What types of OCD do you treat?

We treat all subtypes of OCD including contamination, harm, relationship, sexual orientation, religious/scrupulosity, perfectionism, and more using ERP therapy.

What if I have tried therapy before and it did not work?

Many clients come to us after unsuccessful therapy. General talk therapy is not effective for OCD. ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) is the gold standard treatment specifically designed for OCD.

How long does OCD treatment take?

Most clients begin to see improvement within 12-20 sessions of ERP therapy. Treatment length varies based on severity and individual needs.

Is telehealth therapy as effective as in-person for OCD?

Yes. Research shows that telehealth ERP therapy is equally effective as in-person treatment for OCD. Telehealth also allows you to practice exposures in your own environment.

Do you accept insurance?

We are an out-of-network private pay practice. Sessions are $175. We use Mentaya to automatically submit out-of-network claims, and many clients receive 50-80% reimbursement.

Do you offer free consultations?

Yes, we offer a free 15-minute phone consultation so you can ask questions and see if we are a good fit before committing to treatment.

Do you take insurance?

Onward Healing Therapy is a private-pay practice. I am out of network with all insurance plans. If your plan offers out-of-network mental-health benefits, I provide a monthly superbill you can submit for partial reimbursement.

What is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)?

Exposure and Response Prevention is the gold-standard behavioral treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. You face the thoughts, situations, or sensations that trigger your obsessions and learn to resist the compulsions you normally use to feel safer. Over time, your brain learns the feared outcome does not happen, and the obsessions lose their grip.

Do you offer telehealth therapy?

Yes. All sessions are conducted via secure video telehealth. Research shows telehealth ERP for OCD is as effective as in-person treatment, and it lets me serve patients anywhere in Pennsylvania or Vermont.

Where are you licensed to practice?

I am licensed to provide therapy to residents of Pennsylvania and Vermont. You must be physically located in one of these states at the time of your session.

What conditions do you treat?

I specialize in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, panic disorder, phobias, Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), body-focused repetitive behaviors such as trichotillomania and skin picking, tic disorders and Tourette syndrome, and perinatal OCD and anxiety.

How long does OCD treatment usually take?

Most patients with OCD see meaningful improvement within twelve to twenty weekly sessions of Exposure and Response Prevention. More severe or longstanding presentations may take longer. We track progress collaboratively and adjust the treatment plan based on how you respond.

How much does therapy cost?

Current rates are listed on the Rates and Insurance page at onwardhealingtherapy.com/rates-and-fees. The first 15-minute consultation is free.

What Happens in Your First ERP Therapy Session

May 6

Written By Nina Eberly, PhD, LCSW

The first ERP session is not an exposure session. Most people come in braced for the worst — expecting to be asked to touch a public toilet on day one. That's not how it works. Session 1 is mapping. The exposure work starts later, after we've built a roadmap together.

What Actually Happens in Session 1

First 10 minutes: Brief intro, signing forms, technology check (telehealth setup). Next 20 minutes: Detailed assessment. What OCD subtypes are showing up? What are the obsessions? What compulsions are you doing — including the mental ones you may not have realized counted? Family or relationship accommodation? Next 15 minutes: Education. How OCD works, why ERP is the treatment that targets the mechanism. Last 5 minutes: A small homework assignment — usually monitoring, not exposure.

What Doesn't Happen

You won't be asked to do anything you haven't agreed to. You won't be exposed to anything in session 1. You won't be told "your thoughts are silly" or "just stop thinking about it." You won't be reassured ("you're definitely not dangerous") because reassurance feeds OCD.

When Active ERP Starts

Sessions 2–3 build the exposure hierarchy together. Session 3 or 4 is usually the first low-level exposure — and you'll have agreed to it before we do it.

Nina is licensed in Pennsylvania and Vermont and offers telehealth therapy across both states. Pennsylvania and Vermont residents — book a free 15-min consultation.

FAQ

What happens in my first ERP therapy session?

Session 1 is assessment and education, not exposure. We map the OCD subtypes, identify obsessions and compulsions, and outline the next 4 weeks.

Will I be asked to do an exposure in session 1?

No. Session 1 is for mapping the territory.

Do you offer ERP therapy in Pennsylvania?

Yes — Onward Healing Therapy provides telehealth ERP throughout Pennsylvania.

Do you offer ERP therapy in Vermont?

Yes — Vermont residents can access telehealth ERP via Onward Healing Therapy.

PA + VT residents — book a free 15-min consultation.

OCDERP

Nina Eberly, PhD, LCSW

What Happens in Your First ERP Therapy Session

What Actually Happens in Session 1

What Doesn't Happen

When Active ERP Starts

FAQ

What happens in my first ERP therapy session?

Will I be asked to do an exposure in session 1?

Do you offer ERP therapy in Pennsylvania?

Do you offer ERP therapy in Vermont?

You Don’t Have to Keep Living Like This

OCD can feel constant, convincing, and exhausting — but it’s also highly treatable.

With the right support, things can begin to feel quieter, more manageable, and more in your control.

Contact

What Happens in Your First ERP Therapy Session

What Actually Happens in Session 1

What Doesn't Happen

When Active ERP Starts

FAQ

What happens in my first ERP therapy session?

Will I be asked to do an exposure in session 1?

Do you offer ERP therapy in Pennsylvania?

Do you offer ERP therapy in Vermont?

ERP vs. CBT for OCD: Which One Actually Works?

Contamination OCD: Beyond Hand-Washing

You Don’t Have to Keep Living Like This

OCD can feel constant, convincing, and exhausting — but it’s also highly treatable.

With the right support, things can begin to feel quieter, more manageable, and more in your control.

Contact