Do you have the same thought continually entering into your mind despite trying to ignore it? Or do you find that you can’t relax unless you’ve completed a specific behaviour or pattern? Sometimes, thoughts can become so intrusive that they start to take up a large part of our day, and affect other aspects of our lives. If this is the case, you may have some of the symptoms associated with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD.
OCD can be a very debilitating if left to develop without treatment, and can start take over almost every aspect of a person’s life. It involves two key aspects – obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are intrusive thoughts, images, urges or beliefs that continually occupy the mind despite trying to resist or remove them. Compulsions are the resulting behaviour or act, and often provide relief from the intrusive obsessive thoughts, but at the same time, impair the person’s ability to function.
Some common obsessions include:
Fear of contamination
Fear of losing control of your behaviour
Uncontrollable sexually explicit or violent thoughts
You are using alcohol or drugs to manage your anger
However, there’s no limit to what these thoughts and behaviours can include. If you have any sort of belief or behaviour that is negatively impacting your life, or the lives of those close to you, don’t cope with it alone any longer.
There are a number of ways that a psychologist can educate you on OCD, and work through the symptoms – at your own pace. Some of the ways we can assist include, but are not limited to:
Helping to identify where these thoughts stem from and challenging them in a way that reduces their effect
Testing out your beliefs in small incremental steps to reduce the anxiety that you feel about them
Relaxation training
Building up your social support and recreational activities to help you overcome these concerns outside of the allocated sessions as well
Meet the someone.health psychologists currently available to see new clients for obsessive compulsive disorder counselling.
Ilan has worked as senior clinical psychologist in some of Sydney‘s best known clinics including Bronte’s Sydney Clinic, St Vincent Hospital and numerous medical centres. He has worked with all population groups including children, adolescents, men and women of all ages.
Nick has experience working with a diverse range of clients, including children, adolescents and adults. He also has extensive experience working with people with post -traumatic stress and anxiety disorder, including survivors of natural disaster s who may be recovering from bushfires cyclones and floods.
Nick has a keen interest in working with people experiencing anxiety, perfectionism, procrastination, low self -esteem and interpersonal difficulties.
Chris has experience working with a diverse range of clients. This includes working with people with anxiety and depression, PTSD and trauma related recovery, relationship issues, family dysfunction, grief and loss, low self esteem and interpersonal difficulties and much more.
Michelle is experienced working with clients presenting for depression and anxiety in addition to those experiencing issues relating to substance use, emotional regulation and relationship challenges.
Nicole has worked in a broad range of settings. She is a proud military psychologist with over 30 years total service in the Australian Army in various roles. She is a Solomon Islands and Afghanistan veteran. She has a particular professional interest in providing intervention to people suffering from anxiety and anxiety-related concerns.
Trisha has experience working with a diverse range of clients including children, community from different cultural backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, and LGBT+ community.
Christine has extensive experience working with a diverse range of clients from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds. Her work has involved working in private practice, in schools and as a therapist for children, adolescents and adults on the Autism Spectrum.
Seija takes a compassionate, open and validating approach in working with clients in order to establish a safe and supportive therapeutic alliance to assist throughout difficult and challenging experiences.
Louise has gained a wealth of experience working with clients from a wide range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, seeing clients ranging from school age to the elderly population. Louise is passionate about working with anyone experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, perfectionistic/obsessive, compulsive traits, sleep difficulties and interpersonal issues.
Kate has been working with people from many different walks of life, struggling to make many different changes in their lives, for over 40 years. Her work now is primarily with people overcoming anxiety and depression, with a special area of interest in counselling trauma from a positive psychology perspective.
Emma has experience working with children, adolescents and adults with a range of presenting concerns. She has extensive experience working with clients who may be struggling with adjustment and mood disorders, anxiety disorders, interpersonal difficulties, trauma, eating and body image concerns and psychotic illnesses.
Wendy will work with you to develop the skills necessary to effectively manage challenges and enhance your emotional wellbeing. Wendy has developed methods that assist clients to empower themselves and restore their quality of life. She has seen first hand how patients become empowered with improved emotional intelligence and psycho-education.