Relationship OCD Therapy in San Antonio and Across Texas
Relationship OCD is OCD that focuses on doubts about a romantic relationship.
Researchers describe two main presentations [1]. Relationship-centered ROCD involves doubts about the relationship itself: Do I love them? Do they love me? Is this the right relationship? Partner-focused ROCD involves preoccupation with a partner's perceived flaws, such as their looks, intelligence, social skills, or morals. Many people have both.
A free 15-minute call. No forms, no commitment. Just a conversation about what you're facing.
How we treat relationship OCD: quieting the doubt so you can decide from your values.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): you practice living with uncertainty about your feelings, without checking, comparing, or seeking reassurance [2, 3]. Inference-Based CBT (I-CBT) helps you notice how OCD argues about your relationship from "what ifs" rather than from your actual experience with your partner [4].
- Our goal isn't to tell you whether to stay or go. It's to quiet the OCD so you can see your relationship clearly.
- When it helps, a partner can join a session to learn how to support recovery without giving reassurance that feeds the cycle.
- If ERP isn't the right fit, you can switch to I-CBT without leaving the practice.
A free 15-minute call. No forms, no commitment. Just a conversation about what you're facing.
Common signs of relationship OCD
| Obsessions (the doubts) | Compulsions (what you do to feel sure) |
|---|---|
| "Do I truly love my partner?" | Checking your feelings, or testing for butterflies |
| "Am I attracted enough?" | Comparing your partner to others, exes, or people online |
| "What if there's someone better?" | Researching "how do you know you're with the right person" |
| Fixating on a flaw in your partner | Mentally reviewing the flaw, or pointing it out to them |
| "What if I'm leading them on?" | Confessing doubts, or seeking reassurance from friends |
| Doubts spike at milestones such as moving in, engagement, or marriage | Avoiding commitment, or replaying past moments for proof |
Learn more about our approaches: ERP therapy, I-CBT, and faith-based integration. Doubts about a vocation or marriage can also overlap with scrupulosity.
Related types of OCD
Back to OCD therapy at Integratus.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if it's ROCD or a real relationship problem?
It can be hard to tell on your own, and that uncertainty is part of ROCD. A careful assessment looks at whether the doubts are driven by fear and compulsions or by concrete problems such as mistreatment. If there are real concerns, we'll address them honestly.
Will therapy tell me whether to break up?
No. That decision is yours. Treatment helps you make it from a clear mind rather than from OCD.
Should my partner come to sessions?
Sometimes. Most treatment is individual, but one or two sessions with your partner can help them understand ROCD and stop accidentally feeding it.
How long does treatment take?
It varies with your symptoms and goals. We review your progress together regularly and adjust the plan as you go.
How much does it cost?
Individual sessions are $150 for 50 minutes. We're a private-pay practice, and clients working with Luke Mayeux, LPC, can request a superbill for possible out-of-network reimbursement.
References
- Doron, G., Derby, D. S., & Szepsenwol, O. (2014). Relationship obsessive compulsive disorder (ROCD): A conceptual framework. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 3(2), 169–180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2013.12.005
- Öst, L.-G., Havnen, A., Hansen, B., & Kvale, G. (2015). Cognitive behavioral treatments of obsessive–compulsive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published 1993–2014. Clinical Psychology Review, 40, 156–169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2015.06.003
- Wang, Y., Miguel, C., Ciharova, M., et al. (2024). The effectiveness of psychological treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorders: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials published over last 30 years. Psychological Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291724001375
- Aardema, F., Bouchard, S., Koszycki, D., et al. (2022). Evaluation of inference-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A multicenter randomized controlled trial with three treatment modalities. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 91(5), 348–359. https://doi.org/10.1159/000524425
Ready to Feel More in Control and Less Overwhelmed by OCD and Anxiety?
You don’t have to face OCD and anxiety alone. Let’s work together to help you feel more calm, confident, and in control.
.webp)
