New England

OCD Institute

Kelly Schmidt, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a brain-based anxiety disorder that causes considerable suffering and impairment. Dr. Kelly Schmidt provides empirically-supported psychotherapies for adults and young people with OCD. Dr. Schmidt received her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Swarthmore College, and then worked for three years as a psychotherapy researcher at the University of Pennsylvania. She subsequently earned her clinical psychology degree at George Washington University in Washington DC. She completed her internship at the Alexandria Community Mental Health Center in Virginia, an APA-approved site. She completed post-doctoral studies at the Anxiety Disorders Center at the Hartford Institute of Living with Dr. David Tolin.

The Impact of OCD

It is estimated that between 2 and 3 million people are suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder in the United States. About one in fifty people have had symptoms of OCD at some point in their lives, with 1% suffering within the last year. OCD afflicts people of all races, faiths, nationalities, and ethnic groups. OCD causes great suffering to patients and their families, as up to 10 hours per day may be devoted to performing rituals. OCD has been classified by the World Health Organization as one the leading causes of disability worldwide.

OCD Therapy Going Nowhere?

Although any medical doctor can take your blood pressure, only a few can do heart surgery. Likewise, any therapist can help someone who is feeling a bit blue, but only a few can effectively treat OCD.

OCD treatment is a type of therapy that requires a specialized protocol called Exposure and Ritual Prevention (ERP or EX/RP).

Learn about the Top Mistakes Made by OCD Therapists.

Top Seven Myths About OCD

One stereotype is that people with OCD are neat and tidy to a fault. Actually, nothing could be further from the truth. Although many people with OCD wash because they are concerned about dirt and germs, being tidy is actually not a typical symptom of the disorder. Almost two-thirds of people with OCD are also hoarders...

Learn more about the Top Myths about OCD.

 
At New England OCD Insititure you will learn about the many types, symptoms, signs, and forms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related OC Spectrum Disorders. OCD is a brain disorder that can cause repeated washing, compulsive cleaning, obsessions about harming others, anxiety, and depression. Take a self-test for OCD, find a treatment program, and get online help for OCD.