OCD Group Intensive Treatment Program

Yes. All intensive group programmes require an assessment before treatment begins. The assessment allows us to understand your OCD presentation, relevant symptoms, and current difficulties, and to consider whether a group intensive is clinically appropriate.

As part of the assessment, we also consider factors that are particularly relevant to group work, such as current stability, whether OCD is the primary focus of treatment, and whether the group format is likely to be supportive and manageable.

Following the assessment, recommendations are discussed with you and possible next steps are outlined.

No. A group intensive is not suitable for everyone, and it is not always the most appropriate starting point. Suitability is considered carefully as part of the assessment process, taking into account factors such as the nature of the difficulties being experienced, current stability, and whether a group format is likely to be clinically helpful.

Group intensives can be beneficial for many people, but they are not appropriate in all circumstances. In some cases, a different treatment format, pace, or type of support may be more suitable.

Where a group intensive is not recommended, this is discussed openly, and alternative options or next steps are explored, including signposting where relevant.

The OCD Treatment Centre primarily works with adults. In some circumstances, we are able to assess and work with young people aged 16 and over where this is considered clinically appropriate.

Suitability for a group intensive is assessed carefully on a case-by-case basis. This includes considering age, developmental needs, current stability, and whether the group format is likely to be safe, supportive, and appropriate.

Where a participant is under the age of 18, parental or caregiver involvement and safeguarding arrangements are discussed clearly as part of the assessment process.

A group intensive may be suitable for people who experience additional difficulties alongside OCD, such as low mood, anxiety, or trauma-related symptoms. This is considered carefully as part of the assessment process.

When assessing suitability for a group intensive, we take into account whether OCD is the primary focus of treatment at this stage, as well as factors such as current stability and whether a group setting is likely to be supportive and manageable.

In some cases, a different treatment format or additional support may be recommended either before or instead of a group intensive. Where appropriate, this is discussed openly as part of the assessment and planning process.

The group intensive is delivered over four consecutive days and provides a total of 16 hours of structured therapeutic input. The programme is designed to allow focused, consecutive work while also building in time for reflection and consolidation across the week.

The content of the group intensive is informed by evidence-based approaches for OCD, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Inference-Based CBT (ICBT). Sessions typically include a combination of psychoeducation, guided therapeutic exercises, and structured group discussion, with opportunities to reflect on how the material applies to individual experiences.

The exact structure is outlined in advance and may vary slightly depending on the clinical focus of the group and the facilitators delivering the programme.

Group intensive programmes typically run from 9:30am to 2:00pm each day, across four consecutive days. This time includes scheduled breaks and periods for reflection, alongside structured therapeutic work.

Participants are expected to attend the full programme each day, as the group work builds across the week and relies on continuity. Exact timings and practical details are confirmed in advance as part of the planning process.

Group intensives are kept to a manageable size to support engagement, safety, and meaningful participation. The exact number of participants can vary depending on the specific programme and clinical considerations.

Where possible, group size is discussed in advance as part of the assessment and planning process. However, final numbers may occasionally change closer to the start of the programme, for example where participants join at shorter notice.

Group size is planned carefully to allow everyone the opportunity to take part, while maintaining a contained and supportive group environment.

A group intensive is a collaborative and structured form of psychological treatment. Participants are expected to attend all scheduled sessions and to take an active role in the group process, in a way that is clinically appropriate and manageable.

Active participation is encouraged and usually involves speaking during sessions, engaging with therapeutic exercises, and reflecting on how the material applies to your own experiences. While participation is expected, it is not forced, and the group is facilitated with care to ensure that contributions feel supported rather than pressured.

Between sessions, there may be opportunities for reflection or brief tasks to support the work being done in the group. These are intended to help consolidate learning and deepen understanding, rather than to assess performance.

Group intensives are designed to be supportive and structured, and participants are not expected to share personal details beyond what feels manageable and clinically appropriate. The group is facilitated with care, and no one is required to disclose information they are not ready to share.

At the same time, group work does involve speaking and reflecting on your own experiences, as this supports learning and engagement with the therapeutic process. The clinician guides participation in a way that balances personal boundaries with meaningful involvement in the group.

Any expectations around sharing are explained clearly at the start of the programme and revisited as needed, with the aim of creating a respectful and contained group environment.

Confidentiality is an important part of group intensive work and is discussed clearly at the start of the programme. The same high standards of care, professionalism, and clinical governance are applied to group intensive treatment as to all of our other services.

Participants are expected to respect the privacy of others and not to share personal information discussed in the group outside of the sessions. While facilitators take care to establish clear boundaries and a respectful group environment, confidentiality in a group setting cannot be guaranteed in the same way as in individual therapy.

Confidentiality expectations and group agreements are explained in advance and revisited as needed throughout the programme to support a safe and contained therapeutic space.

It is not unusual for group-based therapeutic work to feel emotionally challenging at times, particularly when working with OCD and related difficulties. Feeling overwhelmed at certain points does not mean that the group is not working or that you are doing something wrong.

The group is facilitated by an experienced clinician who monitors how participants are responding and works to pace sessions in a way that is clinically appropriate. This may involve slowing down particular elements of the work, shifting focus, or allowing space for reflection within the group.

Concerns about feeling overwhelmed are discussed sensitively as part of the group process, with the aim of supporting engagement while maintaining appropriate structure and boundaries.

A group intensive is not a direct replacement for weekly therapy, and it is not intended to be a standalone solution for everyone. It is one possible treatment format that may be recommended where a group-based approach is considered clinically appropriate.

For some people, a group intensive can provide enough structure and understanding to continue applying therapeutic principles independently. For others, it may form part of a wider treatment plan, with further support recommended depending on individual needs and circumstances.

In all cases, expectations around next steps are discussed as part of assessment and planning, with the aim of ensuring that the group intensive is used in a way that is helpful, realistic, and appropriate.

At the end of the group intensive, time is set aside to reflect on the work completed and to consider next steps. This includes reviewing key learning from the programme and how therapeutic principles can continue to be applied after the group ends.

Where appropriate, recommendations for follow-up or ongoing support are discussed. This may include options within the service or signposting to other forms of support, depending on individual needs and circumstances.

The aim is to ensure that the group intensive ends in a structured and contained way, with clarity around what has been covered and how progress can be maintained moving forward.

Group intensives are structured programmes that build across the four days, and participants are expected to attend all scheduled sessions. This helps maintain continuity for both the individual and the group as a whole.

If you are unable to attend part of a group intensive, this is discussed on a case-by-case basis. Depending on the timing and circumstances, it may not be possible to fully replicate missed content or group processes.

Any concerns about attendance are explored as part of assessment and planning, with the aim of ensuring that participation in the group is appropriate, manageable, and clinically helpful.

Working in a group with others who have similar experiences can offer a form of therapeutic value that is different from individual work. For many people, being alongside others who understand OCD from lived experience can reduce isolation and support a sense of being understood.

Hearing how others relate to similar difficulties can also help people reflect on their own experiences in new ways, normalise patterns that often feel personal or isolating, and develop greater compassion towards themselves.

These aspects of group work are not guaranteed outcomes, but they are often an important part of how group-based treatment supports learning and engagement.