There are a few other possibilities you may want to consider. While CBT or medication (or both) probably offer your best hope, other therapies and treatments can be useful, especially if, because of financial, geographic, or emotional circumstance, you may want to try an alternative. For example, you could consider anxiety therapy or hypnosis. Other possible treatments for OCD include Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Thought-Field Therapy (TFT), and Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT). There are undoubtedly others. None of these, so far, has been proven to work against OCD, although most are probably harmless, and the modern form of ECT has shown some effectiveness against depression.

Anxiety Therapy

A growing number of therapists specialize in the treatment of anxiety alone. You might try a computer search including your geographical area, or ask a friend or another therapist for a referral.

As in any situation that involves engaging a professional, do your best to check the person's qualifications, either by asking, going online or speaking with one or two of the therapist's other patients, if possible.

Hypnotherapy

Occasionally, OCD is treated with hypnotherapy (hypnosis). Although we know of no specific studies about hypnosis for treating OCD, we do know that it can be used effectively against anxieties as well as habitual behaviors such as smoking. Given that OCD involves both anxiety and habitual behaviors, it stands to reason that any therapy that works on either of those would also work against OCD; certainly, as an adjunctive treatment, hypnosis may have much to offer. Contrary to widespread belief, hypnosis does not involve “going under.” It is merely focused attention, very much like visualization.

Self-hypnosis or visualization might also offer some benefit, especially in reducing anxiety. There are several good books available on both subjects. Visualizations can help you to change disaster images into positive ones. Affirmations may help change your negative thinking and reassure you that you're relatively safe in the world.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture enjoys a loyal following, and some of its adherents find it beneficial in treating anxiety. As in any medical endeavor, choose qualified, licensed professionals. Seek a personal recommendation, if possible, and make sure you know you're getting unused needles. (Virtually all acupuncture practitioners today use disposable ones, so the risk of transferred infection is unlikely.)