What we help with
Online therapy for OCD
Obsessive-compulsive disorder has two parts. Obsessions are unwanted, distressing thoughts, images or urges. Compulsions are the things you do, outwardly or in your head, to make the anxiety go away. Relief is brief, and the cycle tightens.
Signs you might recognise
OCD is not a personality quirk or a love of tidiness. It can attach itself to anything you care about: safety, health, relationships, morality. It is also one of the conditions where a specific therapy has strong evidence.
Recognising yourself in a few of these does not mean something is wrong with you. It means it may be worth a conversation.
- Disturbing thoughts that feel out of character and will not leave
- Checking locks, appliances, messages or your own memory repeatedly
- Washing or cleaning beyond what makes sense to you
- Needing things to feel “just right” before you can move on
- Mental rituals such as counting, praying or reviewing
- Seeking reassurance again and again
How therapy helps
Your therapist will suggest an approach based on what you want to change. Common ones include:
- 1
Exposure and response prevention (ERP)
The recommended therapy for OCD. You face triggers in small steps while resisting the compulsion, until the anxiety settles by itself.
- 2
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Change how you relate to intrusive thoughts: a thought is not a fact, a wish or a danger.
- 3
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
Make room for uncertainty and put your energy back into what matters to you.
Three things you can try today
- Label it: “this is an OCD thought”, and resist arguing with its content.
- Delay a compulsion by ten minutes. Urges rise, peak and fall.
- Ask family not to give reassurance. It feeds the cycle, however kindly meant.
Start with a free intro call
Meet a therapist for 15 minutes at no cost. Sessions after that are €65, or €59 on the monthly plan. No minimum term.
Common questions
Do my intrusive thoughts mean something about me?
No. Almost everyone has odd or disturbing thoughts now and then. In OCD they stick because they clash with your values, which is why they upset you so much. Having a thought is not the same as wanting it or acting on it.
Can ERP be done online?
Yes. ERP works well by video, and there is an advantage: your therapist can support you in your own home, where many triggers are.
Will a therapist judge my thoughts?
A therapist who knows OCD has heard thoughts like yours many times, including violent, sexual and religious ones. They understand them as symptoms, not as wishes.
We also help with
- Anxiety
- Depression & low mood
- Stress & burnout
- Relationships
- Trauma & PTSD
- Grief & loss
- Sleep problems
- Self-esteem
- Loneliness
- Life changes
- Panic attacks
- Social anxiety
- Anger
- Pregnancy & new parents
- Living abroad
This page offers general information and is not medical advice or a diagnosis. If you are in crisis, please use the resources on our Get help now page.
Ready when you are.
Answer a few questions, meet your matches, and start with a free intro call. No card needed to look around.