Intensive Treatment Program for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
The Canadian Centre for CBT’s OCD Intensive Treatment Program provides specialized treatment for adults with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) who may benefit from a more concentrated approach than traditional weekly psychotherapy.
The program is grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the first-line psychological treatment for OCD.
Intensive treatment provides greater opportunity for supported ERP practice, addressing barriers as they arise, and developing skills that can be applied independently in everyday life. The program may be particularly helpful for individuals who have previously participated in treatment without achieving sufficient improvement, although previous treatment is not required.
Treatment is individualized, flexible, and delivered by clinicians with specialized experience in the assessment and treatment of OCD.
Program Structure
Treatment is provided individually and typically takes place over approximately 4–6 weeks. A standard treatment schedule involves:
Two Sessions Per Day
Intensive opportunities for treatment and ERP practice.
Four Days Per Week
Frequent treatment to build and maintain momentum.
Four-Six Weeks
A concentrated period of individualized OCD treatment.
This schedule provides substantially more opportunity for active treatment than conventional weekly psychotherapy. However, it is a framework rather than a rigid protocol.
Treatment frequency, scheduling, and duration can be adapted according to each client's clinical needs, goals, availability, and progress.
In-person​​
Virtual
Hybrid
The program is offered through the Canadian Centre for CBT’s Toronto clinic and can be completed in person, virtually, or through a combination of both. The entire program can potentially be completed virtually, with suitability determined on an individual basis.
Following the intensive phase, less frequent booster sessions can be used to consolidate gains, address remaining treatment targets, and support continued independent progress.
Individualized CBT and Exposure and Response Prevention
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is at the centre of treatment. ERP helps clients progressively confront situations, thoughts, images, sensations, or uncertainty that trigger OCD while reducing the compulsions, avoidance, reassurance seeking, and other strategies that keep OCD going.​
Treatment is collaborative and tailored to the individual. Depending on each client's presentation, treatment may target:
Behavioural compulsions
Reassurance seeking
Mental compulsions
Avoidance
Intolerance of uncertainty
OCD-related beliefs
Rumination
Difficulty with independent ERP
Progress Monitoring
Progress is monitored throughout the program using standardized measures of OCD, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, including the Y-BOCS, GAD-7, and PHQ-9. Treatment can then be adapted based on progress and changing clinical needs.
In-Person ERP
In person treatment may also include therapist-supported ERP outside of the traditional therapy room when clinically appropriate. This allows clients to practise responding differently to OCD in the real-world environments in which symptoms occur.
Getting Started...
Initial Assessment
1.
Participation begins with an initial assessment to understand the individual's OCD symptoms, previous treatment experiences, current needs, and treatment goals.
Individualized Treatment Plan
2.
The initial assessment is used to determine whether intensive treatment is appropriate and to develop an individualized treatment plan.
Intensive Treatment
3.
Complete the program over approximately 4-6 weeks, with ongoing progress monitoring and booster sessions as needed.
A previous diagnosis of OCD is not required, as diagnostic presentation will be evaluated as part of this process.
Interested in the OCD Intensive Treatment Program?
Individuals interested in treatment and healthcare professionals considering a referral are welcome to contact our Program Lead:
Dr. Robert Aidelbaum, C.Psych. (Supervised Practice)
r.aidelbaum@canadiancbt.com
For more information on our IOP for OCD:
Dr. Rob Aidelbaum,
Ph. D., C. Psych
(Supervised Practice)
Program Lead, OCD Intensive Treatment Program
Canadian Centre for CBT- Toronto
Treatment may be provided by Clinical Psychologists, psychological associates, and registered psychotherapists with relevant training and experience in OCD treatment