Specializing in Individual and Group Therapy for Children and Adults with OCD and Related Conditions

In addition to individual and group therapy for adults, the OCD Center of Los Angeles also offers individual and group therapy for children and adolescents with OCD and other anxiety-related conditions. Research has shown that group Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy can be extremely helpful in the treatment of OCD and related anxiety conditions. We currently offer three monthly, age-specific, therapy/support groups for children and adolescents with any of the following anxiety-related conditions:

• OCD

• Pure Obsessional OCD

• Social Anxiety

• Phobias

• Panic Disorder

• Body Dysmorphic Disorder

• Trichotillomania

• Compulsive Skin Picking

• Olfactory Reference Syndrome

Quite often, children and adolescents with these conditions feel extremely isolated due to the secretive nature of their disorders, and have never met another person suffering with their condition. Our groups provide a safe and supportive environment in which children and adolescents can actively address their symptoms with others who are also working to overcome similar OCD and anxiety issues. Group sessions include individual members tackling specific symptoms that have been particularly problematic. Group members discover that trying new, more productive coping strategies is often easier with the support of peers who know just how difficult it is to face one's fears.

Our monthly group therapy/support sessions focus on providing structured Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for the treatment of OCD and anxiety symptoms, as well as psychoeducation and peer support for children who too often know nobody else suffering with similar symptoms. The goals of our groups are to help the children learn to better manage and reduce their primary OCD and anxiety symptoms, as well as helping them to experience a reduction in feelings of isolation and shame. As a result, there can also be a secondary benefit of helping the children improve social and academic functioning which are frequently impaired due to their symptoms.

Groups for children and adolescents at the OCD Center of Los Angeles are conveniently scheduled on Saturdays in order to be more accessible to those who might otherwise not be able to attend. Sessions are held at our offices in the Westwood Village area of Los Angeles, and are led by one of out staff therapists, Jon Hershfield, MA. The schedule for our monthly therapy/support groups for children and adolescents is as follows:

• 10-13 years old with OCD and other anxiety disorders - 2nd Saturday of each month
• 14-17 years old with OCD and other anxiety disorders - 3rd Saturday of each month
• 10-17 years old with Trichotillomania and/or Compulsive Skin Picking - 4th Saturday of each month
• 7-10 years old with Trichotillomania and/or Compulsive Skin Picking - 1st Saturday of each month (this group is currently not meeting)

Assessment For Group Therapy Participation

All groups at the OCD Center of Los Angeles require an assessment prior to admission and participation. Assessment does not guarantee admission to any group. The goal of our group therapy assessment process is to provide an accurate diagnosis, to explain group processes and procedures, and to discern whether or not the child being assessed is an appropriate candidate for participation in group therapy at our clinic. The OCD Center of Los Angeles reserves the right to restrict and limit participation in all therapy groups we offer.

For children and adolescents with OCD and other anxiety conditions, group therapy can be an extremely valuable experience. If your child is suffering with OCD or a related anxiety disorder, and you would like more information about group or individual therapy at the OCD Center of Los Angeles, we can be reached at (310) 335-5443, or via email at director@ocdla.com.