July Therapy Offer

25% off your first 6 months of individual therapy

Obsessive compulsive disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition involving obsessive thoughts and compulsions to act in particular ways.

OCD is quite common in our society. About 1 in 50 people develop OCD at some point in their lives, with men and women affected equally. People of all ages, including children, can develop OCD. 

Obsessions are unpleasant thoughts, images or urges that keep coming into a person’s mind. Obsessions tend to feel more intrusive and repetitive than normal worries. Common obsessions focus on hygiene and cleanliness, safety and tidiness, though there are many others.

Obsessions cause distress; compulsions are the things that people do to try to relieve that distress. Common compulsions include hand-washing, checking that a door is locked and repeating specific phrases.

The nature of obsessive compulsive behaviour

The words compulsive and obsessive are often used in relation to behaviours such as gambling, drinking and exercising. However, these behaviours can be pleasurable. The obsessions and compulsions of OCD are never pleasurable – they are always experienced as an unpleasant demand or burden. Not all people who demonstrate compulsive behaviour have OCD.

A person with OCD knows that their obsessions and compulsions are excessive or irrational. However, they find it difficult or impossible to resist them. Compulsions aren’t about being safe, clean or tidy, for example; they are about stopping the obsessive thoughts.

Initially the compulsive behaviour relieves the anxiety created by the obsessive thought, but that relief is only temporary. The obsessive thought recurs and the person feels compelled to repeat the compulsive behaviour. This can become a self-perpetuating cycle.

Many people with OCD feel great shame. They think they should be able to get it under control. Often they keep their obsessions and compulsions secret and may not seek help for fear of being judged. 

Our clients have reported great results!

Mr K
“I was attending sessions at One Therapy practice for about 1 1/2 years. I am very happy with the result, sessions there really helped me. I am really grateful to my therapist. Someone recommended him to me as a high professional and it proved right, thank you.”
Mrs M
“I can only provide positive comments on my sessions with (my therapist). This was my first experience with a therapist, and she managed to make me feel comfortable. And I must say that the sessions were helpful and efficient.”
Mrs E
“My therapist was extremely helpful, considerate and understanding. I felt she properly understood what the issues I had were, and their underlying causes, and I feel I benefited considerably from the sessions with her.”
Mrs N
“I immediately felt completely at ease as they were very professional while showing genuine care and interest in helping me. I was able to confront many issues which I had so far chosen to ignore despite their negative effects on my personal relationships and happiness. I would have no hesitation in recommending (One Therapy) to anyone looking to improve their relationships and self-esteem.”
Mrs L
“I learned a lot about myself and about the relationships I make with other people. I was able to see where I was going wrong and I now make better personal choices. Thank you, again.”
Mrs R
“I can’t thank you enough for the help and support I got from my appointments. I would highly recommend therapy to anyone now. Therapy helped me in more ways than I could have imagined. Please tell (my therapist) how grateful I am for her help.”

Counselling can help those with OCD

OCD can be treated with therapy, which may be accompanied by medication. An experienced therapist will help someone suffering from OCD to gradually increase their capacity to cope with anxiety. This will enable them to resist their compulsions for longer, which in turn will gradually reduce their anxiety.

Cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT, is often mentioned in connection with OCD, but other types of therapy can also be effective.

Our therapists are carefully picked for their experience, warmth and empathy. They won’t judge you.

If you would like further information, please contact us or book an initial consultation

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What is CBT and can it help?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a practical talking therapy that helps people with problems and issues by addressing and changing how they think and behave. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy focuses on the present problems that are happening now and the relationships between thoughts…

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Counselling for individuals

Personal counselling can be about anything that is on your mind.

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Couples counselling

Couples counselling provides space for couples to discuss problems in their relationship and find solutions.

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Our therapists

We have over 30 qualified and experienced therapists to choose from.

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One Therapy London

Counselling, psychotherapy, couples counselling in London since 2006

Gregory Hamlin - Therapist
Gregory Hamlin

Gregory is a psychodynamic therapist offering both short-term and long-term therapy He appreciates how difficult it can be to seek help and therefore places great importance on creating a warm, empathic and safe space for clients to explore whatever is on their minds Gregory helps individuals uncover and understand the underlying patterns that shape their lives and...

Oxford Circus

Lara Vasey

Lara is an integrative therapist who offers short- and longer-term therapy to individuals Starting therapy can feel daunting, but Lara’s warm demeanour helps her clients feel more comfortable She creates a confidential and non-judgemental environment, which enables her clients to open up about their thoughts, feelings and experiences With empathy and curiosity, her...

Kensington / Notting Hill

Therapist Yussef Ferguson
Yussef Ferguson

Yussef is a psychodynamic psychotherapist who offers both long and short term personal therapy to individuals He has experience of working with a diverse range of clients and can provide a warm, confidential space to explore and gain insight into any past or present personal difficulties and experiences Yussef works with issues such as anxiety, depression, loss,...

Oxford Circus

Nina Jacobson - Therapist
Nina Jacobson

Nina is an integrative psychotherapist who creates a safe, non-judgmental space in which clients feel comfortable to explore their thoughts, feelings and patterns of behaviour Nina recognises that it can be useful to talk to someone outside your circle of friends and family to gain an understanding of your challenges and emotions She helps clients think about their...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Antonella Bonetti
Antonella Bonetti

Antonella is a psychodynamic therapist offering short- and long-term therapy to individuals and couples Since obtaining her Master’s Degree in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy she has undertaken additional training in couple and relationship therapy Antonella has worked in different organisational settings (charities, NHS and university counselling...

Bloomsbury

James Eve - Therapist
James Eve

James is a psychosexual and relationship therapist who has been in private practice for five years He works with individuals and couples on sexual and relationship difficulties, understanding that these can be significant causes of distress in one's life Prior to working in private practice, James worked for the psychosexual team at Croydon University Hospital He is a...

Oxford Circus

Damla Ciftcioglu - Therapist
Berrak Damla Çiftcioğlu

Damla offers a warm, supportive and confidential space where you can talk openly — perhaps for the first time — about the thoughts, emotions and challenges shaping your life She provides psychodynamic psychotherapy, gently exploring the deeper, often unconscious, roots of emotional difficulties Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck in unhelpful patterns, or...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Shelly Klein
Shelley Klein

As a psychodynamic therapist Shelley brings a wealth of experience to her work and supports her patients to talk about those aspects of their lives they are finding painful, upsetting or difficult to deal with, in a confidential, non-judgmental and peaceful setting Shelley is particularly interested in working with those who are experiencing depression, bereavement, high...

Bloomsbury

Therapist Nicola Reeves
Nicola Reeves

Nicola is a psychodynamic psychotherapist She believes in giving clients time and space to approach therapy in the way they need to approach it She finds this is the best way to develop a therapeutic relationship that allows feelings to be truly explored and evaluated As a psychodynamic psychotherapist, Nicola knows that no two people experience the world or...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Jolita Gaskin
Jolita Gaskin

Jolita is a BACP accredited psychodynamic counsellor and psychotherapist She is committed to providing a confidential and relaxed space, within which clients can feel safe to express their difficulties, worries and concerns Together with the client, she aims to create a stimulating and reflective environment that recognises clients’ personal experiences and develops new...

Oxford Circus

July Therapy Sale

25% off your first 6 months of individual therapy

Feedback from our clients suggests that many people looking for therapy struggle to afford the longer-term, professional counselling they need. 
 
For this reason, our July offer reduces the cost of individual counselling by 25% until 31 December when your first appointment is booked and attended in July.