Intrusive Thoughts & OCD
Therapy in California

Online Therapy for
Intrusive Thoughts and OCD

You're having thoughts that scare you — and you can't make them stop.

You love your baby more than anything. Which is exactly why these thoughts are so terrifying.

Maybe you're having sudden, horrifying images or thoughts about something bad happening to your baby.

Maybe you can't stop checking, the breathing monitor, the locks, the stove; even when you know it's okay.

Maybe your mind jumps to worst-case scenarios so fast it takes your breath away.

Maybe you've started avoiding certain situations, objects, or even holding your baby, just to feel safer.

Maybe you're Googling your thoughts in the middle of the night trying to figure out what's wrong with you.

Maybe you're terrified to tell anyone what's going through your head.

Here's what we need you to know: having these thoughts does not make you dangerous. It does not make you a bad mother. In fact, the distress you feel about them is a sign of how much you love your baby.

Intrusive thoughts and postpartum OCD are more common than most people realize, and with the right support, they are very treatable.

At Palmetto Psychology Clinic, we provide specialized online therapy for intrusive thoughts and OCD across California. You don't have to white-knuckle your way through this alone.

We’ve helped hundreds of California moms with PPA.
If this resonates, you’re not alone, and we can help.

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What Intrusive Thoughts and OCD Actually Looks Like

Postpartum OCD and intrusive thoughts don't always look like what people picture when they hear "OCD."

Many women experiencing this are loving, careful, attentive mothers, which is part of why these thoughts are so distressing. You might:

  • Have sudden, unwanted images or thoughts about your baby being hurt, even by you

  • Feel a wave of horror immediately after the thought, followed by shame and panic

  • Go out of your way to avoid anything that triggers the thoughts

  • Check on your baby repeatedly even when you know they're okay

  • Seek constant reassurance from your partner, doctor, or Google

  • Perform mental rituals to "cancel out" or neutralize a scary thought

  • Feel terrified to be alone with your baby — not because you want to hurt them, but because the thoughts scare you so much

  • Confess your thoughts to your partner over and over hoping to feel better — but the relief never lasts

  • Lie awake replaying thoughts, trying to figure out if they "mean something"

The distress you feel about these thoughts is not a red flag. It's actually evidence that you are not a danger to your baby.

Moms with postpartum OCD are not at risk of acting on these thoughts. But you do deserve support so you don't have to keep living in fear of your own mind.

Intrusive thoughts and OCD can be exhausting

Obsessive thoughts often become much more than "overthinking."

They can consume enormous amounts of mental energy and make it difficult to focus on work, relationships, parenting, or everyday life.

You may experience:

  • Constant doubt and uncertainty

  • Repetitive unwanted thoughts or images

  • Excessive reassurance seeking

  • Mental reviewing or analyzing

  • Checking behaviors

  • Avoidance of situations, people, or triggers

  • Difficulty making decisions

  • Fear of making mistakes

  • Feeling trapped in your own mind

  • Anxiety that never seems fully resolved

Some people experience visible compulsions, while others experience mostly mental compulsions that happen internally and go unnoticed by others. Either way, the distress is real. Perhaps you're constantly asking yourself:

  • What if something bad happens?

  • What if I hurt someone?

  • What if I secretly want this?

  • What if I made a mistake?

  • What if I can't be certain?

Many people experiencing intrusive thoughts or OCD worry that their thoughts say something terrible about them.

In reality, intrusive thoughts are often the exact opposite. The thoughts tend to target the things you care about most.

You are not your thoughts. And you do not have to keep living in fear of them.

Reach out

What Therapy for Intrusive Thoughts and OCD Looks Like

Therapy for intrusive thoughts and postpartum OCD is not about suppressing the thoughts or willing them away, because that actually makes them stronger.

At Palmetto, we use evidence-based approaches to help you change your relationship with these thoughts so they lose their grip on you.

In therapy, we may work on:

  • Understanding why intrusive thoughts happen, and why they are not a reflection of your character

  • Learning why reassurance-seeking, checking, and avoidance keep the cycle going

  • Building tolerance for uncertainty without needing to "check" or "fix" it

  • Reducing compulsions — checking, Googling, confessing, mental reviewing

  • Responding to scary thoughts in ways that decrease their power over time

  • Rebuilding trust in yourself as a mother

  • Getting back to things you've been avoiding out of fear

  • Helping you feel safe in your own mind again

Our approach is compassionate, collaborative, and grounded in the most effective treatments for OCD and intrusive thoughts. We know how terrifying it can feel to say these thoughts out loud — and we also know that doing so is often the first step to getting better.

"At the end of therapy, our clients often tell us the thoughts still come sometimes — but they don't send them into a spiral anymore. They know what's happening, they know what to do, and they trust themselves.

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FAQs about Postpartum Anxiety

  • Some level of worry is normal after having a baby. It’s a big transition, and everything is brand new - of course it feels like a lot!

    But when the anxiety feels constant, overwhelming, difficult to control, or starts interfering with sleep, decision-making, relationships, or your ability to be present, postpartum anxiety may be part of what’s going on.

  • The postpartum brain is wired to protect your baby, so your mind naturally spends a lot of time thinking about their safety and well-being.

    Postpartum anxiety often pulls people one step further into cycles of “what if” thinking that temporarily feel protective, but actually keep anxiety going.

    Therapy can help you understand these patterns and learn how to step out of them.

  • Many women with postpartum anxiety feel physically exhausted but mentally unable to shut off. Your nervous system may still feel “on alert,” making it difficult to fully relax or fall asleep. Or maybe your mind is racing with worries and questions, and you end up Googling for answers instead of resting.

    In therapy, we can help you learn new strategies to unwind and cope more effectively with your busy mind so you can get the rest you need.

  • Intrusive thoughts are extremely common in postpartum anxiety and postpartum OCD. These thoughts are unwanted, distressing, and often directly conflict with your values, which is why they feel so upsetting.

    Having intrusive thoughts does not mean you want something bad to happen, and we can help you learn how to cope with them so they stop interfering with your enjoyment of this phase.

  • Checking behaviors (like nonstop monitor watching, tracking baby wearable data, or tiptoeing over to make sure the baby is still breathing) are often an attempt to reduce anxiety or create certainty - something we understandably crave in this unpredictable season!

    While they may bring temporary relief, they usually keep the anxiety cycle going over time. We’ll help you explore how this shows up for you and learn tools to break the loop.

  • Postpartum anxiety doesn’t always look like panic or crying. For many moms, anxiety can show up as irritability, rage, feeling overstimulated, or snapping more easily than usual, especially when you’re mentally overloaded and constantly on edge.

    Postpartum rage and irritability are often signals that something deeper needs support, like unmet needs, anxiety, or burnout.

    We can help you get to the root so it stops interfering with your decisions and relationships.

  • When anxiety is high, your brain can start convincing you that you’re the only person who can prevent something bad from happening (or the only one who will do things “right.”)

    This can make it incredibly hard to delegate, rest, or feel comfortable away from your baby.

    We’ll help you take baby steps so that you can reclaim some of your freedom and rebuild some capacity.

  • No! Many postpartum moms cope with anxiety by trying to control routines, schedules, tracking, or caregiving details. Usually, this comes from fear rather than being “too controlling.”

    That said, control efforts can start to interfere with life over time, and we specialize in helping moms let go of the need for control so that they can rebuild some flexibility and freedom.

  • So many capable, loving mothers have this thought, especially in moments of overwhelm. It’s often a reflection of how hard this transition is, not a reflection of your ability (or desire) to be a good parent.

  • Motherhood often comes with intense internal pressure to “do everything right.” That can lead to constant second-guessing and guilt, even when you’re doing more than enough. Learning how to relate differently to that guilt is a big part of the work we do in therapy.

  • It’s completely normal to feel excited and worried, especially about how having another baby will impact your relationship with your older children.

    Therapy can help you process those fears, set realistic expectations, and feel more emotionally prepared for the transition.

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FAQs about Therapy at Palmetto

  • Therapy at Palmetto is a collaborative, supportive process.

    Whether you’re seeking help for postpartum anxiety, depression, or challenges in motherhood, we’ll start by getting to know you — your story, your goals, and what feels most important to you right now — to create a therapy plan tailored to your specific circumstances.

    Over time, therapy will help you feel calmer, more grounded, and more connected to yourself and those around you.

    For more about our approach, visit our services page.

  • Finding the right therapist is key to feeling supported and understood. That’s why we start with a free consultation to learn more about what you’re looking for and match you with a clinician who specializes in your specific concerns.

    If it’s not the perfect fit, we’ll help connect you with someone who is.

  • Yes! We exclusively offer telehealth sessions for clients throughout California.

    Many clients, especially new and expecting moms, appreciate the flexibility of virtual sessions. Telehealth allows you to access care from the comfort of your home (and with your baby in your arms!) at a time that works for your ever-changing schedule.

  • Yes! We love seeing your little ones and you are welcome to cuddle, nurse, or contact nap with them during your sessions.

    To maintain your privacy and to ensure you get the most out of therapy, verbal toddlers and older children should not be in the room with you during therapy.

  • Our session fees vary depending on the clinician, type, and length of service.

    Fees reflect the expertise of our highly specialized doctoral-level psychologists. Rates fall within the typical range for private practice therapy in the Bay Area.

    We also offer lower-fee services with our highly trained student therapists.

    We’re happy to discuss your needs and share more about costs during your free consultation.

  • We are an out-of-network therapy practice, which means we do not bill insurance directly.

    Many of our clients receive partial reimbursement from their insurance company for therapy sessions. We provide monthly superbills to make the process simple.

    We recommend checking with your insurance provider about your out-of-network mental health benefits.

    Standard Notice: “Right to Receive a Good Faith Estimate of Expected Charges” Under the No Surprises Act

    You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost.
    For more information visit CMS.gov.

  • It’s a little different from client to client depending on needs, scheduling, and budget. We generally recommend that all clients start with us on a weekly basis.

    After making some initial progress, some clients will move to a biweekly cadence. As you approach graduation from therapy, you and your provider may elect to space sessions out to meet monthly or on an as-needed basis.

    You and your provider will work together to create a custom treatment plan tailored to your goals and needs.

  • It depends on your goals. Some clients come for short-term therapy to manage postpartum adjustment or anxiety, while others continue longer-term to work through patterns that have built up over time and to cope with the ever-changing challenges of motherhood.

    You and your therapist will collaborate to find a pace and approach that feels right for you and regularly check in about your progress.

  • That’s completely normal. Many clients start therapy uncertain about what they need — they just know something isn’t working.

    You don’t need to have the perfect words or plan to begin. Our therapists are here to meet you where you are and help you find clarity, confidence, and relief.

    If you’re unsure, book a free consultation so we can make recommendations and help you decide whether therapy is the right fit — no strings attached.

  • We offer a free consultation to help you explore whether therapy at Palmetto Psychology Clinic feels like the right fit.

    You can schedule directly through our website, email us at hello@palmettopsychology.com, call us, or send us a text at (628) 285-1745 — we’ll take care of the rest.

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Our Team

You Don’t Have to Keep Living in Survival Mode

If your mind constantly feels “on,” if you’re exhausted from overthinking everything, or if anxiety is stealing your ability to enjoy this season of life, you are not alone.

We offer online postpartum anxiety therapy across California, including San Francisco, the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego.

You don’t have to wait until things feel “bad enough” to get support.

Start with a free consultation to find the right therapist for you

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