Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Therapy

Individual and Group Counselling in BC

Are you struggling with intrusive thoughts or repetitive behaviours that interfere with daily life? You’re not alone—and there is help.

At Island Clinical Counselling, several of our Registered Clinical Counsellors specialize in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) treatment, offering in-person OCD therapy in Nanaimo, Parksville, Duncan, and Port Alberni, as well as virtual counselling across British Columbia.

Understanding OCD and the OCD Cycle

OCD is more than just being “neat” or “a little anxious.” It often involves:

• Obsessions – Intrusive, unwanted, and distressing thoughts, images, or urges
• Distress – Often felt as shame, guilt, fear, anxiety, or disgust
• Compulsions – Repetitive thoughts or actions done to relieve the distress

This cycle can feel never-ending, with temporary relief reinforcing the need for future compulsions. Some individuals also experience pure-O (obsessions without visible compulsions), which can be just as debilitating.

Types of OCD We Treat

Our therapists are trained in working with a wide range of OCD subtypes, including:

• Checking OCD
• Contamination OCD
• Symmetry and Order OCD
• Harm OCD
• Relationship OCD
• Sexual Orientation & Gender OCD
• Responsibility OCD
• Perfectionism
• Magical Thinking OCD
• Spiritual/Religious OCD (Scrupulosity)
• Derealization / Depersonalization
• Pure-O (Obsessions without visible compulsions)

Evidence-Based OCD Treatment Approaches

We use proven, gold-standard treatments for OCD, including:

• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP Therapy): The cornerstone of OCD treatment, ERP helps clients gradually confront feared situations while learning to resist compulsions.
• Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy:
  • Discover a cutting-edge, effective approach to managing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder with our Virtual Reality Therapy (VRT). Using immersive virtual environments, we provide a safe, controlled setting for exposure therapy, helping individuals confront and reduce their obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.

    Our VRT program is tailored to your unique triggers, enabling gradual exposure to situations that cause anxiety—whether it’s cleanliness, symmetry, or intrusive thoughts—under the guidance of experienced mental health professionals. This innovative method enhances engagement, allows for repeated practice, and minimizes real-world risks, making recovery more accessible and comfortable.

    Experience the benefits of technology-driven therapy that combines proven techniques with modern solutions. Contact us today to learn how virtual reality therapy can be a transformative part of your journey to better mental health.  Contact Sondra to learn more!

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT): Helps identify and reframe unhelpful thoughts that fuel compulsions.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT for OCD): Builds resilience and mindfulness to reduce OCD’s power over your daily life.
• Inference-Based CBT (ICBT): Targets OCD rooted in imagined possibilities rather than real evidence.
• Family Work: Involves families in treatment to reduce reassurance-seeking behaviours and family accommodation, which can unintentionally worsen symptoms.  
• SPACE: SPACE stands for Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions and is a parent-based treatment program for children and adolescents with anxiety, OCD, and related problems. SPACE aims to treat children and adolescents with anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Although children do not have to attend SPACE sessions – they are the patients! When SPACE treatment is successful children feel less anxious and function better following treatment. Check our our blog post about this treatment.

Individual & Group OCD Counselling Options

We provide both individual and group OCD therapy for:

• Children and youth (including virtual youth OCD groups)
• Adults (including virtual adult OCD support groups)
• Parents (using the SPACE program)

Many clients come to us after working with therapists who lacked specialized training in OCD—and we hear often how much of a difference expert treatment makes. We ensure that each member of our team offering OCD therapy has advanced clinical training and ongoing supervision in this area.

OCD Therapy Locations

In-person OCD treatment is available at our clinics in:

• Nanaimo (Downtown & North locations)
• Parksville/Qualicum
• Comox
• Port Alberni
• Duncan
• Campbell River
• We also offer virtual OCD therapy for anyone living in British Columbia.

You Are Not Alone—There Is Hope

Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one, our compassionate, experienced OCD counsellors are here to help you break free from the cycle. With the right support, OCD is highly treatable.  Check out our video below about a real life example of a young adult with OCD.

Have questions or need help choosing a counsellor? Call 778-762-3750 ext. 1, text us at (778) 484-0597, or fill out our matching form to get started.