Pediatric OCD Services and Treatment at UPMC

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in children is more than being quirky or a “neat freak.”

OCD is a real and complex mental health condition. Without treatment, OCD can interfere with your child’s school performance, friendships, and daily life. It can also create stress for the entire family.

The good news? Pediatric OCD is highly treatable — especially when identified early.

At UPMC Western Behavioral Health, we work closely with families to create personalized treatment plans that help children manage their symptoms — and feel more in control of their lives.

Pediatric OCD Services We Offer at UPMC

Children with OCD often know that their fears or rituals don’t make sense. But they feel an intense need to act on them to feel safe or to relieve distress.

Our goal is simple — to give your child the tools they need to manage their OCD symptoms so they can live a fulfilling life.

UPMC Western Behavioral Health offers comprehensive, specialized treatment for children and teens diagnosed with OCD. These services are provided to school-age children. Younger children are considered on a case-by-case basis.

How Do We Diagnose and Treat Pediatric OCD?

Before starting treatment, we complete a comprehensive evaluation to understand your child’s needs and confirm a diagnosis.

Comprehensive evaluation

The evaluation includes:

An initial screening.
Review of your child’s history and background information.
A clinical interview with a trained therapist.
A formal diagnosis.
Recommendations for the appropriate level of care.

Once the evaluation is complete, we partner with you and your family to build a personalized treatment plan.

Treatment options we offer

Effective OCD treatment for children often includes therapy, medication (when appropriate), and strong family support.

At UPMC, we offer the following evidence-based treatment for children diagnosed with OCD:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with exposure and response prevention (ERP).
Inference-based CBT (IB-CBT).

This approach will help your child:

Gradually face their fears in a safe and supportive setting.
Learn how to resist compulsive behaviors.
Recognize and challenge their obsessive thoughts.
Reduce anxiety over time.

With practice, children learn to manage the OCD symptoms and behaviors.

Family involvement

Family involvement is essential for successful treatment.

We provide education and guidance to help you:

Learn how OCD works.
Respond effectively to your child’s symptoms.
Support your child as they learn to manage their OCD and take control of their life.

Medication (when needed)

In some cases, medication may be recommended to help reduce OCD symptoms. Certain medications can help regulate serotonin levels in the brain. That makes it easier for your child to manage anxiety and engage in therapy.

What are the levels of care for pediatric OCD at UPMC?

Our pediatric OCD program offers two levels of care based on your child’s needs and symptom severity:

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

This structured program provides additional support and includes:

Nine hours of group therapy sessions per week.
Weekly visits with a psychiatrist.
Weekly parent support group.
Biweekly family therapy sessions.
Individual sessions as needed.

Outpatient Treatment Program

This option offers:

45-minute individual therapy sessions.
Medical evaluation and ongoing monitoring by a psychiatrist and nurse clinician.

During your child’s initial evaluation, we will recommend the level of care that best fits their needs.

Who Is Eligible for Treatment?

We provide treatment for children ages 5 to 18. Younger children may be considered individually.

For safety and clinical reasons, this program may not be appropriate for children who:

Are medically unstable.
Are unable to participate in group settings.
Are unwilling to participate in treatment.
Engage in behavior leading to self-injury.
Have active suicidal thoughts.
Have an intellectual disability or severe autism that would prevent participation.

If our program is not the right fit, we will help guide you toward appropriate resources.

Why Choose UPMC for Pediatric OCD Care?

UPMC Western Behavioral Health’s Pediatric OCD Intensive Outpatient Program offers the region’s only specialized OCD treatment services for children and teens.

Our experienced team understands how challenging OCD can be — not just for your child, but for your whole family. We are committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care on this journey.

With the right support, children with OCD can thrive. We are here to help.