Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Specialists in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Statistics show that individuals with OCD seek treatment from 3 to 4 doctors and spend an average of 9 years in treatment before receiving a correct diagnosis. The average time that lapses between symptom onset and appropriate treatment is 17 years. This is just one of the reasons why Height Psychology specialises in providing advanced treatment for those suffering from this disorder.

OCD’s strengths lie primarily in its ability to disguise itself (convincing the sufferer to take obsessions at face value), adapt to one’s surroundings (obsessions and compulsions frequently change over time), and the intensity of its presence (intrusive thoughts often feel overwhelming). It can strip the sufferer of confidence, leading to a state of vulnerability. The experience can be so intense that the sufferer feels as if they’ve lost control. We are here to say that even in severe circumstances, this is never the case. The path to improvement is never easy, but it is always possible.

Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder with Height Psychology

Our sessions will be delivered using CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) with ERP (Exposure Response Prevention) as the general framework. This framework allows us to use this psychotherapeutic modality either exclusively or in tandem with other therapeutic techniques. Incorporating other techniques, when requested, is possible and even optimal because CBT with ERP works on the basic theoretical understanding that a therapeutic effect is gained by: first, identifying and reconstructing cognitive distortions and dysfunctional beliefs that exacerbate the obsessive-compulsive rituals; and second, leveraging the conditioning process, via ERP, to dampen or eradicate the feared response associated with the obsessive-compulsive rituals. This process is not unique to CBT with ERP and is common to many other psychotherapies. If appropriate, we are able to use similar techniques, should these be preferred, that work on the same underlying mechanism of analysis and conditioning. However, CBT with ERP will always be used exclusively in the structuring of our sessions. This approach allows us to ensure that progress is tracked efficiently.

The most frequent reason individuals do not respond to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with Exposure Response Prevention (CBT with ERP) is the exposure component. A common mistake therapists make is the inadequate implementation of this stage. Exposure to obsessive triggers is incredibly distressing for those with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and much of this exposure occurs outside of therapy sessions. At Height Psychology, we place a strong emphasis on introducing tools and techniques that can be highly effective when facing what is a daunting task. These techniques include those rooted in CBT, as well as methods from other disciplines; examples include progressive muscle relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, dereflection (the deliberate refocusing of attention away from oneself and toward other people or goals identified as meaningful), mindfulness and detachment techniques, among others. This comprehensive approach equips individuals with the best possible chance of seeing significant improvements in the management of their OCD that extend far beyond our sessions together.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the process, please visit our contact page and reach out via your preferred method.