Therapy helps you develop a different relationship with these thoughts, rather than getting stuck in cycles of fear, checking, or avoidance
Living with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) can be exhausting, confusing, and isolating. I work with children, teens, and adults experiencing OCD, including intrusive thoughts, mental compulsions, checking behaviours, reassurance-seeking, and a constant need for certainty.
Many people I see don’t initially realise what they’re experiencing is OCD — or worry that their symptoms “aren’t severe enough” to justify help. Therapy doesn’t require you to fit a particular box. If OCD is getting in the way of your life, support can help.
What OCD often looks like in real life
OCD is frequently misunderstood as being about neatness or visible rituals. In reality, it often shows up in quieter, more internal ways.
People with OCD might experience:
- Disturbing or unwanted intrusive thoughts that feel out of character
- Ongoing doubt or a sense that something isn’t “quite right”
- Replaying conversations or events to check for mistakes
- Fear of causing harm, offending others, or being a “bad person”
- Mental checking, counting, or analysing rather than physical rituals
- Repeated reassurance-seeking from others or online
- Difficulty tolerating uncertainty or ambiguity
You don’t need to have all of these, and your experience doesn’t need to match anyone else’s to be valid.
How therapy can help with OCD
This often involves:
- Learning how OCD maintains itself through avoidance, reassurance, and mental rituals
-Building tolerance for uncertainty and discomfort in manageable steps
- Reducing compulsive responses (both visible and mental)
- Rebuilding trust in your own judgement and values
Progress is structured and collaborative, with a focus on what feels meaningful and achievable for you
My Approach
Client centred: We focus on what matters most to you
Practical and Grounded: not overly technical or jargon heavy
Collaborative: You are not pushed faster than you are ready to go
Evidence Based: Uses principles of Exposure-Response Prevention (ERP) in a flexible, supportive way
Is therapy right for you?
You might consider seeking support if:
- OCD thoughts or behaviours are taking up significant mental space
- You feel stuck in cycles of doubt, reassurance, or checking
- Avoidance is limiting your work, relationships, or enjoyment of life
- You’re exhausted from trying to manage things on your own
You don’t need a formal diagnosis to start therapy.
Therapy details
- Therapy is available for children, teens & adults
- Sessions are offered in person and via telehealth
- Appointments are confidential and paced to your needs
If you’re unsure whether what you’re experiencing is OCD, we can explore that together.
Taking the next step
If OCD is affecting your life or someone you care about and you’d like support, you’re welcome to get in touch to discuss whether therapy might be a good fit.
- Contact us to make a confidential enquiry
Frequently asked questions
A psychologist provides a structured space to talk through thoughts, emotions, and patterns that may be contributing to stress or difficulty. Sessions focus on understanding what's going on, identifying unhelpful patterns, and developing practical strategies to manage challenges more effectively
In Australia, psychologists (and other health professionals) are not allowed to use client testimonials. This rule is to protect clients' privacy and to avoid creating unrealistic expectations about outcomes.
Instead of reviews, it can be more useful to focus on the connection with your therapist. The first session is an opportunity to get a sense of how we work together and whether the approach feels right to you.
No. Many people start therapy without a clear explanation of what's wrong. Part of the process of therapy is working together to clarify concerns and priorities over the first few sessions.
The first session usually focuses on understanding your background, current concerns, and goals. You can ask questions about the process and discuss what you would like to get out of therapy. There is no expectation to share everything all at once.
Therapy is a confidential, structured conversation guided by professional training. The focus is on patterns, strategies, and practical change rather than informal advice or reassurance.
Sessions focus on current challenges, relevant past experiences, and patterns that affect how you think, feel and respond. The content is guided by your priorities and what feels most useful to address
Therapy is collaborative. Rather than giving instructions, the aim is to help you understand your options, learn about your experience of symptoms, develop skills and strategies to try, and make informed decisions about your situation.
Sessions are purposeful and guided by agreed goals. Some people prefer a more structured approach with specific strategies, while others benefit from open exploration. The approach can be adjusted over time.
No. Some people attend for a small number of focused sessions, while others choose to work together for longer. This can be reviewed regularly.
That's common. Your psychologist helps guide the conversation. You don't need to prepare or organise your thoughts beforehand.
No. Many people attend therapy to navigate stress, changes in life, or improve coping skills. Seeking support is a practical step rather than a sign of failure.
Talking about difficult topics can sometimes feel uncomfortable. Sessions are paced carefully to keep the process manageable and focused on constructive change.
Fit is important. If something is not helpful, it's discussed openly and the approach can be adjusted. You are not obligated to continue if it doesn't feel useful.
This varies depending on your goals and the issues involved. Some people notice useful shifts within a few sessions while more complex concerns can take longer. Progress is reviewed regularly.
Therapy aims to increase understanding, reduce distress and build practical coping strategies. Outcomes differ between people and depend partly on engagement with the process.
Some approaches include practising strategies between sessions. Consistent attendance and active participation tend to support better outcomes.
Many people start with weekly or fortnightly sessions and adjust frequency over time depending on their needs and availability
50 minutes (plus 10 minutes for your therapist to write notes and complete any administrative tasks).