Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Treatment

Evidence-based treatment for ocd in Mercer, McDowell, and Wyoming counties

Understanding OCD in Rural West Virginia

Evidence-based OCD treatment using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy and medication management. Help for intrusive thoughts, compulsions, and anxiety.

At Southern Highlands Community Mental Health Center, we've been providing evidence-based care for ocd in Mercer, McDowell, and Wyoming counties since 1968. As a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), we understand the unique challenges facing rural Appalachian communities—economic hardship, limited access to specialists, transportation barriers, and the stigma that still surrounds mental health care in small towns.

Our integrated care model means you don't need to drive hours to see a psychiatrist in Charleston or coordinate between multiple providers across different systems. Your therapist, psychiatrist, case manager, and peer support specialist work as one team, sharing information and adjusting your treatment plan together. This coordination—rare in rural healthcare—leads to better outcomes and fewer gaps in care.

Why Local, Integrated Care Matters

In Southern West Virginia, the nearest psychiatric hospital may be 90 minutes away. The nearest trauma specialist might only accept private insurance. And if you're in crisis at 10 PM on a Saturday, your options are often limited to an emergency room that isn't equipped for mental health emergencies.

We're different. Our 24/7 Crisis Stabilization Unit is staffed by local clinicians who know our community. When you call our crisis line, you're not routed to a national call center—you're speaking with someone who understands what it means to live in Princeton, Mullens, or Rockview. And because we're a CCBHC, we will not turn you away due to inability to pay. If you need help, we provide it—regardless of insurance status.

Our Treatment Approach for OCD

Treatment begins with a comprehensive evaluation where we learn about your symptoms, medical history, current stressors, and goals. We don't use cookie-cutter treatment plans. What works for someone in a large city with robust family support may not work for someone in rural Appalachia managing chronic pain, unemployment, or caring for aging parents while working two jobs.

Your treatment plan may include individual therapy, medication management with our psychiatrists, group therapy, peer support from someone who's been through similar challenges, and case management to help with practical barriers like transportation, insurance navigation, or connecting to other community resources. If you need more intensive support, we offer residential treatment programs and can coordinate with primary care, schools, courts, or other providers.

What to Expect: Your First Visit

1. Scheduling & Walk-Ins

Call +1-304-425-9541 to schedule an appointment, or walk in during office hours at any of our six locations. If you're in crisis, call our 24/7 Crisis Line at +1-800-615-0122.

2. Initial Evaluation (60-90 minutes)

A licensed clinician will meet with you to understand what you're experiencing, how long symptoms have been present, what's helped or hasn't helped in the past, and what your goals are. We'll ask about medical history, medications, family history, and current stressors. This isn't an interrogation—it's a conversation to help us understand how to best support you.

What to bring: Photo ID, insurance card (if you have one), list of current medications, and any questions you want to ask. If you don't have insurance, we'll discuss sliding-scale fees and help you apply for coverage if eligible.

3. Treatment Planning

Together, we'll create a treatment plan tailored to your needs. This might include weekly therapy sessions, a psychiatric evaluation for medication, group therapy, or connection to peer support. We'll explain what each service involves, how often you'll be seen, and what the goals are. You're part of the decision-making process—this is your treatment, and your input matters.

4. Ongoing Care & Coordination

Your care team meets regularly to discuss your progress and adjust treatment as needed. If you're also seeing a primary care doctor, we can coordinate with them (with your permission). If you need help with transportation, housing, or other practical barriers, our case managers can connect you to community resources. Recovery isn't linear, and we're here for the long haul.

Common Signs & Symptoms

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, professional help is available:

Unwanted intrusive thoughts or images
Excessive fear of contamination
Need for symmetry or order
Repetitive behaviors or rituals
Excessive checking or counting
Mental compulsions
Significant distress or time consumed
Interference with daily life

Need immediate help?

If you're in crisis, call our 24/7 crisis line:

+1-800-615-0122

Treatment Options

Our comprehensive approach to treating ocd includes:

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

SSRI medications

Mindfulness-based interventions

Family therapy and education

Related Services

Adult Mental Health Services Telehealth Options Crisis Stabilization

Treatment Approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Medication Management All Treatment Types

Getting Started

Request Services First Visit Guide Insurance & Payment

Why Choose SHCMHC for OCD Treatment?

58 Years of Experience

Trusted mental health care since 1968

Expert Team

Licensed psychiatrists, therapists, and counselors

6 Convenient Locations

Serving Mercer, McDowell, and Wyoming counties

Frequently Asked Questions

Is OCD just about being clean and organized?

That's one of the most common misconceptions about OCD. While contamination fears and cleaning rituals are one subtype, OCD takes many forms: fear of harming others, religious or moral scrupulosity, fear of making mistakes, intrusive sexual thoughts, symmetry and order obsessions, and more. What all forms share is a cycle of intrusive thoughts (obsessions) followed by compulsive behaviors or mental rituals to reduce distress — which ultimately reinforces the cycle rather than breaking it.

What is ERP therapy and does it actually work?

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the gold-standard treatment for OCD, recommended by every major clinical guideline. It works by gradually exposing you to situations that trigger obsessions while helping you resist performing compulsions. Over time, your brain learns that the feared outcome doesn't happen and that anxiety naturally decreases without the ritual. ERP is challenging — it involves tolerating discomfort rather than relieving it — but the research on its effectiveness is overwhelmingly positive. Most people see significant symptom reduction within 12 to 20 sessions.

I have scary intrusive thoughts — does that mean I'll act on them?

No. Intrusive thoughts — even violent, sexual, or disturbing ones — are a universal human experience. What makes OCD different is the distress the thoughts cause and the effort to neutralize them. People with OCD who have intrusive thoughts about harming others are among the least likely to act on them precisely because the thoughts are so contrary to their values. The shame and fear surrounding these thoughts often prevents people from seeking help. A trained OCD therapist will not be shocked or alarmed by what you share — this is a well-understood part of the condition.

Do medications help with OCD?

Yes. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are the most commonly prescribed medications for OCD and are effective for many people. They're typically used at higher doses than for depression. Medication is often most effective when combined with ERP therapy. If one SSRI doesn't work well, there are others to try. For treatment-resistant OCD, other medication options exist that your psychiatrist can discuss.

How long does OCD treatment take?

ERP therapy typically involves 12 to 20 weekly sessions, though complex or severe cases may take longer. Medication effects typically become noticeable within 4 to 6 weeks, with full effects at 8 to 12 weeks. Many people choose to continue with maintenance therapy and medication long-term to sustain gains and manage flare-ups during stressful periods. OCD can cycle with life stress, and knowing how to respond to a flare is an important part of long-term management.