The usual treatment recommendations for psychiatric disorders involve medications and psychotherapy. While many scientific studies have shown the effectiveness of meds, people are often more skeptical about "talk therapy." How can talking about one's problems help solve them? And if OCD is such a biological disease, aren't meds more effective?

Several studies have examined this question, and psychotherapy has been shown to be helpful. Some studies have shown that psychotherapy can actually change the neurobiology of one's brain. Other studies have shown how cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), in particular, can give additional benefit to people who are already taking medication for OCD.

Please see my new articles on the basics of psychotherapy and the effectiveness of psychotherapy for more in-depth information.