Support for Self-Harm & OCD
Discover compassionate therapy and counselling focused on self-harm, OCD, and intrusive thoughts to support your mental health journey.
Specialized Self-Harm Therapy
Our tailored therapy helps you understand and reduce self-harming behaviors, fostering healthier coping strategies and emotional resilience.
Managing Intrusive Thoughts
Learn techniques that transform distressing intrusive thoughts into manageable experiences, promoting peace of mind and control.
Effective OCD Treatment
Benefit from evidence-based counseling that targets OCD symptoms, helping you regain confidence and improve daily functioning.
Accessible Therapy Options
Receive compassionate support both in Bedford and online throughout the UK, ensuring therapy fits your lifestyle and needs.
Our Approach
Discover our compassionate and structured method to support your journey towards healing and managing self-harm and OCD.
Initial Consultation
We begin by understanding your unique experiences to tailor effective therapeutic interventions.
Personalized Therapy
Engage in customized sessions designed to empower you with coping strategies and emotional resilience.
Ongoing Support
Receive continuous guidance and care to maintain progress and manage challenges confidently.
Support for Self‑Harm, OCD & Intrusive Thoughts in Bedford & Online Across the UK
Specialist, Compassionate Support When Your Thoughts or Emotions Feel Overwhelming
Self‑harm urges, obsessive–compulsive patterns, and intrusive thoughts can feel frightening, isolating, and deeply misunderstood. Many people hide these experiences for years, believing they are “too much”, “too dangerous”, or “too broken” to be helped. The truth is: these symptoms are far more common than most people realise — and they are treatable with the right support.
If you’re struggling with overwhelming thoughts or coping behaviours, you don’t have to face them alone.
What Are Self‑Harm, OCD & Intrusive Thoughts?
Self‑Harm
Self‑harm is any behaviour used to cope with intense emotional pain, numbness, or distress. It is not a sign of weakness or attention‑seeking — it is a survival strategy. People may use self‑harm to:
- Release overwhelming emotions
- Feel something when numb
- Regain a sense of control
- Express pain that feels impossible to speak
- Cope with trauma, shame, or self‑criticism
Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD involves intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental rituals (compulsions) used to reduce anxiety or prevent imagined harm. Common themes include:
- Fear of harming others
- Contamination worries
- Relationship doubts
- Religious or moral fears
- Perfectionism or “not‑just‑right” feelings
Intrusive Thoughts
Intrusive thoughts are sudden, unwanted mental images or impulses that feel disturbing or out of character. They can be:
- Violent
- Sexual
- Blasphemous
- Self‑critical
- Catastrophic
- “What if I lose control?” thoughts
Having intrusive thoughts does not mean you want to act on them. They are a symptom of anxiety, trauma, or OCD — not a reflection of who you are.
How These Experiences May Look Day‑to‑Day
People often describe:
- Feeling ashamed or frightened of their own mind
- Hiding thoughts or behaviours from loved ones
- Feeling constantly “on edge”
- Getting stuck in mental loops
- Using self‑harm to cope with emotional overload
- Avoiding situations that trigger intrusive thoughts
- Feeling guilty for not being able to “just stop”
- Struggling with sleep, concentration, or relationships
These experiences can be incredibly isolating — but they are treatable.
How I Work With Self‑Harm, OCD & Intrusive Thoughts
My approach is integrative, trauma‑informed, and deeply compassionate. I work at your pace, without judgement, pressure, or assumptions.
1. Creating Emotional Safety
Before anything else, we build a space where you feel safe enough to talk openly. Many clients arrive feeling ashamed or terrified of being judged. My role is to meet you with warmth, steadiness, and respect.
2. Understanding the Function of Your Thoughts or Behaviours
Instead of asking “Why are you doing this?”, we explore:
- What purpose does this serve?
- What pain is it helping you manage?
- What emotions feel too big or too unsafe to hold alone?
This shifts the focus from blame to understanding.
3. Reducing Shame and Fear
Shame is often the biggest barrier to healing. Together, we gently challenge the belief that your thoughts or behaviours make you “bad”, “dangerous”, or “broken”.
4. Building Emotional Regulation & Coping Skills
I draw from:
- Trauma‑informed therapy
- Mindfulness‑based approaches
- Parts work
- Compassion‑focused therapy
- Somatic awareness
- DBT informed skills
We work on grounding, emotional regulation, and alternative coping strategies that feel realistic and achievable.
5. Supporting Long‑Term Change
As you feel safer and more regulated, we explore the deeper roots — trauma, unmet needs, attachment wounds, or long‑held beliefs about yourself.
Healing is not about “getting rid” of thoughts or urges. It’s about transforming your relationship with them so they no longer control your life.
Who This Support Is For
This service is for you if:
- You feel overwhelmed by intrusive thoughts
- You use self‑harm to cope with emotional pain
- You experience obsessive fears or compulsive behaviours
- You feel ashamed, frightened, or alone with your thoughts
- You want to understand yourself without judgement
- You’re ready for a safe, steady therapeutic relationship
Frequently Asked Questions
Is therapy safe if I experience self‑harm or intrusive thoughts?
Yes. Therapy is a confidential, non‑judgemental space where you can talk openly about your thoughts and coping strategies.
Will you tell anyone if I talk about self‑harm?
Therapy is confidential. The only time confidentiality may be broken is if there is a serious and immediate risk to life. We always discuss this together — nothing is done without your knowledge.
Can intrusive thoughts mean I’m dangerous?
No. Intrusive thoughts are a symptom of anxiety or OCD, not a reflection of your intentions or character.
Do I need a diagnosis to work with you?
Not at all. Many clients come without a formal diagnosis. We work with your lived experience, not labels.
How long does therapy take?
Everyone’s journey is different. Some people feel relief within a few sessions; others choose longer‑term work to explore deeper patterns.
Do you offer online sessions?
Yes. I work with clients across the UK via secure online sessions, as well as in‑person in Bedford.
Begin Your Healing Journey
If you’re living with self‑harm, OCD, or intrusive thoughts, you don’t have to face it alone. With the right support, it is absolutely possible to feel safer, calmer, and more in control of your life.