Starting Therapy with OCD: You Don’t Have to Fight Every Part of You
When you’re living with OCD, it can feel like its voice is always the loudest—relentless, critical, and exhausting. But therapy offers a new conversation—one where your whole self is welcome, not just the parts that are struggling. In this post, Hannah Park, MA, LPC-Associate, Supervised by: Kerry Williamson, MA, LPC-S, LMFT-S, CST,
explores what it means to begin that journey with compassion and curiosity.
explores what it means to begin that journey with compassion and curiosity.
If you’re reading this, there may be a part of you that feels exhausted. A part that’s been trying so hard to keep things under control. A part that’s caught in loops of checking, doubting, analyzing, avoiding, or trying to get things “just right.”
And maybe another part of you—quiet but persistent—is wondering, "How can I get out of this…?" If so, welcome. That wondering part is wise. I want to speak to all of your parts here, but especially the ones that have been working overtime and are exhausted.
And maybe another part of you—quiet but persistent—is wondering, "How can I get out of this…?" If so, welcome. That wondering part is wise. I want to speak to all of your parts here, but especially the ones that have been working overtime and are exhausted.
OCD Isn't All of You
OCD is real, and it’s often loud. But it’s not you, and it’s not the whole story.
In parts-based therapy, we see OCD not as a flaw or disorder to get rid of, but as a pattern involving specific parts of you that have developed strategies—like rituals, avoidance, or mental checking—in an effort to keep you safe.
They may be rigid, critical, or anxious, but they have a history—and a reason for showing up.
In therapy, we make space to get to know these parts, not fight them. We get curious. When we understand their role in your internal system, we can begin to shift the patterns they’ve been locked into.
In parts-based therapy, we see OCD not as a flaw or disorder to get rid of, but as a pattern involving specific parts of you that have developed strategies—like rituals, avoidance, or mental checking—in an effort to keep you safe.
These parts are often trying to:
- Prevent something terrible from happening
- Protect you from guilt, shame, or rejection
- Maintain a sense of control in a world that feels chaotic
They may be rigid, critical, or anxious, but they have a history—and a reason for showing up.
In therapy, we make space to get to know these parts, not fight them. We get curious. When we understand their role in your internal system, we can begin to shift the patterns they’ve been locked into.
What Therapy Can Feel Like
It’s common to have mixed feelings at the start. You might notice:
• A part that wants help—and a part that’s skeptical
• A part that’s terrified of giving up control
• A part that worries what it means to talk about “taboo” thoughts out loud
• A part that’s relieved to finally feel seen
• A part that feels shame and guilt around thoughts
In our work, we won’t rush to fix or bulldoze any part of you. We’ll move at a pace that respects the protective roles your system has taken on, while also making space for new, more restful ways of living.
• A part that wants help—and a part that’s skeptical
• A part that’s terrified of giving up control
• A part that worries what it means to talk about “taboo” thoughts out loud
• A part that’s relieved to finally feel seen
• A part that feels shame and guilt around thoughts
In our work, we won’t rush to fix or bulldoze any part of you. We’ll move at a pace that respects the protective roles your system has taken on, while also making space for new, more restful ways of living.
This Isn't About Erasing OCD - It's About Changing the Relationship
The goal isn’t to make certain thoughts disappear or to banish parts of you. It’s to change your relationship with them.
When you’re no longer fused with OCD’s voice—when you can see it as a voice, not the voice— you start to get choices back. You start to live more by your values, and less by fear. You can start to challenge OCD’s voice in your story.
When you’re no longer fused with OCD’s voice—when you can see it as a voice, not the voice— you start to get choices back. You start to live more by your values, and less by fear. You can start to challenge OCD’s voice in your story.
If You're Just Starting Therapy
You don’t need to have it all figured out to begin. You don’t need to know what to say. In fact, therapy is where those messy, confusing, overlapping thoughts and parts are welcome.
You’ll be met with curiosity, not judgment. You’ll get to know yourself in a deeper way—not just as someone “with OCD,” but as someone with complexity, insight, courage, and a whole story beyond this.
You’ll be met with curiosity, not judgment. You’ll get to know yourself in a deeper way—not just as someone “with OCD,” but as someone with complexity, insight, courage, and a whole story beyond this.
Final Thought: You're Already in Motion
The fact that you’re here—reading this—means something has already shifted.
OCD may be loud, but it’s not the only voice in the room anymore. If part of you is curious about starting therapy, that part is worth listening to. I’d be honored to meet with you—or help you connect with another therapist at Abundant Life Counseling Services—so you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. If you'd like to meet with me or another ALCS therapist, please contact our office.
OCD may be loud, but it’s not the only voice in the room anymore. If part of you is curious about starting therapy, that part is worth listening to. I’d be honored to meet with you—or help you connect with another therapist at Abundant Life Counseling Services—so you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. If you'd like to meet with me or another ALCS therapist, please contact our office.
Hannah works with children, teens, adults, and families, and is passionate about helping people who struggle with anxiety, depression, life transitions, anger, grief, trauma, relationship problems, self-harm, OCD, eating disorders, and addiction. As she comes to understand each client as a unique individual, she draws from a variety of therapeutic approaches to foster growth tailored to their specific story.
For specific questions, email Hannah at hannah@abundantlifecounseling.com.
Posted in Blogs by Hannah