The OCD Practice
End the Trance. Be Free.
Specialized Treatment for OCD
Anxiety & Compulsive Behaviors
Virtual Therapy for Teens and Adults in DC & MDSe Habla Español
Issues We Treat
We specialize in helping clients break free from compulsive loops across a range of conditions.
Anxiety
Chronic worry, intrusive doubt, anticipatory dread
Phobias
Situational and object-based fears that trigger avoidance and nervous system overwhelm
OCD
Intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that trap you in mental loops
BFRBs
Hair pulling, skin picking, nail biting — repetitive self-directed behaviors that relieve tension but create shame or damage (Body-Focused Repetive Behaviors)
Compulsive Behaviors
Gambling, pornography use, excessive internet scrolling or digital escape
What Are Compulsions?
Compulsions are mental or physical actions done to escape inner discomfort — fear, tension, urges, or doubt.Checking, Avoiding, Picking, Pulling, Analyzing, Asking, Fixing, or FleeingThe pattern is the same:
“Something feels off. I need to act.”Relief follows — but so does the loop. The brain learns: “This feeling means I’m not well unless I do something.”
The OCD Practice teaches individuals to stay with the discomfort, see through the trance, and respond with power instead of patterns.
The OCD Practice is for those ready to master attention — not negotiate with fear.
It's for those who are:
Done chasing reliefYou're no longer interested in quick fixes
Done being hijacked by fear and obsessive
loopsYou're ready to stop living in reaction
Tired of coping tools that don't stickYou've outgrown surface-level strategies
Aware something deeper is running the showYou've glimpsed the inner trance — and want out
Ready to stop managing anxiety — and start mastering itYou want real freedom, not symptom control
How We Break the Loop —The 4-Part Method
Backed by ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention), Metacognitive
Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based CBT.Personalized. Precise.
SPOT THE
PATTERN
Notice the loop. See the fear story. Catch OCD, anxiety, or urges in real time.
Name the
MONSTER
Externalize the voice of doubt, fear, or discomfort. Stop confusing it with you.
Examples: “Mr. OCD,’ “Ms. Choking Monster,’ “The Pulling Boss.”
Break the
Behavior
Let urges pass. Do nothing.
Watch freedom return.
Reclaim Your
Focus
Bring attention back to what matters — not what fear demands.
The OCD Practice is always tailored to the individual. Every client's path is personalized.
Joel Velazquez, LPC
Founder, The OCD Practice
Joel Velazquez is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Washington, D.C., and a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor in Maryland, specializing in OCD, anxiety, and compulsive behaviors. He blends evidence-based methods with firsthand experience—having faced OCD himself, he knows exactly what it takes to break free from the cycle.Before becoming a therapist, Joel practiced law at a top international firm, then spent years working alongside traditional healers in Gabon and Costa Rica, supporting individuals in healing through approaches that integrate Western clinical models with traditional wisdom.Joel has also served as a Resident Therapist at a group home for severe trauma and anxiety, providing intensive, long-term care for individuals facing complex, co-occurring mental health challenges. This experience deepened his skill in helping clients navigate fear, uncertainty, and the most persistent behavioral patterns.He holds a Master's in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Massachusetts Boston and a Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After serving as a Clinical Associate at the National Anxiety and OCD Treatment Center supporting clients in advanced OCD care, Joel founded The OCD Practice to offer his specialized approach through virtual therapy services.
Fees & Payment
The OCD Practice is a private-pay practice. Rates are shared transparently after your free consultation. We’re happy to provide superbills, which many clients submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement through their insurance.
Why we don’t bill insurance directly: OCD treatment often doesn’t fit neatly into insurance-driven models. Staying independent allows us to honor your privacy, avoid limiting diagnoses, and tailor care to what truly helps you break free from the loop.
Break the Loop with Knowledge
Explore our Substack blog for science-backed perspectives on OCD, anxiety, and breaking compulsive cycles—written for those ready to rewire their minds.
No More Coping. Just Clarity.
Fill out the form below to request your complimentary 15 min consultation.
Our team will respond within 24 hours to discuss your needs and determine if The OCD Practice is the right fit for you. No pressure — just clarity.
Note: Submitting this form does not establish a therapist-client relationship. Kindly keep responses general and avoid sharing medical or confidential information at this stage.
The OCD PracticeEmail: [email protected]
Serving clients virtually in DC + Maryland
Licensed LPC: DC | LGPC: Maryland.
Now accepting D.C. clients through The OCD Practice. Maryland clients are seen through a separate supervised practice. Built for those ready to reclaim their authority from fear. OCD treatment in DC / MD | Virtual therapy for anxiety, OCD, intrusive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, and BFRB's
The OCD Practice is a tradename of Clarove LLC, a Maryland limited liability company.
Disclaimer: The information on this site is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care. Therapy is provided only to residents of Washington, D.C. and Maryland through licensed clinicians. If you are experiencing a crisis, please contact emergency services, or a crisis hotline in your area.