OCD therapy in Vaughan
You are not your thoughts.
The intrusive thoughts, the rituals, the need to be sure: they can take over your day, and they’re exhausting. You are not your thoughts, and OCD is highly treatable. With the right therapy, you can loosen its grip. In Vaughan and online across Ontario.
Is it your child or teen? OCD often first shows up in the teen years. Our child and youth therapy team works with ages 3 to 17, with approaches matched to their age, and a free consult is a calm place to start.
Takes 2 minutes. No credit card. No referral needed.
- 24+ Registered PsychotherapistsLook any of us up on the CRPO register
- Direct billing availableSun Life, Beneva, Green Shield
- Evenings and weekendsIn person or online
It’s a loop, not who you are.
OCD works in a cycle: an intrusive thought or fear shows up, the anxiety spikes, and a compulsion (washing, checking, counting, seeking reassurance, mentally reviewing) brings a few seconds of relief. That relief is the hook. It quietly teaches your brain the fear was real, so the cycle comes back, stronger and more demanding.
The goal of therapy isn’t to get rid of every thought, which no one can do, but to change your relationship with them so they stop running the show. Exposure and response prevention (ERP), a form of CBT developed for OCD, helps you face what OCD fears while resisting the ritual, gently and at a pace you set.
OCD therapy is evidence-based talk therapy, usually CBT with ERP, that helps you break the obsession and compulsion loop, live with uncertainty, and take back the time OCD has been taking from you.
- ERP, a well-established approach for OCD, at your pace
- Zero judgment, even for the thoughts that scare you most
- In person or online, anywhere in Ontario
What has OCD been asking of you lately?
Tap anything that sounds familiar. None of these says anything bad about who you are. They’re common, and very workable.
Start with what you’re noticing.
Tap what sounds familiar lately, and we’ll suggest a sensible next step.
You’ve noticed 1 thing.
That’s common, and very workable. A free 20-minute consult is a calm way to talk it through, with zero judgment.
You’ve noticed 3 things.
That’s a lot to carry, and it’s exhausting. You don’t need to wait until it’s unbearable, and nothing you share will shock us.
Intrusive thoughts are extremely common, and OCD latches onto the ones that horrify you most because they go against your values. Having a thought isn’t the same as wanting it.
Book a free 20-minute consultThis isn’t a diagnosis.
The ritual feels like the solution. It’s what keeps OCD going.
The compulsion brings a few seconds of relief, and that relief is the trap. Step through three common loops, and what therapy does with them.
- 1The urge
“My hands don’t feel clean. I have to wash them again, just to be sure.”
- 2Name the loopThis is the OCD loop, not a real need.OCD floods you with doubt, then offers a ritual that brings a few seconds of relief. That relief teaches your brain the fear was real, so it returns stronger.
- 3The shift
“The anxiety rose, peaked and fell on its own, without the ritual. Each time I ride it out, OCD’s grip loosens.”
- 1The urge
“Did I actually lock the door? I’d better go back and check one more time.”
- 2Name the loopThis is OCD demanding certainty.Checking feels responsible, but OCD can never be fully satisfied, so one check becomes ten and the doubt still comes back.
- 3The shift
“I can live with reasonable uncertainty. The checking was the problem, not the solution.”
- 1The urge
“A horrible thought popped into my head. What kind of person thinks that?”
- 2Name the loopThis is an intrusive thought, not a wish.Everyone has strange or disturbing thoughts. OCD latches onto the ones that horrify you most, precisely because they go against your values. Having the thought doesn’t mean you want it or will act on it.
- 3The shift
“The thought is noise, not a verdict on who I am.”
- 1The urge
“What does therapy actually do with all this?”
- 2Name the loopERP, gently and with your consent.With your therapist you build a ladder of triggers, starting with the easiest, and practise delaying or skipping the ritual while the discomfort rises and settles on its own. You agree to every step before it happens.
- 3The shift
“I don’t have to do this alone, and I don’t have to do it all at once.”
An illustration of a common pattern, not a real client’s words. Seeing the loop is where change starts, and it’s very workable.
Start with a free 20-minute consultMeet therapists who work with OCD
OCD work at InnerSight is CBT-based and uses exposure and response prevention. The therapists below are Registered Psychotherapists who work with OCD. Watch a short intro, read their profile, or let us match you in your free consultation.
Watch introTeresa Di Panfilo
Registered PsychotherapistCRPO #19045Woodbridge · Online
CBT-focused, supportive and steady throughout the work.
Watch introPhil Azer
Registered PsychotherapistCRPO #10018Maple (Vaughan) · Online
Practical and calm, Phil helps clients face fears step by step.
Watch introSara Galloro-De Faveri
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)CRPO #20554Woodbridge · Online
Gentle and trauma-informed, moving at a comfortable pace while building practical tools to feel steadier.
Not sure who fits?
Let us match you in your free consultation. If the fit isn’t right, we’ll help you switch to another therapist on the team.
What your first session actually looks like
A common worry about ERP is being thrown in the deep end. You won’t be. Your first appointment is a 70-minute initial assessment, and here’s how that time tends to go.
- 1Minutes 0 to 15
Settling in
Your therapist welcomes you and explains confidentiality in plain language. No exposures today: you won’t be asked to touch anything or face a fear in the first session.
- 2Minutes 15 to 60
Mapping your OCD
Together you name the obsessions, the compulsions and the triggers, with zero judgment, even for the thoughts you’ve never said out loud.
- 3Throughout
Understanding the plan
Your therapist explains how ERP works, and you start sketching a gentle ladder together, beginning with the easiest steps. You consent to every step before it happens.
- 4The last 10 minutes
Leaving with one small step
You agree on what you’re working toward and one manageable thing to practise, never more than you feel ready for.
When OCD comes with low mood
The exhaustion of OCD can wear you down into a lasting low. If that sounds familiar, we work with the whole picture, and our depression therapy works hand in hand with this.
Depression therapyEvidence-based, ERP-led, and never forced.
ERP is a well-established approach for OCD, and your therapist tailors it to you and your pace, alongside other supports. It works best with a clear structure: a graded ladder built with you, session-by-session goals, and practice you help design, so progress stays visible.
Exposure and response prevention
Face triggers gradually while resisting rituals, so the anxiety can settle on its own.
Cognitive work
Loosen the beliefs that fuel OCD, like inflated responsibility and intolerance of doubt.
More on CBTACT and mindfulness
Make room for uncomfortable thoughts without obeying them, and act on what matters.
More on ACTFamily and accommodation
Help loved ones stop accidentally feeding OCD through reassurance, gently and together.
InnerSight was founded by Svetlana Antonyshyn, RP, on the belief that healing should treat the person, not a label. More about our approach.
What the research says
We’ll always be honest about evidence. CBT with ERP is widely recognized as the psychological treatment of choice for OCD, though researchers have raised fair questions about the quality of some studies, and no ethical therapist can promise how things will go for you.
About 2.5% of people will have OCD at some point in their lives, and it often goes more than a decade before it’s recognized.
In a Statistics Canada survey of more than 25,000 people, 0.93% had a diagnosis of OCD, and people with OCD were more likely to want help but feel they hadn’t received it.
The Canadian Psychological Association reports that 76% of people who complete behaviour therapy with exposure and response prevention, usually 13 to 20 sessions, see significant, lasting reductions in symptoms. Up to 1 in 5 decline or leave early.
A 2021 meta-analysis of 36 trials found CBT with ERP had a large effect on OCD symptoms overall, though the authors flagged concerns about the quality of many of the studies.
Our Registered Psychotherapists do not diagnose or prescribe. If medication is part of your care, we’re glad to work alongside your family doctor or psychiatrist.
Clinically reviewed by Svetlana Antonyshyn, Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO #001652). Last reviewed October 2026.
What OCD therapy costs
No hidden fees and no pressure. Most private insurance plans cover a portion of psychotherapy fees. We can bill Sun Life, Beneva (formerly SSQ) and Green Shield directly when your plan is with one of them, and we provide receipts for claims with other insurers.
- $0
- Free consultation · 20 minMeet a therapist, ask anything, and see if it feels right. No credit card and no obligation.
- $245
- First appointment · 70 minA longer first conversation to understand what’s going on and set goals together.
- $180
- Ongoing sessions · 55 minEvery session after your first, in person or online.
- $125
- Reduced-fee sessionWith select supervised therapists in training. Reduced-fee couples and family sessions are $175.
Appointments cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice may be charged a cancellation fee. Sessions aren’t covered by OHIP, but psychotherapy from a Registered Psychotherapist may qualify as a medical expense at tax time. Worried about cost? See our reduced-fee program, or call us. We’re happy to walk you through it.
How far could your benefits go?
Pick your plan’s yearly maximum for a Registered Psychotherapist.
An estimate, not a quote or a promise of coverage. Plans differ on the percentage reimbursed, per-visit limits, deductibles and which providers they recognize, so check your benefits booklet or ask your insurer about “Registered Psychotherapist” and “Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying).”
Book a free 20-minute consultDon’t take our word for it. Check.
Anyone can say they’re good at this. Here’s what you can verify about us in about two minutes, without speaking to anyone.
Regulated, not self-declared
“Psychotherapist” is a protected title in Ontario. Our team are Registered Psychotherapists, accountable to a College with a public complaints process.
See every therapist’s registrationSupervised every month
Our therapists meet for clinical supervision every month, so the work stays accountable to someone other than the person doing it.
How we workWe show our sources
Where we describe what therapy can help with, we name the source and link it, from Statistics Canada and CAMH to peer-reviewed trials.
What we help withNothing locks you in
No referral needed. No contract, no package to buy. Fees are published up front, $180 for a 55-minute session. If the fit isn’t right, tell us and we’ll help you switch to another therapist on the team.
Fees and coverageOCD therapy: your questions, answered
Still wondering about something? Ask us in a free consult, or call (905) 553-9507. Phones are answered weekdays 9 am to 5 pm, Saturdays 9 am to 2 pm.
Do I need a referral for OCD therapy in Vaughan?
No referral is needed. You can book a free 20-minute consultation online at psychotherapyclinic.janeapp.com or call (905) 553-9507. Most people have their first full session within a week.
What is ERP, and is it scary?
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a well-established, evidence-based therapy for OCD. You gradually face triggers while resisting the compulsion, so the anxiety can settle on its own. It is always paced with you, you consent to each step, and nothing is ever forced or done without warning.
Do my intrusive thoughts mean something is wrong with me?
No. Intrusive thoughts are extremely common, and OCD latches onto the thoughts that horrify you most precisely because they go against your values. Having a thought is not the same as wanting it or acting on it. We treat these thoughts with zero judgment.
How long does OCD therapy take?
Many people see meaningful change within a few months of consistent ERP, though it varies with the severity and how long OCD has been present. You and your therapist review progress together and adjust the plan as you go.
Do I need medication for OCD?
Not necessarily. For many people, ERP-based therapy is enough on its own. Our therapists are Registered Psychotherapists and do not prescribe medication, but we are glad to work alongside your physician or psychiatrist if medication is part of your care.
Can I do OCD therapy online?
Yes. We offer secure video sessions anywhere in Ontario, plus in-person sessions in Woodbridge, Vaughan and Barrie. ERP works well online, and your therapist can even coach you through exposures in the settings where OCD shows up. Evenings and weekends are available.
What if my OCD comes with anxiety or depression?
That is very common, and we work with the whole picture. OCD often travels with anxiety or depression, and your therapist tailors the approach so these are addressed together rather than in isolation.
Is therapy confidential?
Yes. Our therapists are Registered Psychotherapists regulated by the CRPO, and everything you share stays confidential within the standard legal limits, which your therapist explains clearly in your first session.
How is ERP therapy different from general talk therapy?
General talk therapy tends to focus on discussing thoughts and feelings. ERP is more structured and active: you and your therapist build a specific hierarchy of triggers, then work through it step by step while you practice resisting the compulsion. It is a skills-based process with a plan, not an open-ended conversation, though the two can work well together when anxiety or depression are also present.
Is it OCD or am I just a perfectionist?
They can look similar from the outside, wanting things done a certain way or double-checking your work, but they feel different from the inside. Perfectionism is usually about high standards, while OCD is driven by intrusive doubt and anxiety that only a ritual seems to quiet, and it can take up hours of your day. A Registered Psychotherapist cannot formally diagnose OCD, but a free consult can help you get clarity on which one fits and what kind of support makes sense.
OCD therapy near you
In-person sessions in Woodbridge, Maple and Barrie, plus secure video sessions anywhere in Ontario. Evenings and weekends available.
Online across Ontario
Secure video sessions from anywhere in the province, including ERP practice in the places OCD shows up.
Book an online consultAppointment hoursMonday to Friday, 9:30 am to 8:00 pmSaturday, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
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OCD is very treatable with the right support, and the first step is a free, no-pressure conversation. You can take it today.
Phones answered Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm, Saturday 9 am to 2 pm.
