Finding Freedom from OCD

 How Solution Focused Hypnotherapy Can Help with OCD

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, can feel like a prison. The constant, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) create a cycle that can feel impossible to break.
As a solution focused hypnotherapist, I know that for many people, the traditional approach of trying to "unpick" the problem can be exhausting and, frankly, unproductive. It keeps them stuck in the story of their suffering.

Instead of dwelling on the "why," we turn our attention to the "what." What would your life be like without the demands of OCD?

Starting with "Best Hopes," Not Problems
The first step in our work together is to shift the focus. When a client with OCD comes to me, they are often prepared to list every single compulsion, every intrusive thought, and every moment of distress. While I listen with compassion, my goal is to guide them away from this narrative.

I start with my compass question: "What are your best hopes for our time together?"

A client might initially respond, "I just want to stop washing my hands so much," or "I want the thoughts to go away." This is a great starting point, but it's not the final destination. This is where my training comes in, and where I get frustrated with those who think solution-focused therapy is just about stating the opposite of the problem.

Simply stating the goal as "to not wash your hands" is unhelpful. It keeps the focus on the problem and leaves the client with a blank space where the compulsion used to be. A much better question is, "If you weren't spending that time washing your hands, what would you be doing instead?" This leads us to the client's true desired outcome. Perhaps it's spending more time with their children, pursuing a hobby, or simply being able to relax and enjoy a movie.

The true goal isn't the absence of a behavior; it's the presence of a more fulfilling life.

From a "3" to a "4": The Power of Scaling
Once we've identified the client's best hopes, we can use scaling to find the first step toward that future.

"On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is you're living the life you just described,  and 10 is your OCD is totally in control?" "where are you today?" Maybe the client would say a '4' 

"What would a '4' look like for you?"

This helps us break down an overwhelming goal into manageable, actionable steps. For someone with OCD, a "4" might not be about eliminating a compulsion entirely. It might be about reducing the time spent on a compulsion by five minutes, or successfully delaying a compulsive act once a day. This is a crucial distinction, as it celebrates small victories and builds confidence.

 Highlighting "Exceptions"
 Another powerful tool is the "exception" question. I ask clients to recall a time when their OCD was even slightly less of a problem.

"Was there a time in the last week when your urges were a little less intense, or when you were able to resist them for a moment?"
"What was different about that day that made it possible?"
These questions are designed to show the client that the problem isn't constant. There are moments of freedom, and by exploring what made those moments possible, we can find the resources and strengths the client already possesses.

The Hypnotic Shift
 Finally, I use hypnosis to help the client's subconscious mind begin to adopt these new, more empowering behaviors. Hypnotherapy isn't about magical cures; it's about connecting the conscious mind's hopes with the subconscious mind's power to create change. I guide clients to a deeply focused but relaxed state where they can vividly imagine their "best hopes" as if they are already happening.

In my practice, I utilize non-directive, conversational hypnosis. This means there are no swinging pendulums or rigid scripts. Instead, I use everyday language and simple suggestions to gently guide the client into a hypnotic suggestable state. This approach is subtle and effective, as it bypasses the critical, conscious mind that might otherwise resist change.

I also employ nested loop metaphors, a powerful technique where I tell a series of stories within stories. Each metaphor is carefully crafted to embed a new idea or perspective that relates to the client's desired outcome. The subconscious mind, which thinks in stories and symbols, can then accept these new patterns without the conscious mind putting up a fight.

For example, I might tell a story about a person who learned to trust their inner compass, which then leads to a story about a gardener who learned which weeds to ignore. These stories aren't explicitly about OCD, but they are designed to give the client's subconscious a new framework for dealing with intrusive thoughts and urges.

Crucially, the hypnotherapy itself is a form of mental rehearsal. We use visualization as a powerful tool for the mind. I guide my clients to vividly picture themselves successfully navigating a situation that would normally trigger their OCD. Strengthing their inner strengths, skills and resources. They don't just see it; they feel the emotions, hear the sounds, and experience the physical sensations of being in control. This mental rehearsal helps the brain create new neural pathways for the desired behaviors, making it easier for them to act on those new choices in real life. We're not fighting the problem; we're building a new, more desirable reality.

Your Personal Resource Toolkit
 While the above techniques are powerful on their own, I believe the most lasting change comes when clients feel empowered to take control of their own lives. That's why, alongside the work we do in a session, I also teach clients a range of other change work techniques from modalities like NLP, ACT, Mindfulness, and Positive Psychology.

These are not just in-session tools; they are skills for life. We might work on anchoring, a technique to quickly access a state of calm or confidence when an urge arises. We might use the swish pattern to mentally replace a negative image with a positive one, or engage in parts work to understand and collaborate with the inner part of them that feels the need for compulsions. For managing intrusive thoughts, urge surfing from ACT can be incredibly effective, as can timeline association and disassociation techniques for helping them see themselves as separate from their past problems.

The goal is to equip you with a personal resource toolkit, giving you the tools you need to create lasting change long after our sessions are over. Solution focused hypnotherapy doesn't just treat OCD; it empowers clients to build a life where the disorder no longer dictates their choices.