Seth M. Madej, LMFT

At any one time, about one-third to one-half of my clients are OCD sufferers. Most of my clients with OCD have been diagnosed with co-occurring disorders. My treatment preference for OCD emphasizes self-guided exposure therapy (ERP) and cognitive-behavioral therapy. I also offer parental support therapy for caregivers of minors with OCD.

My treatment of OCD with co-occurring disorders involves careful assessment to identify whether OCD or another disorder is primarily affecting the client’s functionality. From there, I collaborate with the client to plan treatment goals and create a treatment plan which will best meet those goals, whether by prioritizing treatment of OCD or another disorder. That collaboration always includes determining in what ways the client’s OCD might impact their goals, including identifying the hidden ways in which OCD frequently takes control in one’s life.

I have seven years of experience treating children, adolescent, and adult clients with OCD, and that experience began with my very first clients. I have written extensively about my personal experiences with OCD, and my 2011 essay “My OCD” became a touchstone for individuals newly diagnosed with OCD.

I split my time between a community mental health agency and private practice, meaning I have been privileged to treat OCD sufferers from all walks of life and across the spectrum of socio-economic status. The majority of my clients have been members of low income, Latino immigrant families.