Our programme is widely respected and forms the basis of the treatment at our clinical practice in London. We have seen high success rates in our clients that have undergone our Intensive Programme. For the last 5 years, we have been refining and observing the impact of our Programme on people who's lives are more or less disabled by OCD.

It is quite unique, based upon cognitive behavioural and acceptance-based approaches but adapted, improved and refined for people with OCD by people who have OCD (who are now qualified therapists).

We are experts in our field, but more than that, we are facilitators and part of a team involving you and us. We don't believe that sitting in a room talking about your life or analysing where it all went wrong will help. We also don't believe that the management of your OCD should be dependent upon paying us therapists costly fees week in, week out for years on end.

What we believe is that you can empower yourselves, as we have done. That the way forward is to enable and train people to be their own therapists, manage their own future happiness. Afterall, there is no-one best placed to do this than you.

This doesn't mean that we won't have a relationship if you need us. OCD is a life span, incurable condition. We regularly see clients for refresher sessions and if their life events take a negative turn. We also offer workshops, individual sessions and as much support as clients need to get on their feet and maintain their skills.

So, to help you have the life you deserve and are capable of, we are offering our Programme online for the first time. Hence, people who have limited access to treatment, for reasons of geography, resources or otherwise, can recover and manage their OCD effectively.

how much does it cost?

Our programme is 120 pounds (approx. $228). This price is for the complete programme presentation and workbook and years of experience, empathy and caring for our clients. Is this expensive? We don't think so.

The price of our Programme is the same as the price of one in-person session with a senior therapist at our Centre. We believe that if our clients are going to make a commitment to managing their OCD we are going to price our entire Programme on the basis of one session alone.

Again, is 120 pounds expensive? How much is a more fulfilled life? Well, it can be quite a bit actually. How much is your health insurance per month? Car? New shoes? Theatre trips? Holiday? Sports gear? Chiropractor? Drinks tab?

And since this is a therapeutic programme, lets benchmark it against your other options? How much is one session with your current psychotherapist or a local one if you are not in therapy? And if you are in therapy, how many have you had so far? It is not uncommon for psychoanalysis to take 10 - 15 years of therapy, er..........2 or 3 times a week. Cognitive behaviour therapy tends to be much quicker but we are still talking about 20 sessions for more for long-lasting change.

Here we are talking about the price of ONE session and out of that we will donate a proportion to OCD charity organisations.

everyone deserves help

Every person with OCD has the right to help. It is our belief that help for OCD shouldn't be inaccessible and subject to long waiting lists.

We realise that OCD is a multi-faceted condition with intricate and often bizarre obsessions and compulsions. Sometimes are interlinked, sometimes entirely diverse. Add to this the fact that OCD fears can quickly morph into new themes and we never underestimate the challenge involved. Our Programme is suitable for all types of OCD and at all stages of your life.

what does the Programme include?

You will receive a Skills for Life Programme Presentation and an accompanying Workbook. The Workbook is to be used alongside the presentation and is filled with tasks, exercises, notes and other helpful resources. After each Presentation section, there will be a section in the Workbook for completion at your own pace.

These sections look at your OCD and the areas of your life.  As you complete each section you will see how they build up to form a comprehensive all round management system for your OCD.

Click here to see a sample of the presentation (this is snapshot of a small number of slides drawn from all areas of the Presentation).

At any time you can make use of the products we have developed to help you with your progress. We have downloadable image exposure presentations for particular subtypes of OCD to support your behaviour and anxiety management work and downloadable MP3 files of rational statements to reinforce your cognitive work.

We are also available for assisted coaching should you come across any difficulties or require additional support.

the Programme

The Programme is based upon 4 key working areas:

Education

Cognitive skills

Behavioural skills

Anxiety Management

We realise that by the time you find us you are generally feeling pretty bad and we work quickly in the initial stages of the Programme to stablise the situation so that you can work on longer term management skills.

We then put in place key cognitive skills before you are asked to do any behaviour work. We realise that you will need to be armed with coping techniques before moving further.

During the behaviour section we offer examples of tried and tested work we carry out every day.

in our final section we offer anxiety management skills that may be quite different in philosophy to those you have learned before. We don't really practice anxiety management at all............we practice anxiety acceptance. And it is the answer.........we are convinced about that.

Finally, we at the OCDCentre have OCD so we know certain issues require particular emphasis. We know the biological neuroscience that drives OCD so we realise the habitual nature of the condition and we also know a few more factors that impact greatly upon both your OCD and your life in general. We know those because we have them too. Our programme will impact not only upon your OCD, your environment but your life in general and your relationships with those close to you.

All the time you are doing the Programme you can opt at any point for support from an OCDCentre therapist who can coach you through any areas you have difficulty with. We thoroughly recommend, that you consider support during the behaviour work (should you reside in the UK or US, this could be in person with a behaviourist).

common questions:

What about medication? Can I do the Programme without it?

Yes, you do not need to take any medication to embark upon the Programme. We have nutrition guidelines and recommendations for natural remedies set by our nutritionist but these are guidelines only and should never replace any programme or medication prescribed by your doctor. Similarly, if you are taking medication, our Programme can provide the key cognitive and behaviour skills that are vital to long-term management that medication cannot provide.

Can I do the Programme if I am already in therapy?
You will need to use your best judgment.
We have an innovative and unique approach to OCD which may complement the therapy you are currently undertaking if it is a cognitive behavioural or acceptance based approach. Any other style of therapy may not be complementary and could be confusing if you combine the two. If you suspect this may be the case, we recommend that you put your current therapy on hold, just for 6 weeks, to give yourself the maximum chance to immerse yourself fully in our approach.
We see no problem if you are undergoing therapy for an issue that is entirely unrelated to OCD and wish to embark upon our Programme at the same time. However, we suggest you chat to your current therapist so that they are aware of your plans.

Will I need to do anything before I start?
No, not a thing.
However, if you wish you could read the recommended books before the Programme but it is not necessary. If you manage to get the reading done first, you may absorb the skills more quickly or it could delay your recovery as you could do both at the same time.

Is the programme suitable for all types of OCD?
Yes it is.
However, if you have acute contamination OCD which is characterised by avoidance and compulsive cleanliness-related behaviours, you will need to be committed to carrying out behaviour work. It is difficult for people with this type of OCD to do the work alone.
It may be necessary to seek support before you embark upon this work. We offer support in the form of behaviour work in the presence of a therapist or visits by a therapist to your home. Alternatively, you may wish to enlist the help of a friend or carer who is able to resist rescuing you from your distress whilst being compassionate and patient enough to be supportive over a considerable period of time. As you can imagine, this can be easier said than done.

 

 

 

"CATHERINE: I have suffered with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder since I was 8-years old and I have encountered quite a number of rituals along the way.  I didn’t actually realise I was suffering with OCD until I stumbled across some literature at 26-years of age.  I had previously just assumed myself to be somewhat quirky!  It was around this age that my OCD had spiraled out of control and, due to the intrusive thoughts, day-to-day tasks such as shopping, walking down the street and even driving my car were becoming incredibly trying as I had to re-trace my steps wherever I went for fear of having lost/dropped something.  A supermarket shop was taking me near on 4 hours and the thought of a clothes shop pretty much sent me over the edge!  Avoidance seemed the best solution.  Equally my home had to be immaculate at all times and I was most certainly a perfectionist through and through.  I could not tolerate if I made mistakes of any kind.  OCD was literally ruling my life and I was exhausted.
I attended a conference in London, run by Obsessive Action, and from there I sought myself a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist.  This therapy helped me to a degree, through carrying out set tasks in order to go about reducing my anxiety levels, but I eventually ended up back to my old ways.  I can’t say it had really been explained to me what OCD was, as I know it to be now, nor the major significance of being taken out of your comfort zone.  Hence I had almost certainly cheated myself as I couldn’t at times stand, or identify with, the way I felt when carrying out the tasks.  In fact I have seen a few therapists and been on Prozac twice but nothing has had the effect that the OCD Centre’s Intensive Course has had on my life.
I found out about the OCD Centre when browsing the internet one day, not so long ago to be honest.  My GP had that day suggested I go back on Prozac.  I felt totally fed-up that this was the only option being given to me and of course I didn’t see it as a solution as I’d been down this road before and each time I was experiencing even worse side-effects to the medication.  I can’t tell you how elated I was when I came across the website of the OCD Centre. On reading the testimonials I knew I had to seriously consider the Intensive Course.  I had the initial assessment followed by one session with India and I could tell this was going to be tackled with a completely fresh approach.  India felt the Intensive Course was my best option as I was, to put it mildly, at the end of my tether with my OCD rituals and wanted desperately to change my life for the better.  I questioned if this was the right time to embark on such a course as my life was pretty hectic in any case and she said there was no better time!  Of course I felt apprehensive but equally I knew that India and Clint have OCD and Chez has cared for someone with OCD.  These people know what they are talking about, what they are dealing with, and how it feels. If others had managed to improve their lives from the course then what
was stopping me?
I now, at the age of 32, feel that I fully understand what OCD is.  I can hear India’s words over and over … that’s what keeps me focused!  I know that using REBT in order for me to stop living in fear of things that could happen, I have to accept myself, re-evaluate my self-beliefs, and start living!  It is hard work especially on the practical side which involves taking me out of my comfort zone on a daily basis however I do fully realise how important it is to carry out this process.  I accept that I will have good days and not so good days but since the Intensive I feel an inner calm and I believe that one day soon, through the skills I have been taught, I will be comfortable living with and managing my OCD bully.  It will not hinder my life anymore.  After all no-one else is going to make my life a better place but me!"

Catherine,
March 2007 Intensive Attendee

"In my considerable experience of working with OCD I find India Haylor's Skills for Life Programme to be very constructive in the management and ongoing care of this condition. I use her skills for my patients and I can confirm that when you combine these skills with your commitment to gaining your life back (even if it's just a piece of it), it is inevitable that you start managing your symptoms differently! Her experience as both therapist and sufferer is of great value to us therapists and sufferers. This program is a really good way for you to know what can be done so you can start managing your OCD today!"

Mariana Correa da Silva, Psychologist
Clínica Europa, Lisbon, Portugal