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Online OCD Therapy

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Professional Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) therapy, online via telehealth.

Obsessions and Compulsions are two different elements that have deep links into the roots of anxiety, fear and distress.

 

Obsessions are the uncomfortable, distressing and anxiety-inducing thoughts that enter your mind involuntarily.

They are just thoughts, uncontrollable to avoid. The issue with these obsessive thoughts is that they present themselves over and over again.
 

People struggling with obsessive thoughts often spend considerable time and energy trying to suppress, ignore or drown out these thoughts. They can sometimes resort to substances such as drugs or alcohol. These practices, however, are largely ineffective – often causing further mental health issues and actually reinforce the obsession.

 

Compulsions are the rituals or behaviours that mask or suppress the anxiety which the obsessive thoughts create. In most situations, the person with a compulsion disorder can recognise their behaviour or ritual has no link to the thought they fear or are trying to suppress. It’s also common that the person struggling with a compulsion is aware their compulsion is excessive or farcical.

 

You may have heard people whether in your daily life or on television refer to themselves endearingly as ‘OCD’ because they like to be clean and tidy, however, those individuals struggling with genuine obsessive-compulsive behaviour are dealing with a persistent and nagging mental illness – one which can greatly impact quality of life, professional performance and personal relationships.

 

According to statistics collected by the complex mental illness association SANE Australia, approximately 2% of Australians struggle with OCD to varying degrees of severity. 

 

Obsessions and compulsions often start in childhood or through adolescence but can develop and intensify at any age. Many of the patients we treat at Online Psychologists Australia have struggled with their obsession for a number of years.

 

Online OCD Therapy delivered via telehealth is not a new concept and was already growing at a steady rate prior to 2020.

 

However, during the global pandemic two factors at play greatly accelerated the adoption of online OCD Therapy:
 

  1. Forced social distancing which made e-health and online treatment the norm

  2. Heightened levels of uncertainty as a result of ongoing health concerns, record levels of job-loss and unemployment dramatically increased levels of anxiety and stress in some people, exacerbating their obsessions as well as their compulsive behaviour.


At Online Psychologists Australia our team are well-trained in helping individuals manage and get over their OCD. Our team is skilled and supportive and will work through a wide range of evidence-based exercises which allow you to separate yourself from your distressing thoughts, to accept them and let them pass.

Medicare rebated OCD therapy with a professionally experienced Australian psychologist

One of the misconceptions with online OCD therapy, when compared to face-to-face treatment, is that it’s not claimable through Medicare – this is not the case.

 

At Online Psychologists Australia our sessions are rebated through Medicare.

 

You’ll be individually matched with an expert psychologist that best meets your unique needs and preferences so your online OCD therapy can be as effective as possible.

What are the common obsessions and compulsions we help patients with?

There’s a myth that somebody struggling with OCD cannot get better. This could not be further from reality, because with good treatment, support and consistency, people that have struggled with OCD can recover well.


A particular obsession and its severity can change over time, however, it’s common they are wildly exaggerated, intrusive versions of concerns that people may have from time to time, by the same notion, they can also be random or obscure thoughts. Common obsessions we see include:
 

  • Fear of self-harm or harm to others

  • Fear of losing control of yourself

  • Intrusive sexual or violent thoughts

  • Fear of contamination from germs, toxins, dirt, bacteria or other substances

  • Concerns or fears about illness or religious issues

  • Fear of loss or death of a loved one

  • Worries about how even or straight objects are

  • Fixation on numbers or colours being good/bad

 

These obsessions can be incredibly uncomfortable and distressing for a person struggling with OCD. These thoughts are often not one-off blips, but recurring ruminations.

As a result, a person suffering from OCD forms compulsive behaviours which temporarily alleviate the stress, panic or anxiety that the obsession causes.

Common compulsions we see include:

  • Excessive cleaning of the house, clothes and/or body

  • Repeatedly checking on doors and windows making sure they are locked, or repeatedly checking appliances to ensure they are off.

  • Forcing themselves to count objects, words, letters numbers

  • Repeating daily activities like making and remaking the bed, standing up and down or making sure the couch pillows are aligned a certain way

  • Tensing or releasing tension on muscles

  • Repeating phrases or sequences of words either out loud or in their mind

  • Constantly seeking reassurance from family members or friends

  • Doing things in multiples to check off a ‘good’ number

 

There is no finite list of obsessions or compulsions – it can really be anything. However, the pattern of behaviour, obsession, rumination and compulsion are still the same. With this in mind, feel assured that speaking to a highly skilled psychologist through Online Psychologists Australia will help you overcome your OCD struggle.

Image by sydney Rae
  • What are the common symptoms of depression we encounter?
    It is important to remember that we all experience symptoms of depression from time to time, and that may not necessarily mean you are depressed. Everybody suffers from depression in their own unique way and no two experiences are identical, however, there are a number of common symptoms we encounter, which are often summarised by feeling down, miserable, sad or hopeless – the loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities you may enjoy. Symptoms can include: Withdrawing from friends and family Restlessness Feeling perpetually tired and fatigued Inability to concentrate or focus on one task Issues with sleep Mood swings Loss or change of appetite Relying on alcohol or sedatives Feeling overwhelmed, unhappy, irritable and sad Thoughts of worthlessness or hopelessness
  • How do we treat depression?
    All of our psychologists are highly trained professionals with a history of success when treating patients suffering from symptoms of depression. Our psychologists don’t prescribe a one-size fits all approach to treating depression, but rather employ a host of evidence-based treatments and therapies proven to help alleviate the symptoms of depression. Your dedicated and personally matched psychologists may use any number of the following techniques: Schema Focused Therapy Assertiveness Training Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Solution Focused Brief Therapy Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy Compassion Focused Therapy Behavioural Therapy Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
  • What are the benefits of seeking help?
    The upsides of seeking and receiving help for depression are immense. The experienced and professional team at Online Psychologists Australia have seen hundreds of patients experience benefits such as: Improved relationships and friendships Improved physical health Improved sleep and rest Improved feelings of happiness and a restoration of energy Feelings of a burden being lifted Sharper thinking and a better memory A healthier lifestyle A lower risk of future depression, as patients are often better equipped to deal with depressive periods

What can you expect from OCD Therapy?

Before you officially start your treatment – you’ll have a chat with someone in our team so that we’re able to match you with a psychologist that best meets your unique needs, your specific OCD struggles and your treatment preferences.

 

Once you begin treatment, the psychologist treating you will take the time to understand you as an individual. You will find the conversation takes place in a completely safe, private and comforting manner – your highly skilled psychologist is there to help you, not to judge you.

 

Depending on your individual needs and circumstances, the psychologist treating you can draw on a range of evidence-based methodologies to help you recover from your OCD.


Completely overcoming OCD won’t happen overnight, and more often than not, you will have some ‘homework’ or tasks to perform in between sessions. These small tasks often involve being present and aware during day-to-day life and will help you make progress.

Get OCD Therapy online with a professional psychologist today

Reaching out and accessing support for your OCD can be tough, however, the benefits of doing so can be genuinely life-changing.

 

Our professional, empathetic and understanding team of psychologists are ready to help you overcome your OCD.

 

At Online Psychologists Australia, we offer a free, no obligation chat where we’ll personally match you with a psychologist that best meets your unique needs.

 

All of our sessions are claimable with Medicare rebates.

 

Get the help you need today.

"The privacy and comfort of having sessions online, but still face-to-face over Zoom made me feel so much more at ease. I was able to open-up much quicker and felt like I was making progress after just my first session."

Verified Client, 28

What our clients are saying

"Being able to book in appointments that work around my schedule has been incredible. Speaking to my psychologist has had the most positive impact on my mental wellbeing given the isolation I experienced in 2020."

Verified Client, 41

"The fact I was able to get medicare rebate on my sessions made the whole process so much easier. I've already recommended Online Psychologists Australia to a few friends that have been struggling lately.

Verified Client, 22

Note: Clients are unnamed to protect their privacy.

Get help today.


Register your details below and our friendly team will be in touch to assist further.

If you're having thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

If you’re having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, there are many organisations that can help you 24 hours, 7 days a week. They include:
 

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