OCD Counselling in London

OCD is a common mental health condition where a person experiences obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. These OCD habits become very painful and distressing when they no longer produce the self-soothing/calming “chemistry” they historically provided.

If you are suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), therapy can be highly effective in helping you turn things around. At KlearMinds we use a powerful combination of integrative psychotherapy, counselling and CBT which can enable you to obtain relief and regain control, over the obsessive thoughts and compulsive rituals, that negatively affect your life.

OCD Therapy London

What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

An obsession is an unwanted and unpleasant thought/image or urge that repeatedly enters your mind causing feelings of anxiety and unease. A compulsion is a repetitive behaviour or mental act that you feel you need to do to relieve the unpleasant feelings.

For example, you might find you need to check repeatedly that all your appliances are turned off before you leave your house each day, or you might think that everything around you is covered in germs and the only way to feel better about it, is to wash your hands many times throughout the day.

Some people with OCD can be reluctant to seek help, as they feel embarrassed or ashamed, but the sooner you seek treatment for OCD, the better the prognosis. Although it is never too late to get help, early treatment can help keep the symptoms of OCD and its disruptions to your daily life, to a minimum.

How can Psychotherapy or Counselling Help Treat OCD?

At KlearMinds our psychotherapy for OCD provides you with a confidential space, where you can discuss your concerns with an experienced professional, who is highly skilled in helping people overcome OCD. Our OCD therapists work proactively providing you with helpful information and actions, that you can undertake, to gain relief from OCD symptoms and impulses and stop OCD negatively impacting your life.

  • Gain a better understanding of the underlying roots and day to day triggers of your OCD and how to affectely address these elements so they no longer fuel intense OCD fears and impulses.
  • Discover simple yet powerful information and exercises you can use, to effectively replace obsessive thoughts with more balanced ways of thinking, so you can feel more in control and at ease.
  • Learn about tools and strategies you can use to become free from compulsions that prevent you from enjoying life.
  • Learn and practise relaxation techniques that are effective in significantly reducing the anxiety that occurs alongside OCD.
  • Discover how to improve areas of your life which have been negatively impacted by OCD, such as your relationships, your career or other aspects of your life that you want to develop or enjoy more.

What are the Main Types of OCD?

OCD can be thoughts only, which is sometimes called “pure OCD” or it can be thoughts combined with compulsions to behave in certain ways. Below are some of the most common types of OCD people experience:

  • Agressive or Sexual thoughts
  • Fear of harming a loved one or that a loved one may come to some harm
  • Fear of contamination by germs which often includes the compulsion to wash obsessively
  • Fear that you haven’t done something correctly e.g. locked the front door
  • Fear of being “sinful” or immoral
  • Maintaining order and symetry for example with objects or counting numbers
  • Fear of losing control by doing something inappropriate

Therapy Reviews

Build Self-Confidence and Overcome Relationship Problems
….I had tried counselling before and thought it wasn’t for me. I now realise that finding the right counsellor makes all the difference. I went to see Maggie when I felt I was no longer able to cope and everything in my life was going wrong…. I cannot recommend Maggie enough. I feel in control, grounded and confident… capable of moving forward in my life. My sessions with her have not only helped me gain…. Read More
A very grateful Lawyer!
Control Anxiety – Depression – Improve Relationships – Career Coaching
…therapy with Judy… has changed my life forever. I suffered daily from anxiety and.. negative thought[s].. holding me back..in my relationships… during lockdown..i was put at risk of redundancy.. I saw 3 different therapists before this, none of which really understood and helped me… Judy helped me understand things… control my anxiety… get back on track… I was blown away with her…. Read More
Events Producer
Help to Find the Best Therapist
…KlearMinds seems to put thought and care into matching their clients with the right therapist. When I initially called… a very kind woman who basically gave me a free therapy session, spending almost an hour on the phone with me, before matching me with the best therapist I’ve ever had. …. Paul was amazing… he was an integral part of getting me through… Read More
Anonymous
Overcoming Anxiety & Work Stress – Improving Career & Relationships
After a number of false starts with therapists, I can only say that I wish I had found Maggie sooner!… Over a period of 15 years I had seen multiple therapists and psychiatrists to address issues relating to anxiety, depression and workplace stress…. Maggie really helped me to elucidate and articulate the origins of deeply embedded patterns of negative and self defeating thinking, which proved essential… Read More
Dan, Civil Servant
Manage ADHD, Feel Empowered & in Control
the 10.. therapy..sessions… has truly left a profound impact on my life. Judy… equipped me with invaluable tools to better manage various aspects of my life. The sessions were instrumental in fostering positive changes, and I now feel more empowered and capable of navigating life’s challenges with a new found sense of control. Judy’s expertise and the structured approach of integrative therapy has proven to be…. Read More
Ola 30, female with ADHD
Help With Bereavement & Depression
I was coping with a major bereavement and it felt like a crisis… Straight away Maggie was warm, kind and understanding… I didn’t want to be in therapy for a long time, I just wanted to get better, get on with my life… I cannot recommend Maggie highly enough to you. Whilst life still presents me with challenges I can cope with them as I feel so much stronger now… over six weeks… after each session I’d… Read More
TV Director, London
Healing Past Wounds and Trauma
I met with Tania at KlearMinds for 12 sessions…Trust was immediately established between us….Tania helped navigate me through some difficult unresolved trauma from my childhood which had been holding me back a long time. Tania helped me look at my past through a lens of warmth, understanding and curiosity, rather than…Tania’s help has changed my life as I have finally…. Read More
Analyst, Investment Management
Overcoming Trauma, Depression, Parenting Problems, Career Issues
I have seen Maggie for a short batch of sessions, on 4 occasions… I’ve needed help with…post-natal depression…childhood trauma…career…work/life balance…parenting struggles… the services she provides, have been absolutely transformational… Without fail, each time, Maggie has..quickly distilled..the root..issue..and given me highly..actionable..advice..I can…use..long past attending one to one sessions…. Read More
COO, London
Career Change, Confidence Building
My experience with Amanda has been nothing short of transformational. I was completely stuck, down in the dumps about my career and not sure how to move forward. Amanda was absolutely brilliant in her approach…Amanda has helped me understand myself, step back and look at the facts around me and increased my confidence hugely….After the first few sessions I had already….Read More
Anonymous, London
Career & Life Coaching
I initially sought out a life or career coach as I felt stuck in a toxic situation at work…I have seen a number of therapists over the years and definitely felt this was the best experience I have had. I really appreciated Maggie’s combination of empathy and practicality, an investment that has truly paid off… working on a psychological level to understand the situation and other dynamics…really helped me navigate…. Read More
Partnership Development Manager
Overcoming Career Anxiety & Work Stress
I had never thought I was someone who would need counselling or therapy, as I had always been very strong. However when my career wasn’t going quite as I had planned it, I found I was becoming very negative and mentally spiralling out of control – in fact turning myself into a victim. Maggie was outstanding at providing me with what I needed, not as a “quick fix” but by giving me the tools to use whenever I may need… Read More
Corporate Finance Lawyer

Meet Our Experienced Therapists

Paul Glynn - Psychotherapist & Counsellor London
Paul Glynn holds over 35 years experience as a therapist and is KlearMinds Clinical Director. Paul offers a warm, pragmatic and interactive approach to help you understand and go beyond the difficulties you are facing. He is passionate about empowering clients to develop the tools that can help them to resolve stuckness and positively change repetitive, problematic behaviours.
Meet our Team
Maggie Morrow Award Winning Therapist

Maggie Morrow is an award winning psychotherapist, an accomplished life coach and counsellor, and Founder of KlearMinds. In 2007 she was awarded the BACP National Award for advancing the quality of therapy service provision to the highest standards in the UK.
Maggie’s experience spans over 25 years helping people overcome problems so they can enjoy more fulfilling and satisfying lives.

 

Meet our Team
Judy Harrison - Psychotherapist and Couples Therapist London
Judy holds over 25 years experience as a psychotherapist, with individuals and couples. She utilizes a wide range of therapies, including CBT and psychoeducation and has considerable experience in Career Coaching, Mindfulness Meditation and Mediation. Judy works proactively with clients to help them understand and address problematic situations and experiences and develop positive skills they can draw upon for life.
Meet our Team
Kate Thomlinson - Psychotherapist & Counsellor London
Kate is a highly skilled therapist with over 9 years experience. She has worked successfully in a variety of settings, including media, TV, journalism, law and higher education. She draws upon a broad range of therapeutic skills including existential, CBT, mindfulness and psychoeducation to enable clients to achieve the outcomes they want, in terms of professional and personal satisfaction and wellbeing.
Meet our Team
Karen Gubb - Clinical Psychologist London.webp
Karen is a highly experienced psychologist, executive and career coach with over 21 years experience. Karen draws upon a variety of therapies and coaching skills, tailoring her approach, to best suit the learning style of each client. Karen works proactively. She can help you understand and constructively change problematic thoughts and patterns of behaviour so you can realise your personal goals.
Meet our Team
Amanda Reynolds - Psychotherapist & Counsellor London
Amanda is a highly experienced Advanced CBT and Integrative therapist with more than 11 years experience. She draws upon a wide range of therapies and works proactively to help clients understand, process and resolve their concerns and conflicts. Amanda can assist you to quickly identify problematic thoughts and behaviours which negatively impact your personal and professional well-being.
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Tania Turner Counsellor and Couples Therapist in London
Tania is an experienced psychotherapist and couples counsellor with over 10 years experience. She is highly skilled in helping couples and individuals address a wide range of concerns. She has a warm, collaborative, insightful approach and uses a range of therapies including psychodynamic and mindfulness, to enable her clients to understand and resolve issues constructively.
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Dr Justin Basquille Consultant Psychiatrist in London
Dr Basquille is Consultant Psychiatrist with over 20 years experience in the NHS and private practice. He provides a medical service focused on the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions and psychiatric disorders. He can assess and recommend a course of medication which can provide mental and emotional relief for a range of psychological concerns. He is not a psychotherapist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which therapies are beneficial for OCD?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is shown to be particularly effective in the treatment of OCD. This type of counselling helps you understand how thoughts and behaviours interact with emotions and fuel OCD impulses. CBT can help you recognise unhelpful thinking and show you how to replace problematic thought patterns with balanced and more positive perspectives and behaviours which help reduce OCD. CBT may be used in conjunction with other types of therapy for OCD (see below).

Integrative Psychotherapy: Because the main focus in CBT therapy for OCD is upon current triggers and how to understand and manage them, at KlearMinds, when helpful, we include psychotherapy approaches into the work that can help you address historic aspects of obsessive compulsive disorder, that are not addressed by a CBT approach alone. This means that you don’t just learn how to address current triggers but you also understand their problematic roots. This can lead to a more lasting and comprehensive addressing of OCD, which can powerfully help to prevent future relapses.

Psychotherapy for OCD can take place individually or in a group setting. These days Counselling for OCD is a label that may be used to describe a CBT or psychotherapy approach. As with psychotherapy or any counselling approach including cognitive behavioural therapy , it is important that the therapist is skilled and experienced in helping people successfully address OCD problems.

Exposure and Response Prevention: Exposure and response prevention counselling is sometimes used to treat OCD. This approach involves repeatedly exposing yourself to your obsession and then denying yourself the ritual compulsive action. For example, you might have to touch something you fear is dirty and then resist the urge to wash your hands afterward. This is something that usually occurs within a therapy session under the guidance of your therapist at first, but you might eventually be instructed to also do this on your own.

At the beginning of therapy, you might be asked to list your rituals and obsessions and then rank each one according to the amount of anxiety it induces (for example, things like shaking hands or using the bathroom for those with a fear of germs). You might start by tackling something that only causes a moderate amount of anxiety and then work your way up to bigger issues. The pace of therapy is always designed to enable you to tackle rituals and obsessions at a manageable pace.

Maggie Award Winning Therapist

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Take the First Step Towards Overcoming OCD

Are you are tired of OCD controlling your life? Do you feel ready to take steps that can help you regain control and feel better? Contact us today we can help.

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Our hand-selected therapists have trained in the UK’s most respected institutions. They hold a minimum of 8 and up to 30 years clinical experience within the NHS, private and/or charitable sectors. They are registered with: