The IOCDF’s comprehensive online Resource Directory includes treatment providers, support groups, clinics & programs, as well as other organizations that specialize in OCD and related disorders. The directory is searchable by location and will list results in order to proximity to the location searched.
To find local resources to central and south florida, simply visit www.iocdf.org/find-help and enter in your zip code. Results can be narrowed based on populations services, treatment strategies, specialty areas, payment options, etc.
Access the Resource Directory here.
Often times, choosing the right therapist can be challenging and the therapeutic landscape difficult to navigate. Click here to access an article with Tips on How to Choose the Right Therapist.
Local Support Groups
OCD and Related Disorder Support Groups in Central and South Florida
*Disclaimer: This affiliate list support groups we are aware of in the local area, yet the below listed support groups are not the affiliate’s support groups. We work to keep the information as up-to-date as possible to inform members of our catchment area of relevant resources.
Teen Virtual Support Group
- Third Tuesday of every month from 7:00 to 8:30pm.
- Free; led by IOCDF Teen Ambassador. A mental health clinician will always be either in attendance or on call
- Talk about treatment, successes, challenges, and goals with peers who understand what you are going through! Discussion topics may include OCD and School, Friends, College, Independence, Parents, and more!
- Sponsored by: Jacob Center for Evidence-Based Treatment, www.jacobcenterforebt.com
- All participants MUST have a parent/guardian fill out a consent form.
- Note: This is a FREE support group, and it is not a service that will offer therapy or crisis support to group attendees.
- If you are interested, please contact: (561) 290-9080 or [email protected] for more information.
Virtual Clinical Consultation and Therapist Support Group
- Open to providers in Florida
- Monthly on Fridays at 12 pm
- Discuss unique and complimented OCD cases
- Provide support for fellow clinicians and learn tips from others
- Provided by Roger’s Behavioral Health
- Register by emailing [email protected]
Tampa Adult Anxiety/OCD Support Group
- Virtual support group for adults suffering with anxiety or OCD
- Bi-weekly on Wednesdays from 6 – 7:30 or from 7:30 – 9:00 pm
- Free of charge; provided by the Anxiety Center of Tampa
- Register by calling 813-773-5807 or emailing [email protected]
Tampa Family Support Group
- Virtual support group for family members or close friends of those suffering with OCD or Anxiety
- Meetings are on the third Thursday of each month, beginning May 19, 2022
- Free of charge; provided by the Anxiety Center of Tampa
- Register by calling 813-773-5807 or emailing [email protected]
Coconut Creek Adult OCD Support Group
- Last Tuesday of every month from 6:00 to 7:30 pm
- Free of charge; led by Cognitive Behavioral Therapists
- Review therapeutic principals of OCD treatment; build connections in a supportive environment
- 5300 W. Hillsborough Blvd, Suite 210, Coconut Creek, FL 33073
- Sign up by contacting (561) 600-1424 or [email protected]
Palm Beach Gardens OCD Support Group for Adults
This is a free, professionally-led group open to adults (18+) with OCD at any stage of recovery (e.g., recently diagnosed, in treatment, not in treatment). Attendees are expected to maintain the confidentiality of other attendees.
- Professionals must obtain approval from Dr. Seay before attending.
- Check out our events calendar for specific meeting dates (usually meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm).
- Center for Psychological & Behavioral Science, 11380 Prosperity Farms Road, Suite 209A, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
- www.steveseay.com/events
Palm Beach Gardens OCD Support Group for Kids & Teens
This is a free, professionally-led group open to children and teens with OCD at any stage of recovery (e.g., recently diagnosed, in treatment, not in treatment). Attendees are expected to maintain the confidentiality of other attendees.
- Professionals must obtain approval from Dr. Seay before attending.
- Check out the events calendar at the below website for specific meeting dates (specific times/dates vary based on attendee availability).
- Center for Psychological & Behavioral Science, 11380 Prosperity Farms Road, Suite 209A, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
- www.steveseay.com/events
Women with OCD Bradenton Support Group
This group’s goal is to encourage one another through the ups and downs of OCD and to live a life based upon our personal values. We utilize our Facebook Group to share articles or helpful information and will plan to occasionally meet casually to support and encourage one another.
- Meeting day and time: occasionally; email or call for upcoming dates
- Open To: Women diagnosed with OCD
- Contact: Emily Buskirk
- Harbor Community Church Bradenton, Florida 34209
- Phone: 941-737-6290; email: [email protected]
Click here to search the IOCDF Resource Directory to find additional support groups.
Local Research Studies
*Disclaimer: OCDCSFL is not affiliated with any of the following studies, although we ensure that all research studies listed on this page have been reviewed and approved by an Internal Review Board (IRB). We do our best to keep this list up-to-date, but please contact the research institutions directly to confirm the status of any studies you are interested in.
If you are interested in submitting information regarding support groups and/or research studies to be added to our website, please provide required information for support groups (e.g., dates, time, location, contact person), and for research studies (e.g., brief description of study, requirements for participation, duration of time in which study will be ongoing, contact person). Please email this information to us at [email protected]. If you are providing information about a research study, please also email us a document indicating your IRB approval, as we will need that for our records.
National Research:
Survey on knowledge of and attitudes toward neurocircuitry-based procedures in those with OCD (IRB# 1816467): Have you been diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)? For many patients with OCD, medication and/or CBT and ERP are effective treatment options. For some, these treatments are ineffective, and they are severely disabled by their OCD. Psychiatric neurocircuitry-based procedures (e.g., TMS, neurosurgery) represent one treatment modality that may be available for individuals not amenable to standard treatments. We are seeking to gain a better understanding of the knowledge of and attitudes toward neurocircuitry-based procedures in those with OCD. We would appreciate your time in filling out this survey to help us reach this goal, no matter your level of knowledge or expertise on the topic: https://redcap.carene.org/surveys/?s=FXA4HHDEKE
Anonymous Online Survey about Contamination-Related OCD Compulsions (IRB# 17-18-159): This study is for adults, 18 years and older, who are fluent in English and have contamination-related OCD. This is an anonymous, online research study to understand contamination-related OCD compulsions. This study involves a series of questionnaires regarding your compulsions and other symptoms. This survey will take approximately 20 minutes. You will be entered into a raffle to win $40. You are guaranteed to have at least a 1/10 chance to win. All information you provide will be kept confidential and anonymous. This means that we will not ask for any identifying information in the survey. In order to be entered into the raffle, you will follow a link to a second, separate survey for you to enter your name and contact information. That way, it will be impossible to associate your specific responses with your identity. The link to participate is:
https://swarthmore.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bdN0YNxJ3yTNjF4
This study is being conducted by Dr. Jedidiah Siev at Swarthmore College. For more information, please contact: [email protected]
Pediatric Deep Brain Stimulation: Neuroethics and Decision Making (IRB# H-45996): This study is for children ages 11-17 (and their parents) who have sustained OCD symptoms even after treatment. The study interviews these children and their parents on their thoughts on pediatric deep brain stimulation (pDBS). Children and their parents would participate in a short questionaire and a 60-minute interview conducted separately. Interviews can be done via phone, video conference or in person. Participants will be compensated with a $50 Amazon gift card. For more information contact Katrina Munoz at [email protected], call (713)-798-1726 or click here.
A Study on Characteristics of Anxiety and Misophonia: This study is for children ages 8 to 17 years old. Baylor College of Medicine is conducting research on the symptomatic presentation and characteristics of children and adolescents with misophonia or anxiety problems. Eligible participants will participate in online assessment sessions and two optional follow-up surveys at months 3 and 6. You will receive $90 compensation ($30 parent and $60 child) for the online assessment sessions and $15 compensation for completion of each of the two follow-up surveys. For more details, please contact Jane Clinger at [email protected] or call 713-798-1916.
Apopka, FL Research:
Efficacy and Safety Study of Adjunctive Troriluzule in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (IRB# Pro00048758): This study is for adults’ ages 18-65 years old. The study’s purpose is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of troriluzole as adjunctive therapy compared to placebo in subjects with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The participant must be diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder for a year and is having an inadequate response to current Standard of Care medication defined as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor(SSRI) (excluding fluvoxamine) or clomipramine treatment at an adequate and stable dose. The study is 7 visits over a course of 3 months and participants will be monitored by a physician, participants will receive all treatment of care and study medication at no cost, and participants are compensated for time and travel up to $350. TOPAZ Clinical Research, Inc. is located in Apopka, FL. Contact us at 407-703-4342 or email Kristi at [email protected] or [email protected]
Tampa Bay, FL Research:
For more information on studies please call (727) 767-8230 to speak to a study coordinator.
Screening Mental Health, Behavior and Movements in Children (IRB# Pro00037340): This study is for all children ages 4-17 years old and is a survey/interview which provides a comprehensive mental health screening to participants. This also includes a brief interview where we administer the YGTSS and KSADS (tic portion only). We are currently doing screenings at the USF General Pediatrics Clinic at 17 Davis Blvd. in Tampa. Participants will receive $50 after completion of first visit and an additional $100 after completion of the one year follow up.
Treatment of Anxiety in Late Adolescents with Autism-Phase 2 (TALAA-2) ( IRB# Pro00037613): This study is for young adults ages 15-21 with an autism spectrum diagnosis, verbal IQ >70, and diagnosed anxiety disorder. Participant will receive up to 16 session/60 minute adapted CBT treatment sessions (provided at no cost) specialized for late adolescents with ASD. Participants will then complete a 3 month follow up assessment once treatment is complete, where they will be compensated $50. This study is being conducted at the Rothman Center ( Bayfront Medical Plaza, 601 7th Street S, Suite 425 ) in St. Petersburg .
CALM Study (IRB# SCT-MD-60): The primary objective of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of escitalopram relative to a placebo in the acute treatment of children (ages 7 – 11 years old) and adolescents (ages 12 – 17 years old) who meet criteria for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). This study is being conducted at the Rothman Center (Bayfront Medical Plaza, 601 7th Street S, Suite 425 ) in St. Petersburg .
Transdiagnostic Tourette Treatment (IRB# Pro00027141): This study is for children ages 7-17 who are diagnosed with Tourettes and have another co-morbid externalizing and/or internalizing disorder. Participants who meet the criteria during their screening come for therapy once a week. Therapy sessions can go up to 15-28 sessions depending on the needs of the participant. Participants will receive $50 upon completion of the post treatment assessment, and treatment will be provided at no cost. This study is being conducted at the Rothman Center ( Bayfront Medical Plaza, 601 7th Street S, Suite 425 ) in St. Petersburg.
Otsuka Study (Treatment for Tourette Syndrome) (IRB# Pro000503): The study includes an initial open-label treatment period for 12-20 weeks and a blinded randomization period (1:1:1ratio) for the remainder of the study. This study is for adolescents ages 6 to 17 years old. This study is sponsored by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development and Commercialization, Inc. It is a randomized, placebo-control trial to evaluate the long-term (that is, maintenance) efficacy of oral aripiprazole in the treatment of pediatric subjects with Tourette’s Disorder. The central IRB is Advarra. This study is being conducted at the Rothman Center ( Bayfront Medical Plaza, 601 7th Street S, Suite 425 ) in St. Petersburg.
D1amond Study Tourettes Syndrome (IRB# EBS-101-CL-001/EBS-101-OL-001 ) : This clinical study is researching an investigational drug (ecopipam) in children and adolescents ages 6-17 with Tourette’s syndrome. This study is being conducted at the Rothman Center (Bayfront Medical Plaza, 601 7th Street S, Suite 425 ) in St. Petersburg .
Tic Treatment Preference Study (IRB# Pro00031015): An examination of treatment preference in pediatric Tourette’s and tic disorder population for parents seeking treatment for a child with the diagnosis of Tourette syndrome, other chronic tic disorder, or provisional tic disorder and are actively receiving treatment with a clinician at the Rothman Center. Families will receive a $10 target gift card for completing the screening. This study is being conducted at the Rothman Center ( Bayfront Medical Plaza, 601 7th Street S, Suite 425 ) in St. Petersburg.
Handwriting in Children and Adolescents with Tic Disorder (IRB# Pro00025799): This study examines the handwriting of children and adolescents with Tic Disorder. It includes children between the ages of 6 to 17 years old with the presence of motor/and or vocal tics with an estimate IQ of 70 or higher. Requires one 30 minute study visit (no cost to the family). This study is being conducted at the Rothman Center ( Bayfront Medical Plaza, 601 7th Street S, Suite 425 ) in St. Petersburg.
U-HEAR Unified Protocol to Help Emotions and Promote Auditory Relief (IRB# Pro00042498): This study is for children and adolescents ages 8-16 years old that may have sound sensitivity (misophonia) and are interested in therapy. Participation includes screening for eligibility and informed consent, initial evaluation, 2 additional assessments, and 10 free therapy sessions. The treatment process will take about 3 months to complete. Both the child and the parent/guardian will need to participate. This study is being conducted at the Rothman Center (Bayfront Medical Plaza, 601 7th Street S, Suite 425 ) in St. Petersburg .
Miami, FL Research:
U-HEAR Unified Protocol to Help Emotions and Promote Auditory Relief (IRB #20191236): This study is for children and adolescents ages 8-16 years old that may have sound sensitivity (misophonia) and are interested in therapy. Participation includes screening for eligibility and informed consent, an interview, surveys, and 10 weekly, 1-hour, free therapy sessions. For more information contact the University of Miami’s Child and Adolescent Mood and Anxiety Treatment Program at [email protected], call 305-284-9852 ext 1 or click here.