What does therapy at Onward Healing look like?

At Onward Healing, we specialize in evidence-based treatments for OCD, anxiety, BFRBs, tics, and trauma. Sessions are typically 50 minutes long and conducted via secure telehealth video. Treatment is collaborative — we work together to understand what's keeping you stuck and build skills to help you move forward. Depending on your goals, we may use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Habit Reversal Training (HRT), the ComB model, EMDR, or other structured approaches.

Do you accept insurance?

We are currently out-of-network with all insurance providers. This means we do not bill insurance directly. However, many clients are able to use out-of-network benefits to get partial reimbursement. We can provide a superbill (an itemized receipt) that you can submit to your insurance company. We recommend calling your insurance provider before starting to understand your out-of-network mental health benefits.

How does telehealth therapy work?

All sessions at Onward Healing are conducted via secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. Once you're scheduled, you'll receive a link to join the session from wherever you are — your home, office, or anywhere private. Telehealth is just as effective as in-person therapy for the conditions we treat, and many clients find it more convenient and accessible.

What states do you serve?

We are currently licensed to provide therapy in Pennsylvania (PA), Vermont (VT), and Florida (FL). You must be physically located in one of these states at the time of your session.

How long will I need therapy?

This varies widely depending on your goals, the severity of your symptoms, and your engagement with treatment. Some clients see significant improvement in 12-16 sessions; others prefer ongoing support over a longer period. We'll discuss your goals at the outset and check in regularly on your progress.

What is ERP therapy, and is it right for me?

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the gold-standard treatment for OCD and certain anxiety disorders. It involves gradually facing feared situations or thoughts (exposure) while resisting compulsions or avoidance behaviors (response prevention). It sounds challenging — and it can be — but it's also highly effective. We move at a pace that feels manageable, and you're never pushed into anything you're not ready for.

What are BFRBs, and can therapy help?

Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) are repetitive, self-directed behaviors like hair pulling (trichotillomania), skin picking (excoriation disorder), nail biting, and cheek chewing. These behaviors are often automatic and can cause significant distress or physical harm. Evidence-based treatments like Habit Reversal Training (HRT) and the Comprehensive Behavioral (ComB) model have strong research support and can lead to meaningful reduction in urges and behaviors.

How do I get started?

The easiest first step is to schedule a free 15-minute consultation. This call gives us a chance to learn about what you're struggling with, answer any questions you have, and see if we're a good fit. There's no pressure and no commitment. You can book directly through our website or reach out by email.

Is sensorimotor OCD a real form of OCD?

Yes. Sensorimotor, or somatic, OCD is a well-recognized subtype of OCD. The obsession is a fixation on an automatic bodily process, and the compulsions are the checking, monitoring, and correcting you do to try to stop noticing it. It responds to the same evidence-based treatment as other forms of OCD.

Will focusing on my breathing in therapy make the hyperawareness worse?

It is a very common fear, and briefly noticing more at first is normal. In Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) we turn toward the sensation on purpose while you stop the rituals that keep it feeling dangerous. As your brain learns the sensation is safe, it stops demanding your attention, and the awareness fades into the background where it belongs.

What does ERP look like for sensorimotor OCD?

Together we identify the exact sensation and the compulsions attached to it, then build a gradual plan to sit with the awareness while dropping the checking, the fixing, and the reassurance-seeking. You practice between sessions too, so the learning generalizes to daily life. Every step is explained and paced to what you can manage.

How long does treatment take?

It varies by person, but many people with sensorimotor OCD notice meaningful change within a few months of consistent ERP. We track progress together and adjust the plan as the sensation loosens its grip.

Where are you licensed to provide telehealth?

We provide telehealth across Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Florida. Sessions are secure and online, so you can do focused ERP work from wherever you are in those states.

Is sensorimotor OCD the same as health anxiety or panic?

They can overlap, but they are not the same. Health anxiety centers on fears of illness, and panic centers on fear of a physical crisis. Sensorimotor OCD centers on the fear of being unable to stop noticing an automatic sensation. We assess carefully so treatment targets what is actually driving the loop.

Do you take insurance?

Onward Healing Therapy is a private-pay, out-of-network practice. We can provide a monthly superbill you can submit to your insurance for possible out-of-network reimbursement.

Sensorimotor OCD Therapy

Onward Healing Therapy is a private-pay specialty telehealth practice serving adults in Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Florida. Founder Nina Eberly, PhD, LCSW. The content on this site is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice or establish a therapist-client relationship. If you are in immediate distress, call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Sensorimotor OCD Therapy

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