If your child has been diagnosed with OCD, you've probably wondered: should they see a psychologist, take medication, or both? A major new analysis published in 2024 looked at 30 clinical trials involving over 2,000 young people with OCD, and the results are genuinely reassuring.
The research found that face-to-face Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) — a type of talking therapy that teaches people to resist OCD's urges step by step — works significantly better than doing nothing or relaxation training alone. Medication (a class of antidepressants called SRIs) also helps, but CBT has a stronger overall evidence base.
One finding that surprises a lot of people: CBT delivered over webcam or phone worked just as well as in-person sessions. So if you live outside a major city or can't easily get to a clinic, online therapy is a genuinely effective option, not a compromise.
The combination of CBT plus medication may produce the best outcomes of all, though more research is still needed to be certain.
The bottom line? Effective, evidence-backed treatment for childhood OCD exists — and there are more ways to access it than ever before. If OCD is affecting your child's life, reaching out to a psychologist who specialises in this area is a great first step.