Essendon Private Clinic
OCD Treatment in Melbourne
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can involve unwanted intrusive thoughts, images or urges together with behaviours or mental rituals that feel difficult to resist.
For some people, OCD can begin to take up significant time, restrict everyday activities and affect work, study, relationships or independence.
Essendon Private Clinic provides planned, psychiatrist-led mental health care in Melbourne, with structured inpatient treatment available where clinically appropriate.
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Private mental health hospital in Essendon West, Melbourne
Psychiatrist-led care
Inpatient, day program and TMS pathways
What Can OCD Feel Like?
OCD can affect people in different ways. Someone may experience recurring thoughts, images, doubts or urges that feel unwanted and distressing. They may then feel driven to do something to reduce the distress or gain a sense of certainty.
This can include:
- Repeatedly checking something
- Washing or cleaning
- Repeating an action
- Seeking reassurance
- Avoiding situations that create significant uncertainty
- Repeatedly reviewing events or conversations
- Performing mental rituals or repeating thoughts internally.
For some people, compulsions are noticeable to others. For others, much of the experience happens internally through rumination, mental checking or repeated attempts to gain certainty.
Having an intrusive thought or occasionally checking something does not necessarily mean someone has OCD. A qualified health professional can assess the broader pattern and how it is affecting everyday life.
Not sure whether you need help?
You do not need to have all of the answers before asking about support.
OCD in Australia
OCD affects a substantial number of Australians.
3.6%
of Australians experience OCD.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics
19
is the average age of onset for OCD.
When OCD Starts Affecting Everyday Life
OCD can affect much more than thoughts or behaviours in the moment.
It may begin to interfere with work or study, relationships, sleep, self-care, routines, confidence, independence and participation in usual activities.
For some people, increasing amounts of time may be spent checking, seeking reassurance, avoiding situations or trying to reduce uncertainty.
If OCD is increasingly limiting everyday life or your current treatment no longer feels sufficient, it may be worth discussing your treatment and level of support with a mental health professional.
OCD Treatment at Essendon Private Clinic
Treatment for OCD depends on the person's individual circumstances, how significantly symptoms are affecting everyday life and treatment already received.
Inpatient Mental Health Care
Planned, psychiatrist-led care in a private hospital environment for people who may benefit from more structured mental health treatment.
Day Programs
Structured therapeutic programs that allow you to receive ongoing treatment while continuing to live at home.
TMS
A psychiatrist can assess your symptoms, diagnosis, medication and treatment history and discuss appropriate next steps.
Psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) may form part of treatment, with medication considered depending on individual circumstances.
When Might Inpatient Treatment Be Considered?
Most people living with OCD receive treatment and support in the community. For some people, however, there may be times when everyday life becomes increasingly difficult to manage or existing treatment no longer provides enough support.
A psychiatrist may consider whether a more structured level of mental health care could be appropriate based on the person's overall circumstances, including:
- How much OCD is affecting everyday functioning
- Treatment already being provided
- Whether usual routines and responsibilities are becoming difficult to manage
- Other mental health needs
- Support currently available outside hospital
- Whether closer clinical support may be helpful
Admission to EPC is based on referral, assessment and clinical suitability. If you are unsure whether inpatient treatment may be appropriate, our Intake Team can explain the process and what information is required.
Inpatient Care Is Different From Emergency Care
EPC provides planned, private mental health treatment. We are not an emergency department and do not provide crisis or emergency care. If you are in immediate danger, please call 000 or present to your nearest emergency department.
Supporting the Whole Person
OCD can affect much more than intrusive thoughts or compulsions. It can influence confidence, relationships, routines, independence, work or study and participation in everyday life.
EPC’s Whole-Person Recovery Model considers these different parts of recovery through three connected pillars — ESSENTIAL, EMPOWERED, ENGAGED.
ESSENTIAL
Build Safety & Stability
Support with overwhelming emotions, sleep and daily routines, grounding, practical coping skills and building stability.
SKILLS YOU MAY EXPLORE
- Understanding intrusive thoughts and compulsive patterns
- Building stable routines and everyday structure
- Managing distress in day-to-day situations
Additional topics may be explored according to your individual needs.
EMPOWERED
Understand Your Emotions
Recognising unhelpful thinking patterns, behavioural activation, emotion regulation and building resilience.
SKILLS YOU MAY EXPLORE
- Recognising patterns and triggers
- Building tolerance for uncertainty and distress
- Strengthening emotional regulation and self-management skills
Additional topics may be explored according to your individual needs.
ENGAGED
Connect With What Matters
Rebuilding relationships, confidence, meaningful activities, purpose and plans for life beyond hospital.
SKILLS YOU MAY EXPLORE
- Returning to meaningful activities
- Building confidence with others
- Strengthening relationships and ongoing support networks
Additional topics may be explored according to your individual needs.
How To Get Started With Treatment
1
Contact our Intake team
We’ll listen and answer your questions.
2
Referral and assessment
Your psychiatrist will review your needs.
3
Understand your treatment options
We’ll explain the options that may help.
4
Plan your treatment
Together, we’ll create your treatment plan.
Worried About Someone You Care About?
OCD can also affect partners, family members and carers. You may notice someone repeatedly seeking reassurance, avoiding situations or relying on others to help reduce distress or uncertainty.
It can be difficult to know when helping is genuinely supportive and when you may be becoming involved in the OCD cycle. Family and carers can encourage connection with professional treatment while also maintaining appropriate boundaries and looking after their own wellbeing.
Essendon Private Clinic's Intake Team can provide general information about OCD treatment, referral requirements and EPC's planned-admission pathway.
Does Private Health Insurance Cover Treatment?
Coverage depends on the treatment, your health fund, and your individual policy.
We work with major health funds
Most major Australian private health funds are accepted for eligible admissions. Cover depends on your fund, policy and level of hospital cover.
Out-of-pocket costs
Excesses and out-of-pocket costs vary by policy and treatment. Intake can explain what information is needed so you can confirm costs before admission.
We can help explain your cover
The intake team can walk you through the funding process and what to check with your health fund, including waiting periods and eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions About OCD
What are intrusive thoughts?
Intrusive thoughts are unwanted thoughts, images or urges that can occur unexpectedly.
They are common and do not automatically mean someone has OCD. In OCD, they may occur as part of a wider pattern involving significant distress, compulsions, avoidance or repeated attempts to gain certainty.
Can OCD involve compulsions that other people cannot see?
Yes. Some compulsions can happen mentally rather than through visible behaviour, such as repeated reviewing, mental checking, rumination or attempts to reach certainty.
What if OCD treatment isn't helping enough?
If OCD continues to significantly affect everyday life despite treatment, speak with your treating clinician.
The treatment approach, medication or level of support may need to be reviewed.
Do I need a psychiatrist or psychologist for OCD?
Different mental health professionals can have different roles in OCD treatment.
A psychologist may provide psychological therapy, while a psychiatrist can assess mental health conditions, prescribe and review medication and oversee more complex psychiatric care. Some people may receive support from both.
Can OCD be treated in hospital?
Most OCD treatment occurs in the community.
For some people, a more structured level of mental health care may be considered when everyday functioning is significantly affected or existing treatment no longer provides enough support. Suitability for inpatient treatment is assessed individually.
Do I need a referral to Essendon Private Clinic?
A GP or psychiatrist referral is generally required for a private admission. If you do not have an admitting psychiatrist, contact intake to ask about the pathway.
Does Essendon Private Clinic treat OCD?
Essendon Private Clinic provides planned, psychiatrist-led private mental health care in Melbourne.
Contact our Intake Team to discuss your circumstances, referral requirements and whether EPC's current treatment pathway may be appropriate.
Can a family member enquire about treatment?
Yes. Family members and carers can contact EPC to ask about available treatment options and the referral process. Privacy and confidentiality requirements apply to information about an individual patient.
Does private health insurance cover inpatient treatment?
Cover and out-of-pocket costs vary by insurer, policy and admission. Intake can explain what information is needed; confirm benefits with your health fund before admission.
Where is Essendon Private Clinic located?
Essendon Private Clinic is located at 35 Rosehill Road, Essendon West VIC 3040, in Melbourne’s north-west. Contact our Intake Team if you would like to ask about treatment options, referrals or how to access care.
You Don't Need to Diagnose Yourself Before Asking For Help
Reading about symptoms online can help you recognise that something may not be going well. It cannot determine why you are experiencing those difficulties or what treatment you need.
Our Intake Team can discuss your circumstances and explain available treatment options.
YOU DO NOT NEED EVERY ANSWER BEFORE YOU CALL
Talk to Intake About Admission
Send a short enquiry and the intake team can explain treatment options, referrals, costs and next steps.