BTC is pleased to announce we are now offering a G.O.A.L. (Giving Obsessive-Compulsives Another Lifestyle) group. The GOAL group is a professional-assisted group, meaning that while a therapist is present at every meeting, the group is run by members.  The group is free for members and is available for OCD suffers who are above the age of 18 and are not currently experiencing and serious risk.

Who is the group for?:

1.     Adults, 18 and over who suffer from symptoms of OCD.  This group is not intended for sufferers of OCD related disorders, such as Hoarding Disorder, Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling Disorder), unless the individual has concurrent symptoms of OCD.

2.     GOALS group is intended as a support group not a substitute for appropriate psychotherapeutic services. Members must be showing safe behaviors in order to attend.  If you believe that you are a threat to your own or others’ safety, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.  If in crisis and in need of immediate help, contact Montgomery County Crisis Services at 240-777-4000.

3.     Guest speakers and family members are only permitted to attend the group periodically as an exception under the condition that the members who are present have first given unanimous verbal consent.

Purpose of the meetings:

1.     Provide a place to discuss issues directly and indirectly relevant to OCD.

2.     Foster and support individuals with taking control over their OCD symptoms (goal planning).

3. Allow informal socializing.

Guidelines for GOAL Group members:

1. Please be on time.

2. Adopt a nonjudgmental attitude toward other members. You can display a nonjudgmental attitude by listening intently, imagining what it is like in the other members’ shoes and making supportive rather than critical statements.

3. One person speaks at a time. Wait until others are finished talking before you speak and refrain from side conversations while others are speaking.

4. During discussion, refrain from disrespectful behavior (jokes about what someone said, interruptions, sarcasm, etc.) Therapists will let you know if they believe you are crossing the line of respect.

5. Please respect the other members’ time. Try to monitor how much time you are using while you speak, and allow others equal time to speak as well. BTC therapists may redirect the discussions to give everyone a fair chance to speak.

6. Refrain from using cell phones, tablets, computers during the meeting. Please step out if you need to answer a call, text or email. Please be attentive while others are speaking.

Your continued participation is contingent on following the above guidelines.

Schedule:

BTC staff has decided that GOAL group will continue running primarily on a biweekly basis (held every other Wednesday) unless a holiday lands on the day GOAL group is expected to be held. As we support individuals of various faith backgrounds, we do our best to make groups as inclusive and accessible as possible by shifting the schedule for holidays.

Below is the current schedule for GOAL Group:

  • June 3, 2026 at 7:00pm EST

  • June 17, 2026 at 7:00pm EST

  • July 1, 2026 at 7:00pm EST

  • SKIP July 15, 2026 because of the Jewish holiday of Rosh Chodesh Av

  • SKIP July 22, 2026 because of the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’Av

  • July 29, 2026 at 7:00pm EST

  • August 12, 2026 at 7:00pm EST

  • August 26, 2026 at 7:00pm EST

  • September 9, 2026 at 7:00pm EST

  • September 23, 2026 at 7:00pm EST

  • October 7, 2026 at 7:00pm EST

  • October 21, 2026 at 7:00pm EST

  • November 4, 2026 at 7:00pm EST

  • November 18, 2026 at 7:00pm EST

  • December 2, 2026 at 7:00pm EST

  • December 16, 2026 at 7:00pm EST

  • SKIP December 30, 2026 for Holiday Break

  • January 6, 2027 at 7:00pm EST

  • January 20, 2027 at 7:00pm EST

  • February 3, 2027 at 7:00pm EST

  • February 17, 2027 at 7:00pm EST

  • March 3, 2027 at 7:00pm EST

  • March 17, 2027 at 7:00pm EST

  • March 31, 2027 at 7:00pm EST

  • April 14, 2027 at 7:00pm EST

  • SKIP April 28, 2027 because of the Jewish holiday of Passover

  • May 5, 2027 at 7:00pm EST

  • May 19, 2027 at 7:00pm EST

  • June 2, 2027 at 7:00pm EST

  • June 16, 2027 at 7:00pm EST

  • June 30, 2027 at 7:00pm EST

CHECK BACK PERIODICALLY WITH THE ABOVE SCHEDULE FOR ANY POSSIBLE CHANGES OR UNEXPECTED CANCELLATIONS. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about GOAL Group:

Is there a monetary charge for GOAL group?

  • No, there is no charge for GOAL group. It is a pro-bono service that BTC offers the community.

Is GOAL group held in-person or virtually?

  • GOAL group is held virtually. If you are interested in GOAL group please contact one of the two names below in the contact section. If you are approved to be in GOAL group, a Zoom link will be emailed to you. The Zoom link is the same each time and a password is not required.

What time does GOAL group take place?

  • Goal group is held from 7:00pm EST to 9:00pm EST.

How many members are in GOAL group?

  • Goal group has an open enrollment, which means members can come and go as they please. Due to the open enrollment, the amount of members per group can vary. However, typical numbers at the moment are between 4-8 individuals per group.

What is the process like to join GOAL group?

  • If you are interested in joining GOAL group you need to email one of the two names below in the contact section. They will reach back out to you with a quick screening form, which should take no more than 5 minutes to complete. Once you complete the screening form, please email the screening form back to the GOAL Group Coordinator at aizzo@behaviortherapycenter.com. She will either approve you for the group or suggest other resources for you. If you are approved you will be emailed the Zoom link, which is the same each time.

Contact:

If you are interested in joining our GOAL group and meet the needed requirements above. Please feel free to contact us about your interest. You will be asked to fill out a short survey to confirm that you meet GOAL group requirements prior to receiving information for joining the group.

You are welcome to contact our office manager, Ronnita Dunbar, who can be reached by email or phone. Which is listed below:

  • Email: info@behaviortherapycenter.com

  • Phone: 301-593-4040 ext. 110.

You can also reach out directly to the GOAL Group Coordinator, Amanda Izzo, LCPC, who can be reached also by email or phone. Which is listed below:

  • Email: aizzo@behaviortherapycenter.com

  • Phone: 301-593-4040 ext. 215.