Finding An OCD Therapist: UK Options For Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a complex mental health condition involving persistent, unwanted thoughts and compulsive behaviours. People living with OCD often experience significant anxiety surrounding their obsessive thoughts and compulsions. Beyond feeling anxious, those with more severe OCD may find that symptoms cause significant disruptions to their daily lives and impair their ability to function. OCD can occur at any age, but it often arises early in life, typically in children between the ages of seven and 12 or in young people between the late teens and early adulthood.

Despite its potential impacts, there are several effective treatment methods available for OCD, including multiple therapeutic modalities. In this article, you can read an overview of OCD, learn about treatment and therapy approaches for the disorder, and discover options for finding therapy in the United Kingdom (UK), either online or in your local area. 

Overview of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a serious mental health condition characterised by repetitive intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. People with OCD can experience significant distress, comorbid mental health challenges, and functional impairment as a result of their symptoms. It is estimated that OCD affects up to 3% of the global population.

Symptoms of OCD

The primary symptoms of OCD are repetitive intrusive thoughts, called obsessions, and maladaptive behavioural responses to those thoughts, called compulsions. These symptoms can cause severe anxiety, including physical symptoms (e.g., elevated heart rate, sweating, headaches) and emotional challenges (e.g., excessive fear and nervousness). 

What are OCD obsessions?

The obsessions of OCD typically take the form of repetitive, uncontrollable thoughts. Common types of obsessions include the following:

• Fear of germs
• Disturbing thoughts about sex
• Concerns about the safety of oneself or one’s family members
• Doubts about one’s abilities 
• Excessive focus on morality or religious concerns

The individual typically knows that their obsessions are irrational, which can add to the distress they experience. 

What are OCD compulsions?

The compulsions of OCD are completed in an attempt to alleviate the distress an individual experiences due to their obsessions. Examples of common compulsions include the following:

• Excessive hand washing, showering, or other hygiene practices
• Repetitive checking of door locks, oven knobs, or other potential safety hazards
• Organising items in specific ways 
• Ritualistic completion of certain tasks, like flipping a light switch
• Accumulating possessions that have no function or value

Compulsions are usually related to the obsessions (e.g., hand washing in response to a fear of germs), though there is sometimes no logical connection between the two. 

What are the causes of OCD?

While experts do not know the exact cause of OCD, they have identified several risk factors. Potential contributors to a person’s risk of developing OCD include genetics, trauma, abnormalities in brain function and structure, comorbid mental health challenges, and certain environmental factors. Certain personality traits—such as perfectionism—have also been connected to OCD. 

When to pursue a diagnosis

Given all this, at what point should someone experiencing OCD symptoms reach out to mental health services? Many individuals wait to seek help; studies have found that there’s an average delay of seven years between OCD onset and diagnosis. However, even if you only notice mild symptoms, it can be important not to delay treatment or assume they will improve on their own. Research has found that OCD symptoms tend to get worse the longer they go untreated, so you may want to connect with a healthcare provider sooner rather than later. It can be especially important to seek help if your symptoms are having a noticeable impact on your:

• Relationships
• School or work performance
• Daily responsibilities
• Free time
• Physical or mental well-being

Evidence-based treatment options for OCD

Because of the complexity of OCD, its symptoms can be more difficult to manage than those of some other mental health concerns. However, OCD is considered a treatable illness. OCD treatment typically involves some form of talk therapy sessions, with an OCD therapist, often in combination with medication. 

Psychotherapy

According to the NHS, fairly mild OCD may only require a short course of therapy. However, this can depend on various factors, and more intense symptoms may require longer-term therapy, sometimes in combination with other treatments. Common formats for OCD psychotherapy include individual therapy, group sessions, and family-based therapies. No matter the format, however, OCD therapy can be a valuable way to receive emotional support and learn effective coping strategies. Counsellors who deeply understand OCD may be able to develop personalised treatment plans based on their clients’ unique circumstances and individual needs. 

Medication

Lifestyle changes

In addition to therapy and medication, individuals with OCD are often encouraged to develop healthy habits that may help them better manage their symptoms. These can include exercising regularly, adopting a healthy nutritional plan, getting plenty of sleep, and practising meditation. 

Types of therapy modalities for OCD: CBT, ERP, and other first-line treatments

 As we discussed earlier, psychotherapy is typically a core component of a treatment plan for OCD. If you’re considering working with an OCD therapist for specialist treatment, it can help to have an overview of the potential modalities they may utilise and how these approaches can be applied to key OCD themes. 

Although other therapies may be used depending on your personal psychology, symptom severity, and other factors, the following approaches—cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), and acceptance and commitment therapy—are some of the most common forms of therapy used to treat OCD today.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

One of the most common forms of OCD therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, is centred around the connections between an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. This therapeutic approach can be particularly helpful for people with OCD because symptoms are often closely tied to the links between thoughts and actions. CBT can be conducted in person or online through internet-delivered CBT (i-CBT).

The goal of CBT is to help participants learn to reframe negative thought processes that underlie their OCD symptoms. For example, someone with OCD may believe that they must turn their lock a specific number of times when leaving their home or harm will befall a family member. An OCD therapist can help this person acknowledge the irrational nature of their obsession and replace it with a more helpful thought pattern. They may, for instance, ask the participant to consider the evidence that their loved one will be harmed, helping them challenge their belief and alleviate the distress surrounding it. 

Exposure and response prevention (ERP)

Exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy is another evidence-based treatment modality for OCD. A form of cognitive behavioural therapy, ERP involves gradually exposing the participant to situations that they find distressing and helping them manage their urges to engage in compulsive behaviours. 

The therapist will usually have the participant list the scenarios that they find most distressing. They will then gradually expose them to anxiety-provoking situations in a safe and guided way, starting with the least distressing, while helping them manage their emotional response. This approach can help treat anxiety associated with obsessions and reduce the individual’s urge to engage in compulsions. Some research suggests that exposure and response prevention therapy can decrease symptoms of anxiety by an average of approximately 48%. 

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

Like ERP, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is considered an outgrowth of cognitive behavioural therapy. This modality is focused on helping participants accept their obsessions and the resulting distress they experience as opposed to pushing back against them. Through ACT, clients can learn that their intrusive thoughts do not define them. 

Along with accepting their feelings and thoughts, individuals with OCD are often encouraged to engage in behavioural responses that are based on their values instead of what they’ve done in the past. This approach can help them decouple their thoughts and actions, potentially leading to reduced anxiety and healthier behaviours. 

Support beyond one-to-one therapy

In some cases, such as for individuals with more severe OCD who are feeling stuck or not finding adequate relief through other approaches, a doctor may recommend medication as part of treatment. One type of medication that is often used for the treatment of OCD is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are a type of antidepressant medicine that works by increasing levels of a chemical called serotonin in the brain. If you are interested in exploring medication for OCD, consider having a one-to-one discussion with your doctor to explore your options and determine what might work best for you.

In addition to the talk therapy options we’ve discussed, mental healthcare providers may also recommend supplemental strategies to help individuals with OCD manage their symptoms. These may include, but are not limited to: 

Support groups and peer support

While not generally a substitute for professional treatment, peer support can be a valuable resource that supports the recovery process. This is why, if you’re in the process of being treated for OCD, you might benefit from seeking out support groups, either locally or online. Connecting with others—especially those who are also living with OCD—can be a reminder that you’re not alone, providing a forum for you to discuss your experiences and explore new coping strategies.

Exploring medication options

In some cases, such as for individuals with more severe OCD who are not finding adequate relief through other approaches, a doctor may recommend medication as part of treatment. As mentioned earlier, practitioners often prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for OCD, although other medications may sometimes be used if SSRIs alone don’t provide enough relief. If you are interested in exploring medication for OCD, consider having a one-to-one discussion with your doctor to explore your options and determine what might work best for you.

How to find an OCD therapist: UK options

Individuals in the United Kingdom have several options for finding a psychotherapy practitioner who can treat OCD, ranging from public options to private therapists and specialised treatment centres. 

NHS routes to start therapy (UK)

Psychotherapy through the National Health Service (NHS) is free. If you’re interested in pursuing OCD therapy through the NHS, you can ask your general practitioner for a referral. You can also self-refer using the NHS’s therapy service site. 

Working with specialists in an independent practice

Professionals who treat OCD may work in clinics, hospitals, or their own practices. You may find an OCD therapist through your medical insurance, if applicable, or by simply searching for providers in your local area. Depending on the type of specialist OCD service you are looking for, you might search for CBT therapists, ERP therapists, or other therapists offering one-to-one sessions using an approach that you are interested in. If these providers are not partnered with the NHS, note that you’ll likely have to pay for their services out of pocket or through medical insurance.

OCD treatment centres

There are numerous private treatment centres that have been specifically created for people with OCD. For example, the Integrative Centre for OCD Therapy (IC-OCD) is an organisation with numerous OCD therapists. The organisation’s stated mission is to “create a trusted and compassionate UK centre for OCD therapy that focuses on the individual person.”

How to choose the right OCD therapist

However, if you decide to connect with an OCD therapist, finding the right fit can be essential, which is why you may find it helpful to reflect on what you’re looking for prior to starting treatment. The right fit for you can depend on your individual needs and preferences, your personal psychology, and the types of specialist treatment you are interested in. For instance, depending on your preferences, you might look for a therapist who has lived experience with OCD themselves, someone whose past experiences in other areas mirror your own, or someone whose treatment approach involves an innovative synergy of various techniques that resonate with you. 

Managing OCD obsessions and compulsions with online counselling

For those feeling stuck in a cycle of obsessive thoughts, compulsions, and self-criticism, therapy can offer a powerful way to understand and manage OCD symptoms. However, the intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviours of OCD may make it hard for some people to leave home or commute to an office to receive talk therapy treatment. In these cases, online therapy can be a convenient, flexible alternative. 

How an online therapist can help address OCD symptoms

With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can be matched with a therapist from a large pool of qualified professionals in the UK, with the option to change therapists at any time. This may make it easier to connect with the right person to address your specific concerns regarding OCD or other challenges. Online sessions are often more affordable than therapy through an independent provider; with BetterHelp, for example, subscriptions can start as low as £45 per week.

The efficacy of online therapy for OCD symptoms

Studies indicate that online therapy can often help individuals manage the symptoms of OCD. For example, findings from a 2023 study of over 400 individuals with OCD suggest that an online therapy intervention led to a “significant decrease in OCD symptoms.” The researchers also note that online therapy platforms can be helpful in “overcoming some of the traditional barriers [...] to treatment,” such as cost and travel.