Evidence-Based OCD & Anxiety Treatment
ERP, EMDR, CBT, SPACE & Prolonged Exposure Therapy
At Indy OCD, we use proven, specialized treatment methods for OCD, panic disorder, PTSD, phobias, and anxiety disorders — including perfectionism-driven anxiety and overthinking.
Our approach is active, structured, and efficient — not endless talk therapy. We work best with clients and families who want a clear plan, measurable progress, and therapy that translates into real life between sessions. We serve adults and children (ages 8+) throughout Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Westfield, and Zionsville.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP Therapy)
ERP is the gold-standard treatment for OCD, and it is highly effective for panic disorder and many anxiety conditions involving avoidance, safety behaviors, and compulsive coping.
When we’re fearful of something, avoidance and reassurance often feel helpful in the short term — but over time they make anxiety stronger. ERP works by breaking the link between anxious thoughts and the habitual responses used to relieve distress, including avoidance, compulsions, and ritualized reassurance. ERP is also helpful for perfectionism when it shows up as over-checking, mental review, procrastination, or the need to feel 100% certain before moving forward.
For OCD specifically, ERP uses systematic, gradual exposure to situations that trigger obsessions while preventing compulsive behaviors. Each time we complete an exercise, the brain learns something important: anxiety can rise, peak, and fall on its own — and we don’t have to “fix it” to be safe. Over time, this builds real confidence and freedom.
ERP therapy goals may include:
ERP is often a short-term, skills-based treatment model (commonly around 12–16 sessions), though frequency and duration may be adjusted depending on severity and the ability to complete practice between sessions.
Conditions treated with ERP:
Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE)
SPACE is a parent-based treatment for childhood anxiety and OCD, and research shows it can be as effective as child-based CBT.
Developed by Dr. Eli Lebowitz at the Yale Child Study Center, SPACE helps parents learn how to increase emotional support while reducing accommodation of anxiety. This is especially helpful when a child is too anxious to engage in therapy directly, or when the family has started walking on eggshells to prevent distress.
SPACE is ideal for:
Parents can participate in single-family SPACE training or in a small group format. All participating parents complete a 15-minute consultation prior to enrollment to determine suitability. Christopher Toomer is certified in SPACE and trained directly with Dr. Eli Lebowitz at the Yale Child Study Center.
EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
EMDR helps the brain reprocess distressing memories so they no longer feel actively threatening in the present.
EMDR is an evidence-based approach for individuals struggling with trauma, PTSD symptoms, panic, anxiety, and chronic stress responses. It can also be used alongside ERP or CBT when past experiences are contributing to present-day symptoms.
We provide EMDR for adults, adolescents, and children ages 8 and up, both in-person and via telehealth.
Common concerns treated with EMDR:
Our EMDR work is integrated with careful stabilization, pacing, and a structured plan tailored to each client.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)
Prolonged Exposure is an evidence-based cognitive behavioral treatment for PTSD and trauma-related fear responses. It is strongly recommended by major clinical guidelines for PTSD treatment.
Trauma often leads people to avoid memories, feelings, and situations that remind them of what happened. Avoidance is understandable — but it also reinforces the fear response over time. PE helps individuals gradually approach trauma-related memories and reminders in a structured way so the brain can relearn safety in the present.
How PE works:
PE is designed to reduce trauma symptoms while improving daily functioning, emotional resilience, and the ability to cope with confidence rather than fear.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is the foundation for ERP, PE, and many of the other evidence-based treatments we provide.
CBT gives us a practical roadmap for changing the patterns that keep anxiety going. We identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, test them in real life, and build more effective responses that hold up under pressure. The goal is not absolute tranquility — it’s flexibility, confidence, and forward movement even when anxiety shows up. CBT is especially effective for perfectionism, self-criticism, and high-functioning anxiety that keeps life feeling unnecessarily heavy.
In practice, CBT often includes skill-building during sessions and structured between-session practice. This is where progress becomes durable.
OCD and Anxiety Treatment in Indianapolis, Carmel & Zionsville
Indy OCD provides specialized therapy for adults and children (ages 8+) throughout the Indianapolis area, including Carmel, Fishers, Westfield, and Zionsville.
Limited openings available. Ready to stop letting anxiety run your life? Book online, or call/text to inquire. (317) 689-8669
At Indy OCD, we use proven, specialized treatment methods for OCD, panic disorder, PTSD, phobias, and anxiety disorders — including perfectionism-driven anxiety and overthinking.
Our approach is active, structured, and efficient — not endless talk therapy. We work best with clients and families who want a clear plan, measurable progress, and therapy that translates into real life between sessions. We serve adults and children (ages 8+) throughout Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Westfield, and Zionsville.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP Therapy)
ERP is the gold-standard treatment for OCD, and it is highly effective for panic disorder and many anxiety conditions involving avoidance, safety behaviors, and compulsive coping.
When we’re fearful of something, avoidance and reassurance often feel helpful in the short term — but over time they make anxiety stronger. ERP works by breaking the link between anxious thoughts and the habitual responses used to relieve distress, including avoidance, compulsions, and ritualized reassurance. ERP is also helpful for perfectionism when it shows up as over-checking, mental review, procrastination, or the need to feel 100% certain before moving forward.
For OCD specifically, ERP uses systematic, gradual exposure to situations that trigger obsessions while preventing compulsive behaviors. Each time we complete an exercise, the brain learns something important: anxiety can rise, peak, and fall on its own — and we don’t have to “fix it” to be safe. Over time, this builds real confidence and freedom.
ERP therapy goals may include:
- Individual and family education about OCD and anxiety
- Identifying triggers and maintaining responses
- In vivo (real-life) and imaginal exposures to build tolerance
- Reducing avoidance, compulsions, and rumination
- Building realistic, flexible thinking under stress
- Relapse prevention strategies
ERP is often a short-term, skills-based treatment model (commonly around 12–16 sessions), though frequency and duration may be adjusted depending on severity and the ability to complete practice between sessions.
Conditions treated with ERP:
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Health anxiety
- Phobias (driving, flying, vomiting, choking, needles, etc.)
- Perfectionism & high-functioning anxiety
- Generalized anxiety patterns involving avoidance and reassurance-seeking
Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE)
SPACE is a parent-based treatment for childhood anxiety and OCD, and research shows it can be as effective as child-based CBT.
Developed by Dr. Eli Lebowitz at the Yale Child Study Center, SPACE helps parents learn how to increase emotional support while reducing accommodation of anxiety. This is especially helpful when a child is too anxious to engage in therapy directly, or when the family has started walking on eggshells to prevent distress.
SPACE is ideal for:
- Parents of children ages 6–18 with separation anxiety, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, phobias, or OCD
- Parents of children who have struggled to engage with or benefit from individual therapy
- Parents whose accommodation has unintentionally become part of the anxiety cycle
- Parents with different parenting styles (e.g., protective vs. demanding) who want a shared plan
Parents can participate in single-family SPACE training or in a small group format. All participating parents complete a 15-minute consultation prior to enrollment to determine suitability. Christopher Toomer is certified in SPACE and trained directly with Dr. Eli Lebowitz at the Yale Child Study Center.
EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
EMDR helps the brain reprocess distressing memories so they no longer feel actively threatening in the present.
EMDR is an evidence-based approach for individuals struggling with trauma, PTSD symptoms, panic, anxiety, and chronic stress responses. It can also be used alongside ERP or CBT when past experiences are contributing to present-day symptoms.
We provide EMDR for adults, adolescents, and children ages 8 and up, both in-person and via telehealth.
Common concerns treated with EMDR:
- Trauma and PTSD
- Panic and acute anxiety
- Medical trauma
- Perinatal trauma and anxiety
- Performance and situational anxiety
Our EMDR work is integrated with careful stabilization, pacing, and a structured plan tailored to each client.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)
Prolonged Exposure is an evidence-based cognitive behavioral treatment for PTSD and trauma-related fear responses. It is strongly recommended by major clinical guidelines for PTSD treatment.
Trauma often leads people to avoid memories, feelings, and situations that remind them of what happened. Avoidance is understandable — but it also reinforces the fear response over time. PE helps individuals gradually approach trauma-related memories and reminders in a structured way so the brain can relearn safety in the present.
How PE works:
- Treatment is typically weekly or biweekly over about 8–15 sessions
- Imaginal exposure is practiced in session to help process trauma memories safely and effectively
- In vivo exposure is practiced between sessions to reduce avoidance and rebuild confidence in real life
PE is designed to reduce trauma symptoms while improving daily functioning, emotional resilience, and the ability to cope with confidence rather than fear.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is the foundation for ERP, PE, and many of the other evidence-based treatments we provide.
CBT gives us a practical roadmap for changing the patterns that keep anxiety going. We identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, test them in real life, and build more effective responses that hold up under pressure. The goal is not absolute tranquility — it’s flexibility, confidence, and forward movement even when anxiety shows up. CBT is especially effective for perfectionism, self-criticism, and high-functioning anxiety that keeps life feeling unnecessarily heavy.
In practice, CBT often includes skill-building during sessions and structured between-session practice. This is where progress becomes durable.
OCD and Anxiety Treatment in Indianapolis, Carmel & Zionsville
Indy OCD provides specialized therapy for adults and children (ages 8+) throughout the Indianapolis area, including Carmel, Fishers, Westfield, and Zionsville.
Limited openings available. Ready to stop letting anxiety run your life? Book online, or call/text to inquire. (317) 689-8669