Therapy for OCD, Fears & Phobias

Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy, Rapid Transformational Therapy ( RTT ®), Counselling , Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness & Registered Nutritionist located in Newcastle West, Limerick, Adare, Abbeyfeale,  Midleton, Youghal Cork, Dungarven and ONLINE OCD Therapy Fears and Phobias

Freedom from Obsessive Thoughts and Irrational Fears Is Possible

Living with obsessive thoughts, repetitive compulsions, or overwhelming fears can feel exhausting and, at times, isolating. Perhaps you:

  • Check locks, switches, or appliances repeatedly, even when you know they are safe.

  • Wash your hands or clean excessively, driven by contamination fears.

  • Avoid certain places or situations—like flying, driving, medical procedures, dentists, needles, public speaking, or animals—because of anxiety.

  • Replay conversations or scenarios in your mind to make sure you “got it right.”

These experiences can affect work, relationships, sleep, physical health, and emotional wellbeing. Many people feel frustrated because they know their fears are irrational but can’t switch them off.

You Are Not Broken—And There Is a Way Forward

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), phobias, and anxiety-based patterns are not signs of weakness; they are responses created by the brain, often learned over time through life events and sometimes rooted in past experiences. With the right approach, these responses can be reshaped and replaced with calm, confident behaviours.

My approach blends Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy, Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT®), Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness techniques, and Nutritionist expertise to support both emotional and physical wellbeing. Together, these create a unique, integrated therapy experience that addresses the mind, body, and behaviour patterns driving anxiety and fear.

A Whole-Person Approach to Change

Why Combine Hypnotherapy, Counselling, Psychotherapy, RTT®, CBT & Nutrition?

  • Hypnotherapy & RTT® work at the subconscious level to uncover and reframe root causes of obsessive or fearful patterns.

  • CBT techniques help challenge and replace unhelpful thought processes with healthier alternatives.

  • Mindfulness & Self-Hypnosis empower you to calm your nervous system and reduce reactivity.

  • Nutritional guidance supports mood, focus, and energy, strengthening resilience against stress and anxiety.

This combined approach supports change at multiple levels—emotional, cognitive, behavioural, and physiological—so progress feels balanced, natural, and sustainable.

What Do OCD Symptoms Look Like?

Common Obsessions in OCD

  • Fear of contamination: Persistent worry about germs, dirt, illness, or being exposed to potential sources of infection.

  • Need for order and symmetry: An overwhelming urge to arrange objects in a precise way or keep things perfectly aligned.

  • Intrusive thoughts: Unwanted and distressing thoughts or mental images, often of a violent, sexual, or religious nature, that cause significant anxiety.

  • Fear of harm: Intense worry about accidentally causing harm to oneself or others, even when there is no real threat.

  • Fear of losing or misplacing items: Anxiety about losing important belongings or being unable to find them when needed.

Common Compulsions in OCD

  • Excessive cleaning and handwashing: Repeated washing of hands or cleaning objects and surfaces far beyond what is necessary.

  • Checking behaviours: Constantly checking locks, appliances, doors, or other items to ensure they are secure or correctly set.

  • Compulsive counting: Counting objects, steps, or actions repeatedly, often in a specific sequence or pattern.

  • Arranging and ordering: Meticulously organizing or aligning objects until they feel “just right.”

  • Seeking reassurance: Frequently asking others for confirmation or reassurance to reduce anxiety and doubt.

Impact of OCD on Daily Life

  • Time-consuming: Obsessions and compulsions often take up hours each day, limiting the ability to focus on work, school, or daily activities.

  • Emotional distress: The constant cycle of intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviours can create high levels of anxiety, frustration, and emotional exhaustion.

  • Functional impairment: OCD can interfere with relationships, disrupt routines, reduce productivity, and significantly affect overall quality of life.

How Therapy Helps with OCD

OCD is often misunderstood. It is not just about “being neat” or “liking things in order.” It involves intrusive, distressing thoughts and repetitive behaviours performed to reduce anxiety, which can take up hours each day.

Therapy Benefits for OCD

  • Reduce anxiety linked to intrusive thoughts

  • Ease and often remove compulsive behaviours over time

  • Develop practical tools to handle triggers calmly

  • Build emotional resilience and regain confidence

How Therapy Helps with Phobias & Fears

Phobias—whether it’s fear of flying, public speaking, animals, needles, or driving—can significantly limit life choices. Even when logically you know you are safe, the emotional reaction can feel overpowering.

Therapy Benefits for Phobias

  • Reframe subconscious fear responses with hypnotherapy and RTT®

  • Build confidence with CBT-based techniques

  • Learn to face previously avoided situations safely and calmly

  • Reduce physical anxiety symptoms such as a racing heart or sweating

Tailored Therapy for Every Individual

Everyone’s story is different. The length of therapy and techniques used depend on many factors, including how long the symptoms have been present, past life experiences, and readiness for change. Therapy is never “one-size-fits-all” and is fully customised to your needs, goals, and pace.

Who Is This Therapy For?

  • People struggling with OCD, intrusive thoughts, and compulsions

  • Those with specific phobias (e.g., flying, driving, public speaking, needles, dentists, animals, social situations)

  • Individuals experiencing panic attacks, avoidance behaviours, or anxiety-related stress

  • Clients seeking confidential online therapy or in-person support

  • Those who wish to combine nutrition with advanced mind-based therapies

Book a Consultation Now

Take the first step towards freedom from obsessive thoughts and fears.

Book your confidential consultation today (online or in-person).

Begin your personalised journey toward confidence, calm, and emotional freedom.

Book Your Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions (OCD, Fears & Phobias FAQ)

1. How many sessions will I need?

Every client is unique, with different life experiences, traumas, and readiness for change. The number of sessions varies depending on the complexity of your symptoms and your personal goals. Therapy is paced to support your needs rather than a fixed timeframe.

2. Is hypnotherapy effective for OCD, Fears and phobias?

Yes, hypnotherapy is recognised as an effective approach for anxiety-based conditions. It works at the subconscious level, helping to reframe responses to triggers and reduce distress linked to obsessive thinking , Fears or phobic reactions.

3. Will I lose control during hypnosis?

No! Hypnosis is a natural state of deep relaxation and focused awareness. You remain fully in control and aware throughout, similar to being deeply absorbed in a book or movie.

4. Are online sessions as effective as in-person therapy?

Yes,  online hypnotherapy, clinical medical hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, counselling, nutrition and RTT ® sessions have proven highly effective results. Many clients prefer the comfort and privacy of receiving therapy from their own home while achieving equally excellent results.

5. Do diet and nutrition affect anxiety and OCD?

Yes, nutrition influences brain chemistry, mood, and stress response. Supporting your body nutritionally can improve mental clarity, stabilise mood, and complement therapeutic change.

Additional FAQs on Online Therapy & Local Services

6. What equipment do I need for online therapy?

Just a stable internet connection, a quiet private space, and a device with a camera and microphone. Headphones can enhance focus but are not essential.

7. I don’t live near your physical locations—can I still access therapy?

Absolutely. Online therapy is available worldwide and designed to make expert help accessible no matter your location.

8. Do you offer therapy in Limerick, Cork, and nearby towns?

Yes, I offer in-person sessions in Adare, Abbeyfeale, Newcastle West Limerick, Midleton, Youghal, Cork & Dungarven, as well as online sessions in Ireland, UK, USA, Australia, UAE, and worldwide for your comfort, safety, convenience and flexibility.

9. Is the therapy confidential?

All sessions, online or in-person, are strictly confidential and conducted with professionalism and compassion.

10. How do I know if this therapy is right for me?

During an initial consultation, we’ll explore your goals, experiences, and what you hope to achieve. This ensures therapy is aligned to your unique situation and needs.

Local Therapy & Online Support

Online Hypnotherapy for OCD, Anxiety & Phobias

Confidential, convenient sessions accessible anywhere—ideal for busy professionals or those preferring therapy from home.

Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy & RTT in Limerick

In-person sessions supporting local clients with OCD, fears, phobias, and anxiety, using advanced hypnotherapy and Rapid Transformational Therapy®.

Clinical Hypnotherapy & RTT in Cork

Providing transformative therapy for phobias, compulsions, and stress-related conditions in Cork.

Hypnotherapy & RTT in Dungarvan

Tailored therapy sessions addressing fear, OCD, and anxiety for clients in Dungarvan and surrounding areas.

Hypnotherapy & RTT in Youghal

Specialist support for anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, and OCD available for Youghal residents.

Hypnotherapy & RTT in Midleton

Professional therapy addressing intrusive thoughts, compulsions, and fear-based issues in Midleton.

Hypnotherapy & RTT in Newcastle West

Local support for clients seeking relief from phobias, anxiety, and obsessive thinking combining Counselling, Psychotherapy, Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy, Hypnosis and RTT

Hypnotherapy & RTT® in Adare, Abbeyfeale, Kanturk, Charleville

Offering discreet, compassionate therapy in Adare, Abbeyfeale, Kanturk and Charleville combining hypnosis, RTT®, NLP, Integrative Psychotherapy and nutritional insights.

Hypnotherapy & RTT® in Waterford 

Helping Waterford clients break free from fear and anxiety with clinical hypnotherapy and RTT®.

References

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  2. American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5-TR).

  3. Clark DA, Beck AT. (2010). Cognitive Therapy of Anxiety Disorders: Science and Practice.

  4. Craske MG, Stein MB. (2016). Anxiety. Lancet, 388(10063), 3048–3059.

  5. Gunter RW, Whittal ML. (2010). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of OCD: A review.

  6. Hofmann SG, Asnaani A, Vonk IJ, Sawyer AT, Fang A. (2012). The efficacy of CBT: A meta-analysis.

  7. Koran LM. (2000). Quality of life in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

  8. Kuyken W, Warren FC, Taylor RS, et al. (2016). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.

  9. Lazar SW, et al. (2005). Meditation experience and cortical thickness.

  10. Leahy RL. (2017). Cognitive Therapy Techniques: A Practitioner’s Guide.

  11. NICE. (2022). OCD and body dysmorphic disorder: Treatment guidance.

  12. Öst LG. (2012). CBT for anxiety disorders: 40 years of progress.

  13. Papworth M, Marrinan T, Martin B. (2013). Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Mental Health Workers.

  14. Salkovskis PM. (1999). Understanding and treating OCD.

  15. Shapiro SL, Carlson LE, Astin JA, Freedman B. (2006). Mechanisms of mindfulness.

  16. Stewart SE, et al. (2007). Pediatric OCD.

  17. Veale D, Roberts A. (2014). Obsessive-compulsive disorder. BMJ, 348, g2183.

  18. Wells A. (1997). Cognitive Therapy of Anxiety Disorders.

  19. Wilhelm S, Steketee G. (2006). Cognitive Therapy for OCD: A Guide for Professionals.

  20. Yap MBH, et al. (2014). Early risk factors in OCD.

  21. Obukhov, N. V. (2024). A Multicomponent Cognitive-Behavioral Hypnotic Approach for Obsessive‑Compulsive Disorder Treatment: A Case Study – Hypnotherapy combined with ERP, cognitive reappraisal, and ACT showed significant symptom reduction.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39186092/ PubMed

  22. Rosendahl, J., Alldredge, C. T., & Haddenhorst, A. (2024). Meta‑analytic Evidence on the Efficacy of Hypnosis for Mental and Somatic Health Issues: A 20‑Year Perspective – Hypnosis demonstrates medium to large effect sizes across multiple mental health conditions.
    https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1330238/full Frontiers+1

  23. Frederick, C. (2007). Hypnotically facilitated treatment of obsessive‑compulsive disorder: can it be evidence‑based? – Explores feasibility and considerations for hypnosis in treatment-resistant OCD.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17365073/ Create Today Therapy+9PubMed+9ResearchGate+9

  24. Cludius, B., et al. (2020). Long‑term effects of mindfulness‑based cognitive therapy as augmentation for CBT in OCD – Showed significant symptom reduction versus a waitlist control.
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165178120303905 ScienceDirect

  25. Fox, K. C. R., Kang, Y., Lifshitz, M., & Christoff, K. (2016). Increasing cognitive‑emotional flexibility with meditation and hypnosis: The cognitive neuroscience of de‑automatization – Outlines neurobiological mechanisms by which hypnosis and meditation enhance flexibility of thought.
    https://arxiv.org/abs/1605.03553 arXiv

  26. Raveendran, S., & Kaliaperumal, C. (2021). Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT®): An Emerging Non‑invasive Therapeutic Modality – Describes RTT’s components, application framework, and underlying theoretical basis.
    http://www.bemsreports.org/index.php/bems/article/download/113/157/177 evanmazis.com+8bemsreports.org+8ResearchGate+8

  27. RTT Method (2025). Introducing RTT Method – Provides an overview of RTT’s development, methodology, and therapeutic foundation by the RTT School.
    https://rtt.com/method/ Rapid Transformational Therapy: RTT®

  28. RTT® and Neuroplasticity (2024). RTT® Therapy and the science behind its lasting results – Explains how RTT® leverages neuroplasticity and hypnosis for lasting transformative results.
    https://www.evanmazis.com/about-rtt-therapy/rtt-therapy-and-the-science-behind-its-lasting-results evanmazis.com

  29. CBT vs Ericksonian Hypnotherapy (2025). Comparing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Ericksonian Hypnotherapy for OCD: A Randomized Controlled Trial – A recent RCT comparing therapeutic efficacy in OCD treatment.
    https://figshare.com/articles/online_resource/b_Comparing_Cognitive_Behavioral_Therapy_and_Ericksonian_Hypnotherapy_for_Obsessive_Compulsive_Disorder_A_Randomized_Controlled_Trial_b/29665973