OCD is not a quirk. It’s not about being neat or organized. It’s about intrusive thoughts and overwhelming anxiety. Join the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Support Group to overcome challenges and learn how to manage it.
Group Type: Therapy Group
Goals of the group: The goals majorly would be learning why some of us fear social situations and others don’t. Also, how to deal with such situations, learning techniques and skills to tackle feared situations. Developing acceptance towards one’s limitations and strengths in socialization and making improvement in a structured and planned manner.
Glimpse of the regime:
Cluster 1: Introduction to OCD, ERP, and Group Dynamics
Session 1:
- Introduction of facilitator and participants
- Identify participant expectations and reasons for joining
- Share what to expect
- Sharing of OCD themes experienced by them, identifying what has worked and not worked in terms of techniques, therapy, and/or medication
- Group guidelines: Establish confidentiality, respect, and participation expectations
- Icebreaker activity: Engage participants in an activity to build rapport and trust within the group
- Education on OCD: Concept, OCD Cycle, Common obsessions and compulsions, Difference in Intrusive thoughts and mental compulsions, Identifying mental and behavioural compulsions, Introduction to ERP, and common themes in OCD like Guilt, Doubt, Perfectionism, Control, Rumination, Over responsibility, Procrastination, etc
- Y BLOCS Test to assess Current OCD Level
- Sharing Facilitator’s OCD Story and Recovery Journey
- Education on ERP
- Discuss hierarchy development: Collaboratively create individualized exposure hierarchies based on participants’ identified triggers and compulsions and Making a ERP Chart for Homework for first 3 weeks
- Address common challenges and fears associated with engaging in exposure tasks and discuss strategies for managing anxiety during exposures
- Create a Buddy System for Accountability
Cluster 2: Improving Acceptance | Going beyond Guilt
Session 2: Improving Acceptance, Reducing Rumination, and Dealing with Doubt
- Share Experiences of ERP Homework: Wins and Difficulties
- Discuss Difficulties
- Planning next homework in the ERP Sheet
- Weekly rewards for the efforts of participants that they can give themselves Discuss the common themes (3 at a time) in detail
- Improving Acceptance, Reducing Rumination, Dealing with Doubt
- Share experiences of participants on the above, and give homework
- Share Resources to increase their knowledge on these two topics
Session 4: Going Beyond Guilt, Taking Over responsibility, and Powering Through Procrastination
- Share Experiences of ERP Homework: Wins and Difficulties
- Discuss Difficulties
- Planning next homework in the ERP Sheet
- Weekly rewards for the efforts of participants that they can give themselves Discuss the common themes (3 at a time) in detail
- Going Beyond Guilt, Taking Over responsibility, and Powering Through Procrastination
- Share experiences of participants on the above, and give homework
- Share Resources to increase their knowledge on these two topics
Cluster 3: A Life of your Choice | Relapse Prevention
Session 3: Living a life of your choice without OCD
- Share Experiences of ERP Homework: Wins and Difficulties
- Discuss Difficulties
- Planning next homework in the ERP Sheet
- Weekly rewards for the efforts of participants that they can give themselves A session on discussing what life would be without OCD and what all they want to actually do in their life and help them take steps for the same via a homework
Session 5: Relapse Prevention and Coping Strategies
- Discuss common triggers for OCD relapse and early warning signs of symptom recurrence
- Explore healthy coping strategies for managing stress and anxiety outside of therapy sessions, including mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and assertiveness skills
- Discussion of Additional Techniques to Support Recovery: Gibberish Meditation, Art Based Techniques, Increasing Serotonin naturally, Progressive muscle relaxation, Diet Changes, etc
- Develop personalized relapse prevention plans with specific coping strategies and support systems
- Encourage participants to share their successes and challenges in implementing coping strategies since starting therapy
- Identification of and Using Strengths in Recovery
Cluster 4: Review and Closure
Session 6:
- Reflect on the progress made throughout the group therapy process
- Celebrate achievements and milestones reached by participants
- Review key concepts and techniques learned during the sessions
- Provide resources for ongoing support and self-help strategies, such as books, websites, and support groups
- Encourage participants to continue practising skills learned in therapy and to reach out for support as needed in the future
- Offer closure and gratitude for participation in the group therapy experience
- ERP Goal Planning for the Future
- Q and A.
Please note that the session topics, order, and other details may be subject to change based on the needs and preferences of the group members and facilitators.
Facilitator Bio:
Facilitator: Madhavi Bongarala
Madhavi Bongarala is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (M.Phil., NIMHANS) who believes that therapy is about understanding oneself in a way that enables real, lasting change. She approaches growth not just as a process of unlearning old patterns but as one of cultivating self-compassion, psychological flexibility, and engaging with life in a way that feels authentic.
Madhavi employs a relational and experiential approach, integrating cognitive-behavioral strategies with self-compassion, mindfulness, and emotional exploration. Her therapeutic style balances structure and flexibility—offering practical tools while also creating space for deeper insight and self-discovery. Whether working through thoughts and beliefs that shape experiences or allowing emotions to unfold in real-time through storytelling, relational work, and mindfulness, she helps clients develop new ways of engaging with themselves and others.
With an M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology from Manipal University and an M.Phil. in Clinical Psychology from NIMHANS, Madhavi’s work is rooted in both clinical expertise and research. Her mental health research has focused on psychological resilience, mind-body approaches, and evidence-based interventions for emotional well-being. In addition to private practice, she has supported individuals, couples, and families in navigating emotional and relational challenges.
Beyond therapy, Madhavi is involved in mental health advocacy and education, working to bridge the gap between psychological science and real-world application. She also facilitates therapist-led support groups, fostering shared learning, connection, and healing. At the heart of her practice is the belief that change isn’t just about knowing what to do—it’s about experiencing something different, whether through moments of clarity, learning to sit with discomfort, or simply realizing that one doesn’t have to go through it alone.
Madhavi Bongarala is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (M.Phil., NIMHANS) who believes that therapy is about understanding oneself in a way that enables real, lasting change. She approaches growth not just as a process of unlearning old patterns but as one of cultivating self-compassion, psychological flexibility, and engaging with life in a way that feels authentic.
Madhavi employs a relational and experiential approach, integrating cognitive-behavioral strategies with self-compassion, mindfulness, and emotional exploration. Her therapeutic style balances structure and flexibility—offering practical tools while also creating space for deeper insight and self-discovery. Whether working through thoughts and beliefs that shape experiences or allowing emotions to unfold in real-time through storytelling, relational work, and mindfulness, she helps clients develop new ways of engaging with themselves and others.
With an M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology from Manipal University and an M.Phil. in Clinical Psychology from NIMHANS, Madhavi’s work is rooted in both clinical expertise and research. Her mental health research has focused on psychological resilience, mind-body approaches, and evidence-based interventions for emotional well-being. In addition to private practice, she has supported individuals, couples, and families in navigating emotional and relational challenges.
Beyond therapy, Madhavi is involved in mental health advocacy and education, working to bridge the gap between psychological science and real-world application. She also facilitates therapist-led support groups, fostering shared learning, connection, and healing. At the heart of her practice is the belief that change isn’t just about knowing what to do—it’s about experiencing something different, whether through moments of clarity, learning to sit with discomfort, or simply realizing that one doesn’t have to go through it alone.
