I have to admit that when I first heard about OCD, I thought it was mainly about being very clean or checking that the door was locked several times. Later, I learned about things like wanting everything to be neat, organised or perfectly lined up. Over time, I came to realise that these are just a small part of what OCD can look like.
OCD is much more than the stereotypes we often hear about. For many people, it involves distressing intrusive thoughts, worries, doubts and urges that can feel overwhelming and difficult to manage. These experiences are often hidden from others, which can make OCD feel particularly isolating and misunderstood.
If you live with OCD, you may spend a significant amount of your day fighting a battle in your own mind that no one else can see. This can be exhausting, lonely and emotionally draining. Constant what if scenarios can make it difficult to focus on daily life, work, studies or relationships. If this resonates with you, I would like you to know that your thoughts do not define who you are, and that OCD is highly treatable.
Many of the people I work with have experienced complex or repeated trauma. While trauma does not cause OCD in everyone, there can sometimes be important links between the two. Trauma often leaves people feeling unsafe, vulnerable and as though they have little control over what happens to them. OCD can sometimes develop as an attempt to create certainty, prevent harm or regain a sense of control in a world that no longer feels predictable.
For some people, compulsions and rituals can become a way of managing the fear, uncertainty or hypervigilance that often follows traumatic experiences. Understanding these connections can be an important part of the healing process. My background in trauma therapy allows me to work not only with the OCD symptoms themselves, but also with the underlying experiences that may be contributing to distress, helping you build a greater sense of safety and confidence in your life.
I support people experiencing OCD in its many forms, including both compulsive behaviours and distressing intrusive thoughts. OCD can show up in different ways, such as fears around contamination, repeated checking, reassurance seeking, a need for symmetry and order, health anxieties, relationship doubts and unwanted thoughts about causing harm.
I also work with people experiencing intrusive sexual thoughts, religious or moral worries (sometimes called scrupulosity), and other unwanted thoughts that can feel upsetting, confusing or difficult to talk about. Many people carry a great deal of shame, fear and self-doubt around these experiences, which can make OCD feel even more isolating. Whatever form OCD takes, I provide a safe, compassionate and non-judgemental space where we can make sense of what you’re experiencing and work towards meaningful change.
I am trained and experienced in delivering Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold-standard psychological treatment for OCD, alongside EMDR using OCD-specific protocols where appropriate. My approach combines evidence-based treatment with a compassionate understanding of the fear, shame and uncertainty that often accompany OCD. Together, we can work on reducing compulsions, building confidence in managing uncertainty, and helping you reclaim the parts of life that OCD may have taken from you.
Through specialised approaches such as ERP and EMDR, it is possible to break free from the cycle of obsessions and compulsions, develop a different relationship with intrusive thoughts and regain a sense of freedom and peace in your daily life.
If you would like to learn more or discuss how I can help, please feel free to send me a direct message or email contact@steppingstonespsychology.com
Here is an excellent recent video on OCD:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1a7PUtgiLv
©Sharmi under Stepping Stones Psychology – Integrated Mental Health & Specialist Trauma Therapy Services ® ~ All Rights Reserved 2026
