Effective Support for OCD
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) involves unwanted, distressing thoughts, images or urges (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental rituals (compulsions) that are carried out to reduce distress or prevent something feared. It is much more than being neat or liking things a certain way.
OCD can be exhausting and isolating, and it often takes up a great deal of time. The good news is that it is treatable. Our psychologists provide evidence-based, compassionate support to help you loosen its grip and get back to the things that matter.
How OCD Can Show Up
OCD can take many forms. Common experiences include:
Intrusive Thoughts: Unwanted thoughts, doubts or images that feel distressing, out of character or hard to dismiss.
Compulsions and Rituals: Washing, checking, counting, arranging, repeating, reassurance seeking or mental reviewing to feel safe or “just right”.
Avoidance: Staying away from people, places or situations that trigger obsessions.
Time and Distress: Spending significant time each day on obsessions and compulsions, with a real impact on work, relationships or daily life.
Common Themes: Contamination, harm, symmetry and order, relationships, morality or religion, and unwanted thoughts.
Having an intrusive thought does not mean you want to act on it or that it says anything about who you are.
How Therapy Can Help
The most well-supported psychological treatment for OCD is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) that includes Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). We may also draw on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you:
Understand the OCD Cycle: Learn how obsessions, anxiety and compulsions feed each other.
Practise Exposure and Response Prevention: Gradually face feared situations without carrying out compulsions, at a pace you agree to.
Build Tolerance for Uncertainty: Develop the ability to live with doubt and discomfort without needing to neutralise it.
Reduce Reassurance Seeking: Find new ways to respond when the urge to check or ask for reassurance appears.
Involve Family Where Helpful: Support the people close to you to respond in ways that help rather than feed OCD.
With the right support, many people experience a significant reduction in symptoms and regain freedom in daily life.
What to Expect
Therapy for OCD is collaborative and paced around you. It usually involves:
A Thorough Assessment: We take time to understand your particular obsessions and compulsions and how much they affect your daily life.
A Tailored Plan: We build a step-by-step plan, agreed with you, that starts with what feels most manageable.
Practical Skills and Support: You will practise skills in sessions and between sessions, with encouragement and support along the way.
Reviewing Progress: We regularly check in on how things are going and adjust the approach as needed, so therapy continues to fit your goals.
How to Access the Service
To begin therapy, please get in touch with our friendly administrative team via our contact page, phone, or email address and we will send you an intake form and our information sheet and consent form to start the intake process.
You do not need a referral to book an initial appointment, however you may want to discuss your needs with your general practitioner (GP) to determine if you qualify for Medicare funding, which can cover up to ten sessions with a Mental Health Care Plan. In such cases, you would need a referral. Additionally, private health insurance rebates may be available through your provider.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 000. For 24/7 crisis support in Australia, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.