Emotional health
Hypnotherapy for OCD
Hypnotherapy helps you turn down the anxiety that drives intrusive thoughts and rituals, so they lose their grip on your day.
How hypnotherapy helps with OCD
OCD traps people in a loop. An unwanted thought or image arrives, it brings a surge of anxiety, and a ritual such as checking, cleaning, counting or seeking reassurance brings brief relief. That relief teaches the mind to repeat the ritual next time, and the loop tightens.
Research is starting to show what hypnotherapy can offer here. In a 2026 randomised trial of 99 people with OCD, twelve online sessions of Ericksonian hypnotherapy produced large reductions in symptoms compared with a waiting list, as did CBT (Çınaroğlu et al., 2026). It is one trial, so it needs repeating, but it is encouraging, and Ericksonian hypnotherapy is the approach Tim trained in.
UK clinical guidelines (NICE) recommend CBT, including exposure and response prevention (ERP), for OCD. Hypnotherapy works well alongside it. Clients often tell Tim that feeling calmer made it easier to resist a compulsion and stick with their exposure work.
What we work on
- Lowering the baseline anxiety and stress that feed the loop
- A calmer response to intrusive thoughts, so they feel less urgent
- Building tolerance for uncertainty and the urge to check
- Rehearsing, under hypnosis, the moment you choose not to perform a ritual
- Related repetitive habits such as skin picking or hair pulling
- Sleep, self-criticism and the exhaustion OCD can bring
How sessions work
You start with a free 15–30 minute consultation by phone or video. Sessions are in person at 9 Coldbath Square, Farringdon, or online, the same format used in the 2026 trial. Each session is tailored to you, combining Ericksonian hypnotherapy and NLP, and Tim teaches you self-hypnosis to use when the urge to check or repeat builds.
Why Tim
Tim Dunton has over 20 years' experience, has trained since 2004 and is a member of the General Hypnotherapy Register. He is an Advanced and Ericksonian Hypnotherapist and a Master Practitioner of NLP trained by Richard Bandler and John Grinder. His clients include celebrities, film producers, sportspeople and business leaders.
Can I have hypnotherapy alongside CBT?
Yes. It fits well with CBT and ERP. Let your therapist or GP know, so your care works together.
Will I have to describe my intrusive thoughts?
Only as much as you are comfortable with. Intrusive thoughts are a common part of OCD, and Tim will not judge you for them.
Should I stop my medication?
No. Keep taking any prescribed medication and only change it with your doctor's advice.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Typical course | Usually around five sessions (7 hours) |
| Session length | 1 hour |
| Format | In person in Farringdon, central London, or online |
| First step | Free 15–30 minute consultation |
| Fee | £150 an hour online, £195 in person |
See all psychological problems Tim works with.
Hypnotherapy works alongside medical care. Please see your GP about any medical condition, and keep taking prescribed medication unless your doctor advises otherwise.
The research
- Çınaroğlu M, et al. (2026). Comparing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Ericksonian Hypnotherapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial (n=99, twelve online sessions). International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis 74(1):66–92. PubMed 41557862
- NICE CG31 (2005). Obsessive-compulsive disorder and body dysmorphic disorder: treatment. nice.org.uk/guidance/cg31
Individual experiences vary.
Related treatments
- Hypnotherapy for anxiety
- Hypnotherapy for stress
- Hypnotherapy for panic attacks
- Hypnotherapy for PTSD and trauma
A free, no-obligation 15–30 minute call by phone or video. Or call 07975 653893.