I-CBT for OCD

Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT) for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a specialized form of CBT that focuses on how individuals with OCD make inferences or judgments about their thoughts, rather than addressing the content of the thoughts themselves. This approach is based on the idea that OCD is driven by faulty reasoning or inferential confusion, where a person misinterprets normal doubts or uncertainties as evidence of a threat, leading to obsessive fears.

​

In I-CBT for OCD, the therapy helps individuals recognize and challenge these faulty inferences, which are often based on hypothetical, "what if" scenarios rather than on real, immediate threats. Instead of focusing solely on exposure to fears (as in traditional ERP), I-CBT aims to correct the reasoning process that leads to the obsession. This involves identifying moments of inferential confusion, understanding the difference between imagination and reality, and learning to trust one's everyday perceptions rather than getting caught in obsessive doubts.

​

This modality can be particularly effective for people whose OCD is rooted in thought patterns that revolve around hypothetical or imagined scenarios, such as fears of harming others, contamination, or making mistakes. By addressing the cognitive errors underlying these obsessions, I-CBT provides a targeted and logical approach to reducing compulsions and obsessive thinking.