Now Offering Bergen 4-Day Treatment for Adolescents with OCD
We wanted to share with you a heartwarming statement that one teenager wrote about her inspiring treatment journey. It is truly humbling to be part of her story, which she wanted to share in the hope that it might potentially help others. She was part of the first ever Bergen 4-Day Treatment (B4DT) adolescent group completed in Los Angeles in January of 2025. This milestone marks an important step in providing effective, concentrated treatment for younger clients struggling with OCD. This is what she wrote about her experience:
“The Bergen 4-Day Treatment program has changed my life in ways I never could’ve imagined. I came to Bergen after my first year of college, struggling with severe OCD. Each day was a battle to get through, and I felt hopeless. My life had been overtaken by OCD, and I lost touch with everything I once loved. But the Bergen 4-Day Treatment taught me how strong and brave I truly am. The team I worked with was so kind and supportive—it brings tears to my eyes thinking about the good memories I made during the program. Through all the education and tools Bergen provided, I learned how to take my life back. I know it sounds crazy, but I even had fun doing my exposure tasks! It was thrilling to face fears that had paralyzed me for years. I learned that OCD isn’t as terrifying as it seems—it’s just a crafty, annoying trickster. Leaving Bergen, I was filled with hope and confidence. I had learned to be kind to myself during such a life-changing time and to stay motivated to live my life the way I want, not the way OCD dictates. I still think about my flight home, sitting there smiling, knowing I was getting my life back. Bergen is a truly special place, and I can’t recommend it enough. Now, I’m back at school, having an amazing time! I’m loving my classes, meeting new friends, trying new things, and, most importantly, I feel like me again.”- Avery
Research supporting the effectiveness of this treatment for adolescents has shown impressive results. In a 2024 study by Skjold et al., conducted across seven sites in Norway, 85.71% of adolescent participants saw a significant reduction in their OCD symptoms, and 69.05% were in remission post-treatment. At the three-month follow-up, 92.3% were considered responders, and 84.62% remained in remission.
Similar to the adult version, the youth version of the B4DT is designed to deliver the entire treatment within four consecutive days, tailored to each individual with a 1:1 patient-therapist ratio. In the youth version, parents are involved on days one and four to learn how to support their child and reduce family accommodations for OCD.
We are hosting one B4DT group per month and are excited to announce that the next adult group will begin on March 24th, 2025. If you or a loved one are interested in participating in this evidence-based, intensive OCD treatment program, please contact the OCD & Anxiety Program of Southern California at (310) 488-5850 or info@socalocd.org.
