OCD presents as a cycle of obsessions and compulsions. Understanding the patterns can help determine the right level of clinical care.
If any of these resonated, our clinical team can help determine the right level of care.
Get a Free AssessmentSame-day admissions available. Most insurance accepted. Completely confidential.
Multiple levels of care designed to meet you where you are. Step up or down as your progress grows — each chapter builds on the last.
Our most intensive outpatient level. Full-day programming with ERP therapy, clinical assessments, group therapy, individual sessions, and holistic activities. The foundation for breaking the OCD cycle.
A structured step-down from PHP. Continued ERP practice, group therapy, and individual sessions with more flexibility for work, school, or family. Morning, afternoon, or evening tracks.
Designed for working adults who can’t attend daytime programming. The same evidence-based IOP curriculum with ERP integration, delivered in the evening.
Step-down support for continued progress. Less intensive than IOP but maintains therapeutic continuity with weekly groups, individual ERP sessions, and skill maintenance.
Full access to our programming from anywhere. HIPAA-compliant video sessions for groups, individual therapy, and psychiatric consultations. ERP can be conducted effectively via telehealth.
The gold standard for OCD treatment. ERP involves gradual, structured exposure to feared situations while resisting the urge to perform compulsions. Our clinicians are trained in ERP protocols and guide you through a personalized exposure hierarchy at your pace.
“[Client testimonial about OCD treatment at Trailhead — ERP changed my life. I went from spending 4 hours a day on rituals to feeling genuinely free. The therapists understood OCD in a way no one else had.]”— [Client Name] • Google Review
“[Client testimonial about the personalized approach — my therapist built an exposure hierarchy specifically for my contamination OCD. It was hard, but they never pushed faster than I could handle. I trust them completely.]”— [Client Name] • Google Review
“[Family member testimonial — the family program taught us how to stop accommodating the OCD. We didn’t realize that helping with rituals was actually making things worse. Learning that changed everything for our family.]”— [Family Member] • Google Review
1. Live at home, heal during the day. Our outpatient model means you sleep in your own bed, maintain family connections, and practice ERP skills in real-world environments from day one.
2. Flexible scheduling across three tracks. Morning, afternoon, or evening sessions — switch daily based on your work, family, or personal commitments. Our Evening Professional Track (6–9 PM) is built specifically for working adults.
3. ERP-trained clinicians. Exposure and Response Prevention is the gold standard for OCD treatment. Our therapists are specifically trained in ERP protocols and build personalized exposure hierarchies for each client.
4. Medication support when appropriate. SSRIs (often at higher doses than used for depression) can significantly reduce OCD symptoms. Our on-site Psychiatric NP evaluates each client within 24 hours and collaborates on medication decisions.
5. Daily DBT skills groups provide the emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness foundation that supports the difficult work of ERP.
6. Weekly individual therapy with a licensed therapist at every program level. One-on-one ERP sessions aren’t a luxury — they’re a standard.
7. Client-driven therapy approach. ERP, CBT, ACT, mindfulness-based interventions — your treatment plan is built around your specific OCD subtype and clinical needs, not a one-size-fits-all curriculum.
8. Rapid admission. Multiple weekly admission opportunities. No months-long waitlists — begin programming within 24 to 48 hours of your first call.
9. A family-style environment where staff know every client by name. Shared lunches build fellowship. This isn’t a factory — it’s a family.
10. Holistic & experiential programming including yoga, meditation, breathwork, equine therapy at Blue Sky Farm, and structured recreational activities that support anxiety management.
11. Dual state licensing in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts ensures broad regional access and insurance acceptance across both states.
We work with most major insurance providers. Verify your coverage in minutes.
| Provider | Network Status |
|---|---|
| Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield | In-Network |
| Point 32 Health (Harvard Pilgrim) | In-Network |
| Point 32 Health (Tufts) | In-Network |
| Tricare | In-Network |
| Uprise Health | In-Network |
| WellSense (NH Medicaid) | In-Network |
Don’t see your provider? We may still be able to help. Call or submit the form below.
Submit the form below and our admissions team will verify your benefits within minutes.
Your information is secure and confidential. We will never share your data.
Once you make it, we handle everything else. Admissions, insurance, scheduling — all of it.
If you are reading this, you are probably worried about someone you love. That worry is a sign of something good — it means you haven’t given up. And we want you to know: you shouldn’t.
OCD is a neurological condition, not a quirk or a preference for neatness. The person you love is trapped in a cycle of intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that they cannot simply “stop” through willpower. They need professional help — specifically, Exposure and Response Prevention therapy — to break free.
One of the most important things you can do is stop accommodating the OCD. This means not providing reassurance when they ask the same question repeatedly, not participating in their rituals, and not rearranging your life to avoid their triggers. Accommodation feels like helping, but it actually feeds the OCD cycle and makes it stronger over time.
Have the conversation with compassion. “I love you, and I can see how much you’re suffering. I want to support you in getting treatment, not in supporting the OCD.” Offer specific next steps: “I found a program with ERP-trained therapists in Salem — can we call together?”
Take care of yourself, too. Consider therapy or our monthly family education groups on Zoom. Living with someone who has OCD is exhausting, and you deserve support. Trailhead offers individual family therapy sessions and ongoing family support — for all family members ages 18 and up, past and present clients.
Resistance to treatment is common with OCD. Many people feel ashamed of their intrusive thoughts or believe treatment will make their anxiety worse. Below, our clinical team answers the questions families ask most.
Our family support program is open to all family members ages 18+, past and present clients.
Trailhead Treatment Center is located in Salem, New Hampshire — minutes from the Massachusetts border and easily accessible from communities across southern New Hampshire and northeastern Massachusetts.
103 Stiles Rd, Suites 1 & 2, Salem, NH 03079OCD is characterized by a specific cycle: intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) that drive repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) performed to reduce the anxiety caused by the obsessions. While anxiety is a component, the distinguishing feature is the compulsive response. If you find yourself performing rituals, checking, or mentally reviewing things to “neutralize” distressing thoughts, OCD may be the more accurate diagnosis. Our clinical team can conduct a free assessment to help clarify.
ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) involves gradually exposing you to situations that trigger your obsessions while helping you resist performing compulsions. Over time, your brain learns that the feared outcome doesn’t happen and that anxiety naturally decreases without the ritual. Research shows ERP is effective for 60–80% of people who complete treatment — making it the most effective therapy available for OCD.
Many people benefit from a combination of ERP and medication. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are the first-line medication for OCD, often prescribed at higher doses than used for depression. Our on-site Psychiatric NP can evaluate whether medication would be helpful for you and manage your prescription collaboratively.
PHP clients attend Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. A typical day includes group therapy (CBT, DBT, or ERP-focused), an individual session with your assigned clinician, psychoeducation, holistic activities like breathwork or yoga, and lunch. You go home each evening — this is outpatient treatment, not residential.
Most major insurance plans cover mental health treatment. We are in-network with Anthem BCBS, Point 32 Health (Harvard Pilgrim and Tufts), Tricare, Uprise Health, and WellSense (NH Medicaid). Use the verification form above or call our admissions team — we can typically verify benefits within minutes.
Most clients begin treatment within 24 to 48 hours of their initial call. We have multiple admission windows each week. If your situation is urgent, same-day admission may be available when clinically appropriate.
Yes. Many clients with OCD also experience co-occurring conditions such as depression, generalized anxiety, PTSD, or eating disorders. Our clinical team is trained to treat dual diagnosis conditions with an integrated approach. Your treatment plan is individualized to address everything you’re dealing with.
When you’re ready to move from reading to recovering, we’re here.
