Support for
OCD is treatable with evidence-based psychological support.
Evidence-based therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder — including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and cognitive approaches with experienced psychologists.
Key information you should know
- OCD responds well to evidence-based therapy — particularly Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), considered the gold-standard psychological treatment.
- You don't have to keep checking, washing, or ruminating — therapy helps you understand the cycle and slowly break it.
- Many people experience OCD alongside anxiety or depression — we treat the whole picture, not just the symptoms.
Signs you might benefit from ocd support
- Intrusive, unwanted thoughts that feel impossible to switch off
- Compulsive behaviours — washing, checking, counting, repeating — that feel necessary to relieve distress
- Mental rituals like reviewing, praying, or reassuring yourself
- Avoiding situations because they trigger obsessions
- Significant time lost each day to obsessions or compulsions
- Knowing the thoughts or behaviours are excessive but feeling unable to stop
How therapy can help with ocd
Obsessive-compulsive disorder involves intrusive thoughts and compulsions or mental rituals that temporarily reduce distress but keep the cycle going. OCD is treatable with specialised therapy.
Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is the gold-standard psychological treatment, often combined with cognitive work. Therapy is structured, collaborative, and paced so you build confidence step by step.
Psychologists who support ocd
9 psychologists with experience in ocd.
Accepting new clientsBook with AlisonAlison Cole
Psychologist
Alison provides a warm, supportive and collaborative therapeutic approach, creating a safe space where clients feel heard, understood and empowered to work towards meaningful change.
Works from Succoris Tweed Heads
Accepting new clientsBook with SusannaDr Susanna Zito
Clinical Psychologist
Dr Susanna Zito offers evidence-based psychological support informed by extensive clinical experience via telehealth. She is an EMDR accredited practitioner and Board Approved Supervisor with a special interest in trauma and humanitarian crisis response.
Telehealth
Accepting new clientsBook with JenJen Bullers
Clinical Psychologist
Jennifer prioritises warm, empathetic, and collaborative therapeutic relationships. She works with adolescents and adults, taking the time to understand each individual's experiences and tailor support to their needs.
Telehealth
Kristy Ward
Psychologist & Director
Kristy is a warm, highly experienced psychologist who brings nearly two decades of clinical practice to helping people feel understood, supported and confident as they work towards meaningful change.
2 clinics
Accepting new clientsBook with LianaLiana Harris
Psychologist
Liana provides a gentle and supportive approach, helping clients work through emotional and interpersonal challenges. She works collaboratively with individuals to create a safe and compassionate space.
Works from Succoris Tweed Heads
Accepting new clientsBook with MalwinaMalwina Patton
Psychologist
Malwina provides a safe and supportive space where clients feel heard and understood. She works with individuals across the lifespan, helping people make sense of their experiences and move towards meaningful change.
Works from Succoris Sunbury
Nikita Kettlewell
Clinical Psychologist & Clinic Manager
Nikita works collaboratively with clients to identify goals and strategies for each individual, using a warm, empathic and non-judgemental approach. She has a background in individual and group therapy.
Works from Succoris Bendigo
Sophie Lord
Clinical Psychologist
Sophie provides warm, thoughtful therapy for children, adolescents and adults via telehealth. She is culturally aware, inclusive, and brings genuine curiosity to each person's story.
2 clinics
Accepting new clientsBook with SumairaSumaira Yousaf
Psychologist
Sumaira Yousaf is a registered General Psychologist with extensive international clinical experience across Australia and the UAE. She works with children, adolescents, adults, and families with a warm, strengths-focused approach.
Works from Succoris Sunbury
Common questions about OCD
What is OCD?
Obsessive compulsive disorder involves unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges (obsessions) that cause distress, and repetitive behaviours or mental acts (compulsions) done to reduce that distress. It is more than liking things tidy. The cycle can be time-consuming and exhausting, and people often know their fears are excessive but feel unable to stop. OCD is common and responds well to the right kind of therapy.
How do I know if I have OCD or just habits?
The key difference is distress and interference. Everyone has occasional intrusive thoughts and routines. With OCD, obsessions feel intrusive and upsetting, and compulsions feel hard to resist and take up significant time or affect daily life. If checking, washing, counting, seeking reassurance, or mental rituals are driven by anxiety and hard to control, it is worth speaking with a psychologist experienced in OCD.
What therapy helps with OCD?
The most evidence-based psychological treatment for OCD is a form of CBT called exposure and response prevention (ERP), which gradually and safely helps you face triggers while reducing the compulsions that keep the cycle going. Mindfulness and acceptance-based strategies are often used alongside it to help you relate differently to intrusive thoughts. This is done collaboratively and at a manageable pace, and your psychologist will tailor it to your situation.
Can I get support for OCD through Medicare?
Yes. A GP Mental Health Treatment Plan may provide Medicare rebates on individual psychology sessions, and you do not need a referral to book with us. Sessions are available in person and by telehealth across Australia. If your GP thinks medication may also help, they can advise on that alongside therapy. Contact us and we can match you with a psychologist experienced in OCD.
What are the different types of OCD?
OCD can show up in many ways, and people often experience more than one theme. Common patterns include contamination fears with washing or cleaning, checking to prevent harm, a need for symmetry or order, and intrusive taboo thoughts about harm, relationships, or morality. Some OCD is mostly internal, with mental rituals rather than visible behaviours, which is sometimes called 'pure O'. Whatever the theme, the underlying cycle and the treatment are similar.
Prefer to reach out directly? We're happy to help.