OCD Testing and Assessment in Southlake, TX and the Surrounding Areas

Prime Behavioral Health provides comprehensive OCD testing, assessment, and treatment for children, adolescents, and adults in Southlake, TX and the surrounding areas. Our practice is led by Dr. Vishal Shah, MD, Board Certified in Adult and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry with over five years of experience serving the Dallas-Fort Worth region, alongside four certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners. We accept most major insurance plans including Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield PPO, Optum, United Healthcare, and Cigna. Read verified patient reviews on Google. Telemedicine appointments are available for eligible follow-up care. Call 817-778-8884 or schedule your new patient evaluation online to begin.

Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a psychiatric condition built around a specific, self-reinforcing cycle: an unwanted, intrusive thought or urge (an obsession) produces intense anxiety, and a repetitive behavior or mental act (a compulsion) is performed to neutralize that anxiety, even though the relief is temporary. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), OCD affects approximately 1.2% of adults in the United States, and symptoms often begin in childhood or adolescence. Left unaddressed, the cycle tends to expand over time as compulsions become more elaborate or time-consuming.

OCD is frequently misunderstood as simply liking things clean or organized. In reality, the obsessions in OCD are unwanted and distressing, often involving themes of contamination, harm, symmetry, or taboo content, and the compulsions exist specifically to manage the anxiety those thoughts create, not personal preference.

Common Obsessions and Compulsions

Common Obsessions	Common Compulsions
Fear of contamination from germs or dirt	Excessive hand washing or cleaning rituals
Intrusive thoughts about harm to self or others	Checking behaviors (locks, appliances, safety)
Need for symmetry or exactness	Arranging or ordering items until they feel right
Unwanted taboo thoughts (religious, sexual, violent)	Mental compulsions such as silent repeating or reviewing
Persistent doubt about tasks being completed correctly	Repeatedly seeking reassurance from others

How Prime Behavioral Health Conducts OCD Testing and Assessment

An accurate OCD diagnosis requires more than a brief conversation. Our assessment process is structured and multi-source, designed to distinguish OCD from conditions with overlapping features and to identify any co-occurring conditions that require simultaneous treatment.

• Individually structured clinical interviews with the patient and, when appropriate, family members
• Diagnosis-specific standardized rating scales that measure symptom type, frequency, and severity
• Neuropsychiatric evaluation information when available
• Clinical observation as part of the overall diagnostic picture
• Input from schools, primary care physicians, or prior treatment providers when appropriate and with consent

This structured approach ensures that treatment planning reflects an accurate, complete understanding of each patient’s specific pattern of obsessions and compulsions rather than a generic checklist.

OCD in Children and Adolescents

OCD frequently begins before adulthood, and pediatric presentations can look different from adult OCD, sometimes appearing as intense reassurance-seeking, meltdowns when a ritual is interrupted, or family accommodation, where parents unintentionally adjust routines to reduce a child’s distress in ways that reinforce the OCD cycle. Dr. Shah’s dual board certification in adult and child/adolescent psychiatry, alongside Barbara Schoen Johnson’s 16 years of pediatric psychiatric nursing experience at Cook Children’s Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic, supports accurate diagnosis and age-appropriate treatment planning for younger patients. Family involvement, including education about accommodation patterns, is a meaningful part of treatment for children and teens.

Treatment Options for OCD at Prime Behavioral Health

Medication Management

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first-line medication treatment for OCD, often prescribed at higher doses than for depression, with response typically taking eight to twelve weeks at an adequate dose. Medication management at Prime Behavioral Health includes ongoing monitoring of symptom response and side effects, with adjustments made as needed. GeneSight DNA testing is available to help guide medication selection based on individual genetics.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy

ERP is considered the gold-standard psychotherapy for OCD. It involves gradually exposing patients to obsession triggers while helping them resist the accompanying compulsion, which reduces the anxiety response over repeated practice and breaks the reinforcing cycle. Prime Behavioral Health provides referrals to therapists trained specifically in ERP as part of a coordinated treatment plan.

TMS Therapy as an Adjunct Treatment

NeuroStar TMS therapy holds FDA clearance as an adjunct treatment for adults with OCD who have not achieved adequate relief from SSRI medications combined with behavioral therapy. The OCD treatment protocol targets different brain regions than the depression protocol and follows a different treatment sequence. Learn more about how TMS therapy for OCD differs from depression treatment and what the evaluation process involves.

OCD and Co-Occurring Conditions

OCD frequently occurs alongside depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and tic disorders including Tourette syndrome. A comprehensive evaluation identifies these co-occurring conditions so treatment addresses the complete clinical picture, since treating only the most visible symptom while leaving another condition unaddressed typically produces incomplete improvement.

Meet Our Providers

Dr. Vishal Shah, MD - Psychiatrist and Medical Director

Dr. Vishal Shah is a board-certified psychiatrist and Medical Director of Prime Behavioral Health. He earned undergraduate degrees in Genetics and Computer Science from Rutgers University and his Medical Doctorate from Saba University of Medicine, graduating with honors. Dr. Shah completed a three-year Adult Psychiatry Residency at Howard University Hospital and a two-year Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Akron Children’s Hospital. He is Board Certified in both Adult Psychiatry and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry and brings expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Motivational Interviewing, and crisis management.

Barbara Schoen Johnson, PhD, APRN, PMHNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Dr. Barbara Schoen Johnson holds a PhD in Nursing from Texas Woman’s University and is board certified in Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She completed her PMHNP certification at the University of Texas at Arlington and served 16 years as a Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at Cook Children’s Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic. She has authored two nationally recognized psychiatric nursing textbooks, earned the AJN Book of the Year Award, and was named among the Great 100 Nurses of Dallas-Fort Worth.

Mariah Mathews, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Mariah Mathews is board certified in Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatric Nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Eastern Kentucky University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She brings seven years of pediatric RN experience from Children’s Health Dallas and completed clinical rotations at UT Southwestern Outpatient Adult Psychiatry and Children’s Health Plano.

Keri Kendall, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Keri Kendall is board certified in Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatric Nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and holds a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington. Prior to her psychiatric specialization, she practiced as a cardiac nurse and a school nurse. She is committed to helping each patient develop a clear path toward long-term mental health and daily wellness.

Pragya Pathak, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-C - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Pragya Pathak is a Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner by both the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the State of Texas. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington (2025) and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas Woman’s University (2016). She brings over eight years of psychiatric inpatient nursing experience from UT Southwestern Medical Center and completed clinical rotations in outpatient psychiatry and the ECT Service.

View full provider credentials and bios

Why Choose Prime Behavioral Health for OCD Testing and Treatment

What We Offer	What It Means for You
Board-Certified Psychiatrist (Dr. Shah, MD)	Physician-led care with dual board certification in adult and child/adolescent psychiatry
4 Licensed Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners	Multidisciplinary team with broad availability across all age groups
FDA-Approved NeuroStar TMS Therapy	Non-medication treatment option with documented clinical results
TMS Approved for Ages 15 and Older	OCD patients teens access the same advanced treatment available to adults
Major Insurance Accepted	Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield PPO, Optum, United Healthcare, Cigna
Telemedicine Available	Virtual follow-ups reduce travel for busy families and professionals
Full Lifespan Psychiatric Care	Children, adolescents, and adults all served under one practice
GeneSight DNA Testing Available	Genetic guidance to reduce medication trial-and-error
5+ Years Serving DFW	Established psychiatric practice with deep North Texas community roots

Frequently Asked Questions About OCD Testing and Treatment in Southlake, TX

What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a psychiatric condition characterized by obsessions, which are recurring, unwanted, and intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that cause significant anxiety, and compulsions, which are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce that anxiety or prevent a feared outcome. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, OCD affects approximately 1.2% of adults in the United States. The cycle between obsession and compulsion can consume hours each day and significantly interfere with work, school, and relationships.

What are common obsessions in OCD?

Common obsessions include fear of contamination from germs or dirt, intrusive thoughts about harm coming to oneself or others, a need for symmetry or exactness, unwanted taboo thoughts involving religion, sex, or violence, and excessive doubt about whether a task was completed correctly, such as locking a door or turning off an appliance. These thoughts are experienced as intrusive and unwanted, not as something the person actually wants to think about or act on.

What are common compulsions in OCD?

Common compulsions include excessive hand washing or cleaning, checking behaviors such as repeatedly verifying locks or appliances, counting or repeating actions a specific number of times, arranging items until they feel exactly right, mental compulsions such as silently repeating phrases or reviewing memories, and seeking reassurance repeatedly from others. Compulsions temporarily reduce the anxiety caused by an obsession, which reinforces the cycle and makes the behavior more difficult to stop over time.

How is OCD different from being a perfectionist or liking things organized?

OCD involves a specific, distressing cycle: an intrusive thought causes significant anxiety, and a compulsive behavior is performed specifically to neutralize that anxiety, not simply because the person prefers order. A person who enjoys organization does not experience intense distress if their space is disrupted. A person with OCD often experiences genuine panic or unbearable discomfort if prevented from completing a compulsion, and the obsessions themselves are unwanted and often distressing in content, unlike a general preference for tidiness.

How does Prime Behavioral Health conduct OCD testing and assessment?

OCD assessment at Prime Behavioral Health includes structured clinical interviews with the patient and, when appropriate, family members, diagnosis-specific standardized rating scales, review of medical and psychiatric history, and clinical observation. When available, information from schools, primary care physicians, or prior treatment providers is incorporated with appropriate consent. This structured, multi-source process distinguishes OCD from other conditions with overlapping features, including generalized anxiety disorder, and identifies any co-occurring conditions that need simultaneous treatment.

What rating scales are used to diagnose OCD?

Psychiatric evaluation for OCD typically uses standardized, diagnosis-specific rating scales that measure the type, frequency, and severity of obsessions and compulsions, along with the degree of functional impairment they cause. These structured tools, combined with clinical interviews and behavioral observation, allow providers to establish an accurate diagnosis, track symptom severity over time, and measure treatment response objectively rather than relying on subjective impression alone.

Can OCD be diagnosed in children?

Yes. OCD can begin in childhood, with a notable proportion of cases first appearing before age 18. Pediatric OCD often presents differently than adult OCD, sometimes appearing as intense reassurance-seeking, family accommodation of rituals, or behavioral meltdowns when a compulsion is interrupted. Prime Behavioral Health’s evaluation process for children includes family involvement and age-appropriate assessment tools, and Dr. Shah’s dual board certification in adult and child/adolescent psychiatry supports accurate diagnosis across all ages.

What role does family play in the OCD assessment and treatment process?

Family involvement is a meaningful part of both OCD assessment and treatment, particularly for children and adolescents. Family members often provide critical context about how symptoms present at home, and many families unintentionally participate in a pattern called accommodation, adjusting routines or providing reassurance in ways that reinforce the OCD cycle. Educating family members about this pattern and involving them appropriately in treatment planning improves outcomes and reduces the burden the condition places on the household.

What treatment options are available for OCD at Prime Behavioral Health?

Treatment options include a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to confirm diagnosis and assess severity, medication management using SSRIs and other medications with evidence for OCD, referrals for Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, and for adults with OCD who have not responded adequately to SSRI medications and behavioral therapy, FDA-cleared NeuroStar TMS therapy as an adjunct treatment. Treatment plans are individualized based on symptom severity, prior treatment history, and patient preference.

What medications are used to treat OCD?

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first-line medication treatment for OCD and are often prescribed at higher doses than typically used for depression. Response to medication can take longer to appear in OCD than in depression, sometimes eight to twelve weeks at an adequate dose. When first-line SSRIs do not produce sufficient improvement, a psychiatrist may consider augmentation strategies or adjunct treatments. Medication management at Prime Behavioral Health includes ongoing monitoring of symptom response and side effects at each follow-up visit.

What is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy for OCD?

Exposure and Response Prevention is considered the gold-standard psychotherapy for OCD. It involves gradually and systematically exposing a patient to the situations or thoughts that trigger their obsessions while helping them resist performing the accompanying compulsion. Over repeated practice, this process reduces the anxiety associated with the obsession and breaks the reinforcing cycle between obsession and compulsion. ERP is typically delivered by a therapist trained in this specific modality, and Prime Behavioral Health provides referrals to ERP-trained therapists as part of a coordinated treatment plan.

Is TMS therapy used to treat OCD?

Yes. NeuroStar TMS therapy holds FDA clearance as an adjunct treatment for adults with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder who have not achieved adequate relief from SSRI medications combined with behavioral therapy. TMS for OCD uses a treatment protocol targeting specific brain regions involved in the OCD cycle, distinct from the protocol used for depression. Learn more about how TMS therapy for OCD differs from depression treatment and what the evaluation process involves.

How is treating OCD with TMS different from treating depression with TMS?

While both use the same NeuroStar technology, TMS protocols for OCD target different brain regions and use a different treatment sequence than the protocol used for depression. OCD TMS treatment is also used specifically as an adjunct to ongoing SSRI medication and behavioral therapy, rather than as a standalone treatment. A comprehensive evaluation determines whether a patient’s OCD presentation and treatment history make them an appropriate candidate for this adjunct approach.

What happens if OCD is left untreated?

Untreated OCD typically does not improve on its own and often becomes more entrenched over time as compulsions become more elaborate or time-consuming in an attempt to manage increasing anxiety. Untreated OCD frequently leads to significant impairment in work, school, and relationships, and commonly co-occurs with depression and anxiety disorders that develop as a secondary consequence of living with unmanaged symptoms. Early evaluation and treatment produce better outcomes than waiting for the condition to become severe.

Can OCD occur alongside other mental health conditions?

Yes. OCD frequently co-occurs with depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and tic disorders including Tourette syndrome. Research suggests a meaningful subset of people with OCD also meet criteria for at least one other psychiatric condition during their lifetime. A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation identifies these co-occurring conditions so that treatment addresses the full clinical picture rather than only the most visible symptom.

What is the difference between OCD and Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)?

Despite similar names, OCD and Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder are distinct conditions. OCD involves specific, unwanted obsessions and compulsions that the person recognizes as distressing and often excessive. OCPD is a personality pattern characterized by a pervasive preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control that the person typically does not experience as distressing or unwanted, viewing their standards as appropriate or even necessary. A psychiatric evaluation distinguishes between these conditions, which require different treatment approaches.

How long does OCD treatment typically take to show results?

Medication for OCD often requires eight to twelve weeks at an adequate dose before meaningful improvement is seen, longer than the typical timeline for depression treatment. Exposure and Response Prevention therapy typically involves twelve to twenty sessions, with many patients noticing initial improvement within the first several sessions as they build confidence in resisting compulsions. Combined treatment approaches, using medication and ERP together, generally produce better and faster results than either approach alone.

Does Prime Behavioral Health offer GeneSight DNA testing for OCD medication selection?

Yes. GeneSight DNA testing analyzes genetic variations that may affect how your body metabolizes certain psychiatric medications, including SSRIs commonly used for OCD. This pharmacogenomic information can help guide medication selection and may reduce the lengthy trial-and-error process that sometimes occurs when finding an effective OCD medication regimen.

What should I expect during my first OCD evaluation appointment?

Your first appointment is a comprehensive evaluation typically lasting 60 to 90 minutes. Your provider reviews the specific content and pattern of your obsessions and compulsions, how long symptoms have been present, how they affect your daily functioning, your medical and family psychiatric history, and any prior treatment attempts. Standardized rating scales are used alongside clinical interview. Based on this evaluation, your provider discusses a preliminary diagnosis and treatment options.

Do I need a referral to schedule an OCD evaluation?

No referral is required. You can call 817-778-8884 or complete the online appointment request form directly. Bringing a description of your specific obsessions and compulsions, their frequency, and how long they have been present helps the evaluation process move efficiently.

Can adults be newly diagnosed with OCD later in life?

Yes. While OCD often begins in childhood or adolescence, some adults are not diagnosed until later in life, either because symptoms emerged later or because earlier symptoms were not recognized or were misattributed to anxiety, personality traits, or stress. A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation at any age can identify OCD accurately and open the door to effective, evidence-based treatment regardless of when symptoms first began.

Is OCD treatment covered by insurance at Prime Behavioral Health?

Prime Behavioral Health accepts Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield PPO, Optum, United Healthcare, and Cigna for psychiatric evaluation and treatment of OCD. Insurance benefits, including coverage for TMS therapy as an OCD adjunct treatment when clinically indicated, are verified before treatment begins. Call 817-778-8884 for information about your specific plan.

What is the difference between intrusive thoughts everyone has and OCD obsessions?

Most people experience occasional intrusive or unusual thoughts without them becoming clinically significant. What distinguishes OCD is the degree of distress the thought causes, the difficulty dismissing it, and the compulsive behavior performed in response to neutralize the anxiety it creates. A person without OCD might have a strange thought and move on within moments. A person with OCD may become consumed by the thought and feel compelled to perform a specific ritual before they can find any relief.

Can teenagers receive OCD treatment including TMS therapy?

Teenagers can receive comprehensive OCD evaluation, medication management, and ERP therapy referrals at Prime Behavioral Health. NeuroStar TMS therapy’s FDA clearance for OCD currently applies to adults. Adolescents with OCD who also have treatment-resistant depression may be evaluated for TMS specifically for the depression component once they reach the age of 15, under the separate adolescent depression clearance.

How do I know if what I’m experiencing is OCD or just anxiety?

OCD and generalized anxiety disorder can share overlapping features, including excessive worry, but OCD is specifically characterized by the presence of compulsions, repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce the distress caused by a specific obsession. If you find yourself performing specific rituals, checking behaviors, or mental repetitions to neutralize a particular unwanted thought, this pattern is more consistent with OCD than generalized anxiety. A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation provides the clarity needed to distinguish between these conditions and guide appropriate treatment.

Schedule Your OCD Evaluation at Prime Behavioral Health

If you or a family member in Southlake, Colleyville, Grapevine, Keller, or the greater DFW region is dealing with intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, Prime Behavioral Health provides a structured, accurate path to diagnosis and treatment. Our board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Vishal Shah, MD, and licensed psychiatric team have over five years of experience diagnosing and treating OCD across all ages. We accept Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield PPO, Optum, United Healthcare, and Cigna, and offer telemedicine appointments for added convenience. Read our verified patient reviews on Google, then schedule your evaluation online or call Prime Behavioral Health at 817-778-8884.