Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
What is OCD?
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition with three key features:
- Obsessions: Intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that are unwanted, repetitive, and distressing
- Emotional distress: Feelings of intense worry, anxiety, or discomfort
- Compulsions: Repetitive behaviours or mental acts performed to reduce the distress caused by obsessions
Obsessions
Many people experience occasional unwanted thoughts – such as worrying about leaving the door unlocked or imagining unlikely scenarios. In OCD, however, these thoughts are persistent, irrational, and deeply distressing, often interfering with daily life.
Common obsessions include:
- Intense fear of intentionally harming yourself or others
- Fear of accidentally causing harm – for example, leaving the cooker on and starting a fire
- Fear of contamination from germs, infection, or unpleasant substances
It’s important to remember that thoughts are just thoughts. Although they can feel distressing, this does not mean you are going to act on them.
Compulsive Behaviour
Compulsions are repetitive physical or mental acts that may offer temporary relief from obsessive thoughts. They can take many forms, including:
- Checking: Repeatedly ensuring doors and windows are locked or appliances are off
- Rituals: Excessive washing of hands or body, organising items, or counting
- Avoidance: Staying away from objects, places, or people that trigger anxiety (e.g., avoiding using sharp objects or specific public spaces)
- Mental compulsions: Repeating words or phrases, counting, or redoing tasks until they feel “right”
- Reassurance seeking: Asking others for reassurance, testing reactions, or self-soothing with affirmations
- Rumination: Repeatedly analysing or trying to resolve intrusive thoughts
How We Can Help
We offer evidence-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in a safe and supportive space. CBT helps you understand the relationship between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, and provides practical tools to manage OCD.
A key component of CBT for OCD is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) — a highly effective treatment that supports you in gradually facing your obsessions while resisting compulsions, helping to reduce anxiety over time.
Our therapy is compassionate, collaborative, and tailored to your individual needs. Sessions are available in person or remotely via phone or online.
Together, we’ll help you regain control, reduce distress, and move toward a brighter, more fulfilling future.
Your Free Consultation
- 20-minute session by phone or online
- A friendly, informal chat at a time that suits you
- Brief discussion about your challenges and goals
- Overview of how evidence-based therapy could support you
- Time to ask any questions
- No pressure, just a chance to see if we’re the right fit
Our Approach
We understand that taking the first step towards therapy can feel daunting. That’s why we’re passionate about ensuring you feel heard, understood, and respected from the very start. Our approach is warm, down-to-earth, and rooted in evidence-based therapies designed to support meaningful, lasting change. You will be treated with compassion, respect, and discretion, with a focus on creating a supportive and comfortable experience.