Working with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can feel exhausting and isolating. Whether it’s intrusive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, or relentless doubt, OCD has a way of taking over your time, energy, and sense of peace. But with the right approach, it’s possible to break free from its grip and reclaim your life.

As a cognitive behavioural therapist, I use evidence-based techniques to help you understand and manage OCD. Combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Inference-Based CBT (ICBT), and principles from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), we’ll create a tailored plan that empowers you to reduce the impact of OCD on your daily life.

Understanding and Treating OCD

OCD is more than just a desire for order or cleanliness—it’s a mental health condition that can manifest in many ways, each with its own unique challenges. Whatever form your OCD takes, we’ll work together to address its root causes and help you build healthier coping strategies.

Key areas of focus include:

Harm OCD: Intrusive thoughts about causing harm to yourself or others can feel terrifying and isolating. We’ll work on understanding these thoughts, reducing their power, and breaking free from compulsions.
Pure O (Purely Obsessional OCD): This form of OCD is driven by intrusive thoughts without obvious outward compulsions. Using CBT and ICBT, we’ll focus on addressing the cognitive patterns that fuel the distress.
Contamination OCD: Whether it’s fears of germs, dirt, or feeling “contaminated,” ERP can help you gradually face and reduce these fears while building confidence in everyday life.
Health OCD: Preoccupation with illness and the constant search for reassurance can consume your time and energy. We’ll explore ways to challenge health-related fears and reduce checking behaviours.
Sexual Orientation OCD: When OCD results in your having doubts about your sexual orientation it can be extremely upsetting and confusing. We'll look at the difference between your sexual orientation and the doubts you are having and why they are not the same.
Relationship OCD: Having doubts about the relationship you are in being right for you, is your partner the "one", are you being unfair to them/yourself, should you breakup,
Other OCD Subtypes: From relationship-focused obsessions to symmetry or moral concers, every type of OCD has unique triggers. Together, we’ll develop strategies to address your specific challenges.

Specialized Treatments

CBT: Helps you identify and challenge unhelpful thinking patterns that fuel obsessions and compulsions.
ERP: A gold-standard treatment for OCD, ERP involves gradually facing fears without resorting to compulsions, allowing your anxiety to diminish over time.
ICBT: Focuses on challenging the faulty reasoning behind intrusive thoughts, helping you build trust in your own judgment.
ACT: Encourages acceptance of intrusive thoughts without trying to fight or control them, freeing you to focus on what matters most in your life.

When OCD Feels Overwhelming

OCD can make you feel stuck in a relentless cycle of thoughts and behaviors, but you are not alone, and change is possible. My approach offers a compassionate and structured space where we’ll work together to help you understand your OCD and regain control over your life.

Whether it’s reducing the intensity of intrusive thoughts, managing compulsions, or building the resilience to face your fears, we’ll work step by step toward lasting relief.

If you’re ready to take the first step, I offer a free 10–15 minute consultation call to explore how I can support you. Let’s begin your journey toward freedom from OCD.

Book your free consultation today.