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Psychology Consultations 100% Online
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Break the cycle of obsessions and rituals with specialized therapy for OCD.
With the help of our online psychologists, You will receive a detailed assessment, evidence-based interventions, and ongoing support to regain peace of mind and independence.
Accredited Psychologists
Psychologists with over 4,000 hours of experience.
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Whenever You Want
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Impact of Psychology
Proven Results of Online Psychotherapy
92%
They are satisfied with online therapy and say it has been helpful in dealing with their emotional challenges.
77%
Of the teenagers who underwent online therapy for social anxiety, none of them showed symptoms at the end of treatment.
80%
Patients experience clinically significant reductions in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress after 8- to 12-week programs.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by obsessions (intrusive, unwanted, and persistent thoughts, images, or impulses), repetitive behaviors (washing, checking, tidying), or mental acts (counting, praying, repeating words) performed to reduce the anxiety caused by the obsessions.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), for a diagnosis, these symptoms must be time-consuming (≥1 hour per day) or cause clinically significant distress and functional impairment.
The international classification distinguishes common subtypes:
- Contamination and cleanup – fear of germs, dirt, chemicals.
- Verification – fear of damage (fire, burglary) leading to checking doors, stoves, and appliances.
- Order and symmetry – the need to align objects until it “feels right”.
- Unacceptable thoughts – obsessions of a sexual, religious, or aggressive nature, accompanied by mental rituals of neutralization.
- Hoarding – extreme difficulty in discarding objects, now classified separately but sharing neurocognitive characteristics with OCD.
Most Common Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Obsessions: Fear of infecting family members, involuntary violent images, persistent doubt ("Did I close the door?").
- Overt compulsions: Washing hands dozens of times, switching light switches on and off in sequence, repeatedly asking for guarantees.
- Covert compulsions: Repeat phrases mentally, pray, count to a "safe" number.
- Intense anxiety or disgust when the ritual is delayed or prevented.
- Avoid places, objects, or people. that can trigger obsessions.
Causes and Risk Factors of Social Anxiety
- Genetics – estimated heritability of % in twin studies (45–65).
- Neurobiology – hyperactivity in the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuits and altered serotonin levels.
- Learning – association between thoughts and fear (classical conditioning) reinforced by rituals (operant conditioning).
- Perfectionism and excessive responsibility – beliefs that “thinking is the same as doing” (thought-action fusion).
- Adverse life events Infections, pregnancy/postpartum, and prolonged stress can trigger or worsen symptoms.
Online Psychotherapy
Take the first step, at your own pace.
Taking care of your emotional health is an act of courage and self-care. If you feel it's time to begin this journey, we're here to support you. Book your first session and discover how therapy can make a difference in your daily life.
Your well-being starts with one step. Schedule your session.
How We Help
Professional Psychological Support
for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Decreased productivity: Time spent on rituals reduces academic or professional performance.
- Family conflict: Requests to participate in rituals, irritability when interrupted.
- Physical health problems: Contact dermatitis from excessive washing, muscle injuries from repetitive movements.
- Social isolation: Shame about the rituals or fear of judgment.
- Comorbidities: Generalized anxiety, major depression, tics, substance abuse as a way to relieve tension.
Early intervention prevents chronicity and restores quality of life.
How can we help?
Therapies with proven effectiveness
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This approach involves gradually exposing the person to the stimuli that trigger obsessions, while promoting response prevention, that is, the deliberate abstention from performing compulsive rituals. Clinical trials show that this technique can achieve remission or clinical improvement rates equal to or greater than 60 %.
Cognitive Therapy focused on OCD
It addresses dysfunctional beliefs (overestimation of threat, need for absolute certainty, perfectionism) that underpin obsessions and compulsions. It can be used alone or in combination with ERP.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
It promotes acceptance of intrusive thoughts without attempting to suppress them, reducing thought-action merging and increasing value-driven action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions? We're here to help.
No. Intrusive thoughts are common in everyone; in OCD, catastrophic interpretation generates anxiety. Therapy helps to dissociate thought from action.
Structured online EPR programs last 12–20 sessions. Severe symptoms may require longer follow-up and maintenance sessions.
Medications reduce symptoms, but EPR has more lasting results. Combining both approaches offers the highest success rate.
Many patients achieve stable full or partial remission. Even without a definitive "cure," the techniques learned allow them to control symptoms and live independently.
The psychologist will listen to your story, understand your goals, and explain how the treatment will proceed. This is a time to build trust and define the therapeutic plan.
Bibliographic References
- American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed., revised text). Washington, DC: APA; 2022.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Obsessive-compulsive disorder and body dysmorphic disorder: treatment (CG31). London: NICE; 2020.
- Abramowitz JS, Taylor S, McKay D. Obsessive-compulsive disorder. Lancet. 2009;374(9688):491-499.
- Koran LM, Hanna GL, Hollander E, Nestadt G, Simpson HB. Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Am J Psychiatry. 2007;164(7 Suppl):5-53.
- Öst LG, Havnen A, Hansen B, Kvale G. Exposures and Response Prevention for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Therapist Guide. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2015.
- Twohig MP, Abramowitz JS, Smith BM. Adding Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Exposure and Response Prevention for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Behav Res Ther. 2018;108:1-9.
- Simpson HB, Zuckoff A. Treating OCD with Exposure and Response (Ritual) Prevention Therapy. New York: Guilford Press; 2011.
- Skapinakis P, Caldwell DM, Hollingworth W, Bryden P, Fineberg NA, Salkovskis PM. Pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions for management of obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Lancet Psychiatry. 2016;3(8):730-739.
- Ferreira GM, Harrison BJ, Fontenelle LF, et al. A meta-analysis of brain imaging in obsessive-compulsive disorder: Neural correlates of symptom dimensions. Biol Psychiatry. 2021;89(7):640-649.
- Perez-Vigil A, Fernández de la Cruz L, Brander G, et al. Association of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder With Psychiatric Comorbidity, Suicide, All-Cause Mortality, and Cause-Specific Mortality. JAMA Psychiatry. 2022;79(4):365-376.
Online Psychologists Near You, Nationwide
Find accredited online psychologists and start your online psychotherapy without travel, tight schedules, or waiting lists. We work with experienced professionals in all districts of Portugal, guaranteeing national coverage and intervention based on scientific evidence.
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Online Psychotherapy
Whenever you want.
Wherever you want.
Whenever you want.
No rush and no need to travel.
Feel free to take the next step when you feel the time is right.
How We Help
Professional Psychological Support
Without Leaving Home
Are you looking for certified online psychologists available to help with complete confidentiality?
On our platform, you can book your online psychology appointment in just a few minutes and begin therapy with professionals registered with the Portuguese Order of Psychologists, with the same quality as in-person therapy, but with all the convenience of the digital world.
Total flexibility
Choose times to schedule your day early in the morning, during your lunch break, or at the end of the day.
Experienced Professionals
Psychologists with proven experience and approaches based on scientific evidence.
No travel
Have your session in the comfort of your home or wherever you feel most comfortable.
Security
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Consultation with Online Psychologists
How it Works
1
Complete the Initial Questionnaire
Tell us a little about yourself, your needs and goals. This allows us to recommend the most suitable and specialized online psychologist for the area you need most.
2
Schedule and Pay Easily
Choose the time that is most convenient for you. Scheduling and payment can be done directly online or by phone with our support team.
3
Start Your Online Therapy
On the chosen day and time, access the secure link sent to you and speak with your psychologist via video call. All in a completely confidential environment, ensuring that your online psychology consultation takes place with maximum comfort and privacy.
Take the first step towards your well-being.
Do you need clarity, self-regulation tools, or a confidential space to talk? With our accredited psychologists specializing in evidence-based therapy, you can start therapy from wherever you want, whenever you want, and as often as you want.
Blog
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Emotional distress: causes and when to seek help
Read articleEmotional distress: causes and when to seek help
Desperation: what it means and how to ask for help.
Read articleDesperation: what it means and how to ask for help.Important Notice
Online psychology consultations aim to support psychological well-being and are not a substitute for medical, psychiatric, or emergency services.
In case of a psychological crisis or emergency, contact 112 immediately or go to the nearest emergency service.
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