Our clinicians trust our treatment practice to help our clients overcome OCD, Every. Single. Day.
OCD is like a bully in your brain. When you have a worry thought stuck in your head (obsession), it makes you feel anxious, uncomfortable, nervous, or afraid. OCD bullies you into thinking that you must do what it says (compulsion) to get rid of the uncomfortable feelings. The bully lets you feel better for a little bit, but pretty soon, it’s demanding you to do things all over again, and you’re going round and round a big cycle!
A compulsion is a behaviour you do to get rid of the worry thoughts and uncomfortable feelings. It doesn’t always have to make sense, but when you do it, you feel better. Unfortunately, compulsions only help you feel better for a little bit. Soon, you’re worried all over again!
First, let’s make sure you understand one crucial thing – OCD is a manageable condition. Your child (and family) can learn to manage the OCD symptoms and take back control. There are various avenues you may wish to explore to make this a reality:
Our therapist Samantha recently worked with a young child struggling with scary thoughts linked to magical thinking and harm. As the child’s anxiety grew they began to keep these worries hidden out of fear they would come true. The parents began to notice compulsive behaviors — avoiding certain words, seeking reassurance, a decline in school attendance and withdrawing from activities they once enjoyed. In an effort to help, the parents tried to manage life situations for the child which served to reinforce the anxiety and make the fears stronger. Using a custom age-appropriate Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy treatment plan, we helped the child build their confidence, return to school full-time, and reconnect with friends and hobbies. OCD no longer gets in the way of things that matter most to them.
Talking to your child about OCD can be a daunting task. Here are some tips that might help you out:
Normalize the OCD experience – explain that OCD is a medical condition that many other kids have. Emphasize that it’s not their fault, and treatment is available. Encourage questions, and let them know you’re there to support them. Watching videos of other kids sharing their experiences is a great place to start!
If your child is struggling with OCD, contact OCD North today to learn more about our specialized treatment options for kids.
You or your parents might notice…
…that you’re having lots of worry thoughts that make you feel ‘stuck,’ uncomfortable, or afraid
…that you’re repeating behaviours a lot, seem worried and uncomfortable often, or don’t want to do certain things because they make you upset or anxious
Nope, lots of kids have OCD! Here at OCD North, we see kids every day who have to deal with the OCD bully. And guess what? We help those kids beat the OCD bully so that it doesn’t bother them anymore, and they don’t feel ‘stuck’
Yes, at OCD North, we encourage parental involvement. We provide education and support to parents to help them understand OCD and assist their children throughout the treatment process.
If you think you might have OCD and want to get better:
First, let’s make sure you understand one crucial thing - OCD is a manageable condition. Your child (and family) can learn to manage the OCD symptoms and take back control. There are various avenues you may wish to explore to make this a reality:
If your child consistently shows repetitive behaviors or has persistent unwanted thoughts that cause distress, it might be OCD.
Watch out for rituals like:
You may also notice out of character worries from your child, such as:
If these behaviors or worries interfere with your child’s daily life, it's a good idea to consult a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation, or seek out an OCD expert (that’s us!)
Even though your child is the one experiencing OCD, there are certainly things you can do to help them along the journey. If your child is open to ERP therapy, being actively invovled in their treatment is a great way to encourage them and help them stay accountable when it comes to enforcing the tools and strategies they learn.
Celebrating small victories with your child when they stand up to OCD also cultivates a positive mindset and encourages motivation. And, when setbacks arise, being understanding and patient with your child and remindng them that they can handle uncomfortable things is just as supportive and helpful in your child’s recovery journey.
If your child is not interested in treatment, or faces other barriers when it comes to ERP treatment, you can still work towards OCD recovery. OCD North’s Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) program is ideal for families facing the same challenges. The main goal of SPACE is to create a supportive and understanding environment that fosters your child’s emotional well-being, highlights their bravery and independence, and provides parents with tools to stand up to OCD themselves, in a way that cultivates your child’s ability to do so in the future.
Interested in SPACE? Book a Free 15 Minute Consultation with one of our OCD experts to get started!
For clients located in Ontario and British Columbia, yes - OCD North now offers TELUS eClaims. This allows our office to submit eligible insurance claims for therapy services on your behalf. Click here to learn more about TELUS eClaims.
I specialize in working with families with children struggling with OCD, using a parent-based model to teach parents how to support their child's recovery and reclaim their lives from OCD.
MSW, RSW, Founder & Clinical Director
Offers in-person sessions in Barrie
Offers virtual sessions in NU, ON, YT
Innovating OCD care in Canada is more than a vision; it’s a calling. My passion for improving access to effective treatment drives creative solutions to this complex issue.
At OCD North, I train and mentor master's level social work students, helping them develop their competency in OCD treatment, transitioning from interns to ERP therapists locally and abroad. I also developed OCD-Informed Practice (OCD-IP), an innovative approach that allows any therapist to counsel individuals with OCD without exacerbating symptoms.
In graduate school, I explored treatment options for OCD and found a lack of experts in my area despite a significant need. This led me to pursue training in ERP at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, becoming the first Canadian certified in ERP. This certification, though not required, deepened my knowledge and passion.
I specialize in working with families with children struggling with OCD, using a parent-based model to teach parents how to support their child's recovery and reclaim their lives from OCD.
Shaina is a Registered Social Worker trained in Exposure and Response Prevention for the treatment of OCD at the CTSA, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) at the YCSC, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University.
MSW, RSW, ERP Therapist
Offers in-person sessions in Barrie
Offers virtual sessions in NU, ON, SK, YT
Shaina is a Registered Social Worker trained in Exposure and Response Prevention for the treatment of OCD at the CTSA, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) at the YCSC, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University. Shaina treats clients in Ontario and Saskatchewan. She recognizes the bravery it takes to advocate for oneself and seek help, celebrating with each individual who does so. Shaina wholeheartedly believes that there is no shame surrounding the OCD experience and that overcoming OCD is possible. Her absolute favourite day of treatment is when she can say goodbye to her clients with confidence that they can handle OCD on their own.
Samantha is a Registered Social Worker with over a decade of experience in supporting individuals and families. Her down-to-earth approach is rooted in the belief that successful therapy hinges on a strong, empathetic therapeutic relationship. Samantha is passionate about providing OCD-informed support to individuals and their loved ones, helping them navigate their unique challenges with compassion and the expertise needed to foster lasting change.
MSW, RSW, ERP Therapist
Offers in-person sessions in Barrie
Offers virtual sessions in NU, ON, YT
Samantha is a Registered Social Worker with more than a decade of experience supporting individuals and families. She applies a strengths-based and trauma-informed lens to emphasize the unique capabilities of everyone, in a safe and supportive environment. Samantha completed training in Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) at the YCSC, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, and has also received specialized training in ERP. She is passionate about bringing OCD-informed support to individuals living with OCD & their loved ones.
Safa earned her Master's Degree in Social Work with a specialization in mental health from the University of Pittsburgh. She was a Behavioral Health Scholars Fellow at UPMC's Paediatric Intensive Outpatient Program in Wexford, Pennsylvania, where she specialized in treating OCD through ERP.
MSW, RSW, ERP Therapist
Offers in-person sessions in King City
Offers virtual sessions in NU, ON, YT
Safa earned her Master's Degree in Social Work with a specialization in mental health from the University of Pittsburgh. She was a Behavioral Health Scholars Fellow at UPMC's Paediatric Intensive Outpatient Program in Wexford, Pennsylvania, where she specialized in treating OCD through ERP. Simultaneously, she was an active member of the University of Pittsburgh’s LEND program, collaborating with an interdisciplinary team to support children and families challenged with neurodevelopmental and related disorders.
Safa now joins OCD North as an ERP Therapist, offering a therapeutic environment that is warm, safe, and action-oriented. Understanding that therapy often requires confronting discomforts, Safa is passionate about guiding clients through these challenges while also championing their strengths. She believes in the power of connection and a strong therapeutic alliance to create a safe space where clients can explore their struggles with confidence.
MSW, RSW, ERP Therapist
Offers in-person sessions in Barrie
Offers virtual sessions in NL, NU, NWT, ON, YT
It is not uncommon for lives to unravel when OCD consumes your life. Your experience with OCD, and its impact on your life, is unique to you. Erin Fairbanks (she/her) is a veteran of connecting with clients to understand their unique circumstances and cater their care to their own needs and goals. She helps her clients understand how OCD consumes their life and guides them in finding healthier versions of themselves, while strengthening their relationships, so that they can feel more at peace.
She is the owner of a private medical foot care practice, and an empathetic registered social worker who excels at one-on-one counselling and group oversight with children, youth, and adults.
Her educational background includes a Master of Social Work from the University of Windsor, a Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics from the University of Guelph, and a diploma of Chiropody from the Michener Institute. She is trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (EX/RP) for the treatment of OCD from the University of Pennsylvania, and Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) from Yale University.
To instill hope and promote recovery from OCD.
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