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News and Research
Science-backed Information for Better Care
ScienceWorks is a modern telepsychology practice offering evidence-based care for: Autism & ADHD, Anxiety & Depression, OCD, Trauma, Insomnia, Kids & Families, and more.
These conditions frequently co-occur, can be difficult to diagnose, and also difficult to treat - often requiring specialist knowledge and direct clinical experience to achieve the best possible outcomes.
That's why research and training are the foundation of our work.
Our goal is sharing our knowledge with our friends, clients, and partners to build a stronger, more informed mental health community.
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OCD
Stay informed about OCD and related conditions with news and updates from clinical experts. Scientific information, evidence-based treatments, and more.


Y-BOCS Scoring: Interpret Your OCD Severity (0-40)
Last reviewed: 04/23/2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Kiesa Kelly Y-BOCS scores help describe OCD severity. In other words, Y-BOCS scoring is meant to be a guide, not a verdict about you. What matters most is how OCD is functioning in real life, how much it is limiting your week, and what kind of treatment support is needed next.[1][4] If you felt a rush of fear or shame after seeing a higher number, that reaction makes sense. Many people read a score and immediately start wondering wha

Kiesa Kelly
Feb 2310 min read


Mental Health Screeners 101: How to Use Screening Tools Wisely
Mental health screening tools can help you spot patterns, name what you’re experiencing, and decide on next steps. Here’s how to use screeners wisely.

Kiesa Kelly
Feb 2010 min read


Pure O and OCD Mental Compulsions: Why Screeners Can Miss It
“Pure O” can look like “just thoughts,” but OCD mental compulsions often happen silently: rumination, mental checking, reviewing, and reassurance seeking. Here’s why screeners can miss it and what to do next.

Ryan Burns
Feb 199 min read


Intrusive Thoughts vs OCD: Can You Have Them Without OCD?
Intrusive thoughts vs OCD can feel confusing: almost everyone has unwanted “what if?” thoughts, but OCD makes them stick and turns relief-seeking into compulsions.

Ryan Burns
Feb 199 min read


Y-BOCS Scoring: What Your OCD Severity Score Means
Confused by your y-bocs scoring results? This guide explains what the Y-BOCS measures, how severity ranges are used, and supportive next steps if OCD may be in the picture.

Kiesa Kelly
Feb 198 min read


OCD, Autism & ADHD: Why They Co-Occur and How to Tell Apart
OCD and ADHD often show up alongside autistic traits, which can make diagnosis and treatment feel confusing. This guide explains why they co-occur, how to tell OCD compulsions from autistic routines, and how neurodiversity-affirming ERP can be adapted.

Kiesa Kelly
Feb 1212 min read


Neurodivergent-Affirming ERP for OCD: How to Make It Safer
ERP for OCD should feel safer—not easy. Learn how consent, pacing, values-based hierarchies, LGBTQIA+ affirmation, ACT-style defusion, and neurodiversity adaptations can make ERP more workable.

Ryan Burns
Feb 1011 min read


ROCD: Relationship OCD Signs, Cycle, and What Helps
ROCD (relationship OCD) can make normal relationship uncertainty feel urgent and dangerous, pulling you into “Do I really love them?” loops. This guide breaks down common ROCD symptoms, the obsession–compulsion cycle, and how ERP and I-CBT help you relate to doubts differently.

Ryan Burns
Dec 21, 20259 min read


Pure O: Mental Compulsions & Invisible Rituals
Pure o ocd often looks like nonstop thinking—checking your feelings, replaying conversations, praying “until it feels right,” or debating with yourself for certainty. These mental rituals are compulsions, even when no one can see them. Here’s how to spot them and what evidence-based treatment (ERP and I-CBT) looks like.

Kiesa Kelly
Dec 21, 202514 min read


Low-Demand Therapy for PDA: How It Helps Demand Avoidance
Last reviewed: 12/15/2025 Reviewed by: Dr. Kiesa Kelly If you’ve lived with PDA-profile demand avoidance (in yourself or in your child), you already know the frustrating paradox: the more someone pushes, the less it works. What looks like “refusal” or “opposition” on the outside is often an internal nervous system threat response to demands—especially when those demands feel trapping, controlling, or impossible to escape. This is where low demand therapy for demand avoidance

Ryan Burns
Dec 15, 202510 min read


I-CBT for OCD: Questions to Ask Before You Start
If you’re searching for an ICBT therapist for OCD, this guide gives you smart, compassionate questions to ask about training, approach, safety, pacing, and telehealth—so you can choose care that fits your needs and values. Use it to compare options and know what “good” looks like before your first session.

Kiesa Kelly
Dec 3, 202512 min read


Is I-CBT Right for Me? Signs This OCD Approach Fits
If you’re exploring icbt therapy for ocd, this guide explains what I‑CBT targets (doubt, rumination, mental checking), who it tends to fit best, when ERP or medication may be needed, and how to find online I‑CBT in Tennessee—so you can choose the right starting point with confidence.

Ryan Burns
Dec 3, 202510 min read


ERP for Pure-O, Harm OCD, and ROCD: How Exposures Differ
ERP looks different for harm OCD, relationship OCD, and Pure-O. Here's how exposures adapt to the intrusive-thought content — and what a good ERP plan looks like for each subtype.

Ryan Burns
Nov 26, 202510 min read


ERP Therapy at Home: How Online ERP for OCD Works
Online ERP therapy lets you do exposure and response prevention where OCD actually shows up—at home and in daily routines—while staying connected to a qualified therapist in Tennessee. Learn how telehealth ERP sessions work, what to practice between visits, and how to stay safe and supported.

Ryan Burns
Nov 26, 202513 min read


Insomnia With Trauma, OCD, or Anxiety: Getting Sleep Back
Last reviewed: 07/18/2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Kiesa Kelly 🧠 Key takeaway: Insomnia can improve—even with trauma, OCD, or big anxiety in the mix—when we keep the core CBT‑I steps and add a few smart tweaks. If nights have started to feel like a second job, you’re in the right place. Many people tell us they’re exhausted, wired, and worried that their history with trauma, OCD, or anxiety means sleep is off‑limits. It isn’t. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT‑I) is a w

Ryan Burns
Oct 30, 202511 min read


ERP for OCD: Myths, Realities, and Gentle Ways to Start
ERP for OCD can be compassionate, flexible, and effective. This guide debunks common myths, explains how Exposure and Response Prevention works, and offers gentle ways to start—so you can choose an assessment, therapy, or coaching plan at ScienceWorks that matches your values and pace.

Ryan Burns
Oct 12, 20257 min read


Executive Function Coaching for Adults: ADHD & Autism
Executive function coaching therapy outcomes improve dramatically when combined with specialized treatment for ADHD and autism. Discover how ScienceWorks' integrated approach transforms therapeutic concepts into practical daily skills, creating lasting change for neurodivergent individuals.

Ryan Burns
Jul 6, 20258 min read


DBT for OCD, Trauma, ADHD & Autism: Skills That Help
Discover how Dialectical Behavioral Therapy offers gentle, evidence-based OCD treatment that works beautifully with co-occurring conditions. Learn how DBT's unique skills complement traditional approaches for comprehensive healing without exposure.

Kiesa Kelly
Jun 26, 20259 min read


Evidence-Based OCD Treatment: ERP, I-CBT & Specialized Care
Despite affecting 2-3% of the population, OCD remains widely misunderstood, with half of cases misdiagnosed by frontline medical workers and generalist mental health providers. This paper demonstrates how specialized care significantly improves outcomes through evidence-based treatments like ERP and I-CBT. By understanding OCD's diverse presentations, comorbidities, and effective treatments, providers can ensure timely referrals and offer their patients the most effective car

Ryan Burns
May 14, 202526 min read


Finding an I-CBT Therapist Near You: What to Look For
Finding the right ICBT therapist for OCD treatment can transform your journey toward recovery. Inference-based CBT (I-CBT) offers an evidence-based, gentle alternative to traditional exposure therapy, helping you understand and resolve obsessional doubts at their source. This guide will help you identify qualified I-CBT specialists who can provide personalized care for your unique OCD experience.

Kiesa Kelly
May 6, 202510 min read
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