Sommer Psychology Group, Indy Anxiety & OCD Treatment

02/19/2026

OCD treatment doesn't mean "getting rid of thoughts." It means learning how to respond to them differently - so they stop running your life.

In our newest blog, we break down how OCD is actually treated in real-world therapy settings, including:

ERP (Exposure & Response Prevention) - the gold standard approach

CBT - changing rigid or fearful thinking patterns

ACT - learning to live your life without getting stuck in thoughts

I-CBT - especially helpful for mental doubt and "what if" loops

Medication options like SSRIs

Advanced treatments such as TMS and DBS for severe cases

We also cover:
• What therapy actually feels like
• How long treatment typically takes
• Whether medication is required
• How to build a plan that fits your real life

If OCD has been taking up too much mental space, this guide will help you understand your options and what starting care can look like.

At Sommer Psychology Group, we believe OCD treatment should feel manageable, personalized, and grounded in evidence-based care - not overwhelming or mysterious.

If OCD has been taking up too much mental space, this guide will help you understand your options and what starting care can look like.

Read the full blog on our website and take the first step toward support today. See link in bio👆

02/13/2026

OCD is often misunderstood. It’s not about being “clean” or “organized.” It’s a cycle of intrusive thoughts, overwhelming anxiety, and rituals that bring brief relief, only for the fear and doubt to return again.

Here’s what that cycle can look like:

#1 Persistent intrusive thoughts.
Unwanted thoughts, images, or urges show up repeatedly and interrupt your focus. Even when you know they don’t make sense, your mind keeps returning to them, replaying conversations, worrying you said something wrong, caused harm, or missed something important.

#2 Time-consuming rituals
You repeat actions or mental steps to feel calm, certain, or “done.” What should take minutes stretches much longer. Rechecking locks, rereading messages, or mentally reviewing tasks can feel necessary before you can move on.

#3 Anxiety that feels too strong.
Small triggers cause intense fear, doubt, or discomfort. Touching a surface, making a simple decision, or having a passing thought can suddenly feel overwhelming, and the anxiety doesn’t settle on its own.

#4 Knowing it’s excessive but still doing it.
You’re aware that the behavior or thought pattern is unreasonable, yet resisting feels unbearable. The discomfort of not acting feels worse than continuing the cycle.

#5 Disruption to daily life.
OCD can affect your schedule, responsibilities, and focus. Running late, avoiding tasks, or struggling to stay present happens because your attention keeps getting pulled back.

#6 Avoidance to prevent anxiety.
You steer clear of places, people, or situations that trigger distressing thoughts. It feels protective at first, but over time, it limits your world.

#7 Reassurance that doesn’t last.
You ask others for certainty or comfort. It helps briefly, but the doubt returns, and the urge to ask again follows.

#8 Physical effects from stress or repetition.
Headaches, fatigue, muscle tension, irritated skin, and sleep problems can show up from the constant mental and physical effort.

#9 Emotional wear and tear.
Frustration. Shame. Discouragement. You may judge yourself for not being able to “just stop,” even though you’re trying your best.

#10 Thoughts that feel “not like you”.
The thoughts are distressing because they go against your values. You may question what they mean about you, even though you don’t want them and would never act on them.

#11 Trying to stop makes anxiety spike.
When you attempt to resist, anxiety surges until you give in to the ritual or mental review just to feel relief.

#12 Relief that fades quickly.
After completing the behavior, you feel calmer, but only for a short time. The thought returns, and the cycle starts again. As the Cleveland Clinic explains, compulsions temporarily relieve anxiety, but obsessions soon return, reinforcing a repetitive loop.

If this feels familiar, you are not broken—and you are not alone. OCD is treatable, and support can help you step out of the cycle.

Healing doesn’t mean never having intrusive thoughts again; it means learning how to respond differently to them. 🤍

If you would like support learning how to respond and manage intrusive thoughts, contact Sommer Psychology Group for a free 20min consultation. Our licensed therapists specialize in treating anxiety disorders and OCD and can help!

02/12/2026

Stuck in a loop of doubt that won’t let go?

OCD isn't just about being "neat" or organized. It's a cycle of intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental rituals (compulsions) done to relieve anxiety - but the relief never lasts.

Signs it might be OCD:
• Persistent unwanted thoughts that feel "not like you"
• Rituals or mental checking that eat up time
• Reassurance that only helps briefly
• Avoiding things to prevent anxiety
• Knowing it's excessive... but feeling unable to stop

The key difference? The cycle repeats: thought → anxiety → ritual → short relief → thought again.

If these patterns are draining your time, energy, or peace of mind, you don't have to manage it alone. OCD is highly treatable, and support can help you break the cycle.

Want to understand the signs more clearly?

Read the full post here: https://sommerpg.com/how-do-you-know-if-you-have-ocd/

02/12/2026

Many people had a favorite stuffed animal as a child, and many more than you think might still have one. Experts explain why they could be beneficial for your sleep.

02/10/2026

01/30/2026

For people living with OCD, courage is not the absence of fear.

It's showing up anyway, even when thoughts feel loud and uncertain. Every small step forward counts, even the ones taken while afraid. 💙

01/29/2026

When ADHD and OCD show up together, symptoms can blend in ways that are hard to untangle.

Inattention might feel like distractibility—but it could be obsessive thoughts taking over. Repetitive behaviors might come from restlessness… or anxiety.

Planning, decision-making, and daily routines can feel overwhelming, and relationships can get strained—not because of laziness, but because the brain is working differently.

Understanding the overlap is the first step toward clarity and support and Sommer Psychology Group can help. Contact us for a free 20min consultation.

01/29/2026

ADHD and OCD together in adults occur more often than is typically recognized in general mental health settings. Research shows that approximately 25-33% of individuals with OCD also meet criteria for ADHD, while about 8-11% of individuals with ADHD meet criteria for OCD.

Part of the challenge is that symptoms can mask each other. Attention difficulties may be attributed to anxiety or obsessive thinking, while compulsive behaviors may be overlooked when ADHD Is already diagnosed. This can delay accurate identification of both conditions.

ADHD also persists into adulthood in roughly 60% of childhood cases, increasing the likelihood that both conditions may be present at the same time.

Recognizing how often these conflitions co-occur helps explain why symptoms may feel more intense or harder to manage when only one diagnosis is addressed.

For a better understanding of what’s going on with you- OCD/ADHD or both? Contact Sommer Psychology Group where you can speak to a licensed therapist. See link in bio 👆

01/27/2026

ADHD and OCD together in adults can create overlapping symptoms that are difficult to separate.

Challenges with attention, follow-through, and organization may occur alolgside rigid thinking, mental loops, or repetitive behaviors. These patterns can interfere with work, relationships, and everyday functioning.

Because the symptoms pull in different directions, they are often misunderstood or attributed to anxiety, personality traits, or lack of effort. This can delay accurate identification and appropriate treatment.

Understanding how ADHD and OCD interact helps clarify why symptoms feel so conflicting and supports more effective care. In clinical work with adults, these conditions frequently appear together.

If you can relate to any of this and would like to learn more, reach out our OCD and ADHD specialists at Sommer Psychology Group for a free consultation. See link in bio 👆

01/27/2026

Anxiety doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means your nervous system is asking for care.
Notice. Pause. Breathe. Ground. Question the story. Choose gently.

One calm cycle at a time 🌿

01/27/2026