OCD Therapy for Children and Teens in Calgary

Teen washing their hands at the Creative Sky Psychology Office after an OCD exposure session

Helping Kids Break Free from the Cycle of Worry and Ritual

OCD can feel like an uninvited boss in a child’s mind — demanding constant rules, rituals, and “just right” feelings. Your child may know these thoughts don’t make sense, but the anxiety feels unbearable without doing the ritual. That’s the trap: relief is temporary, and the cycle starts again.

At Creative Sky Psychology, our Calgary-based OCD specialists help children and teens interrupt the OCD loop in a safe, supportive way. We blend gold-standard ERP therapy with creative tools like play and art to make treatment accessible, even for the youngest children. Our goal is to give your child — and your family — the tools, insight, and confidence to live beyond OCD’s demands.

Child Psychologist in Calgary providing OCD treatment and resources for a teen with OCD

Recognizing OCD in Kids and Teens

OCD doesn’t always look like “handwashing” or “checking the locks.” In children and adolescents, it can appear as:

  • Intrusive thoughts about harm, germs, or making a mistake

  • Mental compulsions (counting, “undoing” thoughts, praying)

  • Physical rituals (touching, tapping, arranging, repeating)

  • Constant reassurance-seeking (“Are you sure?” over and over)

  • Avoidance behaviours that shrink a child’s world

  • Meltdowns or anger when rituals are interrupted

OCD isn’t about being controlling or fussy — it’s about emotional safety. Often, the anxiety is so intense that a child feels they must complete the ritual to feel okay. Left untreated, OCD can impact school, friendships, sleep, and family life.

Our OCD Therapy Approach at Creative Sky Psychology

We use a compassion-first, evidence-informed model that balances structure with creativity:

  • ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) – Gradual, supportive exposure to fears without engaging in rituals.

  • CBT for OCD – Helping kids challenge fear-based thoughts and build flexible thinking.

  • Narrative & Play-Based Strategies – For younger children, we “name the OCD” and externalize it as a character or “boss” they can outsmart.

  • Art Therapy for OCD – Using drawing, sculpture, or sand tray to explore fears and rehearse coping strategies.

  • Parent Coaching – Teaching families how to reduce accommodations, respond to panic, and build resilience.

  • Emotion Regulation – Giving kids tools to handle big feelings without leaning on rituals.

Age-Specific OCD Support

Preschool & Young Children (3–5)

  • Externalizing OCD through stories, play, or art

  • Bite-sized ERP steps disguised as play

  • Parent-led strategies to respond to rituals confidently

School-Age Kids (6–12)

  • Building bravery with metaphors, visuals, and internal motivation

  • Gently reducing reassurance-seeking

  • Strengthening emotional language and coping skills

Tweens & Teens (13–18)

  • Normalizing and de-shaming OCD thoughts

  • Practical, values-based strategies for long-term change

  • Addressing hidden rituals, moral scrupulosity, and harm OCD

Calgary Psychologist Marie Goulet providing OCD treatment for a teenager at the Creative Sky Psychology office

Support for Parents

OCD impacts the whole family — but parents can be the most powerful part of the solution. We’ll help you:

  • Reduce “helping” behaviours that keep OCD strong

  • Respond to fears without reinforcing rituals

  • Coach your child through uncertainty

  • Stay calm and consistent when OCD pushes back

We give you scripts, step-by-step plans, and the confidence to support change at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. Many children with OCD have intrusive thoughts that feel frightening or confusing (e.g., “What if I hurt someone?” or “What if I did something bad?”). These thoughts are not reflective of who they are—they’re symptoms of OCD. Therapy helps kids understand and detach from these thoughts without shame, fear, or judgment.

  • Often, yes. Many kids are aware that their behaviors are illogical but still feel intense distress if they don’t complete them. Others may not fully recognize the pattern yet. Either way, therapy helps children and teens understand what’s happening in their brain and build new responses to obsessive thoughts.

  • OCD rarely resolves without treatment—and untreated OCD can become more entrenched over time. The earlier children get support, the easier it is to interrupt the cycle and prevent long-term impact on confidence, relationships, and daily functioning. With the right therapy, OCD can become far more manageable.

  • Parent involvement is essential. Children with OCD often rely on parents to participate in rituals or offer reassurance. In therapy, we teach parents how to step out of the OCD cycle in a way that’s supportive, not punitive. You’ll learn how to respond calmly, reinforce progress, and reduce family stress while empowering your child’s growth.

  • The gold standard treatment for OCD is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that helps children gradually face anxiety-provoking thoughts without giving in to compulsions. Our therapists use gentle, supportive ERP techniques along with emotional coaching and parent involvement to help children reclaim their freedom from OCD.

  • OCD is believed to stem from a combination of genetic, neurological, and environmental factors. Some kids may have a biological sensitivity to uncertainty or a strong need for control. Others may develop OCD after illness (like PANDAS/PANS) or during periods of intense stress. Therapy focuses on helping your child gain control over OCD—not the other way around.

  • While OCD is related to anxiety, it’s defined by a cycle of obsessions (distressing thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive actions) meant to reduce anxiety or prevent something bad from happening. Perfectionism may involve high standards, but OCD includes mental or physical rituals that feel impossible to stop. A Calgary child psychologist can help clarify the difference and recommend the right approach.

  • Children with OCD may have unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that cause anxiety, followed by repetitive behaviors or rituals (compulsions) they feel they must do to feel safe or "just right." Common signs include excessive checking, handwashing, arranging items, reassurance-seeking, counting, or needing things to follow a strict order. If these patterns are interfering with daily life, OCD therapy can help.