I’m starting a residential OCD program on Sunday and I’m scared. I’ve done PHPs before but never residential. Can anyone tell what to expect? Have you found residential helpful?

Yes, I’m going to Rogers Behavioral Hospital which is one of the best places for ERP. I’ve done exposure based outpatient and PHPs but I need more intensive care.

Rogers!! ?????? THEY. ARE. AMAZING. What location are you going to? I have been to Rogers in Wisconsin twice and they completely changed my life. In 2010 I was in the Adolescent center and in 2015 I was in the Adult center at Roger’s Cedar Ridge. The staff and doctors are incredibly kind and understanding, the hospital itself is gorgeous (Especially Cedar Ridge) and the Exposure therapy has done wonders for my OCD. They have experiential therapy every day which take you out and about with an experiential therapist. They often focus on mindfulness, nature, and do fun projects and games. Even if they challenge you at times. The people I met where AMAZING. You become a family there. At Cedar Ridge when I first arrived the people were kind of cliquey at times. It felt like high school for a little while. But once they started being discharged and others came in, it was amazing. We all have a group on Facebook and still talk often 3 years later. I recommend Rogers to anyone who will listen to me. It was a place that made the worst times in my life a happy memory. I learned so much about myself and my OCD and was surrounded by a comforting environment. A place where I could focus on myself. What was really important to my treatment there was after 3 months, I spent 2.5 weeks in their partial program. I had to stay in a hotel and was transported for 5 hours a day to the main hospital for exposure treatment. Then I would have the evenings (and weekends if I remember correctly) to myself. To handle my OCD on my own for a period of time. It was really hard for me, but I still had the support new treatment techniques were introduced to me. So now, 3 years later, I am thriving. Although I still go to therapy each week and if I need to do exposures, my therapist knows how and is ready.

Also! The food there is good! At Cedar Ridge they took us once a week for a target run. We are given a cubby for snacks if we want to buy some. There is also a fridge we can use. Sometimes we would all but a pint of icecream to have later that night ?? They also have regular trips that the residents vote on each week. We went to the Zoo, museums, a pet shop/petting zoo, Trader Joe’s (Random but we went probably every 2 weeks. People loved it) Culver’s (A big chain in Wisconsin) and many other places I can’t think of off the top of my head. I don’t have my binder on me or I could tell you what my schedule was like and how many times a week we had outings. Art therapy was also fun. I still have the collage I made.

I haven’t been but I know people who have and they said it was a major help. Where are you going?

Are you doing exposure therapy at all?

@chipperchelsa Thank you, that was very helpful and comforting. I did a PHP at Rogers for 12 weeks when I was 16 and it was very helpful. I’m 18 now so I’m worried about being with adults but I need the extra level of care so I’m going to residential in Wisconsin.

@Hlr I was really worried about that as well. During my time there it was a majority of younger 19-20 somthings. The “Adults” that we’re there we’re varied ranges from 30s-52. I met 3 30 year olds, 4 40 year olds, and 2 50 year olds. All at different times. When one would discharge, a new one would come in. I felt it was well balanced. Good for you for taking this step and realizing what you need to do. It’s not easy.