Ivanhoe Clinic · Child and Adolescent OCD
OCD Treatment for Children and Adolescents in Ivanhoe
Obsessive-compulsive disorder can be distressing and time-consuming for a young person and their family. Unwanted thoughts, images or urges may cause intense anxiety, while repeated behaviours or mental rituals can feel necessary to prevent harm or reduce discomfort.
Melbourne Children’s Psychology Clinic provides psychological therapy for children and teenagers experiencing OCD through our Ivanhoe clinic. Support is adapted to the young person’s developmental stage and includes parents or carers where appropriate.
You do not need a GP referral to enquire. Medicare rebates may apply with a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP.
Ivanhoe Clinic · Child and Adolescent OCD
OCD Treatment for Children and Adolescents in Ivanhoe
Obsessive-compulsive disorder can be distressing and time-consuming for a young person and their family. Unwanted thoughts, images or urges may cause intense anxiety, while repeated behaviours or mental rituals can feel necessary to prevent harm or reduce discomfort.
Melbourne Children’s Psychology Clinic provides psychological therapy for children and teenagers experiencing OCD through our Ivanhoe clinic. Support is adapted to the young person’s developmental stage and includes parents or carers where appropriate.
You do not need a GP referral to enquire. Medicare rebates may apply with a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP.
Ivanhoe Clinic · Child and Adolescent OCD
OCD Treatment for Children and Adolescents in Ivanhoe
Obsessive-compulsive disorder can be distressing and time-consuming for a young person and their family. Unwanted thoughts, images or urges may cause intense anxiety, while repeated behaviours or mental rituals can feel necessary to prevent harm or reduce discomfort.
Melbourne Children’s Psychology Clinic provides psychological therapy for children and teenagers experiencing OCD through our Ivanhoe clinic. Support is adapted to the young person’s developmental stage and includes parents or carers where appropriate.
You do not need a GP referral to enquire. Medicare rebates may apply with a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP.
Obsessions, Compulsions and Short-Term Relief
Obsessions, Compulsions and Short-Term Relief
Obsessions are intrusive and unwanted thoughts, images or urges that cause distress. Compulsions are repeated actions or mental rituals a person feels driven to perform. Compulsions can bring short-term relief or a sense of certainty, but this relief can reinforce the cycle and make OCD more disruptive over time.
OCD is not simply a preference for order, cleanliness or routine. Themes and compulsions vary widely, and some rituals happen internally where other people cannot see them. Young people may also feel embarrassed, frightened or unsure how to explain what is happening.
Intrusive thoughts alone do not establish an OCD diagnosis. A qualified health professional should assess the pattern, its impact and whether another explanation or co-occurring concern needs consideration.
Obsessions are intrusive and unwanted thoughts, images or urges that cause distress. Compulsions are repeated actions or mental rituals a person feels driven to perform. Compulsions can bring short-term relief or a sense of certainty, but this relief can reinforce the cycle and make OCD more disruptive over time.
OCD is not simply a preference for order, cleanliness or routine. Themes and compulsions vary widely, and some rituals happen internally where other people cannot see them. Young people may also feel embarrassed, frightened or unsure how to explain what is happening.
Intrusive thoughts alone do not establish an OCD diagnosis. A qualified health professional should assess the pattern, its impact and whether another explanation or co-occurring concern needs consideration.
Understanding OCD
When OCD interferes
When OCD Interferes With Daily Life
When OCD Interferes With Daily Life
Families may seek help when obsessions or compulsions take up significant time, cause distress, or interfere with school, sleep, relationships, independence or family routines.
repeated checking, washing, arranging or repeating;
seeking reassurance or asking the same question many times;
avoiding people, places, objects or activities connected with feared outcomes;
repeating words, counting, reviewing or neutralising thoughts internally;
becoming distressed when a ritual cannot be completed; or
family routines increasingly changing to help the young person avoid distress.
The form and meaning of these experiences differ between people. Assessment should focus on the individual rather than assuming that one visible behaviour has one cause.
Families may seek help when obsessions or compulsions take up significant time, cause distress, or interfere with school, sleep, relationships, independence or family routines.
repeated checking, washing, arranging or repeating;
seeking reassurance or asking the same question many times;
avoiding people, places, objects or activities connected with feared outcomes;
repeating words, counting, reviewing or neutralising thoughts internally;
becoming distressed when a ritual cannot be completed; or
family routines increasingly changing to help the young person avoid distress.
The form and meaning of these experiences differ between people. Assessment should focus on the individual rather than assuming that one visible behaviour has one cause.
Evidence-Based Psychological Therapy for OCD
Evidence-Based Psychological Therapy for OCD
Cognitive behaviour therapy that includes Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is an established psychological treatment for OCD. ERP involves working collaboratively and gradually with situations, thoughts or triggers that bring anxiety, while reducing the compulsions used to gain short-term relief.
This work should be planned and paced with a qualified clinician. It is not about forcing a young person into their most difficult fear or removing support without preparation. Treatment considers age, understanding, consent, communication style, distress, safety and the young person’s broader circumstances.
At MCPC, the psychologist first develops an understanding of the young person’s OCD experiences, the effect on daily life and the ways family members may have become involved in the cycle. Goals and treatment steps are then discussed with the young person and family.
Cognitive behaviour therapy that includes Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is an established psychological treatment for OCD. ERP involves working collaboratively and gradually with situations, thoughts or triggers that bring anxiety, while reducing the compulsions used to gain short-term relief.
This work should be planned and paced with a qualified clinician. It is not about forcing a young person into their most difficult fear or removing support without preparation. Treatment considers age, understanding, consent, communication style, distress, safety and the young person’s broader circumstances.
At MCPC, the psychologist first develops an understanding of the young person’s OCD experiences, the effect on daily life and the ways family members may have become involved in the cycle. Goals and treatment steps are then discussed with the young person and family.
Treatment approach
Parents and carers
Helping Families Respond to OCD
Helping Families Respond to OCD
Families often become involved in OCD because they are trying to reduce a young person’s distress. They might provide repeated reassurance, participate in rituals, change routines or help the young person avoid feared situations. These responses are understandable and can offer immediate relief, while also making it harder to change the OCD cycle.
Parent or carer involvement can include learning how OCD works, agreeing on consistent and compassionate responses, and supporting treatment practice outside sessions. Changes should be planned with the treating psychologist rather than introduced abruptly.
Families often become involved in OCD because they are trying to reduce a young person’s distress. They might provide repeated reassurance, participate in rituals, change routines or help the young person avoid feared situations. These responses are understandable and can offer immediate relief, while also making it harder to change the OCD cycle.
Parent or carer involvement can include learning how OCD works, agreeing on consistent and compassionate responses, and supporting treatment practice outside sessions. Changes should be planned with the treating psychologist rather than introduced abruptly.
Enquiring About OCD Treatment at MCPC
Enquiring About OCD Treatment at MCPC
Initial enquiry
Contact Ivanhoe reception with the young person’s age, whether OCD has been diagnosed, the experiences causing concern, and how they are affecting daily life. A prior diagnosis is not necessarily required to make an enquiry.
Assessment and suitability
The psychologist needs to understand the pattern of obsessions, compulsions, avoidance, family involvement and any other concerns. MCPC will consider whether its service is appropriate and whether another professional or service should be involved.
Individual treatment planning
If treatment proceeds, the psychologist discusses goals, therapeutic approach, family involvement and how progress will be reviewed. Treatment is individual and no outcome or timeframe can be guaranteed.
You can also read about Child Counselling, Teen Counselling, or our Ivanhoe Clinic.
Urgent Mental Health Support
MCPC’s reception service and online enquiry form are not crisis services. If a young person is in immediate danger or at immediate risk of harm, call Triple Zero (000) or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Lifeline provides 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14. Kids Helpline provides counselling for young people aged 5–25 on 1800 55 1800.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OCD the same as being very tidy or particular?
No. OCD involves intrusive, unwanted experiences and compulsions that are distressing or interfere with life. Preferences for organisation or routine alone do not establish OCD.
Is OCD the same as being very tidy or particular?
No. OCD involves intrusive, unwanted experiences and compulsions that are distressing or interfere with life. Preferences for organisation or routine alone do not establish OCD.
Does my child need an OCD diagnosis before we enquire?
Not necessarily. Provide information about the concerns and any existing assessment or diagnosis. MCPC can explain its enquiry and suitability process but cannot diagnose from an online form.
Does my child need an OCD diagnosis before we enquire?
Not necessarily. Provide information about the concerns and any existing assessment or diagnosis. MCPC can explain its enquiry and suitability process but cannot diagnose from an online form.
Are parents involved in treatment?
Parents and carers are often involved when a child or teenager is receiving OCD treatment. The type of involvement depends on age, needs, consent, privacy, safety and the treatment plan.
Are parents involved in treatment?
Parents and carers are often involved when a child or teenager is receiving OCD treatment. The type of involvement depends on age, needs, consent, privacy, safety and the treatment plan.
What is ERP?
Exposure and Response Prevention is a form of cognitive behaviour therapy used for OCD. It involves planned, gradual practice with triggers while reducing compulsive responses. It should be delivered by an appropriately trained professional and tailored to the individual.
What is ERP?
Exposure and Response Prevention is a form of cognitive behaviour therapy used for OCD. It involves planned, gradual practice with triggers while reducing compulsive responses. It should be delivered by an appropriately trained professional and tailored to the individual.
Is treatment available at Hampton?
This page describes the Ivanhoe service. Contact MCPC to ask about current clinician and location options; do not assume availability at another clinic from this page.
Is treatment available at Hampton?
This page describes the Ivanhoe service. Contact MCPC to ask about current clinician and location options; do not assume availability at another clinic from this page.