Intensive individual and group cognitive behavioural therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder

Abstract

Whilst there is good evidence to show intensive individual therapy can be effective for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), this treatment can be challenging to deliver for therapists in the National Health Service (NHS). We report on a novel means of delivering intensive cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) by combining it with group work, which allowed therapists to offer each other mutual support and permitted patients to gain the interpersonal benefits of working with others. This case study describes the combined intensive individual and group CBT programme for a 46-year-old woman with OCD. This treatment took place within a community mental health team within outer London. Following treatment, the client showed significant improvements in symptoms. This creative method for treating OCD as part of routine clinical practice may be beneficial for therapists to feel supported, for reduction in clinicians' time in treatment, and for clients to benefit from a group experience.