OCD Therapy In Utah
with April O’Neill, LCSW
I love working with OCD because I get to watch therapy change the relationship with thoughts that once were terrifying and all-powerful.
If you have OCD, you probably know your thoughts don’t make sense and that knowledge hasn’t helped much.
Are you unable to ignore thoughts that you know don’t make sense?
Are you exhausted by the cycle of anxiety, reassurance, and temporary relief?
OCD trains your brain to treat thoughts like emergencies. You try to reason with them, neutralize them, or push them away, but the relief never lasts. I understand, and I can help.
Clients Come To Me With:
Intrusive thoughts
Constant reassurance
Mental checking
Compulsive rituals
Fear of uncertainty
Avoidance patterns
Anxiety spikes
Feeling trapped
OCD is like scratching an itch. You get temporary relief, but it only makes the itch worse.
How OCD Therapy With Me Works
Therapy with me is about changing how you respond to uncertainty.
We allow anxiety to rise without responding to it every time. You learn that not responding is safe. We focus on willingness instead of certainty and values instead of control.
Therapeutic Approach
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ACT is the foundation of my work. Rather than trying to eliminate OCD or “fix” thoughts, ACT focuses on changing your relationship with them so you can leave a meaningful, values-aligned life, even when discomfort is present.
We work on awareness, choice, and committed action so your life expands instead of shrinking around fear.
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We do ACT-informed exposure work that helps you learn that things like anxiety, uncertainty, and intrusive thoughts can show up without requiring an immediate response.
Instead of reassurance or avoidance, we practice allowing discomfrt while choosing actions that move your life forward. Over time, your nervous system learns that not responding is safe and anxiety loses its grip.
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Psychological flexibility is the abililty to stay present, open, and engaged in your life, even when difficulties like obessions and compulsions show up.
We build this skill so you can respond intentionally rather than react automatically, allowing anxiety to exist without dictating your decisions. This is what makes lasting change possible.
You Are Not Your Thoughts
Intrusive thoughts are normal brain noise.
Success means no longer obeying them.
This Therapy has results
After OCD therapy, my clients report:
Needing less reassurance
Way fewer rituals
Quieter thoughts
More freedom
Values-led choices
Peace in uncertainty
“Over time, OCD gets quieter so your life can get bigger.”
About April O’Neill, LCSW
I know what it’s like to overfunction, to carry responsibility quietly while feeling pressure to appear composed.
Sessions are direct, supportive, and focused on change. We work with uncertainty instead of trying to eliminate it. I bring clarity, encouragement, and a grounded sense of humor to help you practice new responses without shame or judgment.
Outside of therapy, I value quiet and simplicity. I enjoy reading (mostly) nonfiction, spending time outdoors with my daughter, and cooking, usually experimenting enough that meals are rarely repeated. Life doesn’t need to be optimized to be meaningful.
Availability: I work with clients via Telehealth across Utah.
Education, Credentials, & Trainings
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Utah
Attends regular Acceptance and Commitment Therapy trainings
Background as a research analyst, prioritizing what works over what’s trendy
3 Steps TO Get Started
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Fill out the contact form. If I am not the right fit, I will help you find someone who is.
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We will talk briefly to see if working together feels like a good fit for your OCD concerns.
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We will begin identifying OCD patterns and practicing new ways of responding right away.