Finding Support

Exposure and response prevention

The therapy with the most research for OCD is cognitive behavioural therapy that includes exposure and response prevention (ERP) [1].

With a trained therapist, you gradually practise facing triggers while resisting the ritual. That can help you learn to tolerate discomfort and uncertainty, and go about your day even when you feel the urge to check or repeat.

ERP can sound confronting. A good therapist moves at your pace and builds up slowly, starting with things that feel manageable. You are always part of deciding what comes next.

It doesn’t work for everyone, and the research has its limits [1]. If it hasn’t helped enough, that isn’t your failure.

Other approaches

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) helps you make room for difficult thoughts without needing to fight or fix them, while moving towards what matters to you.

Some people explore mindfulness to practise noticing intrusive thoughts and returning attention to what they were doing. Research is still developing [2].

Compassion focused therapy can help with the shame and self-criticism that often come with OCD.

Psilocybin and OCD. Researchers are exploring whether psilocybin, given in a supervised clinical setting, could help ease intrusive thoughts and compulsions. In a small 2026 trial of 15 people, OCD symptoms eased with psilocybin during the controlled phase. Larger studies are needed to find out who might benefit, how long the effects last and what risks are involved. Researchers are also exploring whether changes in serotonin signalling and communication between brain networks play a role. Psilocybin remains experimental for OCD. [5]

→ Toolkit: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Meditation, Compassion Focused Therapy, Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies

Finding the right practitioner

Look for someone with specific experience treating OCD. It’s okay to ask how they work, and whether they use ERP. You deserve someone who won’t be shocked by your thoughts and who understands what OCD is. It’s all about finding someone you feel safe with.

Medication

Medication is one option some people find helpful. A prescriber can talk through potential benefits and side effects and help you review how it’s working over time.