OCD Therapy for Kids & Teens in Portland, Maine
Exposure and response prevention (ERP) for children, teens and young adults, ages 4 to 21
Breaking free from the OCD cycle
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) traps children and teens in a cycle of unwanted thoughts and the rituals they feel they must do to feel okay. It can be exhausting for the whole family. The good news is that OCD is very treatable.
At Beacon Light, we treat OCD with exposure and response prevention (ERP), a specialized form of cognitive-behavioral therapy and the most effective, well-researched treatment for OCD. Parents are an important part of the process, so the whole family learns how to fight OCD together.
What OCD can look like
OCD has two parts. Obsessions are unwanted thoughts, images or urges that cause distress. Compulsions are the rituals or mental habits used to make that distress go away. In children, OCD is often hidden, so families may notice the rituals before the worries.
Unwanted thoughts and fears
- Fears of germs, illness or contamination
- Worry that something bad will happen to a loved one
- Needing things to feel "just right" or even
- Upsetting thoughts that feel wrong or scary
- Fear of having done something wrong
Rituals that bring short-term relief
- Excessive washing or cleaning
- Checking locks, doors or homework again and again
- Repeating, counting, arranging or redoing
- Asking the same questions for reassurance
- Mental rituals, like praying or replacing "bad" thoughts
Signs parents often notice
How OCD keeps itself going
Rituals bring quick relief, so the brain learns they're needed. Over time, OCD asks for more, and the rituals grow.
ERP breaks this cycle by helping young people face the obsession without doing the compulsion, so the brain learns the ritual isn't needed.
How ERP works
Exposure and response prevention is collaborative and gradual. Young people are never forced to face fears before they're ready.
Learn about OCD
Children, teens and parents learn how OCD works, often giving it a name so it feels separate from who they are.
Build a fear ladder
Together we list triggers from easiest to hardest, so practice can start small.
Practice exposures
Step by step, they face triggers while resisting the urge to do rituals, and learn that anxiety rises and then passes.
Reduce accommodation
Parents learn to gently step back from reassurance and helping with rituals.
Keep the gains
We build a plan for handling new triggers and setbacks after therapy ends.
Related concerns we treat
Tics and Tourette's
Repeated movements or sounds that are hard to control. Behavioral therapy can help children and teens notice and manage tics.
Hair-pulling and skin-picking
Body-focused repetitive behaviors that can be hard to stop. Behavioral strategies help build awareness and healthier responses.
OCD often occurs alongside anxiety. Learn about anxiety therapy →
What to expect
Free 15-minute call
Talk with one of our psychologists about what's going on and whether therapy could help. If it's a good fit, we'll schedule your intake and send consent forms to sign online.
Intake session
A 50- to 90-minute meeting, usually in person at our Portland office, to gather information about current concerns and answer your questions about therapy.
Weekly sessions
50-minute sessions that are structured but supportive. We encourage starting with 4 to 6 weekly sessions in a row to build momentum, then we can talk about moving to every other week as things improve.
Common questions about OCD treatment
Is it OCD or just a phase?
Many children have habits or worries that come and go. OCD is more likely when unwanted thoughts cause real distress, rituals take up a lot of time (often an hour or more a day), or the family is rearranging routines to avoid triggering them. If you're unsure, a free 15-minute call is a good place to start.
Is ERP too hard for kids?
ERP is done gradually and collaboratively. Children and teens help choose each step, starting with small challenges they feel ready for. Most find it more manageable than they expected, and seeing progress builds confidence quickly.
What is family accommodation, and why does it matter?
Accommodation is when family members change routines, answer repeated questions or help with rituals to ease a child's distress. It comes from love, but it can keep OCD going. Part of treatment is helping parents step back in a supportive, gradual way.
Do you treat tics and hair-pulling or skin-picking?
Yes. We also treat tics and Tourette's, hair-pulling and skin-picking, using behavioral therapies designed specifically for these concerns.
Do you prescribe medication for OCD?
No. Our psychologists don't prescribe medication. If medication may be helpful, we're happy to coordinate with your child's pediatrician or another prescriber.
Do you take insurance?
We're a private-pay practice and don't bill insurance directly. We provide a monthly superbill you can submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement, and HSA and FSA cards are welcome. See our rates and reimbursement guide.
Ready to take back control from OCD?
Book a free 15-minute call with one of our psychologists to talk about what's going on and whether therapy could help.