CBT for OCD

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is one of the most common problems I see. Most of us have odd or unwanted thoughts from time to time. With OCD, those thoughts feel so distressing that you find yourself doing something to make the feeling go away, whether that is checking, washing, repeating or going over things in your mind. The relief doesn’t last, and the cycle starts again.

OCD can be hard to talk about, especially when the thoughts feel upsetting or out of character. My therapy is kind and collaborative, and you can be open and honest without fear of judgement.

How does CBT help with OCD?

CBT for OCD is about understanding and breaking free from distressing thoughts and compulsive cycles. We work together to make sense of how the cycle works for you: what the thoughts are, what they seem to mean, and what you do in response.

Then, step by step and at a pace we agree together, we try out new ways of responding. In CBT we often do the opposite of what the anxiety is telling us, and often find that it is far more manageable than we feared.

CBT is recommended by NICE as a first-line treatment for OCD. Many people notice some benefit within a few sessions, though how quickly things change depends on the individual and what they’re working on.

What happens in CBT sessions?

CBT is practical and collaborative. We set clear goals, agree each step before you take it, and review progress together regularly. The aim is to give you a ‘toolbox’ of strategies you can use throughout life to help you manage in the future without a therapist.

To read more about CBT and how it can help, head to What Is CBT and How Can It Help?