Therapy without mystery

It means using treatments that have been tested in good clinical research and shown to help. For the healthcare professionals who consult from The Moore Centre, that mostly means cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP) for OCD and BDD, habit reversal training and CBIT for tics and BFRBs, and CBT adapted for anxiety presentations across the lifespan.

Evidence-based does not mean rigid. It means we know which ingredients matter, and we adapt the delivery to the person in the room.

CBT is a careful and collaborative therapy that looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviours keep each other going — and what to change to interrupt unhelpful cycles. For OCD and BDD, the active ingredient is ERP: gradually, deliberately, and with support, learning to face the thoughts and situations that trigger anxiety while stepping back from the rituals that briefly relieve it.

ERP is gradually and collaboratively paced. Nothing happens by surprise.

The initial appointment is recommended to be 90 minutes so that we can get to know you and understand what you are seeking help for. It covers what has been happening, the shape of the problem now, what has been tried, relevant history, and what you would like to be different. By the end, there is usually a working understanding and a plan for the next few sessions. For families who are seeking help for their children aged 12 or below, we recommend the first appointment is with parents only.

Subsequent sessions are 50 minutes. Frequency is recommended to be weekly at the start of treatment because momentum matters.

Treatment length depends on the person and their circumstances. Research tells us that a course of therapy for OCD or anxiety typically ranges between 12 – 20 sessions. For complex presentations, it may take longer; for people who are returning to therapy for a 'top-up' or with less severe symptoms, it could be shorter. You are not committed to a fixed number of sessions, and your therapist will discuss your treatment progress and plan with you regularly.

For paediatric and adolescent work, parents are part of the treatment team. Well-meaning family habits often inadvertently maintain anxiety, OCD or tics; learning to step back from those is a meaningful part of recovery.

Telehealth is available for clients across Australia, including regional Queensland. For most adult presentations and many paediatric ones, telehealth is as effective as in-person care. Dr Turner's own published research has examined this question for OCD specifically.

Psychological therapy is the first-line treatment for most of the presentations seen here. The highly skilled professionals who work at The Moore Centre provide therapy services. They are unable to prescribe medication or offer medical advice. However, evidence shows that combining therapy with medication can be highly beneficial for moderate to severe symptoms, or when therapy is not gaining traction. Your therapist may suggest discussing medication with your treating doctor, and we love to work collaboratively and coordinate care directly with your GP, Psychiatrist or Paediatrician.