OCD Treatment in Hayward, CA

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic but highly treatable condition. At Exxceed Wellness in Hayward, California, we treat OCD with expert psychiatric medication management, coordinated referral to exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy — the treatments with the strongest evidence base — and, for OCD that hasn’t responded adequately to those, FDA-cleared TMS on our Magstim Horizon 3.0 — for adults, in person or by California telehealth.

What is OCD?

OCD is defined by two interconnected features: obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are recurrent, intrusive, unwanted thoughts, urges, or images that cause significant distress. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed in response to obsessions, often to neutralize them or prevent a feared outcome. OCD affects an estimated 2–3% of adults. It is chronic for most people who have it, but with the right treatment the great majority experience meaningful symptom reduction and a return to everyday function.

Common obsession themes

• Contamination — fears of germs, illness, or contamination
• Harm — intrusive thoughts about harming oneself or others
• Symmetry — a need for things to feel “just right”
• Taboo thoughts — unwanted sexual, religious, or violent intrusions
• Pure-O — obsessions without observable compulsions; mental rituals only
• Relationship OCD — persistent doubt or intrusive thoughts about a relationship

How OCD is diagnosed

OCD diagnosis is clinical, based on a structured interview and a careful symptom history using DSM-5 criteria. There is no laboratory or imaging test for OCD. Severity is often measured with a validated tool such as the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), which we may use during your evaluation and re-assess over time to track progress.

How we treat OCD at Exxceed Wellness

OCD responds best to a combination of evidence-based psychotherapy and medication. Our role is the psychiatric side of that plan — accurate diagnosis, expert medication management, and making sure you’re connected to quality ERP.

• ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention). The most evidence-supported psychotherapy for OCD. ERP gradually exposes you to feared triggers while helping you resist the compulsive response, so the brain learns the feared outcome doesn’t occur. We don’t provide ERP in-house, but we coordinate closely with qualified ERP therapists and help you find the right fit.
• SSRIs and clomipramine. SSRIs (fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, escitalopram, fluvoxamine) and the tricyclic clomipramine are FDA-approved for OCD. Effective doses are typically higher than for depression, and full response can take 8–12 weeks. We manage these carefully as part of comprehensive OCD care.
• Ongoing medication management. Starting an SSRI, optimizing the dose, evaluating augmentation, and coordinating with your ERP therapist — this ongoing oversight is the connective tissue of good OCD treatment.
• TMS for OCD (Magstim Horizon 3.0). For OCD that hasn’t responded adequately to SSRIs and ERP, we offer focal transcranial magnetic stimulation — FDA-cleared as an adjunct for adults with OCD — in-house on our Magstim Horizon 3.0 with StimGuide Pro neuronavigation. (A focal system, not BrainsWay’s Deep TMS.)

When first-line care hasn’t been enough

If ERP and adequately-dosed SSRIs haven’t produced enough relief, options include optimizing medication (higher OCD-range dosing, augmentation, or switching to clomipramine) and confirming ERP was delivered adequately. For OCD that hasn’t responded to adequately-dosed SSRIs and ERP, TMS is an FDA-cleared adjunctive option — and we offer it in-house. We deliver focal TMS for OCD on our Magstim Horizon 3.0 (with StimGuide Pro neuronavigation), independently FDA-cleared as an adjunct for adults with OCD. This is a different, focal technology than BrainsWay’s Deep TMS (H-coil), which we don’t use.

Our approach

OCD treatment at Exxceed Wellness is led by Nefretiri Abat, J.D., PMHNP-BC. Our typical path: comprehensive evaluation, medication optimization, and ERP referral — with honest guidance about advanced options if treatment resistance is established. Telehealth medication management is available statewide across California.

Frequently asked questions

Is OCD curable? OCD is generally chronic but highly treatable. Most people who receive evidence-based treatment (ERP and/or appropriate medication) experience meaningful, durable improvement in daily function.

Do you offer TMS for OCD? Yes. We offer focal TMS for OCD on our Magstim Horizon 3.0, FDA-cleared as an adjunct for adults whose OCD hasn’t responded adequately to SSRIs and ERP. This is not BrainsWay’s Deep TMS (H-coil) — a different device we don’t use. Several TMS systems, including our focal Magstim, are FDA-cleared for OCD.

Do I need a referral to start? No. You can schedule a consultation with our practice directly, and we’ll request your treatment history at intake.

Schedule an OCD consultation

If your OCD hasn’t responded to ERP or SSRIs alone, the next conversation is with a psychiatric provider who treats OCD. We see patients in person at our Hayward, CA clinic and via telehealth across California. Schedule with Nefretiri Abat, J.D., PMHNP-BC, or call (415) 636-9700.

Educational only; not medical advice. Care depends on your specific situation.