Groups for Parents of Children with OCD

These groups bring together caregivers learning one of parenting's most counterintuitive skills: responding to a child's OCD in ways that help rather than feed the cycle. Most parents accommodate, joining in rituals, giving reassurance, rearranging routines to ease distress, and research shows accommodation, however loving, often worsens OCD over time. Parent groups offer psychoeducation, peer support, and practical ways to respond differently without pulling away.

Who it's for, and who it's not

A strong fit for any caregiver who wants practical knowledge and community.

It complements a child's ERP treatment but isn't therapy for the parent's own needs.

If you're significantly anxious or distressed, consider your own support too. Call or text 988.

What it's for

Parents and caregivers of a child or teen with OCD of any subtype.

Also parents of adult children whose accommodation patterns persist.

Many clinician-led groups draw on Eli Lebowitz's SPACE program for parents.

What to expect

1Clinician-led SPACE groups run 8 to 12 sessions with a set weekly agenda.

2Peer-led groups are open-ended, centered on shared experience and support.

3Both run 60 to 90 minutes. Expect grief, guilt, and love, often all at once.

Family accommodation is one of the strongest predictors of childhood OCD severity.

A 2019 synthesized review found accommodation nearly universal in these families and tied to greater severity and poorer treatment response.¹

A 2020 randomized trial found parent-based SPACE as effective as child CBT, working with parents alone.²

Making the most of it

Focus on your responses. You can change those even when OCD won't budge.

Practice at home. New responses take reps between sessions.

Lean on the group. Other parents see what you can't.

Questions to ask before you join

1Is it clinician-led (such as SPACE) or peer-led?

2How many sessions, and is it a closed cohort?

3What does it cost? Is there a sliding scale or no-cost option?

Ready to find a group?

Browse 2,000+ therapy and support groups in all 50 states.

Free to browse · No account needed · thegroupguide.com

In crisis? Call or text 988 (US Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 24/7).

The Group Guide is a directory, not a clinic. This handout is general education, not medical or mental health advice. Listings are written by group leaders and are not endorsements. Confirm details, cost, and fit with any group you contact. Sources on page 2.

The Group Guide

Connecting people to community

Client and Family Education

Sources

Groups for Parents of Children with OCD · references keyed to the numbers on page 1.

1Shimshoni, Y., Shrinivasa, B., Cherian, A. V., & Lebowitz, E. R. Family accommodation in psychopathology: a synthesized review. Indian Journal of Psychiatry (2019), 61(7), 93–103.

2Lebowitz, E. R., Marin, C., Martino, A., Shimshoni, Y., & Silverman, W. K. Parent-based treatment as efficacious as cognitive-behavioral therapy for childhood anxiety: a randomized noninferiority study of SPACE. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (2020), 59(3), 362–372.