For some people, hypnotherapy can be helpful for OCD - whether it’s looking to help overcome the disorder itself or to help reduce stress and anxiety associated with it. Hypnotherapy works with the unconscious mind, the part we are not aware of or are able to influence normally. Hypnotherapy works by putting you in a relaxed state so that the hypnotherapist can access this part of the mind. Once accessed, they can then influence it using suggestion techniques.

This therapy can, therefore, bring about a change in thinking patterns by working on a deeper level. The aim is to change your way of thinking to give you back control over OCD and reduce symptoms of anxiety. Some of the techniques used are similar to cognitive behavioural therapy. However, it works on an unconscious basis rather than a conscious one.