OCD · Ages 10 and up
Care for OCD, without judgment.
Unwanted thoughts and the urge to check, clean, or repeat things can take up hours of your day. Great Minds offers individualized care for OCD. We see patients ages 10 and up, including children, adolescents, and adults, in person in Chester, Virginia by appointment, or by secure telehealth.
- Now accepting new patients
- In person or telehealth
- Ages 10 and up
What OCD can look like
OCD usually involves unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and things you feel driven to do to ease the distress they cause (compulsions). Common signs include:
- Intrusive thoughtsUnwanted thoughts, images, or urges that feel upsetting or out of character.
- Fear of contaminationWorry about germs, dirt, or illness that is hard to set aside.
- Need for certaintyDoubting whether you locked the door, turned off the stove, or did something right.
- Things feeling “just right”A strong need for order, symmetry, or exactness.
- CheckingChecking things again and again to feel sure.
- Washing or cleaningWashing or cleaning beyond what the situation calls for.
- Repeating or countingRepeating actions or words, or counting, to ease the distress.
- Seeking reassuranceAsking others, or going over things in your mind, to feel okay.
Intrusive thoughts are a recognized symptom of OCD, not a reflection of who you are or what you want. Many people keep them to themselves out of fear of being judged. You can talk about them here without judgment. These signs are common experiences, not a diagnosis.
When it may be time to get help
Consider an evaluation if:
- Thoughts or rituals take up a lot of time each day
- They are getting in the way of work, school, or relationships
- You feel unable to stop, even when part of you knows it doesn't make sense
- You are avoiding places, people, or objects to keep the thoughts away
- You have tried to manage it on your own and it is not easing
OCD rarely travels alone
OCD often overlaps with other concerns, such as anxiety and depression. A comprehensive evaluation looks at the whole picture, so your care addresses what is actually going on.
How Great Minds helps
- A comprehensive evaluation
A 45 to 60 minute first visit to understand your symptoms, history, functioning, concerns, and goals.
- A personalized treatment plan
An individualized approach based on your evaluation. Medication recommendations are individualized, never automatic.
- Supportive therapy when it helps
Supportive therapy may be incorporated into your care when clinically appropriate.
- Ongoing follow-up
Follow-up visits to monitor progress and adjust your plan when appropriate.
Personalizing medication decisions
If medication is part of your plan, GeneSight pharmacogenomic testing may show how your body responds to many commonly prescribed psychiatric medications. Ask about it at your visit.
In person or by telehealth
In person at our Chester, Virginia office by appointment, or by secure telehealth. You must be physically located in one of these states at the time of your appointment:
Costs
| Initial psychiatric evaluation | $250 self-pay |
| Follow-up visit | $150 self-pay |
Virginia patients can also use one of 15 accepted insurance plans. See plans. Washington State patients can use one of 10 accepted plans, and Washington, D.C. patients can use CareFirst. In other states, care is self-pay while insurance credentialing is underway.
OCD care questions
Is it okay to talk about my intrusive thoughts?
Yes. Intrusive thoughts are a common, recognized symptom of OCD, and talking about them is part of getting the right care. You can discuss them without judgment.
Do you treat OCD in children and teens?
Yes. Great Minds sees patients ages 10 and up, including children, adolescents, and adults. In young people, OCD can show up as rituals, repeated questions, or a strong need for reassurance from parents.
Will I be prescribed medication for OCD?
Not automatically. Medication recommendations are individualized and depend on the psychiatric evaluation, clinical history, and treatment needs.
Do you offer therapy for OCD?
Supportive therapy may be incorporated into psychiatric care when clinically appropriate. Great Minds is not a standalone weekly psychotherapy practice. If a specialized therapy such as exposure and response prevention (ERP) is recommended, we will refer you to an appropriate therapist.
Can OCD be treated by telehealth?
Yes, subject to applicable state telehealth requirements. Telehealth visits are available in Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Washington State, Colorado, Connecticut, Arizona, and Massachusetts, and you must be physically located in one of those states at the time of your appointment. In-person visits are available at our Chester, Virginia office by appointment.
Are there conditions you do not treat?
Yes. Great Minds is primarily a telehealth practice. For safety and appropriate evaluation, we do not provide care for suicidal crises, psychosis, or schizophrenia, which need in-person evaluation and a higher level of support. If you are in crisis, call or text 988, or call 911.
What if I am in crisis?
Great Minds does not provide emergency or crisis services. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For a mental health crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), available 24 hours a day.
More questions? See our full FAQ or call (804) 295-4344.
Taking the first step is a conversation, not a commitment.
Book an evaluation online, or call us with your questions first. Now accepting new patients, ages 10 and up.