Finding A UK Therapist For OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a complex mental health condition involving persistent, unwanted thoughts and compulsive behaviors. People living with OCD often experience significant anxiety surrounding their obsessions and compulsions.

Despite these potential impacts, there are several effective treatment methods available for OCD, including multiple therapeutic modalities. Below, we’re providing an overview of OCD, discussing treatment and therapy approaches for the disorder, and outlining options for finding therapy in the United Kingdom (UK). 

Overview of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a serious mental health condition characterized by repetitive intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. 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). Additionally, several conditions commonly co-occur with OCD, including anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, and substance use disorder. 

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
• Organizing 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. 

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. 

Treatment for OCD

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

Psychotherapy

Therapy specialists

An OCD specialist can provide their client with emotional support, help them develop effective coping strategies, and connect them with useful resources. Frequently utilized modalities include cognitive behavioural therapy, exposure and response prevention, and compassion-focused therapy. Common formats for OCD psychotherapy include individual therapy, group sessions, or family-based therapies. 

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, developing a healthy nutritional plan, getting plenty of sleep, and practicing meditation. 

Types of therapy modalities for OCD

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

One of the most common forms of OCD therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy is centered around the connections between an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This therapeutic approach can be particularly helpful for people with OCD because symptoms are closely tied to the links between thoughts and actions. 

The goal of CBT is to help participants learn to reframe negative thought processes that are underlying 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 behaviors. 

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 commit to engaging 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 behaviors. 

How to find an OCD therapist: OCD UK options

Individuals in the United Kingdom have several options when it comes to finding a psychotherapy practitioner who can treat OCD Below are a few to consider.

Using the NHS to find an OCD psychotherapist (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 area. 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 centers

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

Managing OCD obsessions and compulsions with online counselling or therapy

The intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors of OCD may make it hard for some people to leave home or commute to an office to receive talk therapy treatment. Online therapy can be a convenient, flexible alternative for individuals with OCD or other mental health concerns. 

How an online therapist can help address OCD symptoms

With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you’ll be matched with a therapist from a large pool of qualified professionals in the UK, increasing the chances that you can connect with someone who can address your specific concerns regarding OCD or other challenges. Online therapy is also an affordable option than many independent providers, with BetterHelp subscriptions as low as £65, billed every four weeks.

The efficacy of online therapy for finding OCD therapists

Studies indicate that online therapy can often help individuals manage the symptoms of OCD. For example, findings from a 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.