OCD Therapist Recommendations.

[Timber23]

Hello,
My son has recently developed OCD. Mostly just intrusive thoughts, but some signs of compulsions forming too. He is at a very low ebb indeed as he is utterly consumed by the thoughts and finding it very hard to bat them away.
I am therefore looking for a really effective OCD therapist who can work with a teen boy. We live in South West London but are happy to travel to wider London ir neighbouring counties should we need to.
Also any recommendations, particularly books that might help him?
Also any views on use of anti-anxiety medication, specifically Sertralin.
Thank you. x

You need someone who is an accredited member of BABCP - their website has a list. The NHS may also have an OCD service if you're lucky (but I'm not sure if that applies to children).
You have my every sympathy. My adult daughter has OCD. She was diagnosed when she was a teen and was treated by a clinical psychologist at the Children's Centre where she was already being treated for something else. This worked for many years but CV-19 has set things off again. She's now seeing a private therapist - the cost is horrific but will hopefully be worth it.
I don't know about any books but I found the Katie D'Ath videos on YouTube useful to help me understand what she is going through

Just a thought- most people are still doing appointments via zoom, so you don't necessarily need someone local.

Good luck

How old is your son? I’ve found the Dawn Heubner books on amazon really helpful. One is called ‘what to do when your brain gets stuck’ and there’s another one for older children but I can’t remember what it’s called.

Thank you for all your help. I will take all advice on clips and books.
Our son is 15. He has seen a psychayrist who has prescribed Sertraline but keen to find some help from an experienced and effective therapist to run alongside. Any recommendations gratefully recieved.

I have had OCD since I was a teenager. Seen multiple therapists and learned that OCD can never be cured but can be changed so the obsession is not overwhelming. For example I went through phases of scrubbing my hands until they bled. A period of obsessive locked door checking etc. My obsession now is a cleaning routine which is not obsessive cleanliness but doing things in a particular order but is much less obtrusive to my family and me. And I am much happier for it.

Did this happen quite suddenly and does he have any other new symptoms such as deterioration in handwriting, increase in urinary frequency, sleep problems, food restriction or change in appetite.

Yes it was sudden onset @Gemma2019, so have been exploring PANS and PANDAS too as it started with Glandular Fever. Awaiting test results.
Thank you for being on it though! x

Oh that's good. In the meantime see if maximum dose of ibuprofen round the clock for 5 days helps his symptoms as it will reduce inflammation. I wouldn't even think about an OCD therapist until you have ruled out a medical reason, as it's not something he can control.

Lots of information here:

www.e-hospital.co.uk/resources/pandas/treatment-for-flares/

Inositol is also extremely good for OCD and depression, just the cheap powder from Amazon, 10g a day.

Another book I’ve found really helpful is ‘overcoming unwanted intrusive thoughts’ by Winston and Seif.

I am not sure of therapists. I think there might be a centre near you I will see if I can find it.. it was on a documentary I saw once also..
Reading materials anything by dr Steven phillipson he is the most knowledgeable person about the condition and writes about how parents can help too. Very knowledgeable guy. Unfortunately he is based in the US.