Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is known for its obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. For example, someone struggling with OCD may have obsessive thoughts about germs which leads her to wash her hands over 100 times every day. Many times OCD is treated with a combination of medication and therapy. Cognitive therapy is one of the most effective therapy models when treating OCD.
Relabel
The first technique used in cognitive therapy with OCD sufferers is to relabel obsessive thoughts. The therapist helps the patient realize that her thoughts are only coming from the disorder and are irrational. Most of the time clients with OCD understand that their thoughts are irrational, so this technique is easy for clients to comprehend. For instance, a client who is afraid of losing a loved one and continuously has to call her friends and family members to make sure they are alive would need to realize that the thoughts aren't based in reality and are the result of the disorder.
This technique also involves clients becoming aware of their intrusive thoughts on a regular basis. The therapist may have the client make a note every time he has an intrusive thought for one week or may point out obsessive thoughts during the session. To deal with these thoughts the client must be aware of when he is having them.
Reattribute
With this technique, the therapist helps the client to realize the thoughts are coming from a neurological imbalance and the intensity is caused by the OCD. The goal for this technique is to help the client distance himself from the intrusive thoughts. This means the client would be able to understand that the thoughts are separate from himself.
Refocus
This cognitive technique helps clients refocus their attention on other things. The therapist may work with the client to make a list of activities she can do when she begins to have intrusive thoughts. For example, an OCD sufferer who enjoys painting and walking his dog may do those two things when he finds himself having intrusive thoughts. Usually there is a time limit the therapist and client decide upon that the client will wait before doing the compulsive behavior. They may decide that he'll paint for 15 minutes before resorting to the compulsive behavior of washing his hands five times. This also helps clients get distance from the thoughts.
Revalue
When an OCD patient first enters therapy, she might give her thoughts a lot of power and believe that her thoughts control her. By the end of the therapy, the counselor would help her to place less value on the thoughts and realize they don't control her. It is hoped she would be able to distance herself from them to control them instead of the other way around.
