Breaking Free from OCD: ERP, Clinical Hypnotherapy & RTT in Limerick, Cork, Dublin and Online Across Ireland
Book Personalised OCD Therapy, Limerick, Cork, Dublin, Dungarvan, Waterford & ONLINE Ireland
Struggling with intrusive thoughts, handwashing, checking, counting or “just in case” behaviours that leave you drained and ashamed? You are far from alone. Every week, people across Limerick, Cork, Dublin, Dungarvan, Youghal, Midleton, Fermoy, Kanturk, Charleville and Newcastle West quietly search for terms like “OCD therapy Ireland”, “ERP therapy for OCD Limerick”, “hypnosis for intrusive thoughts Cork” or “OCD help Dublin ONLINE” and wonder if anything truly works.
Book a consultation with
Claire Russell MSc. BSc. DipNT. Cl.Hyp. MNTOI. MICIP GHR
Registered Nutritionist, Clinical Medical Hypnotherapist, Counsellor, Psychotherapist, RTT and Advanced RTT Therapist, with more than 20 years of clinical experience helping adults and teenagers with OCD, anxiety, trauma, addictions, gut issues, hormonal change, inflammation, autoimmune conditions, weight loss and metabolic health across Ireland. UK, Europe, UAE, Australia and worldwide
OCD Therapy, ERP, Clinical Hypnotherapy and Advanced RTT available ONLINE and in person in:
Adare, Newcastle West, Limerick, Abbeyfeale, Charleville, Kanturk, Midleton, Youghal, Cork, Dublin, Dungarvan and Waterford.
Perfect if you are dealing with: OCD and intrusive thoughts, anxiety, panic, PTSD and Complex PTSD, addictions (alcohol, gambling, vaping, sugar, food, porn etc), binge-related habits, eating disorders, inflammatory disease, autoimmune conditions, autoimmune symptoms, weight loss, and metabolic health, GUT, IBS and digestive issues, hormonal problems (Fertility, PMS, PMDD, perimenopause, menopause), poor sleep, overwhelm, burnout, CFS, ME, MS, relationship strain and chronic stress.
Summary
You might be standing at the front door in Limerick checking the lock again and again, or sitting in a Cork café replaying the same disturbing thought until your stomach churns. You know it is excessive, yet it feels too risky not to check “one last time”. That is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): a powerful loop of obsessions (unwanted intrusive thoughts, images or urges) and compulsions (behaviours or mental rituals) that briefly reduce anxiety but keep the cycle going.
The good news is that OCD is highly treatable. International guidelines agree that a specific form of cognitive-behavioural therapy called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the first-line psychological treatment and is often described as the gold-standard therapy for OCD.(International OCD Foundation) ERP can be combined with other evidence-based approaches such as medication where needed, and it integrates well with Clinical Hypnotherapy, Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy, Hypnosis methodologies, RTT, Counselling, Psychotherapy and Nutrition support.
In this article you will learn:
- How OCD shows up in everyday life in Ireland
- What ERP is, how it works and what to expect
- How ERP principles are woven together with Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy, RTT Rapid Transformational Therapy, Advanced RTT, Counselling and Registered Nutritionist services
- Why your brain and body feel stuck in the OCD loop, and how they can change
- How to access OCD and ERP-based therapy in Limerick, Cork, Dublin, Dungarvan, Waterford and ONLINE across Ireland
Educational note: This article is for information and education. It does not replace medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your GP, psychiatrist or pharmacist before changing any prescribed medication.
1. What Is OCD and How Does It Affect Life In Ireland and worldwide?
OCD is more than being neat or particular. It is a recognised mental health condition where:
- Intrusive thoughts, images or urges appear
- Anxiety or guilt surges
- You perform a compulsion (washing, checking, repeating, mental reviewing, asking for reassurance)
- Anxiety drops briefly
- The brain learns “compulsions keep me safe”, so the cycle repeats
People coming for OCD therapy in Limerick, Cork, Dublin, Youghal, Midleton, Dungarvan and ONLINE often describe:
- Contamination fears
Repeated washing, showering or cleaning until skin is sore. Searches like “OCD handwashing Cork” or “germ OCD Limerick” are common. - Checking and doubt
Doors, locks, plugs, cooker, oven, alarms, emails, bank transfers. You might spend long periods checking at home in Adare, Charleville or Dublin, terrified of causing harm by mistake. - Harm intrusive thoughts
Unwanted, disturbing images of harming partner, child, stranger or pet. These thoughts are the opposite of your values, which is exactly why they frighten you. - Religious or moral obsessions
Fear of being bad, impure or sinful, needing rituals or mental reviewing to feel “right”. - Order, symmetry and “just right” feelings
Arranging, repeating or touching until it feels correct, often disrupting family life or work.
Over time, OCD can chip away at:
- Sleep and morning energy
- Gut and digestive health (IBS, reflux, bloating, cramps)
- Weight, appetite and metabolic health
- Hormone balance (PMS, PMDD, perimenopause, menopause)
- Relationships, parenting, study and work
- Alcohol, vaping, comfort eating or gambling patterns used to cope
Because OCD rarely travels alone, we draw on ERP, Clinical Hypnotherapy, RTT, Counselling, Psychotherapy and Nutrition in one integrated service.
2. ERP: The Gold-Standard First-Line Therapy For OCD
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a specialised form of cognitive-behavioural therapy. It is recommended by major organisations, including the International OCD Foundation, NHS, NICE and the American Psychiatric Association, as a first-line psychological treatment for OCD.(International OCD Foundation)
In plain language, ERP helps you:
- Face the thoughts, situations or sensations that trigger your obsessions
- Delay and then reduce the compulsions that normally follow
- Discover, through lived experience, that anxiety naturally drops even if you do not perform the ritual
How ERP Works
Exposure
You are gradually and systematically exposed to situations, objects, thoughts or images that trigger your obsessions and anxiety. This can be:
- In real life (in vivo), for example touching a “contaminated” surface or place
- Imaginal, for example describing in detail a feared scenario or fearful event imagined
- Through written, audio or visual exercises designed for your specific fears(International OCD Foundation)
Response Prevention
You practise resisting or delaying the urge to perform your usual compulsive ritual. That might mean:
- Not washing after touching a trigger
- Leaving the house without re-checking
- Allowing an intrusive image to be there without neutralising it with your own phrase, prayer or words
Gradual, structured process (graded exposure)
You do not start with the hardest fear. Together with your therapist helps you build an exposure hierarchy: a list of triggers from “least anxiety” to “most anxiety”. You begin with milder items, repeating exposure and response prevention until anxiety falls, then move up the ladder.(Psychology Today)
Habituation and new learning
By facing fears and not performing rituals, your brain learns that:
- Anxiety peaks and then naturally settles
- You can tolerate discomfort
- Catastrophic outcomes do not occur, or are manageable
This process of anxiety falling without rituals is known as habituation. Over time symptoms reduce and daily life becomes easier. Meta-analyses show that ERP is highly effective and often superior to other psychological approaches for OCD.(PMC)
What To Expect From ERP
- Initial sessions (assessment and planning)
The first few sessions focus on understanding your symptoms, themes and triggers. Together we build a personalised exposure hierarchy and explain how ERP works, drawing on guidance from the International OCD Foundation and established CBT-ERP protocols.(International OCD Foundation) - Challenging at first
ERP can feel uncomfortable, and anxiety often rises early on. This is to be expected. With gentle repetition, most people gradually notice anxiety peaks faster and drops more quickly. - Therapist guidance and support
ERP is best delivered with an experienced qualified therapist who can pace the work, keep it safe and help you stay on track between sessions.(PMC) - Duration
A typical course of focused ERP is often around 12 to 20 sessions, sometimes involving longer or more frequent sessions at the start.(PMC)
In Ireland, national and international guidelines recommend CBT including ERP, with or without medication such as SSRIs, depending on severity and preference.(NICE)
3. How We Combine ERP With Clinical Hypnotherapy, RTT, Counselling & Nutrition
In practice, many clients in Limerick, Cork, Dublin, Dungarvan, Waterford and ONLINE benefit from an integrated approach that blends ERP with other evidence-based methods.
ERP-informed CBT
We use ERP principles as the backbone: clear hierarchies, planned exposures, response prevention and behavioural experiments.
Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy for OCD and anxiety
Hypnotherapy is used to:
- Reduce baseline anxiety and hyperarousal so ERP is more tolerable
- Strengthen your sense of inner safety and self-trust
- Rehearse ERP exercises in a focused, calm mental state
- Gently challenge beliefs such as “I cannot cope” or “I must be certain”
Emerging evidence suggests hypnosis can enhance anxiety treatments and support cognitive-behavioural work in OCD when used appropriately.(PMC)
Advanced RTT (Rapid Transformational Therapy)
RTT combines hypnotherapy, targeted language and cognitive techniques. It aims to identify and shift root beliefs and emotional imprints that keep OCD fuelled, such as deep fear of making mistakes or being a bad person. Many clients find that using RTT at key points speeds up their ability to engage with ERP and reduces shame.
Counselling and Psychotherapy
These sessions focus on:
- Understanding your own story, relevant traumas, and your stress load
- Exploring trauma, attachment patterns or high-pressure environments
- Working with relationships, parenting, work and identity issues and stories
- Supporting the change you want in addictions, comfort eating, confidence issues or self-criticism areas
Registered Nutritionist support for gut, digestion, mental health, inflammation, autoimmune symptoms, hormones and brain health
Nutrition and functional medicine principles are used to support:
- Blood sugar stability
- Gut issues such as IBS, reflux, SIBO, bloating
- Inflammatory patterns and autoimmune conditions
- Hormone balance (thyroid, PMS, perimenopause, menopause)
All of this happens in one joined-up service so you do not have to keep retelling your story to multiple providers.
4. Why Your Brain And Body Feel Stuck In The OCD Loop
Modern neuroimaging shows that OCD involves changes in fronto-striatal and cortico-basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical circuits. These networks link frontal areas that manage planning and error checking with deeper structures that drive habits, reward and emotional responses.(PubMed)
Put simply:
- The “error detection” systems are overly active
- Habit circuits are too easily recruited for compulsions
- Large-scale networks that handle flexible thinking and control can become less efficient as a result
These changes help explain why:
- Doubt lingers even when you know logically that things are safe
- Compulsions feel automatic
- Stress, lack of sleep, hormonal shifts or infections can flare symptoms
The very encouraging part is that CBT with ERP has been shown to alter brain connectivity, suggesting that therapy can literally remodel how these circuits fire.(PMC)
5. Nutrition, Digestive & Gut Health And OCD: Supporting The Whole System
Many people attending OCD therapy in Limerick, Cork, Dublin, Dungarvan and ONLINE also live with:
- IBS, reflux, diverticulitis, stomach or bowel upset, constipation or diarrhoea
- Bloating, wind, flatulence, cramps and/or food sensitivities
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Skin issues (acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea , chronic inflammatory skin conditions, and facial skin issues
- Fatigue, brain fog and chronic pain
- Autoimmune conditions, chronic inflammation, inflammatory conditions, symptoms and inflammatory diseases
As a Registered Nutritionist, I look at:
- Daily intake of stabilising foods such as protein, healthy fats and fibre
- Caffeine, sugar and alcohol patterns that spike anxiety or disrupt sleep
- Intake of brain-related nutrients such as omega-3 fats, B vitamins, iron, folate, magnesium, zinc and vitamin D
- Gut microbiome support where appropriate, as gut bacteria influence mood and behaviour through the gut-brain axis(PMC)
Nutrition does not replace ERP or therapy but it can make the nervous system less reactive, which helps you get the most out of your OCD work.
6. Case Vignettes From OCD & ERP-Based Therapy In Ireland
Details are changed to protect confidentiality, but the themes are typical.
“Aoife”, 29, Dublin – harm intrusive thoughts and checking
Aoife attended ONLINE from Dublin with frightening images of harming her partner and repeated checking of both locks and knives. We combined psychoeducation about OCD, a graded ERP hierarchy, Clinical Hypnotherapy for anxiety, burnout and targeted RTT on deep guilt and self-doubt. Over several months she moved from checking for more than an hour to a brief planned check, reported sleeping through the night and felt able to spend time alone without the old panic, and now feeling peaceful, more relaxed and feeling good.
“Mark”, 36, Cork, Midleton – contamination fears, alcohol and IBS
Mark from Midleton and living in Cork city washed his hands until they bled and was drinking heavily each night to cope. ERP exercises focused on graded contamination exposures without washing, supported by Clinical Hypnotherapy and regular Counselling. Nutrition work targeted IBS and alcohol-related gut irritation. He gradually reduced washing rituals, cut down alcohol, reported less bloating and returned to hobbies he had avoided for years, and reported feeling happy and well.
“Niamh”, 43, Adare, Limerick – intrusive moral obsessions, perimenopause and gut issues
Niamh from County Limerick presented with intense fears of being a “bad person”, intrusive moral thoughts, IBS and perimenopausal symptoms. A mix of ERP for mental rituals, Psychotherapy, Medical Hypnotherapy and other Hypnosis methods for stress and Nutritionist support for hormones and gut function led to fewer flare-ups, a happier and steadier mood, along with a more compassionate good relationship with herself.
Results vary, but our clients describe feeling more present, happier, less controlled by rituals and more hopeful, peaceful and optimistic about their future.
7. Frequently Asked Questions About ERP & OCD Therapy In Ireland
1. Is ERP really the first-line treatment for OCD?
Yes. Major guidelines and reviews consistently describe CBT with ERP as the first-line psychological therapy for OCD, often alongside or before medication, depending on severity and preference.(International OCD Foundation)
2. Is ERP available with you in Limerick, Cork, Dublin, Dungarven and ONLINE?
Yes. ERP-based OCD therapy is available one to one, in-person in Adare, Newcastle West, Limerick, Abbeyfeale, Charleville, Kanturk, Midleton, Youghal, Cork, Dublin, Dungarvan Waterford, and also ONLINE across Ireland, UK, UAE, Australia and world wide.
3. Does ERP mean I must stop all compulsions immediately?
No. We build a graded hierarchy and start with milder triggers. You practise delaying and reducing compulsions in a planned way, at a pace that respects your nervous system.
4. How do Clinical Hypnotherapy and RTT fit with ERP?
They are used to reduce baseline anxiety, shift limiting beliefs, strengthen motivation and help you tolerate uncertainty, so that you can stick with your ERP plan more successfully.
5. Can OCD therapy help if I also have ADHD, trauma, addictions or eating difficulties?
Yes. Many clients have OCD plus ADHD, PTSD or Complex PTSD, sugar or alcohol dependence, binge eating, weight changes, IBS or hormonal issues. Treatment is tailored so we address these together rather than separately.
6. How long does ERP usually take?
Research and clinical guidelines commonly suggest a structured course of around 12 to 20 sessions of CBT with ERP, although this can be shorter or longer depending on your needs.(PMC)
7. Is ERP safe? Will it overwhelm me?
ERP is designed to be challenging but safe and collaborative. We move step by step, adjust the pace as needed and give you tools to manage anxiety while you practise new responses.
Book A Consultation With Claire Russell
You do not have to fight OCD, intrusive thoughts or compulsions alone. With the right blend of ERP, Clinical Hypnotherapy, Clincial Medical Hypnotherapy incorporating Hypnosis with RTT, Counselling, Psychotherapy and Nutrition, your brain can learn new patterns and life can become more spacious and steady again.
Contact:
Claire Russell MSc. BSc. DipNT. Cl.Hyp. MNTOI. MICIP GHR
Registered Nutritionist, Psychotherapist, Counsellor, Clinical Medical Hypnotherapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, RTT and Advanced RTT Practitioner.
Book your OCD Therapy, ERP, Clinical Hypnotherapy, RTT, Psychotherapy or Counselling session now.
Appointments available in:
Adare, Newcastle West, Limerick, Abbeyfeale, Charleville, Kanturk, Midleton, Youghal, Cork, Dublin, Dungarvan, Waterford
and ONLINE from anywhere in Ireland.
Book a Consultation Now
Ready to start ERP-based OCD Therapy with Claire Russell?
• ERP-focused OCD Therapy – Limerick, Cork, Dublin, Dungarvan & ONLINE
• Clinical Hypnotherapy, Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy, Medical Hypnosis, Advanced Rapid Transformational Therapy and RTT for intrusive thoughts and compulsions
• Counselling, Psychotherapy & Registered Nutritionist support for OCD, ERP, overthinking, ruminating, overwhelm, stress, PTSD, Complex PTSD, Trauma, Anxiety, gut health, hormones and AddictionsCall or text 087 616 6638 to arrange a confidential call and schedule your first session.
Start reducing intrusive thoughts. Soften the compulsions. Begin to feel like yourself again, feeling well, wherever you are in Ireland.
References
- International OCD Foundation. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD. https://iocdf.org/ocd-treatment-guide/erp/ (International OCD Foundation)
- International OCD Foundation. OCD Treatment Guide: Best Evidence-Based Therapies. https://iocdf.org/ocd-treatment-guide/ (International OCD Foundation)
- Efficacy of cognitive-behavioural therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychiatry Research. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9063577/ (PMC)
- Ferrando C et al. Effectiveness of ERP for OCD: systematic review and meta-analysis. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2211364921000646 (ScienceDirect)
- Law C et al. Exposure and response prevention in the treatment of OCD. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6935308/ (PMC)
- NICE guideline CG31: Obsessive-compulsive disorder. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg31 (NICE)
- OCD-UK. NICE guidelines for the treatment of OCD. https://www.ocduk.org/overcoming-ocd/nice-guidelines-for-the-treatment-of-ocd/ (ocduk.org)
- NHS. Treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/treatment/ (nhs.uk)
- American Psychiatric Association. What is obsessive-compulsive disorder. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/what-is-obsessive-compulsive-disorder (Psychiatry)
- APA practice guideline summary for treatment of OCD. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2008/0701/p131.html (AAFP)
- van Noppen B. Cognitive-behavioural therapy for OCD: clinical review. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9063577/ (PMC)
- IOCDF. ERP overview and examples. https://iocdf.org/about-ocd/treatment/erp/ (International OCD Foundation)
- Psychology Today. Exposure and Response Prevention. https://www.psychologytoday.com/ie/therapy-types/exposure-and-response-prevention (Psychology Today)
- Healthline. What to know about ERP therapy for OCD. https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/erp-therapy (Healthline)
- Psychology Tools. ERP therapist guide for OCD. https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposure-and-response-ritual-prevention-for-obsessive-compulsive-disorder-therapist-guide (Psychology Tools)
- OCDrive Ireland. CBT and ERP overview. https://ocdireland.org/cognitive-behavioural-therapy/ (OCD Ireland)
- Bijanki KR et al. Defining functional brain networks underlying OCD. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33906936/ (PubMed)
- Rotge JY et al. Meta-analysis of brain volume changes in OCD. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18718575/ (PubMed)
- Xu Y et al. Brain network abnormalities in OCD. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/4/488 (MDPI)
- Frontostriatal circuit overview. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frontostriatal_circuit (Wikipedia)
- Cortico-basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical loop and OCD. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cortico-basal_ganglia-thalamo-cortical_loop (Wikipedia)
- St Patrick’s Mental Health Services. Diagnosis and management of OCD in primary care. https://www.stpatricks.ie/st-patricks-mental-health-services-enewsletter/march-2019/diagnosis-and-management-of-obsessive-compulsive-disorder-in-primary-care (stpatricks.ie)
- ERP primer for OCD. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/ie/blog/insight-therapy/201901/erp-ocd-brief-primer (Psychology Today)
- ERP therapy techniques and fear hierarchies. https://www.therapyden.com/specialties/exposure-and-response-prevention-erp (TherapyDen)
- ScienceWorks Health. What is ERP therapy. https://www.scienceworkshealth.com/post/what-is-erp-therapy-a-gentle-introduction-to-exposure-response-prevention-for-ocd (ScienceWorksHealth)
Contact Claire Russell MSc. BSc. DipNT., Cl. Med Hyp., MNTOI MICIP GHR
