Standard individual cognitive-behavioral therapy for children and adolescents with pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder

Pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is defined by obsessions which are intrusive and unwanted thoughts, urges, or images that are recurrent and persistent, and compulsions, which are goal-directed repetitive behaviors or mental acts, executed to neutralize the discomfort, anxiety, or disgust, provoked by the obsessions. OCD affects 1%–3% of children and adolescents. Prognosis is poor without adequate treatment, and this underscore the importance of early identification and treatment. In this chapter, we will provide a comprehensive overview of standard individual cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for child and adolescent OCD. CBT is the recommended first-line treatment for pediatric OCD and has been studied extensively and shown efficacy compared to multiple control contingencies. The chapter will summarize the theoretical foundations of CBT and provide an overview of the key components and how to apply individual CBT to children and adolescents with OCD.