Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) can create exhausting cycles of intrusive thoughts, rigid patterns, and a deep need for control, all of which can be compounded by a complex neurodivergent profile. At The Atypical View, I offer compassionate OCD therapy and OCPD support that goes beyond traditional exposure therapy to meet the needs of clients with overlapping disorders such as autism, ADHD, and otherwise neurodivergent clients.

Instead of pathologizing your brain’s patterns, we explore them with curiosity, using somatic tools, parts work, and regulation-focused strategies to reduce shame, reconnect to your body, and shift stuck cycles. You’ll learn realistic, sustainable ways to manage distress and intrusive thoughts without overriding your nervous system, and build internal safety rather than forcing change.

Your need for structure and certainty isn’t a flaw, it’s a language your nervous system has learned to speak. Let’s work together to translate that into healing, balance, and self-trust.

Common Signs of Undiagnosed Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD often goes undiagnosed, especially in neurodivergent adults, because intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors are internalized, masked, or misunderstood. If any of the following resonate with you, it may be time to explore OCD therapy:

• Intrusive, distressing thoughts that feel out of character or shame-inducing
• Repetitive mental rituals (counting, checking, repeating phrases) to “neutralize” anxiety
• Compulsive behaviors you feel must be done “just right” to prevent harm or ease discomfort
• Fear of contamination, germs, or illness—even when it disrupts your life
• Hyper-responsibility or fear of causing harm to others, even unintentionally
• Avoidance behaviors that are used to prevent intrusive thoughts from being triggered
• Significant shame or distress around your thoughts, rituals, or behaviors
• Feeling “stuck” in loops you can’t explain or logically stop

OCD is not just about being “clean” or “organized”—it’s about anxiety-driven patterns that can take over your daily life. At The Atypical View, I offer neurodivergent-affirming OCD support that centers regulation, self-trust, and regaining control—not just exposure therapy alone.

Common Signs of Undiagnosed Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCPD often flies under the radar because its traits are praised in school or work environments—until they become rigid, isolating, or overwhelming. If you’ve always felt the need to be in control or “get it right,” these signs may point to undiagnosed OCPD:

• Perfectionism that feels paralyzing, often making it hard to complete tasks
• A chronic need for control over your schedule, space, or routines
• Difficulty delegating or collaborating, feeling others won’t do it “correctly”
• Intense focus on rules, order, or lists, sometimes at the expense of flexibility
• Reluctance to discard items or “waste” things even when they’re no longer needed
• Rigid thinking patterns, often tied to morality, productivity, or correctness
• Discomfort with rest or spontaneity, feeling guilty when not “being useful”
• Strained relationships due to high expectations of yourself and others

Unlike OCD, OCPD is less about anxiety-driven compulsions and more about deeply held personality patterns that affect connection, spontaneity, and ease. My approach includes supporting neurodivergent clients who may experience OCPD traits using tools that foster flexibility, self-compassion, and nervous system relief.

How the Atypical Approach Differs From Other Approaches

At The Atypical View, I offer OCD and OCPD therapy that honors the complexity of your inner world, especially if you’re a late-diagnosed autistic or ADHD adult who has felt dismissed, pathologized, or pressured to “just stop thinking that way.” Traditional treatment models, like rigid Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), can often feel invalidating or even retraumatizing without thoughtful adaptation. That’s where my approach differs.

ERP can be an effective tool, especially for classic OCD presentations, but only when delivered with attunement to your sensory needs, pacing, and emotional safety. I modify ERP through a neurodivergent-affirming lens that avoids shaming or reinforcing masking. Instead of forcing exposure, we co-create strategies that reduce compulsive patterns while respecting your nervous system and capacity.

For many clients with obsessive thinking, perfectionism, or a strong internal critic, often hallmarks of both OCD and OCPD, I integrate Internal Family Systems (IFS) to explore the protective parts behind your thought patterns. These parts aren’t broken, they’re doing their best to keep you safe. Through IFS, we cultivate inner compassion, reduce self-judgment, and build a sense of internal collaboration.

Somatic therapy also plays a key role. If you feel constantly stuck in your head or disconnected from your body, somatic tools help you ground, self-regulate, and tune in to what your body is trying to tell you beneath the compulsions or control. This is especially helpful for neurodivergent clients with trauma histories or interoceptive challenges.

This isn’t one-size-fits-all therapy. It’s personalized, respectful, and deeply attuned to the nuances of living with OCD, OCPD, and a neurodivergent mind.