OCD Treatment in Lakeland, FL: Evidence-Based Therapy to Help You Break Free from OCD

July 2, 2026

Author: Araceli Gauna-Scattolini, LMHC

Contributors: Kathryn Dumont, LCSW & Molly Baker, LCSW

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is more than being organized or liking things a certain way. OCD is a mental health condition characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental rituals (compulsions) performed to reduce anxiety.

Left untreated, OCD can become increasingly disruptive, affecting work, school, relationships, parenting, and overall quality of life. The good news is that OCD is highly treatable with the right therapeutic approach.

At Atala Counseling in Lakeland, Florida, our therapists provide specialized, evidence-based treatment that helps individuals understand how OCD works, reduce compulsions, and regain confidence in their ability to live according to their values—not their fears. We provide in-person therapy in Lakeland as well as telehealth throughout Florida. (Atala Counseling)

What is OCD?

OCD involves a cycle of:

Intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that create distress
Doubt and uncertainty that feel impossible to ignore
Compulsive behaviors or mental rituals intended to reduce anxiety
Temporary relief that ultimately strengthens the OCD cycle

OCD can look different for everyone. Common types of OCD include:

Contamination OCD
Harm OCD
Relationship OCD
Scrupulosity (religious or moral OCD)
Health OCD
Sexual orientation or identity OCD
Checking OCD
Perfectionism-related OCD
Existential OCD
Mental compulsions and rumination

According to Kathryn Dumont, LCSW and therapist at Atala Counseling, “I have seen so many clients suffer unnecessarily with OCD; spending years believing they have anxiety that can’t be treated or worse, blaming themselves that they haven’t tried hard enough to control their thoughts.” But in reality, their OCD is maintained by a specific pattern that requires specialized treatment, different from anxiety and is not about trying hard.

Evidence-Based OCD Treatment at Atala Counseling

Our therapists use approaches that are supported by decades of clinical research and tailored to each person’s unique presentation.

Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT)

Inference-Based CBT (I-CBT) is a newer evidence-based treatment developed specifically for OCD (Aardema et al., 2022).

Rather than focusing primarily on confronting feared situations, I-CBT helps clients understand how OCD creates doubt through faulty reasoning. Clients learn to recognize when OCD is pulling them away from reality into imagined possibilities and develop greater trust in their own senses, experiences, and judgment.

Many individuals appreciate I-CBT because it addresses the thinking process that fuels OCD rather than simply challenging the content of intrusive thoughts.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is considered one of the gold-standard treatments for OCD (Mogan et al., 2025).

During ERP, clients gradually face situations or thoughts that trigger OCD while learning not to perform compulsions or rituals. Over time, the brain learns that anxiety naturally decreases without relying on compulsive behaviors.

ERP is collaborative, individualized, and completed at a pace that balances effectiveness with each client’s readiness.

EMDR for OCD

Some individuals with OCD also have a history of trauma or distressing life experiences that contribute to heightened anxiety or reinforce OCD symptoms.

Recent studies indicate Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) may also be a therapeutic option for reduction in OCD symptoms (Talbot, 2021).

Why Seeking OCD Treatment Matters

Without treatment, OCD often becomes more time-consuming and disruptive over time.

Many people begin avoiding situations, seeking reassurance from loved ones, or spending hours each day managing intrusive thoughts and rituals.

Seeking treatment early can help you:

Reduce intrusive thoughts and compulsions
Spend less time trapped in OCD rituals
Improve relationships
Return to work or school with greater confidence
Increase independence
Reduce anxiety and emotional exhaustion
Build long-term skills to prevent OCD from controlling your life

You do not have to wait until OCD feels “severe enough” to benefit from therapy.

OCD Therapists in Lakeland, Florida

At Atala Counseling, OCD treatment is provided by experienced licensed therapists who have specialized training in evidence-based approaches.

Kathryn Dumont, LCSW

Kathryn works with adults experiencing OCD, anxiety, trauma, and relationship concerns. She incorporates I-CBT, ERP, and EMDR when clinically appropriate to provide individualized treatment plans. (Atala Counseling)

Molly Baker, LCSW

Molly specializes in working with adults experiencing OCD, anxiety, grief, chronic illness, and major life transitions. Her warm, collaborative approach helps clients build practical skills while addressing the underlying patterns that maintain OCD.

Molly utilizes ERP, I-CBT, and EMDR when appropriate with clients who have OCD and a history of trauma. Molly has completed the IOCDF BTTI 20 hr Training + 5 hours of consultation, which has been a tremendous resource in allowing her to treat her clients with ERP most effectively. (Atala Counseling)

Why Choose Atala Counseling for OCD Treatment?

At Atala Counseling, we recognize that living with OCD can feel isolating. Many people worry about sharing intrusive thoughts because they fear being misunderstood or judged.

Our therapists understand that intrusive thoughts are symptoms, not reflections of your character or intentions.

Our approach is:

Evidence-based
Collaborative
Trauma-informed
LGBTQIA+ affirming
Individualized to your symptoms and goals

Our goal is not simply reducing anxiety; it is helping you build a life where OCD no longer dictates your choices. (Atala Counseling)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does OCD treatment look like?

Treatment begins with a comprehensive assessment to understand your symptoms, goals, and how OCD is affecting your daily life.

Depending on your needs, therapy may include:

Inference-Based CBT (I-CBT)
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
EMDR when trauma is contributing to symptoms
Education about how OCD works
Skill-building between sessions
Personalized treatment planning

Each treatment plan is individualized because OCD presents differently for every person.

Molly Baker, LCSW educates her clients by sharing that “Often, one of the most helpful tools for my clients is identifying whether they are information seeking or reassurance seeking. For someone with OCD, distinguishing the difference between these two things is going to be essential in progressing through treatment. I work alongside clients to help them identify which it is when feeling compelled to ‘get an answer’ or ‘feel certain.’ “

Who offers treatment for OCD at Atala Counseling?

OCD treatment is currently offered by:

Kathryn Dumont, LCSW
Molly Baker, LCSW

Both therapists provide evidence-based care for adults experiencing OCD and related anxiety disorders. (Atala Counseling)

Why is it important to seek treatment for OCD?

OCD rarely improves simply by trying to ignore intrusive thoughts or stop compulsions through willpower.

Without treatment, OCD often expands into additional areas of life and can become increasingly time-consuming. Evidence-based therapy helps interrupt this cycle while teaching long-term strategies for recovery.

How long does OCD treatment take at Atala Counseling?

There is no one-size-fits-all timeline.

The length of treatment depends on factors such as:

Severity of symptoms
Types of obsessions and compulsions
Presence of trauma or other mental health concerns
Frequency of therapy sessions
Individual treatment goals

Some clients notice meaningful improvement within a few months of consistent treatment, while others benefit from longer-term therapy focused on maintaining progress and preventing relapse.

How can I schedule an appointment?

Scheduling is simple.

You can request an appointment online or call our office to determine which therapist is the best fit for your needs. We offer both in-person appointments in Lakeland and secure telehealth appointments for clients across Florida. Click Here to Request an Appointment

Who offers OCD treatment in Lakeland, Florida?

If you’re searching for OCD treatment in Lakeland, Florida, Atala Counseling offers specialized, evidence-based therapy using Inference-Based CBT (I-CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and EMDR when clinically appropriate. Our therapists work with adults experiencing OCD and provide compassionate, individualized care in a supportive environment. (Atala Counseling)

Ready to Begin OCD Treatment?

Living with OCD can feel exhausting, but recovery is possible. With specialized treatment, many people experience significant improvement and learn to respond to intrusive thoughts with greater confidence and flexibility.

If you’re looking for an OCD therapist in Lakeland, Florida, our team is here to help you take the next step.

Request an appointment today and connect with one of our OCD specialists to begin evidence-based treatment designed to help you reclaim your life. Request an Appointment

References:
Aardema, F., et al. (2022). Evaluation of inference-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A multicenter randomized controlled trial with three treatment modalities. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 91(5), 348–359. https://doi.org/10.1159/000524425

Mogan, C. et al. (2025). An outcome study of an intensive, out-patient exposure and response prevention therapy for obsessive compulsive disorder. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1754470X2500008X

Talbot, D. (2021, August 1). Examination of initial evidence for EMDR as a treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder | Journal of EMDR practice and research. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research. https://spj.science.org/doi/10.1891/EMDR-D-21-00004