Recovery & Support for Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder in Children

Obsessive–compulsive disorder, or OCD, tends to be chronic unless properly treated. In addition to offering cognitive behavioral therapy and medications, specialists at the Child Study Center, part of Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, provide supportive services to help your child manage his or her symptoms. Our child and family support services and resilience programs are provided by Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care.

Anxiety and Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder Treatment Program

Anxiety is associated with the obsessive thoughts and compulsions that characterize OCD. For children and young adults with severe OCD and related anxiety, the Child Study Center offers an intensive treatment program that integrates individual therapy, parent education and support, and medication management.

This treatment begins with an evaluation of your child, followed by a goal-setting session and the creation of a treatment plan. Sessions last for 90 to 120 minutes and are usually scheduled several times per day and occur several days a week.

Treatment includes educating your child about anxiety disorders, OCD, and cognitive behavioral therapy and in appropriate techniques to address anxiety-related bodily sensations. Children also learn skills to cope with self-defeating thoughts. Our specialists guide children through exposure and response prevention therapy—specially designed behavioral exposures to anxiety-provoking stimuli.

Specialists at the Child Study Center collaborate with your child’s care providers and family members to define goals and objectives. Cost is determined on an individual basis, depending on the time and length of treatment.

Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder Summer Program

The Child Study Center offers the OCD summer program for 8- to 13-year-olds with OCD. It provides a supportive and fun environment for children who struggle with upsetting thoughts and time-consuming rituals.

During the program, NYU Langone specialists use research-based techniques to manage anxiety, including exposure and response prevention, as well as skills training. Children participate in group games and field trips.

The program exposes children to real-life situations that trigger anxiety. Each child is assigned to a psychologist and a counselor, a psychology graduate student, to ensure that the child receives individual attention and learns new behaviors and skills.

The OCD summer program is held from 9:00AM to 4:00PM, Monday through Friday. Check with the Child Study Center for upcoming program dates.

Parent Workshops

NYU Langone clinicians offer workshops at the Child Study Center for the parents of children who are receiving therapy for anxiety or OCD. The workshops are held in the fall and the spring and are designed to provide parents with information about childhood anxiety, including common symptoms and behaviors. Specialists teach parents strategies to help children cope with fears and encourage independence.

Parents learn how to talk to their child about his or her worries and coach the child through difficult activities to build confidence and reduce stress. Workshops are held in small groups and last four to six weeks.