Our Approach to Support

About Us

No one should have to navigate OCD alone. OCD Space was created to bring evidence-based support to you in the moments that matter most — beyond therapy sessions and into daily life. Meet Oscar, the world’s first clinically trained AI OCD coach.

Our Journey

Why OCD Space Exists

2016

Diagnosed with OCD

The journey began with Zach's own diagnosis, sparking a personal mission to master recovery techniques, reclaim his life, and help others facing similar challenges.

2018

Committed to Serving the OCD Community

After publicly sharing his diagnosis, Zach saw firsthand how few accessible, affordable OCD resources actually existed. This realization led him to officially dedicate his efforts to serving the OCD community.

2020

Published First Mental Health Book

Zach launched a mental health book that codified early recovery insights, laying the foundational content for future courses and the approach that would later power Oscar.

2023

Provided OCD Coaching

Zach established a successful coaching practice, working with over one hundred individuals with OCD. This coaching provided the crucial, real-world insights embedded into Oscar's coaching framework.

2024

Idea for OCD Space

The realization hit: effective support couldn’t scale through 1:1 sessions alone. To reach more people, a new approach was needed. The vision became Oscar — an OCD coach people could carry with them, whenever symptoms showed up.

2024 (Late)

Building the Platform & Beta Success

OCD Space moved from concept to reality. Early beta users helped shape the platform and confirmed something important: Oscar could support people in real moments — applying ERP principles when it actually mattered.

2025

Bringing on Chris JK Leins

Zach formalized a clinical partnership with Chris J.K. Leins, integrating expert-guided ERP principles to ensure the platform was grounded in evidence-based OCD treatment.

2026 (Early)

Public Milestones

OCD Space reached its first public milestones, welcoming early users and confirming real-world usefulness. Alongside the platform, supporting resources were released — including the founder’s OCD recovery book and ERP scripts.

The Mission

Looking Ahead

We’re building OCD Space with a long-term mission: to support one million people worldwide with OCD through accessible, compassionate, evidence-based care.

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Founder

A Note From Zach

OCD can quietly take over your life in ways that feel confusing, isolating, and exhausting. I created OCD Space because I know firsthand how hard it is to find the right support - especially support that truly understands the nuances of OCD.

Traditional care is life-changing, but access is uneven, waitlists are long, and help isn't always there in the moments you need it most. OCD Space is here to be that solution.

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Experts

Chris J.K. Leins

Chris J.K. Leins, MA, LPCC-S, is a leading clinician in OCD and anxiety disorders, known for helping hundreds of individuals reclaim their lives since 2015. Trained directly in the tradition of Dr. Edna Foa—the founder of modern Exposure Therapy—Chris brings clinical rigor and real-world experience to every project he supports.

Chris also lives with OCD himself, bringing both professional expertise and lived understanding to how OCD Space—and Oscar—are trained and guided.

A published author and respected voice in the field, Chris has presented his work at both the International OCD Foundation and the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies conferences.

Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this really work for my specific obsession?

Yes. Oscar is trained on the core mechanisms of OCD that apply across all themes — including, but not limited to harm, relationship OCD, sexual intrusive thoughts, contamination, health anxiety, checking, mental compulsions, “just right” OCD, and many others.

If you’re wondering whether your specific theme is different or missing, that’s a very common OCD doubt. The good news is that OCD operates through the same cycle, regardless of the topic. Oscar focuses on that cycle — not the surface details of the thoughts.

Is this a replacement for a real therapist?

No. OCD Space is designed to be the ultimate companion to therapy. Oscar fills the critical gap between sessions — the 167 hours a week when you're alone with your thoughts.

Is it safe to trust an AI with my mental health?

Safety is our absolute priority. Unlike generic chatbots, Oscar is a clinically trained model developed specifically for OCD. He follows strict evidence-based protocols and will never give harmful reassurance or reinforce compulsions.

What happens after the free trial?

If you love it, you can continue for less than the cost of a single therapy copay. If not, cancel instantly with one click — no calls, no guilt, no hidden fees.

Can I use my HSA or FSA card?

Yes! OCD Space is categorized under Medical Code MCC 8099, making it eligible for HSA and FSA payments. Simply use your HSA or FSA card at checkout.

Is there an age requirement to use OCD Space?

OCD Space is strictly available to individuals aged 18 and older. By using the platform, you represent and warrant that you meet this age requirement. If you are under 18, we recommend seeking support through a specialized pediatric OCD provider or discussing professional options with a parent or legal guardian.

Are my conversations with Oscar private?

Yes. Your conversations with Oscar are private and secure. All messages are encrypted and used only to support your experience inside OCD Space — they aren’t shared publicly or tied to your identity.

Even our team can’t see individual conversations. You’re free to talk openly, including about thoughts that feel uncomfortable or hard to say out loud. OCD Space is designed to be a safe place to work through them.

Is my data stored securely?

Yes. OCD Space uses industry-standard security measures and encryption to protect your data. Your information is stored securely and handled with care.

OCD Space is not a HIPAA-covered entity, but we take privacy and security seriously. Your data is never sold, shared publicly, or used outside of supporting your experience inside OCD Space.

How is this different from generic AI or chatbots?

Generic AI is general-purpose. Oscar is purpose-built for OCD. He follows ERP-aligned principles, avoids reinforcing compulsions, and is trained on thousands of hours of ERP-based clinical work across 900+ OCD cases — guiding responses, not reassurance.

What happens after I sign up?

You’ll start with a quick onboarding to help Oscar understand what you’re dealing with and what support will be most helpful for you right now.

From there, Oscar puts together a simple, personalized support plan and you can begin working with him right away — using it whenever intrusive thoughts, urges, or uncertainty show up. You can move at your own pace and return as often or as little as you need.

Can I cancel anytime?

Yes. One-click cancellation, no questions asked.

What if I’m overwhelmed or not ready to do ERP yet?

That’s okay. You can move at your own pace. Oscar is designed to meet you where you are — whether that means learning, stabilizing, or just getting through a tough moment.

There’s no requirement to jump into ERP before you’re ready. When you are, Oscar will be there to guide you gently and safely.

Will OCD Space and Oscar cure me of OCD?

Essentially, no. There is no "cure" for OCD, and any product or service claiming otherwise is not being honest. However, evidence-based treatment (like ERP) is highly effective and can help those of us with OCD live a much more freedom-filled and fruitful life.