Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Specialist Doctor in London | Expert Therapy, Treatment & Support
As a former OCD sufferer, I understand how crippling OCD can be for an individual and how bewildering and scary it can be for their loved ones and colleagues. It frequently doesn’t get diagnosed for many years, and conventional treatments barely keep it at bay, let alone cure it. In my work with OCD clients, I focus on three main elements.
Part I: OCD busting – this includes cognitive education, exposure visualisations and behavioural exercises. Clients learn to identify the onset of OCD episodes and step-by-step develop the ability to resist compulsive urges triggered by obsessive thoughts. My clients receive homework that helps deliver a decrease in OCD intensity.
Part II: Trauma Treatment - this element of the treatment is essential for eliminating the underlying anxiety and stress that fuels OCD. Here we address childhood trauma, attachment issues, and work on disorders that go hand in hand with OCD (in 90% of the cases): anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD and eating disorders.
Part III: Practical coaching – adjusting rituals over time, family communication, working around OCD limitations. This includes consulting with parents and advising how best to support their children.
Meet Dr. Sasha
Dr Sasha Mitrofanov, PhD, Certified EFT Practitioner and OCD / Anxiety Treatment Specialist
Dr. Sasha Mitrofanov, Ph.D. has for years been helping people dramatically improve the quality of their life and harmonise their work, family, and personal relationships.
Dr. Sasha works through a combination of efficient methods rooted in Attachment Theory, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), “The Journey” Method, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) / Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).
While Dr Sasha specialises in helping his clients with obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD), he can also help with the treatment of co-dependent relationships, panic attacks, depression, shyness, childhood trauma and abuse, as well as issues of masculinity and life direction. His work had been featured on the BBC radio and a variety of printed and online publications.
Dr. Sasha lives with his wife, Shoshana, and his 17-year old daughter, AK.
Our family owe a great deal to Sasha for his approach and delivery to solving John’s OCD problem and for helping and supporting us all to return to an enjoyable and OCD-free life
- John's father
Before I met Sasha, my world had been shrinking week by week, with countless rituals taking over my life. I am now able to step away from obsessive thoughts 90% of the time, my anxiety is at all times low, and I going back to Uni this year!
- Sam P
OCD has hijacked my relationship with God, leading to more fear and control instead of love. I am much kinder to myself now, and able to step away from nasty OCD thoughts whenever they arise.
- Mohammed S
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What causes OCD?OCD does not have a single cause. In my clinical work, I see that a combination of factors often plays a role. These can include genetics, differences in brain chemistry, personality traits such as high responsibility or sensitivity, and past experiences, including trauma. Sometimes, OCD symptoms develop gradually and build over time. Other times, they begin suddenly during or after a stressful life event. Identifying potential contributing factors can help shape a more tailored and effective therapy plan.
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Is OCD treatable?Yes, OCD is very treatable. With the right approach, it is entirely possible to reduce the impact of symptoms and regain a sense of control. In my practice, I work through a combination of effective methods rooted in Attachment Theory, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Treatment is always collaborative and tailored to each person’s unique situation, history, and goals to provide the best possible support.
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How do I know when to seek help for OCD?If you’re finding that your thoughts or behaviours are interfering with work, relationships, or your peace of mind, it is worth seeking professional support. Many people wait until they are feeling overwhelmed, but you do not need to wait for things to get worse before reaching out. Early intervention often leads to better outcomes. If your day is regularly being shaped by fear or rituals, support can make a meaningful difference.
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How is OCD diagnosed?OCD is diagnosed through a thorough clinical assessment. This involves a detailed conversation about the nature of your thoughts and behaviours, how they affect your daily life, and how much distress they cause. I often use structured tools, such as the Yale-Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), to help measure symptom severity. Diagnosis is not about labelling but about gaining clarity so we can plan the most helpful next steps.
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Are there different types of OCD?Yes, there are several recognised subtypes of OCD, and it is not unusual for someone to experience more than one type at a time. For example, some people experience contamination fears, which lead to cleaning rituals. Others struggle with intrusive thoughts about harming others or fears of making a terrible mistake, which can lead to repeated checking. There are also types involving fears around religious or moral transgressions, perfectionism, and the need for symmetry. Understanding which themes are most prominent is an important part of developing a personalised treatment approach.
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Can I live a normal life with OCD?Yes, you can. Many people I work with go on to live rich and fulfilling lives. There is a good chance that your OCD may disappear entirely, provided the underlying anxiety is fully resolved with the effective tools that energy psychology offers. And even if it does not, its symptoms can be significantly reduced with the right tools and support. You can get to the point where you rule your own life instead of living under the tyranny of OCD. Therapy can help you regain confidence, reduce the intensity of intrusive thoughts, and shift your relationship with anxiety. You are not your OCD, and recovery is absolutely possible.
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What are the common symptoms of OCD?As a specialist, I often work with people experiencing a wide range of OCD symptoms. These may include repeated checking, excessive cleaning or handwashing, unwanted intrusive thoughts, the need for things to feel “just right”, or mental rituals such as counting or repeating certain words or phrases. Many of my clients are very aware that these behaviours don’t make logical sense, but still feel intense pressure to carry them out to relieve overwhelming anxiety.
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How Long Does It Take to Recover From OCD?Recovery depends on several factors, including your starting point, your openness to the process, and your commitment to treatment. This includes engaging fully in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) homework, developing mindful self-compassion, and incorporating tools like EFT tapping, breathwork, or somatic techniques to reduce overall anxiety levels between sessions. While my approach is more effective than standard talking therapies, significant positive changes typically require at least 6 months of consistent effort, and for many, the process takes longer. There are no quick fixes for OCD, but steady, dedicated work can lead to transformative progress. That said, you can expect to notice practical shifts within the first month of treatment, which is why I ask for a minimum commitment of 4 sessions (1 month). These initial changes might include moments of reduced anxiety, an increased ability to resist compulsive urges, greater awareness of obsessive thoughts without fully engaging with them, and early signs of treating yourself with more kindness and understanding.
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How Does OCD Treatment Work?Treatment involves several key components that we adapt flexibly based on your needs: Psychoeducation: Understanding how your specific form of OCD works. There are many subtypes, such as Harm OCD or Responsibility OCD, and it's essential to identify the patterns in your case. Mindful Self-Compassion: Learning to be aware of your thoughts and emotions, recognizing how they manifest in your body, and developing an observer stance that allows you to relate to yourself with kindness and gentleness. Addressing Emotional Trauma: Reducing the overall anxiety in your system by addressing—and sometimes resolving—deeply seated psychological and emotional issues. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): Both imaginary and real-world exposure work to help you build the skill of stepping away from obsessive thinking and resisting compulsions. In some cases, compulsions can even be eliminated entirely. Spiritual or Metaphysical Support: For those who are open to it, incorporating a spiritual or metaphysical perspective can provide a helpful container for the work. That said, this is entirely optional—I’ve worked successfully with many clients who identify as atheist or agnostic.
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I have a SEVERE anxiety / OCD. Can you help me?I work with teenagers and adults, many of whom have already tried other therapists, coaches or counsellors, but not found the help they need. My approach, skills and knowledge enable me to work safely and effectively with seemingly intractable anxiety and OCD. In over 80% of the cases, I am able to facilite genuine and lasting relief to clients who have struggled to cope with the debilitating consequences of severe OCD / anxiety, and who have been discouraged by other practitioners’ well-intentioned but ineffective attempts to assist them.
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When should I have a sense that treatment is starting to work?Within the first month of treatment you would normally get a sense that the treatment is progressing towards reduction in the OCD symptoms as well as see your levels of anxiety going down, in specific contexts.
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What’s the difference between OCD and being a perfectionist or neat?This is a question I hear often. While perfectionism or neatness can be personality traits, OCD is quite different. It involves distressing and unwanted thoughts that cause anxiety, along with compulsive behaviours that feel urgent or necessary, even if they don’t make logical sense. Importantly, people with OCD usually do not find their rituals satisfying or enjoyable. In fact, they often wish they could stop but feel unable to do so without experiencing intense anxiety.
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Can children and teenagers have OCD?Yes, children and teenagers can absolutely experience OCD. In fact, many adults I work with recognise that their symptoms began during childhood, even if they weren’t identified at the time. In younger people, OCD might be mistaken for being fussy, anxious, or needing constant reassurance. Early support makes a significant difference, and with the right guidance, young people can develop effective tools for managing their symptoms.
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What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a mental health condition I frequently see in my practice. It involves intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive actions or mental rituals (compulsions) that are performed to reduce the associated anxiety. These symptoms can be very distressing and can take up a great deal of time and energy. OCD is far more complex than simply being tidy or liking things a certain way. It is a diagnosable condition that can significantly affect someone’s quality of life if left untreated.
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Can OCD Be Cured?The answer depends on what you mean by "cured." If you're referring to measurable progress on tools like the Y-BOCS (Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale) or similar assessments, it is absolutely possible to bring your scores down significantly with consistent effort—potentially to a point where an official OCD diagnosis no longer applies. However, if by "cured" you mean never experiencing another anxious thought or compulsive urge, no professional could promise that in good conscience. Everyone experiences some intrusive thoughts from time to time; the goal is to reach a point where they no longer control your life.
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Can we include my (spouse, partner, family, close friend) in treatment?I can work with your family members to enable them to support you appropriately on your OCD recovery journey. The information you’d share with me would be kept confidential unless you give me a permision to share certain things. Likewise, I would treat your relatives in confidence.
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I would like to explore working with Dr Sasha. Where do I start?Call or message me on WhatsApp at +44 (0)7746 879963, and let’s start your journey toward lasting relief and freedom.