Hypnosis for OCD in Ireland: Calm, Clear, Evidence-Aware Care ONLINE & In-Person

Summary: You might be doing all the right things, yet OCD still steals time and peace. If you live in Limerick, Cork, Dublin, Newcastle West, Adare, Abbeyfeale, Charleville, Midleton, Youghal or Dungarvan, you can access support ONLINE across Ireland or in-person. This article/resource explains obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in simple terms, how the brain loop works, and how Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy, RTT®, Counselling, and Psychotherapy help you change your response to intrusive thoughts and compulsions. The aim is steady, sustainable progress, one practical step at a time.

1) What OCD is (in everyday words)

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is when intrusive thoughts or images (obsessions) create anxiety, and you feel driven to perform repetitive actions or mental rituals (compulsions) to get short-term relief. Common themes include:

Contamination and cleaning
ReChecking (locks, cooker, sockets, bags, emails…)
“Just-right” or symmetry feelings
Unwanted taboo thoughts that do not match your values
Unwanted feelings of Guilt, Shame, Rejection, Anxiety…

It is not about being tidy. It is a loop that can swallow hours, disturb sleep, and strain relationships or work. OCD often appears alongside anxiety, low mood, ADHD, or autism. With the right plan, the loop can loosen.

2) Why the brain feels “stuck”:

Research points to a feedback loop called the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) circuit. This involves areas that assess risk, form habits, and detect errors. In OCD the loop can over-fire, pushing a constant “danger, fix it” message even when nothing is wrong. This is dysregulation, not damage. When treatment works, activity in these hubs often settles.

Orbitofrontal cortex (OFC): weighs risk and urges corrective action
Anterior cingulate cortex (ACC): sensitive to “something’s not right”
Striatum (caudate/putamen): helps form habits and routines
Thalamus: relays signals and can keep the loop spinning

Brain chemistry also plays a part. Serotonin supports flexibility. Glutamate and GABA are the brain’s excite-and-calm balance. Dopamine shapes habits and reward. You do not need to memorise any of this. It simply explains why ERP, exposure practice works: you are teaching the loop that you can feel an urge and not do the ritual, and nothing catastrophic happens.

3) What helps most (kept practical) OCD only

You want tools and OCD therapy that actually shift OCD. Whether you are in Limerick, Cork, Dublin, Newcastle West, Adare, Abbeyfeale, Charleville, Midleton, Youghal or Dungarvan, you can work ONLINE across Ireland or in-person. Here is how my OCD-focused approach works using Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy, RTT®, Counselling, and Psychotherapy.

3.1 Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy for OCD

Hypnotherapy is a calm, focused state where your mind is more open to helpful suggestions. We use it to reduce the anxiety spike that follows intrusive thoughts. You practise staying with a trigger without doing the compulsion, first in imagery, then in real life. This makes “not checking,” “not washing,” or “not arranging” feel more doable.
Search phrases used by clients: hypnosis for OCD Ireland, clinical hypnotherapy for OCD, online hypnotherapy for OCD Dublin, hypnosis for intrusive thoughts Cork.

3.2 RTT® (Rapid Transformational Therapy) for intrusive thoughts and compulsions

RTT® blends hypnotherapy methods with focused cognitive techniques. Together we reframe the meaning of triggers (“a thought is just a thought”), install new responses (urge surfing, short delays, values-first choices), and rehearse wins so your brain begins to expect success. This helps across themes: contamination/washing, checking, “just-right”/symmetry, and taboo thoughts.
Search phrases: RTT for OCD Dublin, Advanced RTT practitioner Ireland, RTT for intrusive thoughts Limerick.

3.3 Counselling & Psychotherapy for OCD (clear, step by step)

We build a graded step plan for your exact pattern. You learn to notice the urge, pause, and choose a small action that points you toward the life you want, not the ritual. Sessions are structured and paced, with brief tasks to repeat at home.
Search phrases: OCD counselling Limerick, OCD psychotherapy Cork, intrusive thoughts help Ireland, OCD therapy online Ireland.

3.4 Exposure practice, safely guided (ERP-style, within my services)

Exposure is planned contact with a trigger while not performing the compulsion. We start tiny, repeat often, and let anxiety settle by itself. Hypnotherapy and RTT® make this less overwhelming and more consistent.
Search phrases: OCD exposure therapy online, ERP therapist Ireland.

3.5 Flexible delivery: ONLINE first, local clinics when you prefer

Most clients choose online OCD therapy Ireland for convenience and privacy. You can also book in-person in Adare, Newcastle West, Limerick, Abbeyfeale, Charleville, Midleton, Youghal (East Cork), Cork, Dublin and Dungarvan.
Search phrases: OCD therapist near me Ireland, online OCD counselling Ireland, hypnotherapy for OCD Limerick.

4) How sessions work , so you know what to expect

1. Assessment
We map obsessions, compulsions, triggers, safety behaviours, sleep, mood, attention, and any relevant gut or hormonal factors. You set clear goals.

2. A ladder you can climb
We co-create a graded exposure ladder and practise first steps together. You get simple scripts and prompts to use between sessions.

3. Hypnotherapy and RTT® to support the work
Brief hypnotherapy helps lower anticipatory anxiety. RTT® helps reframe meaning, build confidence, and rehearse your next step in imagery.

4. Counselling and Psychotherapy
We focus on the skills that keep you on track: noticing the urge, naming the ritual, delaying, choosing a values-based action, and celebrating small wins. Sessions remain calm and structured.

5. Review and progress
We measure change you can feel: fewer rituals, less time lost, more attention for family, study, work, and sleep.

5) Women, hormones and life stages

Some women notice premenstrual flares, and symptoms can shift during pregnancy and /or postpartum. Oestrogen and progesterone influence serotonin, glutamate and GABA, which may raise sensitivity at certain times. We plan exposure steps around predictable peaks, protect sleep, and use nutrition strategies that help you keep going.

6) Neurodivergence and OCD

If you live with ADHD or autism, we adapt the plan: shorter steps, clear visuals, predictable routines, and sensory-aware exposure ideas. The goal is the same. Make a small change you can repeat today.

7) OCD FAQs

1) Can hypnosis cure OCD?
No single method “cures” OCD. Hypnotherapy is a supportive tool that makes exposure and response work easier to do and to repeat.

2) What makes your approach different?
You get a multi therapeutic plan: Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy, Registered Nutritionist Services, RTT®, Counselling and Psychotherapy blended into one programme, with online delivery across Ireland or in-person locally.

3) Is online OCD therapy effective?
Yes. With clear structure, online sessions are practical and private. Many people prefer them for flexibility and consistent follow-through.

4) Will we actually do exposure (ERP)?
Yes. Exposure is essential. We start small, practise often, and use hypnotherapy and RTT® to help you tolerate discomfort and stick with the plan.

5) I get unwanted taboo thoughts. Can you help with those?
Yes. We focus on response, not content. A thought is a thought. You learn to notice it, reduce rituals, and move toward what matters.

6) How fast will I notice change?
Everyone is different. Many people feel a shift when exposures are regular and well-scaffolded. Small, repeatable steps win the long game.

Counselling & Psychotherapy for OCD and intrusive thoughts, incorporating ERP
Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy / Hypnosis for OCD
Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT®) for OCD
Book an OCD therapy and ERP therapy Appointment ONLINE and in person in Adare, Limerick, Cork, Dublin, Newcastle West, Adare, Abbeyfeale, Charleville, Kanturk, Midleton, Youghal, Dungarvan and Dublin private rooms and OCD therapy clinics.

Educational disclaimer

This article/resource is for education and does not replace individual medical care. Always speak with your GP or pharmacist before making changes to supplements or health routines.

Book an OCD Therapy or ERP therapy Consultation Now

Ready to loosen OCD’s grip, gently and systematically?
Appointments ONLINE across Ireland and in-person in Adare, Newcastle West, Limerick, Abbeyfeale, Charleville, Kanturk, Midleton, Youghal (East Cork), Cork, Dublin and Dungarvan.

Book an OCD therapist Consultation Now

Services: Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy, RTT®, Counselling, Psychotherapy for OCD and intrusive thoughts
Formats: ONLINE video or in-clinic
Next step: Call or text to arrange a short introductory call and we will map a plan that fits you.

- Contact Claire Russell today

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