SCIENCEWORKS
BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE
Edited and reviewed:
June 10, 2026
Reviewed by:
Complete Care for all Neurotypes
Therapy | Assessments | Coaching
TABOO-THOUGHT OCD & I-CBT
I-CBT for Sexual, Identity & Taboo OCD in Tennessee
I-CBT for sexual, identity, and taboo OCD targets the doubt behind unwanted intrusive thoughts — by secure telehealth across Tennessee, without forced exposure.
Unwanted taboo or sexual thoughts feel deeply wrong
IS I-CBT RIGHT FOR YOU?
How we work with taboo-thought OCD
I-CBT focused on the doubt that unwanted thoughts create
A weekly video session with a clinician trained in this method
A nonjudgmental way to separate intrusive thoughts from who you are
Licensed Providers
Telehealth Nationwide*
Neuro-affirming
Private & Secure
HOW I-CBT WORKS
What I-CBT is, and how it works for taboo-thought OCD
Sexual, identity, and taboo OCD attaches to unwanted intrusive thoughts that feel shameful or dangerous — about your orientation, harming someone, or other taboo themes. These thoughts are ego-dystonic: they clash with your values. Inference-based cognitive behavioral therapy (I-CBT) treats the doubt they create as a reasoning problem, not a message about who you are.
The doubt — “what if this thought means something?” — is built by trusting an imagined possibility over everything you know about yourself, and checking or avoiding only feeds it. In I-CBT you learn to recognize that moment of confusion and step back to reality, so the thought loses its power without forced exposure. At ScienceWorks the work is nonjudgmental, neurodivergent-affirming, and paced with you.
KEY STATISTICS ABOUT TABOO-THOUGHT OCD
94%
of people experience unwanted intrusive thoughts or urges
Source:
On par
as effective as standard CBT for OCD in a head-to-head study
Source:
2.3%
of U.S. adults will have OCD during their lifetime
Source:
WHAT TO EXPECT
Simple to start, structured throughout
1
Free 15-minute consult.
We listen without judgment and explain how I-CBT can help.
2
3
You meet weekly by secure telehealth statewide, or in person in Nashville.
A clinician experienced with taboo-theme OCD becomes your therapist.
Matched with an OCD specialist.
Weekly telehealth sessions.
Payment options
As a specialty practice, we're out-of-network so we can offer the most effective, customized services.
Our payment options are transparent and flexible:
-
Self-Pay: All major credit cards; FAS/HSA eligible
-
Payment Plans: 6-months interest-free for approved clients via CareCredit
-
Superbills Provided
-
Out-of-Network: Up to 90% reimbursement for qualifying plans
WHO YOU'LL WORK WITH
Specialized, supervised, clinically reviewed
Your I-CBT for taboo-thought OCD care is delivered by licensed providers with specialized training in inference-based CBT and experience supporting neurodivergent clients. We match you with a clinician experienced in OCD — not a generalist.
Dr. Kiesa Kelly (she/her)
Owner & Psychologist
Ryan Burns (he/him)
Practice Director
WHY CLIENTS CHOOSE SCIENCEWORKS
Nonjudgmental, specialized, affirming
Working out-of-network lets us aim care at the doubt-and-checking cycle rather than at an insurer's limits.
You’re matched with a clinician trained in inference-based CBT for taboo-thought OCD — a specialized, nonjudgmental approach.
Care is affirming — by secure telehealth statewide, with in-person visits at our Nashville office, so support is specialized and discreet.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common questions
Is I-CBT for taboo-thought OCD online or in person?
These sessions take place by secure video for clients across Tennessee, with in-person visits available at our Nashville office. Many people prefer the privacy of joining online from their own space; in-person in Nashville is there if you prefer it.
Do these intrusive thoughts mean something about me?
No. Unwanted intrusive thoughts are nearly universal, and OCD tends to latch onto what you care about most. The thoughts are not desires or identity — that mismatch is exactly why they distress you. I-CBT works on the doubt, not the content.
Why might I-CBT suit taboo thoughts better than exposure?
Exposure work asks you to deliberately sit with distressing taboo material, which many people find intolerable. I-CBT instead targets the reasoning that makes the thought feel meaningful, so relief doesn't depend on provoking it.
*Therapy and assessments available in the following states (coaching available worldwide):
Work with us locally:
AL, AZ, AR, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, ID, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, ME, MD, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY
2603 Elm Hill Pike, Suite C
Nashville, TN 37214
Disclaimer: This page provides general educational information and is not a substitute for mental health diagnosis or treatment. Reading this page does not create a therapist–client relationship with ScienceWorks Behavioral Healthcare. If you are in crisis or may be at risk of harm to yourself or others, call 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or call/text 988 (U.S.). Additional emergency support can be found here: Emergency Resources.