OCD and Anxiety Center Adolescent Residential Care

Treatment approach

Our OCD and Anxiety Center for adolescent residential care is part of the comprehensive OCD and anxiety treatment offered by Rogers. As a system, Rogers provides care to more children, adolescents, and adults with OCD than any other behavioral health system. Residents call the OCD and Anxiety Center in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, home for an average of 45 to 60 days in this intensive level of care.

Treatment components

Our core therapy is a mix of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with an emphasis on exposure and response prevention (ERP). Through ERP, our team works to develop hierarchies for gradual, but increasing, exposure to what drives obsessions and compulsions. Studies continue to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach, as do outcome studies conducted by Rogers.

In addition to individual, group, and family therapy sessions, experiential therapy plays a key role in treatment. This can include art, music, horticultural therapy, indoor exercise and challenges. And with our setting among the lakes and woods of southeastern Wisconsin, residents may find themselves on our ropes and challenge course, walking trails or, in the summer, using the kayaks and paddleboards on a nearby lake.

Other elements of therapy and treatment include:

• Medication management 
• Family education
• Nutrition therapy and education 
• Community outings and therapeutic passes
• Personal recovery plan for continuing care 

Our family approach

At Rogers, we want our residents to better function at school and with friends and family. That makes family an important part of treatment and recovery.

We expect family members to be involved in a child’s treatment weekly. By attending family sessions and group education, parents become actively involved in helping teens build skills in communication and cooperation, and learn how the illness fits within the context of their family.

Family dynamics are explored during adventure-based experiences that our therapists lead in a safe and secure environment. Parents can also help their child practice behavior and management strategies during therapeutic visits.

Education services and advocacy 

We know it’s important to maintain a teen’s schooling as much as possible. We offer education services, staffed by certified teachers with experience in working with students with behavioral, emotional, or cognitive issues. They will, with consent, work directly with the teen’s school and make recommendations to aid their return to school upon discharge.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): 3 hours daily + evening homework time
CBT is highly effective in helping patients make changes in their behaviors, thoughts, and emotions.

A component of CBT, ERP helps individuals gradually confront their fears and reduce their anxiety in a planned manner. Working through these “hierarchies” of addressing fears provides a thorough, creative approach for effective treatment.

Experiential therapy: 5-7 times per week
Includes horticultural, recreational, and art therapy to strengthen coping skills while learning to connect and express thoughts in many ways. From indoor rock walls and ropes courses to hiking trails and bike paths, Rogers offers the ability to engage in therapies outside of traditional group and individual treatment spaces.

Family therapy: 1 time per week
Consists of psychoeducation for families from various treatment team members, working with your child to reduce accommodations.

Meet with psychiatrist: 2 to 3 times per week

Meet with therapist individually: a minimum of 1 time a week + process group 5 times a week

Nutrition therapy: 1 time per week
Group session facilitated by a registered dietician implementing CBT exposure work

Pet therapy: 1 time per week

Spiritual care: offered as needed

Therapeutic passes and community outings: (throughout the week)
Allow patients to experience triggering real-life situations and process their challenges and progress with the treatment team and their families.