inference-based cognitive behavioral therapy (I-CBT)

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Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT) is an evidence-based alternative to Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD. While ERP focuses on habituation to distress, I-CBT offers a different, highly effective path to recovery, which is based on the premise that OCD isn't just a problem of anxiety, but a problem of reasoning. I-CBT was designed specifically to treat OCD, focusing on correcting distorted inferential thinking patterns that keep you stuck in a cycle of obsessional doubt. This type of treatment helps you resolve obsessional doubt without needing to engage in exposure, which makes it an appealing option for many clients. I-CBT helps you rebuild trust in yourself when it feels like OCD has eroded that trust. ​

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How I-CBT Works
I-CBT is a talk-based therapy that doesn't necessarily require you to perform prolonged exposures. Instead, we work on the front end of the OCD cycle, the moment the doubt first begins.

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• Identifying the Starting Point: We pinpoint the exact moment you leave reality and enter "OCD-land."

• Deconstructing the Logic: We look at the "rules" and "evidence" OCD uses to convince you that a danger exists.

• Returning to the Senses: You will learn to trust your direct perception— what you see, hear, and know to be true right now — over the stories your imagination creates.

• Breaking the Spell: By recognizing the flaws in OCD's reasoning, the urge to perform a compulsion naturally fades because the "danger" no longer feels credible.

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Is I-CBT Right for You?
I-CBT is an excellent option for clients who:

• Have found traditional ERP too distressing or difficult to complete.

• Struggle with mental compulsions or purely obsessional themes (Pure-O).

• Feel that their OCD is deeply rooted in doubting their own character or senses.

• Prefer a cognitive, logic-based approach to dismantling their symptoms.​

I offer an alternative treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.