Two of our experienced reviewers tried NOCD over the last two years and found it to be an excellent treatment and support option for people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). NOCD offers online evidence-based treatment for OCD and earned 4.5 out of 5 stars overall during our independent review. NOCD therapy is available for anyone five years and older and NOCD cost ranges between $110 – $210 per session, with some insurance plans accepted.
Cost: $110-210 per session
Insurance Accepted? Yes
Pros & Cons
- Provides specialized treatment for people 5 years and older with OCD
- The NOCD app offers a self-guided version of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) exercises
- Offers a supportive community to connect with others with OCD
- Self-serve sign-up option is difficult to access; NOCD’s preferred sign-up process requires booking over the phone
- Medication services are not offered directly through the NOCD platform
- NOCD can be costly to use without insurance
Who Is This Right For
- People with OCD seeking online evidence-based therapy
- People wanting to connect with other people with OCD
Overview of NOCD
NOCD is an app for individuals with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). NOCD offers two types of treatment: Exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy and mindfulness for OCD practice as an enhancement to ERP. The NOCD app also contains immediate guidance during an OCD episode, weekly tests to assess OCD symptom severity, OCD education, and motivational notifications.
NOCD treats children, teens, and adults 5 years old and up. With NOCD, live therapy sessions cost $110 – $210 per session depending on the length of the session, and select insurance plans are accepted.
When I used NOCD, it was easy to follow, reliable in how I could find information on OCD treatments, and very easy to use. ERP can be very expensive as a treatment option for OCD, so having an online option can break down barriers to access.
Why You Can Trust My Review
Our NOCD review is based on first-hand experience using their services by two of our experienced reviewers. The first reviewer – Emily – conducted a full review of everything NOCD offers. Our second reviewer, Michelle, used NOCD by going through the sign-up process, meeting with an OCD specialist, trying and testing all the features, and even interacting with the NOCD customer service team. Over the last two years, we’ve learned a lot about NOCD while also collectively testing and reviewing multiple other online therapy providers.
Based on our quantitative multi-point scoring criteria, NOCD scored 4.5 out of 5 stars during our most recent review. Our scoring criteria measure 30+ metrics across 13 categories, ranging from quality of user experience to prescriber vetting and experience, and more.
Review our scoring criteria for online therapy platforms here.
Review our complete editorial policies here.
OCD Community - Free To Join!
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Firsthand Experiences with NOCD
In our full NOCD review below, we’ve presented a deep dive into everything NOCD offers. Full reviews and breakdowns of services are valuable, but sometimes you just want to hear a clear recommendation from somebody who’s used the service firsthand. Here are experiences from firsthand use of NOCD.
Detailed Review of NOCD
NOCD is an online platform that offers evidence-based treatment for OCD that earned 4.5 stars overall during our independent review. Therapy services are available for anyone five years and older in the United States and internationally. NOCD also offers extra features like OCD exercises and a community message board. The cost of NOCD ranges between $110 – $210 per session and some insurance plans are accepted. You can schedule a 15-minute consultation call to sign up for NOCD. There is also a NOCD self-serve sign-up option. As a note, this self-serve sign-up option is difficult to find on their website, as their preferred sign-up method is through a phone call.
NOCD Therapy
NOCD provides ERP therapy for OCD, an evidence-based treatment for OCD. ERP is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for OCD that involves gradually exposing a person to anxiety-provoking situations without a chance to engage in compulsive behaviors.1
According to NOCD, most of their clients attend ERP therapy sessions twice a week for four weeks. However, session frequency and duration can vary depending on your individual treatment plan and preferences. Therapy is available to anyone five years and older, with some providers having additional training and experience working with children and teens. Children and teens must have consent from a parent or guardian to sign up.
With NOCD, there are no subscriptions or monthly fees and you pay a standard fee for each session. The fee varies depending on the length of the session and your insurance coverage. You will have the option to browse the therapist directory and choose your own provider, or you can be matched by a live agent during your initial phone call. When I spoke to a representative, they informed me that a therapist in my state was available the following day.
After you create an account with NOCD, you also gain access to OCD education and ERP exercises to do on, as well as a community message board. All of these extra features can be accessed through the website or NOCD’s convenient mobile app. The community message board includes posts from NOCD therapists and staff sharing tips and information, as well as members seeking support.
The NOCD clinician-guided videos available for different types of OCD include:
A great perk to these videos is you can choose to watch, listen, or read through the exercise. Your therapist may even assign these exercises as homework to review during your session.
NOCD therapy sessions are held over live video via Zoom. Live sessions are either 30-60 minutes, depending on your treatment plan and preferences. Sessions are typically held twice a week for at least four weeks and then decreased, but ultimately you and your therapist can decide what treatment frequency and duration is best for you. NOCD therapists typically assign homework in between sessions, which is available through the website or app.
NOCD Custom Therapy
NOCD customizes the entire treatment process to each member, helping augment therapy with licensed clinicians. Patients can get their treatment plan during a live video diagnostic assessment with a licensed therapist. Patients can customize their hierarchies, their compulsion prevention messages (acceptance based messages), their ERP schedule, and more.
NOCD App Tools: ERP Self-Guided Exercises
Self-guided exercises are available in the NOCD app. These exercises allow you to do ERP exercises on your own. Each one guides you through identifying your obsessions, compulsions, and triggers and provides exposure exercises tailored specifically to you. It also allows you to track your distress during exposure activities and gives you information on how to cope. I could see the value in the self-guided exercises for people who would like to start doing exposure work, but who are not yet ready to see a therapist.
NOCD provides members with the tools and organization needed to consistently do planned OCD treatment exercises regularly and effectively, acting like a mental gym. The main challenge with doing these planned mental exercises is that they are meant to trigger anxiety. Since the feelings of anxiety alone can reduce OCD treatment adherence rates, the app attempts to remove all pain points. It offers members the ability to create loop tapes, scripts, and drawings. It also has built-in exercise reminders and educational tips.
NOCD App Tools: SOS Tools
NOCD’s SOS feature offers members clinically effective guidance in the moment during any OCD episode, using OCD-specific cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques.
During an OCD episode, members can hit the “SOS” button on their phone, which tells the app to immediately provide mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and acceptance commitment therapy (ACT) for response prevention. For instance, if the member is enduring obsessive thoughts, the NOCD app will ask questions such as: “Are you experiencing an obsession or a compulsion?”, “What obsession are you experiencing?”. “What triggered the obsession?” And “How intense is your anxiety?” Then, based on the answers, NOCD will offer specific acceptance-based therapy guidance to help the member effectively respond to the obsession without engaging in a compulsion. I believe the SOS feature can empower people with OCD to live their lives fully, knowing help is always in their pocket.
NOCD Community & Support Groups
NOCD users & therapists are able to find and build an OCD specific community support group that the platform provides on the “Community” tab in the NOCD app. The community tab functions like a message board where you can post questions or comments about OCD. The community tab allows you to connect with other people also experiencing OCD, which can help you to feel less alone. The NOCD community is also a place to share coping skills and strategies with one another.
OCD Community - Free To Join!
Join others who are overcoming OCD. Participate anonymously. Find support, connect, and overcome challenges with us. The community is managed by NOCD. Join The Community
NOCD Cost & Insurance
NOCD therapy costs $110-210 per session, depending on the session length. Your therapist will work with you to determine what length sessions you need. NOCD offers a free consultation with one of their licensed OCD specialty therapists before getting started. In app features, including self help tools and OCD education are free.
NOCD costs are as follows:
- 60-minute therapy session: $210
- 45-minute therapy session: $160
- 30-minute therapy session: $110
NOCD is in-network with most major health insurance plans, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, and United Healthcare in all 50 states. Due to this fact, NOCD earned 5 stars in our “Insurance & Out-of-Network Benefits” category on our scoring criteria. You can learn more about whether your insurance is covered and verify your benefits on the NOCD insurance page. According to the company, most of its members with in-network insurance pay $50 or less per session.
NOCD can assist with out-of-network benefits. The company can provide you with a superbill that you can submit to your insurance company. NOCD also offers payment plans if your out-of-pocket costs are too high. The payment plan allows you to pay off a portion of your balance each week. NOCD also accepts FSA and HSA funds as a form of payment.
Who Does NOCD Serve?
NOCD is an app for anyone diagnosed with OCD desiring evidence-based treatment online and is available to anyone five years and older in all 50 U.S. States, as well as internationally. NOCD specifically treats OCD using online ERP therapy and all NOCD therapists have training and experience in this area. NOCD also has a community feature that allows you to connect with other people who are also dealing with OCD.
User Reviews
NOCD has a 4.9 star rating from 9.9K reviews in the Apple App Store and a 4.7 star rating from 1506 reviews in the Google Play Store. Most of the reviews of NOCD were positive and focused on the valuable tools and supportive community that the company provided. Some negative reviewers were dissatisfied with their therapy experiences, but this was a small percentage of reviews.
Reviews from Apple App Store - 4.9 stars out of 5 | 9.9K reviews
Positive reviews of NOCD on the Apple App Store include how much they enjoyed the self-guided exercises available in the app, the ease of finding an OCD specialist, and the easy-to-navigate app interface.
Negative reviews of NOCD on the Apple App Store include having less personalized OCD treatment options from their therapists, having a poor experience with their OCD therapist, and difficulty finding more resources within the app.
Reviews from Android App Store - 4.7 stars out of 5 | 1.5K reviews
Positive reviews of NOCD on the Android App Store include how much they enjoyed the self-guided exercises available in the app, the easy-to-navigate app interface, and the ability to receive in-demand support when faced with a trigger event.
Negative reviews of NOCD on the Android App Store include receiving generic OCD treatment (does not seem personalized to them), having a poor experience with their OCD therapist, and glitches on the Android version of the NOCD mobile app.
Who May Want an Alternative to NOCD?
NOCD exclusively offers services for people with OCD who are interested in online ERP therapy. Those with OCD who are seeking medication or those with other mental health conditions will need to seek out an alternative platform.
Those Seeking Medication Alongside Their OCD Treatment - Learn Why
NOCD’s main offering is ERP therapy for OCD. The company does not directly offer psychiatry services or prescribe medication for OCD. In cases where members require medication management, NOCD Therapists can, however, work alongside an external medication provider and coordinate care with them. People who want medication for OCD can find a psychiatrist using an online psychiatry platform. Platforms like Amwell or Talkspace offer psychiatry services on a per-session basis, or a platform like Brightside Health can offer psychiatry services as a subscription. To learn more about how these platforms work, you can read our in-depth review of Amwell, our Talkspace review, or our Brightside Health review.
Those With Other Mental Health Conditions
NOCD only treats OCD and co-occurring disorders (NOCD will treat anxiety, PTSD, depression, and other mental health disorders that co-occur with your OCD). If you are not experiencing OCD however, and only experiencing other mental health conditions or substance use disorders, then NOCD is not right for you. For help treating disorders not connected to OCD, online therapy platforms like BetterHelp and Calmerry offer a wide range of therapy options and have great subscription options available. You can also search an online therapist directory to find in-person services.
To learn more about these subscription-based therapy options, you can read our comprehensive review of BetterHelp or our Calmerry review.
NOCD Vs. Competitors
At the present time, NOCD is the only online treatment platform that exclusively focuses on treating OCD. With NOCD, you can rest assured that all of the therapists on the platform specialize in treating OCD and are trained in ERP. Other options available for help with OCD include Talkspace, BetterHelp, and Impulse Therapy, a self-help course for OCD.
The International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) offers a directory that allows you to search for OCD specialists in your area or those offering telehealth treatment. Your search can be narrowed down by type of provider, ages served, gender, specialty, and more. Since IOCDF is a directory, each provider or clinic sets its own rates and may or may not accept insurance. If you’re seeking in-person care, then using the directory through IOCDF can be helpful, because all of the therapists specialize in treating OCD.
NOCD Vs. BetterHelp
NOCD Vs. Talkspace
NOCD Review – Our Final Verdict
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NOCD?
NOCD is an online therapy service and digital mental health app for individuals looking for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) treatment.
How Are NOCD’s Therapists Vetted?
All NOCD therapists are licensed and have master’s or doctorate degrees in psychology, social work, or a related field. All therapists also have training and experience in treating OCD using ERP. Therapists may also have additional training in other areas, such as tic disorders, hoarding disorder, trichotillomania, and LGBT competence. You can learn more by reviewing the NOCD therapist directory.
Is NOCD Legit?
Yes, NOCD is a legitimate company and service. NOCD live video therapy has been shown to be as effective as face-to-face therapy. NOCD is a reputable online OCD mental health platform that’s been vetted against our business and medical standards.
How Much Does NOCD Cost?
NOCD costs $110-210 per session depending on the session length. Your therapist will work with you to determine what length sessions you need. NOCD offers a free consultation with one of their licensed OCD specialty therapists before getting started.
NOCD therapy costs are as follow:
60-minute therapy session: $210
45-minute therapy session: $160
30-minute therapy session: $110
NOCD is in-network with most major health insurance plans, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, and United Healthcare in all 50 states.
With NOCD, there are no subscriptions or monthly fees. Users pay a standard fee for each therapy session, which varies depending on session length and insurance coverage.
What is the Typical Time From Sign Up to a First Appointment?
With NOCD, it can take as little as 24 hours to start with your first NOCD appointment.
Does NOCD Offer Therapist Matching?
NOCD gives you the option to either select your own provider or get matched. During your initial phone call, an NOCD representative can help you choose a provider based on your personal preferences. You also have the option to view the provider directory once you sign up for an account and let the representative know which provider you would like to schedule an appointment with.
Can I Choose a New NOCD Therapist?
If you would like to change your therapist, you will have to contact NOCD directly by phone 312-766-6780 or email [email protected]. You may either select a provider in the directory or request assistance being matched to a new therapist. There is no option to change your therapist on your own through the website or app.
NOCD Insurance: Does NOCD Accept Insurance?
Yes, NOCD is in-network with most major health insurance plans that cover therapy, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, and United Healthcare in all 50 states. You can learn more about whether your insurance is covered and verify your benefits on the NOCD insurance page. According to the company, most of its members with in-network insurance pay $50 or less per session.
Can NOCD Offer a Superbill?
NOCD can assist with out-of-network benefits. The company can provide you with a superbill that you can submit to your insurance company. To help members manage out-of-pocket costs, NOCD also offers interest-free payment plans if your out-of-pocket costs are too high.
Can I Use My HSA/FSA for NOCD?
Yes, NOCD accepts FSA and HSA funds as a form of payment.
How Do I Cancel My NOCD Subscription?
You can cancel your account with NOCD through the website or app. To do so, sign into your account and click “view profile.” From there, scroll to the bottom and select “delete.” Your account will then be deleted.
Does NOCD Issue Refunds?
NOCD may offer refunds on a case-by-case basis. For more information, you can speak with a representative by phone 312-766-6780 or email [email protected].
Is NOCD HIPAA-Compliant?
Yes, NOCD is a secure and HIPAA-compliant service. To learn more, you can read the NOCD Terms and Conditions and NOCD Privacy Policy for more information.
How Do I Login To My NOCD Account?
Right when you open the NOCD app, you are welcomed to the login page. You have the option to sign in using your Google Account.
OCD Medication: Can NOCD Therapist Prescribe OCD Medication?
No, NOCD therapists cannot prescribe OCD medication to patients themselves. In cases where members require medication management, NOCD Therapists can work alongside an external provider with expertise in medication management, coordinating care for a seamless experience.
Additional Resources
To help our readers take the next step in their mental health journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy is compensated for marketing by the companies included below.
OCD Therapy
NOCD: Effective, Affordable, & Convenient OCD Therapy Do live, face-to-face video sessions with a therapist who specializes in treating OCD and get 24/7 support between sessions. NOCD is covered by many insurance plans and is available nationwide. Visit NOCD
Treatment From An Online Psychiatrist
Talkiatry OCD is treatable. Talkiatry specializes in OCD and provides personalized care with medication and additional support. Get started with a short assessment.
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History & News of NOCD
Year Founded: 2017
Founder: Stephen Smith
NOCD was founded in 2017 by entrepreneur Stephen Smith, a student at Pomona College who himself was diagnosed with OCD. Over the span of six months, his symptoms became severe enough that he became housebound—and it was only through treatment that he was able to get relief. Smith was a college athlete whose life changed when he developed OCD. Smith faced challenges in finding affordable and accessible treatment, but once he was able to access ERP, his symptoms and quality of life improved. So he wanted to pay it forward and help others with his new company.2, 3
Since its founding, NOCD has raised over $12 million to help expand its reach across the United States.2 In 2020, a study conducted by Columbia University Medical Center and the New York State Psychiatric Institute on the efficacy of NOCD’s mobile app combined with live therapy was published in the academic journal Behavior Therapy. The clinical trial found that an eight-week course of NOCD’s program resulted in a clinically significant decrease in symptoms of OCD among participants.4
At the present time, NOCD holds over 20,000 therapy sessions per month in the United States and has over 100,000 engagements through its online OCD community. In the future, NOCD plans to continue to carry out its mission and expand its network to help make OCD treatment more accessible.3
Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.
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Law, C., & Boisseau, C. L. (2019). Exposure and response prevention in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: Current perspectives. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 12, 1167–1174.
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Norwood, R. (2020, December 1). NOCD entrepreneur Stephen Smith ’17 sees growth for treatment amid a mental health crisis. Pomona College. Retrieved from: https://www.pomona.edu/news/2020/12/01-nocd-entrepreneur-stephen-smith-17-sees-growth-treatment-amid-mental-health-crisis
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NOCD. (n.d.). Our story. Retrieved from: https://www.treatmyocd.com/about-us/our-story
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NOCD. (2020, June 8). NOCD announces results of a clinical trial on the efficacy of its mobile app integrated with exposure and response prevention for treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Cision PR Newswire. Retrieved from: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nocd-announces-results-of-a-clinical-trial-on-the-efficacy-of-its-mobile-app-integrated-with-exposure-and-response-prevention-for-treatment-of-obsessive-compulsive-disorder-301071696.html
We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.
Author: Michelle Liu, MPH (no change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (no change)
Primary Changes: Added new FAQ; Updated Cons section for NOCD; Added information about OCD medication management; Updated the care experience of NOCD; Added self-sign-up information.
Author: Michelle Liu, MPH (New Author)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (New Reviewer)
Primary Changes: Reassessment of NOCD and firsthand person impressions added; Added new FAQ; Fact-checked cost and offerings; updated style throughout. All new content was written by Michelle Liu, MPH, and medically reviewed by Kristen Fuller, MD.
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