OCD Treatment in Friendswood, TX
When intrusive thoughts and rituals start taking hours of your day, you deserve care that looks at the whole picture and moves at your pace. At Friendswood Psychiatry and TMS Clinic, Dr. Irene Pedraza treats OCD in adults, adolescents, and children with a careful evaluation, medication management, therapy-based care, and TMS therapy for adults who have not found enough relief elsewhere
or call (713) 487-5481
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TMS THERAPY SUPPORTS MENTAL WELLNESS
- Decreases Depression
- Decreases Anxiety
- Help Stop Smoking
- No Anesthesia Required
- No Recovery Time
- Well Tolerated
- Sustained Results
LOCAL PSYCHIATRIST
As a premier OCD therapist in Friendswood, TX, we offer evidence-based treatments for OCD, anxiety, and depression for residents of Friendswood and the local south Houston community. Contact us today!
Signs OCD May Be Affecting Your Daily Life
OCD is not about being tidy or particular. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes it as a long-lasting disorder of intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions), repetitive behaviors a person feels driven to do (compulsions), or both.
Common patterns include:
- Fear of germs or contamination, followed by excessive cleaning or handwashing
- Checking again and again that the door is locked or the oven is off
- Unwanted, taboo thoughts involving harm, religion, or sex
- A strong need for things to be symmetrical or in exact order
- Counting, or praying or repeating words silently
Many people with OCD know the thoughts are excessive but cannot stop them, spend more than an hour a day on them, and feel only brief relief after a ritual. OCD also commonly shows up alongside depression or anxiety, so we look for both. If this sounds familiar, you do not have to wait until it gets worse to ask for help.
OCD Care Built Around Your Symptoms and Your Goals
OCD responds best to a plan that fits the person, not a one-size-fits-all prescription. Your care can include any of the following.
A Clear Diagnosis First
Your first visit is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation lasting up to 90 minutes. We review your symptoms, how long they have been present, your history, and every medication you have tried, so your plan starts from an accurate diagnosis.
Therapy-Based Care
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), supportive therapy, and motivational interviewing can be part of your visits. Research summarized by NIMH shows that exposure and response prevention (ERP), a specific type of CBT, reduces compulsive behaviors, even for people who do not respond well to medication. When you need ongoing weekly therapy such as ERP, Dr. Pedraza is connected with well-regarded counselors, therapists, and psychologists in the area and can help you find the right fit. Christian faith-based counseling is also available for patients who want their faith to be part of care.
Thoughtful Medication Management
Antidepressants that target serotonin are the most common medications for OCD. NIMH notes they can take 8 to 12 weeks to start working and that OCD may need higher doses than depression does, which is why careful follow-up matters. Dr. Pedraza adjusts gradually, watches for side effects, and may recommend GeneSight genetic testing to see how your genes may affect your response to certain medications.
Whole-Person Support
Sleep optimization and a nutrition and exercise review support the rest of your treatment. With your permission, we also stay in touch with your primary care provider and therapist so everyone works from the same plan.
How OCD Treatment Works at Our Clinic
- Start with a free consultation. Call or send our online form. We answer your questions and talk through whether our clinic is the right fit.
- Prepare for your first visit. You will receive a patient portal link for intake paperwork. It helps to list your past psychiatric medications with doses, start and stop dates, and why you stopped, plus contact details for your primary care provider, therapist, and any prior psychiatrist.
- Complete your evaluation. Dr. Pedraza meets with you at our Friendswood office for a comprehensive evaluation of up to 90 minutes and explains what she finds in plain language.
- Build your plan together. You decide on next steps together, whether that means medication, therapy, TMS, or a combination. Medication decisions are collaborative, and we review possible side effects before you start.
- Follow up and fine-tune. Medication management visits track how your symptoms respond. Between visits, you can send questions through the patient portal or call the clinic.
TMS Therapy for OCD When Other Treatments Have Not Been Enough
If you have tried medication and therapy and OCD still takes too much of your day, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may be a next step. TMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate targeted areas of the brain. It does not require anesthesia or sedation, so you can drive yourself home and return to your day after each session.
In 2018, the FDA permitted marketing of the first TMS system for OCD. In the study the FDA reviewed, 100 adults stayed on their existing OCD treatment while receiving either active or sham (inactive) TMS. Of the patients who received active TMS, 38 percent responded, compared with 11 percent in the sham group. A response meant their Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) score dropped by more than 30 percent. Headache was the most common side effect, and no serious adverse reactions related to the device were reported.
Our TMS therapy sessions take place in a calm treatment room where you recline in a comfortable chair. Most people feel a tapping sensation that fades as they get used to it.
TMS is not right for everyone. People with metal implants or implanted stimulators in or near the head are generally not candidates, and a history of seizures needs a careful conversation first. TMS is typically added to your current care rather than replacing it, and results vary from person to person. During your consultation, we review your history and tell you honestly whether TMS fits your situation.
What OCD Treatment Costs and How Insurance Works
Your consultation is free, so you can meet us and ask questions before you commit. After that, cost depends mostly on your insurance plan and the treatment you and Dr. Pedraza choose. The main factors are:
- Your plan's deductible, copays, and coverage for psychiatric visits
- How often you need medication management follow-ups
- Whether genetic testing is recommended
- Whether TMS is part of your plan, since insurers commonly require prior authorization
We work with many major insurance plans and can help you understand your coverage, including any prior authorization. Several insurers cover TMS for OCD when medication and talk therapy have not brought enough relief.
Our guide to
whether insurance covers TMS therapy in Texas explains what reviewers typically ask for. If you are paying on your own, we provide a
Good Faith Estimate of expected costs, as federal law requires.
Why Patients Choose Our Friendswood Clinic for OCD Care
- Double board certification. Dr. Pedraza is double board-certified in adult, adolescent, and child psychiatry. You can confirm her Texas medical license any time through the Texas Medical Board license lookup.
- Training rooted in Galveston County. She completed medical school, her adult psychiatry residency, and a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at UTMB, where she served as Chief Fellow.
- OCD is a focus, not an afterthought. OCD is one of the conditions Dr. Pedraza specializes in, along with the depression and anxiety that often come with it.
- Medication, therapy-based care, and TMS in one place. If your plan changes, you stay with the same physician instead of starting over somewhere new.
- A calm, private setting.
Our office is set up to feel calm and relaxing, with free parking steps from our suites.
What Patients Say About Their Care
Dr. Irene Pedraza & Staff Provide Exceptional Local OCD Treatment in Friendswood
Choosing the right doctor and care team can make a meaningful difference in your life. Our patients often mention the same things: a doctor who takes her time, a peaceful office, and care that stays connected to the rest of their health. In a Google review, one patient wrote that Dr. Pedraza "kept in communication with my PCP and ordered the needed labs that were important."
Schedule a free consultation or call (713) 487-5481.
We provide mental health care to residents of Friendswood, League City, Pearland, Sugar Land, Alvin, Dickinson, Texas City, and other areas throughout South Houston.
James David - Google Review
"I am beyond impressed with the care our family has received at this clinic. The doctor is incredibly caring and attentive, always taking the time to listen and address our concerns. The environment is peaceful and tranquil, making every visit a calm and reassuring experience.
The office staff is exceptionally professional and consistently provides an extraordinary level of customer service. As a busy professional, I greatly appreciate the efficiency of the appointments, which are always on time. The warmth and friendliness of the entire team makes us feel truly valued and cared for. Highly recommend!"
Kenia R's Google Review
"I am thankful that I found Dr. Pedraza and her team- Amanda and Jessica. They are all extremely sweet and helpful. I found Dr. Pedraza at a time where I was having a very hard time with my mental health. I didn't not know how severe it was until I started to get better. I highly recommend Dr. Pedraza. She kept in communication with my PCP and ordered the needed labs that were important. I am in a better place mentally and emotionally and have my life back to enjoy. It's not easy and you have to do the work and want to get better, it's doable and Dr. Pedraza helped me every step of the way. TMS is a life changer for me. The atmosphere in their office is so peaceful and serene. As well as the TMS area. Thank you Dr. Pedraza, Amanda and Jessica!"
Evidence-Based OCD Treatment Options in Friendswood
Take the First Step Toward Quieter Days
If you are also dealing with low mood or constant worry, our depression treatment and anxiety treatment can be part of the same plan. Patients come to us from Pearland, League City, Clear Lake, and across South Houston.
A free consultation is the easiest place to start. Dr. Pedraza will listen to what you are going through, answer your questions about medication, therapy, and TMS, and tell you plainly whether our clinic is the right fit. We are open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.
or call: (713) 487-5481
OCD Treatment FAQ
What is the most effective treatment for OCD?
For most people, the most effective treatment is medication, psychotherapy, or both. NIMH reports that certain types of psychotherapy, including CBT and ERP, can be as effective as medication for many people. Antidepressants that target serotonin are the most commonly prescribed medications. When those approaches have not brought enough relief, the FDA has authorized TMS as an option for adults. The right mix depends on your symptoms, history, and preferences.
Should I see a psychiatrist or a therapist for OCD?
Often both. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can diagnose OCD, prescribe and manage medication, and recommend treatments like TMS. A therapist provides ongoing talk therapy such as ERP. Many people do best with both working together, and with your permission we coordinate with your therapist. Our article on the difference between a psychiatrist and a therapist explains more.
How long does OCD treatment take to work?
It depends on the treatment. NIMH notes that antidepressants for OCD can take 8 to 12 weeks before symptoms begin to improve, often at higher doses than those used for depression. Therapy such as ERP works gradually as you practice. A TMS course involves regular sessions over several weeks. We set expectations at the start and track your progress at each visit.
Is OCD curable?
There is no cure for OCD, according to NIMH, but treatment can help people manage their symptoms, take part in daily activities, and improve their quality of life. With the right plan, the goal is for intrusive thoughts to lose some of their pull and for rituals to take up less of your day. That leaves more time for the people and things you care about.
Do you treat OCD in children and teens?
Yes. Dr. Pedraza completed a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry and treats children and teens as well as adults. NIMH notes that children may not realize their behavior is unusual and often need extra help from family members to recognize and manage symptoms. That makes families an important part of care. TMS for OCD is authorized for adults, so care for younger patients centers on evaluation, medication when appropriate, and therapy.
Does insurance cover TMS therapy for OCD?
It may. Several insurers cover TMS for OCD when medication and talk therapy have not provided enough relief, and prior authorization is commonly required. Our team can help you understand your coverage and what your plan asks for before you start.
