Although Exposure and Ritual Prevention (EX/RP) therapy is considered a gold-standard treatment for OCD, some people do not fully recover after receiving EX/RP therapy and others do not benefit at all from this treatment. Therefore, our research is aimed at making EX/RP more effective for more people.

Previous research has found that certain hormones facilitate people learning not to fear things they had feared before. Based on these findings, we want to examine EX/RP therapy with different levels of naturally occurring hormones. This study will compare fear extinction and OCD symptoms after therapy across men and women, and across women in different sub-groups. 

You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria.

Inclusion Criteria:

• New York residents ages 18-45 years old

• Diagnosed with or experiencing symptoms of OCD
• If female, must be menstruating and regularly cycling (every 21-35 days)
• Able to safely undergo an MRI (e.g., no metal implants, devices, braces)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Currently taking psychiatric medications or hormonal birth control
• Other significant psychiatric diagnoses (e.g., bipolar disorder, depression, psychosis)
• Substance use disorders
• Significant neurological conditions
• Currently using oral contraception, an IUD, or experiencing menopause
• Currently pregnant

Once enrolled, participation involves two fMRI scans and eight sessions of EX/RP therapy for OCD. The EX/RP therapy will be a mix of in-person and virtual sessions. Additionally, you will complete a two-day stress response task. One of the days includes the MRI mentioned previously. You will also complete virtual interviews with a clinician and will do a virtual follow-up with the therapist at the end of the study.

Compensation is provided up to $500 and travel costs.

There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.