Condition
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
OCD involves unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental acts (compulsions) carried out to relieve the distress those thoughts cause. With appropriate help, OCD is highly treatable.
Signs and symptoms
- Fears of contamination, illness, or harm coming to others
- Intrusive thoughts about sex, religion, violence, or relationships that feel out of character
- Repeated checking — locks, taps, appliances, work, schoolwork
- Mental rituals: counting, reviewing, praying, replacing 'bad' thoughts with 'good' ones
- Reassurance-seeking from parents, partners, or doctors
- Avoidance of places, people, or activities that trigger the thoughts
How therapy helps
Exposure and response prevention (ERP)
Cognitive behavioural therapy with exposure and response prevention (ERP) is the first-line treatment recommended by NICE guidelines for OCD across the lifespan. ERP involves carefully and collaboratively facing the thoughts or situations that trigger anxiety, while gradually stepping back from the rituals that maintain it. Family-involved treatment is often part of the work with children and adolescents.
Read more about exposure and response prevention (ERP).
Who Dr Turner works with
Dr Turner has substantial clinical experience working with OCD in children, adolescents, and adults, including paediatric presentations, scrupulosity, harm-themed OCD, contamination, and 'just-right' presentations.
Frequently asked questions
Is OCD treatable?+
Yes. With appropriate evidence-based treatment — typically CBT with exposure and response prevention — most people with OCD experience substantial reductions in symptoms and improvements in day-to-day functioning.
What is ERP?+
Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is the part of CBT for OCD that involves gradually facing the triggers for obsessions while learning to step back from the rituals that briefly relieve them. It is delivered collaboratively, never as a surprise, and paced to what feels manageable.
Do parents need to be involved in treatment for a child with OCD?+
For children and adolescents, parent involvement is part of evidence-based treatment. Well-meaning family habits often inadvertently maintain the OCD; learning to step back from those is a meaningful part of recovery.
How long does OCD treatment take?+
There is no single answer. A common course is 12–20 sessions, sometimes more for complex or long-standing presentations. Telehealth and weekly cadence are usually appropriate.
Are intrusive thoughts about harm a sign someone is dangerous?+
Intrusive thoughts about harm, sex, or religion are common in OCD and the opposite of intent — they are distressing precisely because they conflict with the person's values. They are not predictive of behaviour.
Related conditions
Sources & review
- NICE guideline (CG31): CBT with ERP as first-line treatment for OCD across the lifespan.
- Turner, C. et al. Telephone CBT for adolescents with OCD: a randomised controlled trial (2015).
- Turner, C. et al. Moderators and predictors of response to CBT for paediatric OCD (2018).
Last clinically reviewed: July 2026
This page is general clinical information and does not constitute personal clinical advice. For assessment and treatment, please make an enquiry.
Considering an appointment?
Enquiries are answered within two to four business days. Telehealth is available across Australia.