Psychological Therapy for OCD in Stourbridge, Fast, Targeted Help for Intrusive Thoughts & Compulsive Behaviours

​​

What is OCD?

Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a pattern of intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images or urges (obsessions) that trigger anxiety or doubt, followed by repetitive behaviours or mental acts (compulsions) performed to reduce distress or prevent a feared outcome.

Compulsions can be visible (those things others could see us doing, if they were watching, such as checking, washing, repeating an action) or covert ( i.e., those things we do internally, such as rumination, mental reviewing, neutralising phrases, self-reassurance, repetitive prayers, etc).

The problem is that, while those behaviours may offer some relief in the short term, they tend not to keep distress away for long  and sufferers find themselves caught up in compulsive patterns that increasingly interfere with their daily life, as they strive to get rid of intrusive and distressing thoughts. Unfortunately, every time a compulsion briefly lowers anxiety, the strength of the thought is reinforced, making future intrusions more likely and compulsions harder to resist. Treatment targets these patterns rather than trying to eliminate thoughts directly.

​

The evidence-based approach is a Cognitive Behavioural approach known as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). This involves, systematically contacting the thoughts, and the situations which trigger them, while learning to respond in more helpful ways than the usual compulsions.  In this we can be supported by newer form of CBT - known as  Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-  to build to skills to handle uncertainty, urges and emotions, without becoming caught up in unhelpful patterns of avoidance, and to re-orient behaviour towards important parts of your life, currently being impacted by the OCD.

​

What OCD can look and feel like (common presentations)

• “What if…?” intrusions (harm, contamination, sexuality, blasphemy, relationships, health).

• Rituals you can see (washing, checking) and ones you can’t (mental review, covert reassurance, praying, etc).

• Temporary relief, then the doubt returns louder.

• Avoiding people, places, objects, topics, that trigger unwanted thoughts.

• Time lost to checking, confessing, googling; rituals, - work, sleep, personal life, and intimacy suffer.

• Often knowing the thought is 'irrational', but feeling you can’t ignore it.

​

Why OCD keeps you stuck (the loop)

OCD thrives on certainty-seeking. Compulsions feel essential in the moment, but they keep the sense of threat alive in your mind  - i.e., our minds never learn, through experience, that the feared outcome doesn't occur, even when we don't perform the ritual -  and the OCD is loop maintained. 

Our aim: stop feeding the loop and build tolerance for doubt, so attention returns to the life in front of you.

 

The plan: 

An evidence-based cognitive behavioural approach, to reduce compulsions, distress, and the impact of intrusive thoughts, whilst helping you to re-engage with important aspects of your life.​

Format: Weekly 60-minute sessions (Stourbridge or online UK-wide).

 

What changes (realistic outcomes)

• Marked reduction in checking, reassurance seeking, and engagement in compulsive rituals.

• Greater capacity to carry doubt without spiralling.

• Time and attention reclaimed for work, relationships, sleep and doing more of what matters to you.

​

Fees & logistics

• Individual therapy: £125 per 60-minute session

• Location: Stourbridge (West Midlands) & online across the UK

• Availability: Daytime and limited early evenings

​

FAQs

• Does this help with “Pure O” (mainly mental compulsions)?
  Yes. We target responses—rumination, mental checking, self-reassurance, neutralising—using ERP and ACT skills.

• Will I be pushed into exposures I can’t handle?
  No. Exposures are graded and collaborative. Your consent is required at every step of the process.​

• How long does treatment take?
  Meaningful functional gains often emerge in 12-16 sessions; complex or chronic presentations can take longer. We tailor frequency and duration to goals and response.

• Medication or therapy—or both?
  Both can be useful and the research supports using both in combination, alongside client choice. I don’t prescribe; and you should consult with your GP or psychiatrist for medication advice.

• What if my theme is taboo (harm, sexual, religious)?
  Intrusions target what matters most to you. Taboo content is very common to the extent that variants such as Paedophile OCD (in which the sufferer, understandably, but wrongly, fears that related intrusive thoughts may mean they are a Paedophile) have been identified in the formal diagnostic manuals. These types of presentation are common and expected. The content isn’t the problem; the loop is. We work without judgement.

​

Next Steps:

Please enquire about availability for face to face appointments in Stourbridge.

​

​

​

​​​​​

If you would prefer an online appointment, you can read more and book an appointment, by clicking the button below.