients and referrals come to me specifically for OCD. That focus means I see a wide range of OCD presentations and stay current with the latest research and treatment developments in the field.
- ✓ Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (NC)
- ✓ Trained in I-CBT and ERP for OCD
- ✓ Verified by Psychology Today
Additional Areas of Practice
In addition to OCD, I also work with clients experiencing:
Ready to Start Your Recovery?
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to discuss how I can help.
In-Person in Asheville | Virtual Across North Carolina