OCD Awareness Week October 12th-18th

OCD Awareness Week: Understanding, Supporting, and Offering Hope

At Melbourne Children’s Psychology Clinic (MCPC), we see many children and young people living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). For families, watching a loved one struggle with intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviours can be distressing and confusing – but there is hope.

We provide support and guidance to both young people and their families, using evidence-based interventions such as 

• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP),

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT),

• Mindfulness, and

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing)

These approaches help reduce distressing symptoms and give children and teens practical tools to regain a sense of control in their daily lives.

We understand the cycle of OCD – how intrusive thoughts create anxiety, which then fuels rituals or avoidance – and we work alongside families to externalise OCD, helping young people see the disorder as something separate from themselves. This approach reduces shame, self-blame, and isolation, while encouraging compassion and resilience. Other ways we support this include normalising experiences, encouraging open discussion about symptoms, and celebrating progress rather than perfection.

OCD can be overwhelming, but early recognition and treatment make a meaningful difference. Our aim during OCD Awareness Week is to raise understanding, reduce stigma, and continue to support children, teenagers, and young adults navigating these challenges.

If you are worried your child may be struggling with OCD, reaching out for support can be the first step toward relief and hope. At MCPC, we are here to guide families through the journey with empathy, understanding, and evidence-based care.