The OCD & Anxiety Center

08/13/2026

Check out our blogs from this week - Why Separation Anxiety Doesn't Always End in Childhood, Why School Refusal is More About Attendance.

Separation anxiety doesn’t always end in childhood. For some teens, fears about being away from parents can become more noticeable as expectations for independence grow. In our latest blog, we explore what separation anxiety can look like during adolescence, why avoidance and reassurance can keep the anxiety cycle going, and how teens can gradually build confidence in their ability to cope with being apart.

School refusal is about more than missed days and attendance it can be a sign that a child is struggling with anxiety or emotional distress. When we understand what is driving school refusal, we can move beyond the daily battles and focus on helping children build confidence, tolerate discomfort, and develop the skills they need to face what feels overwhelming.

https://theocdandanxietycenter.com/why-separation-anxiety-doesnt-always-end-in-childhood/

https://theocdandanxietycenter.com/why-school-refusal-is-about-more-than-attendance/

When a child refuses to go to school, it is easy to focus on the most visible problem: attendance. Parents often find themselves worrying about missed assignments, falling grades, and how much school their child is missing. While these concerns are understandable, school refusal is rarely just about...

08/12/2026

Progress isn’t about being perfect or moving forward every single day. It’s about noticing the small changes, celebrating the steps you take, and remembering that even slow progress is still progress. What is something you’re doing differently now than you were a few months ago?

08/10/2026

Growth doesn’t always look like big changes. Sometimes, it’s choosing to keep going, learning from what didn’t work, and giving yourself permission to grow at your own pace. What is one way you’ve grown recently?

08/07/2026

Take a look inside our newest location: , IL! Give us a call today to start making meaningful progress with our team of specialized clinicians.

📍27790 W. Highway 22, Suite 5
Barrington, IL 60010
📱(630) 522-3124

08/07/2026

It’s that time again! One of our favorite fundraising events. Please consider sharing our page and walking with us at the annual 1 million steps for OCD walk in Skokie on October 4th.

Together we're making strides for OCD awareness!

08/06/2026

Taking the first step toward understanding anxiety or OCD can feel overwhelming, but knowledge is often where meaningful change begins. We hope this blog provides practical insights, encouragement, and hope for anyone navigating these challenges or supporting someone they love.

When a child is struggling with anxiety, most parents naturally want to help them feel better. They answer questions, provide reassurance, offer reminders, and do whatever they can to reduce their child's distress. While these responses come from a place of love, they can sometimes unintentionally s...

08/05/2026

We can't control everything life brings our way, but we can choose how we respond. Flexibility isn't giving up—it's building resilience and finding new ways to move forward. How do you remind yourself to stay flexible when things don't go as planned?

08/03/2026

Life doesn't always follow the path we expect, and that's okay. Growth often comes from learning to adapt, not from trying to control every outcome. What's one time you had to adjust your plans and ended up learning something valuable from the experience?

07/30/2026

Facing your fears isn't the same as doing ERP. Exposure and Response Prevention is a structured, evidence-based treatment that helps you break free from the cycle of anxiety and OCD—not just "push through" fear. Read our latest blog to learn what makes ERP so effective.

Many people have heard that Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) involves "facing your fears." While that description isn't entirely wrong, it often leaves out some of the most important parts of the treatment. As a result, people may assume that ERP is simply about forcing yourself into uncomfort...

07/29/2026

You don't have to do something extraordinary in order for it to be courageous. What is one courageous decision you have made recently? How did it make you feel?