There is a sense of community that exists in a well-run support group. It can mean finding others who know how you feel, or being seen as someone with a disorder rather than as the disorder itself. If you are reading this, you have likely been affected by OCD or a related disorder in some way, either as an individual with OCD or a related disorder, or as a family member or supporter watching someone struggle with the disorder.
While support groups are not meant to be a substitute for individual therapy, they can serve as a great step in that direction, or as an important addition to therapy, or part of a relapse prevention plan. Peers can offer something different than a therapist, and this should not be underestimated. Meeting other people going through similar situations can be very healing and beneficial — it can make people feel less lonely and isolated, as well as more connected to and understood by others.
Find a Support Group in Your Area
The IOCDF Resource Directory lists over 200 support groups for OCD and related disorders around the world. Groups are offered for individuals with the disorder, in addition to their family, loved ones, and caregivers. Click here to find a support group near you.
Join an Online or Phone Support Group
There are many well-run online support groups that you can access from ANYWHERE in the world. Click here to learn more.
See the table below for a list of support groups meeting online.
| Support Group Name | Audience | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Monday/Wednesday Night OCD Support Group (Online via Zoom) w/ Mike Fink | Children, Adolescents, and Adults near Los Angeles | OCD |
| Central Ohio GOALS for OCD | Adults in Central Ohio | OCD |
| COVID-19 Anxiety and OCD Support Group | Children, Adolescents, and Adults | OCD |
| Pittsburgh Support Group | Children, Adolescents, Adults near Pittssburgh, PA | OCD |
| Pennsylvania Teen OCD Support Group | Teens in Pennsylvania | OCD |
| Cambridge OCD Support Group | Adults near Cambridge, MA | OCD |
| Jacksonville OCD Support Group | Adults near Jacksonville, FL | OCD |
| OCD Family Support Group | Adolescents, Adults, Familes near Jacksonville, FL | OCD |
| South Bay OCD Support Group | Adults in the Bay Area, CA | OCD |
| Teen and Young Adults Peer Support Group | Teens and Young Adults | OCD |
| Guildford OC Anonymous | Children, Adolescents, and Adults in the UK | OCD |
| Scrupulosity OCD Education & Support Group | Adults with Scrupulosity | OCD |
| T.E.A.M. (Teens Engaging Anxiety of the Mind) OCD: A GOAL Support Group | Teenagers | OCD |
| Bhava Way Support Group | Adolescents, Adults | OCD |
| ZOOM OCD Support Group | Children, Adolescents, Adults near Miami | OCD |
| GOAL Support Group | Adults in California | OCD |
| Parents of Anxious Kids (PoAK) | Parents of Anxious Kids | OCD |
| Seacoast OCD Support Group | Adolescents, Adults in New Hampshire | OCD |
| OCD Therapeutic Support Group | Adults in Kansas City, MO | OCD |
| Hoarding Disorder Support Group | Adults with Hoarding Disorder in Wisconsin | Hoarding |
| Noe Valley BFRB Support Group | Adolescents & Adults with BFRB | BFRBs |
| Rogers Behavioral Health OCD and Anxiety Support Group | Adults in Wisconsin | OCD |
| OCD Support Group of NorthWest Ohio | Family members of individuals with OCD regardless of age | OCD |
| Compassion Focused Therapy Group | Hoarding Group for Adults in California | OCD |
| Adult OCD & Anxiety Support Group | Children, Adolescents, Families and Adults. | OCD |
| Mental Health Strong Spouses Virtual Support Group | Adult Spouses Support Group | OCD |
| Parents of Adult Children with OCD (U.S. and Canada) | Parents of Adult Children with OCD | OCD |
| Adolescent Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/Exposure Response Prevention Group | Adolescents in Colorado | OCD |
| OCD (Virtual) Meditation Group | Persons, families, and care-givers concerned with OCD (India) | OCD |
| Talk TOC Family, Partners and Friends | Family, partners and friends of OCD patients (Mexico) | OCD |
| Bloomington/Normal, Illinois OCD Support Group | Adults with OCD | OCD |
| GOAL group for OCD | Adults | OCD |
| OCD Support for Older Adults | Older Adults with OCD | OCD |
| Adolescent Support group | Adolescents in Florida | OCD |
| Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum & Maladaptive Daydreaming Disorder | (Buenos Aires) | OCD |
| OCD Ottawa Support Group | Adults living in Canada | OCD |
| Online Body Dysmorphic Disorder Support Group | Children, Adolescents, Adults | BDD |
| BDD Online Support Group | Adults in Colorado | BDD |
| Louisiana Virtual Support Group for OCD and Related Disorders | Adult sufferers, family and friends | OCD, BDD, Hoarding, BFRBs |
| Moms with OCD | Adult Mothers | OCD |
| Pay What You Can Peer Support- OCD & Intrusive Thoughts Weekly Group | Adults, Children, Adolescents | BDD, Hoarding, Skin Picking, Trichotillomania, PANDAS/PANS, Treatment of Co-occurring Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Eating Disorders (ED), Substance Use Disorders (SUD), Tics/Tourettes, Perfectionism, Scrupulosity, Violent/Sexual Obsessions, ,OCD |
Start a Support Group of Your Own
Can't find a group in your area? Consider starting your own! You don't need to be a mental health professional to run an effective support group. Take a look at our Guide to Starting a Support Group here.
Already running a support group? Make sure to list it in the Resource Directory:
If you already run a support group for OCD and related disorders in your area, you can create a free listing in our Resource Directory to help more people find your group. Click here to add or update your support group listing.