Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD can be understood as a pattern where the mind misreads certain thoughts or sensations as threats, causing you to feel stuck on them even when they’re not dangerous or meaningful. Intrusive thoughts show up unexpectedly, and your brain responds as if they require action or certainty right away. In an effort to feel safer or more in control, you may find yourself checking, cleaning, repeating, fixing, or mentally reviewing things far more than you intend to.
OCD feels like your brain’s security system is tuned too high. It creates waves of worry, doubt, or uncomfortable “what if” thoughts, and you might feel pressure to respond with rituals or repeated behaviors until the anxiety settles. Even when you know the thoughts are irrational, the urge to neutralize them can feel overwhelming. These patterns are not your fault. They are your mind’s attempt to protect you, even when the protection is unnecessary.
OCD is influenced by both genetics and life experiences. Some people are born with a more sensitive alarm system, and environments, relationships, stress, and learned coping patterns can make the symptoms stronger or quieter over time. There is hope. OCD is highly treatable, and you do not need to avoid triggers or reorganize your life to find relief. You may simply need new tools and skills that are designed for the way your brain works.
What Does OCD Look Like?
OCD often shows up in ways that feel confusing, frustrating, or hard to explain to others. It can feel like getting stuck on a thought that loops in your mind no matter how hard you try to push it away. You may feel a strong need to check something again, clean something one more time, or repeat a certain action until it feels “right,” even when you know nothing has changed.
Sometimes OCD creates fears about harming others, making a mistake, or being responsible for something bad happening. These fears can feel very real in the moment, even if they do not match what is actually happening around you. You might find yourself analyzing your thoughts, reviewing past conversations, or seeking reassurance from others in an attempt to calm the anxiety.
For many people, OCD feels like an internal battle. You know the thoughts are unwanted, yet the pressure to neutralize them feels overwhelming. This cycle can lead to exhaustion, self-doubt, shame, confusion, or avoidance of situations that trigger distress.
It is important to remember that you are not choosing these thoughts or urges. OCD is a treatable condition, and with the right support, the thoughts lose their power and the compulsions loosen their grip.
Signs and Symptoms of OCD
Obsessions (Intrusive Thoughts)
Recurrent, unwanted, and intrusive thoughts, images, or urges
Fear of contamination or illness
Fear of harming oneself or others
Intense need for symmetry, order, or exactness
Intrusive thoughts related to morality, religion, or sexual themes
Persistent doubt (for example, fear of leaving appliances on or doors unlocked)
Compulsions (Repetitive Behaviors or Mental Acts)
Excessive cleaning or washing
Repeated checking of locks, appliances, or personal items
Counting, tapping, or repeating certain actions to reduce anxiety
Arranging or organizing objects until they feel “just right”
Seeking ongoing reassurance from others
Mental rituals such as repeating phrases, reviewing memories, or silently counteracting intrusive thoughts
Functional Impairments
Significant time spent on obsessions and compulsions that interferes with daily functioning
Difficulty completing tasks due to perfectionism or fear of making mistakes
Avoidance of people, places, or situations that trigger obsessions
Emotional distress, shame, or frustration related to symptoms
Treatment Modalities We Utilize
At Redeemed Mental Health, we use evidence-based, skills-focused approaches that help clients reduce symptoms, understand their anxiety, and build sustainable coping strategies that work for them specifically based on their own challenges. Treatment plans are individualized for every specific client and may include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps clients identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns, reduce catastrophic thinking, and develop healthier behavioral responses. It is considered one of the most effective treatments for anxiety disorders.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT supports clients in building mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness skills. These tools help individuals manage overwhelming emotions and reduce anxiety-driven behaviors.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT teaches clients to shift their relationship with anxious thoughts rather than fighting them. Through mindfulness, values clarification, and acceptance-based strategies, clients learn to move toward meaningful action even in the presence of anxiety.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
MBSR incorporates meditation, breathwork, and body awareness to calm the nervous system and reduce the physical and emotional impact of stress and anxiety.
Strengths-Based Approaches
This approach highlights clients’ existing resilience, capabilities, and personal resources, helping them build confidence and develop coping strategies that align with their strengths and values.
Collaborative Medication Management
For clients who may benefit from medications, our psychiatric providers collaborate closely with therapists to integrate pharmacological treatment with psychotherapy for optimal symptom relief.
Join the Journey to Healing
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OCD Treatment in Orange County, CA
Conveniently located in Newport Beach, CA, our skilled therapists employ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) to address anxiety’s root causes and provide practical coping strategies.
At Redeemed Mental Health, we empower clients to regain control, reduce symptoms, and foster a sense of calm and well-being. Our commitment to your journey towards anxiety relief is rooted in expertise, empathy, and effective care.
EXCELLENT Based on 30 reviews Posted on Cody ThorTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dr Wagner is excellent she's extremely professional and very helpful look forward to my therapy sessions weekly refreshing change. Extremely grateful for all she's helped with.Posted on Julie FernandezTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Redeemed is amazing. This place helped me so much mentally and physically. They have been by my side through my sobriety journey and got me through some tough times. I will always thank Dr. Wagner and her staff for never giving up on me and giving some great coping skills. I still attend therapy there a few times a month and I recommend this place to anyone that is struggling. .Posted on Christopher GurziTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dr. Wagner made herself available to me in the middle of the night when I was feeling lost--a sentiment that is lost on humanity today. It wasn't for another 18 months until I needed the level of care she and Redeemed Mental Health provided. When it came time for that, Redeemed was the first facility on my mind. The impression Dr. Wagner left on me in those early morning hours years before took root and I knew Redeemed was the place that was going to provide me with the compassion and care I needed. During my time in their program, those values ran strong and I was able to continue to make progress in my life. Highly recommend Redeemed Mental Health, even if just for a phone call when you think there is no left to hear you. Thank you Dr. Wagner and staff!Posted on Philipp HoltkampTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Redeemed Mental Health helped me through a tough period in my life when regular weekly therapy wasn't enough for me. The staff are all kind and know what they are doing. The group meetings and individual therapy combined definitely help you to overcome your challenges with mood disorders and begin to feel better.Posted on anna akermarkTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dr Wagner is amazing and all of the staff are so kind and helpful. I benefited so much from my time spent there and feel like the staff got me on my road to recovery.Posted on zachary shubinskiTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dr. Wagner took quite time out of her day to sit down and hear me out and some of the things that I struggle with as well as gripes and complaints. Super professional and considerate. Highly recommend.Posted on Dane JonesTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Redeemed Mental Health is a wonderful center for somebody who is struggling with their mental health. They truly care about the well-being of their clients and are really invested in making sure that everyone that wants help gets what they need. I have seen a lot of different places Due to the work that I do, and I cannot stress the value of places like this. It is not a big box store treatment center that treats everyone the same, it is a boutique place with a very hands-on accomplished Owner Who has a wide tool box to treat people with all kinds of varying situations. The clinical care and quality of care Provided at Redeemed Mental health is something that is rarely seen. If you were your loved, one is seeking care, This is one place you don’t want to overlook.Posted on Lisa KringTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Wonderful experience. Dr Wagner is such a caring clinician. She goes above and beyond for her clients. Can't say enough about her and her program.Posted on Katherine SutterTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. You actually learn a lot of coping skills at this place. It's goes way beyond talking about your misfortune in front of an empathetic audience.




















