Specialist Therapy for OCD
I specialise in supporting clients to understand and overcome Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
OCD is an umbrella-term for a broad range of experiences. In a nutshell, it describes the presence of repeated, unwanted thoughts, images or urges (obsessions) with repeated physical or mental responses that feel vital to our safety or wellbeing (compulsions). These experiences become a problem when they are a source of distress and impact negatively on our daily lives. You can read more about OCD here: https://ocdaction.org.uk/resources/ocd/
While OCD is a very common and well-known condition, there is still a lot of misunderstanding. Sadly, many clients tell me they have received inadequate care in the past, often from skilled health professionals. Some describe previous therapists who missed their OCD, or provided care that has felt harmful or ineffective. It is important to acknowledge that many skilled and compassionate therapists have not received adequate training and supervision in how to recognise and assess OCD, nor in crucial interventions such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) or other contemporary evidence-based approaches.
There are also many myths about OCD, and the one I hear most often is, “I know you can’t cure OCD, you can only learn to live with it...”. Research consistently demonstrates that with an adequate amount of appropriate, evidence-based treatment, we can achieve complete and lasting recovery from OCD.
Alex has helped me to understand my OCD and how to manage it. For the most part, I am now able to lead a normal happy life, which is something I could never have imagined before working with Alex.
Anon, 27 (OCD)
Ongoing specialist training and supervision in OCD, combined with my own lived experience, means I can offer a depth of understanding that is reassuring for the clients and therapists I work with. I’m able to support clients to stand back and understand how their OCD works and what maintains it. I’m trained in a range of evidence-based approaches, meaning I can offer something different, even to clients who have accessed CBT or ERP in the past.
As a therapist with over 15 years’ training and experience, I can support clients with a wide range of conditions that might co-occur with OCD, including Depression, PTSD, Body Dysmorphia, Shame and self-criticism. Whether you’ve had support in the past, or you are seeking help for the first time, I will be committed to supporting you to understand your OCD and achieve lasting recovery.