neurodiverse
psychology
WELCOME
Neurodiverse Psychology provides compassionate, neuroaffirming assessments for children and adults, as well as therapeutic support for children and teens living with OCD.
We celebrate neurodiversity and recognise that everyone thinks, learns, and experiences the world in their own unique way. Our goal is to create a supportive environment where every individual feels understood, respected, and empowered.
Kimberly is taking bookings from August 2026 onwards to support children and young adults living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). She offers Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold-standard treatment for OCD. Weekly appointments are recommended for the initial 8 weeks, followed by fortnightly sessions for a further 4 weeks, totalling 12 appointments.
Having lived experience of OCD, Kimberly understands the complexity of the condition, as well as the guilt and shame that can make seeking help feel difficult. Intrusive thoughts can feel very real and deeply distressing, and it is often years before a person feels able to confide in someone about what they are experiencing.
Another often confusing aspect of OCD is that not all compulsions are visible. Many compulsions are internal, such as mental checking, reassurance, reviewing, or neutralising thoughts, which can make OCD harder to recognise and identify.
What is Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (ocd)?
OCD is a treatable anxiety-related condition that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. It involves intrusive thoughts, images, or impulses (obsessions), often accompanied by compulsive behaviours or mental rituals designed to reduce distress. While OCD can feel extremely overwhelming, effective and evidence-based treatments are available.
An obsession is a recurrent, intrusive thought or image that causes significant anxiety or discomfort. To neutralise this distress, individuals often engage in compulsions—repetitive behaviours or mental actions (such as checking, seeking reassurance, or silently repeating phrases). These compulsions bring short-term relief but reinforce the cycle of anxiety and fear.
Common Obsessions
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Concern about germs, contamination, or illness
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Fear of harming oneself or others
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Worry about forgetting, losing, or misplacing things
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A need for exactness, symmetry, or things feeling “just right”
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Unwanted sexual, violent, or taboo thoughts
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Excessive religious or moral fears (scrupulosity)
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Fear of causing disaster or being responsible for harm
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Fear of saying or doing something inappropriate or “bad”
Common Compulsions
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Excessive washing or cleaning
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Repeated checking (locks, appliances, safety tasks)
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Re-reading, re-writing, or mental reviewing for reassurance
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Ordering, counting, or aligning objects
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Repeating actions until they feel “right”
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Avoiding certain places, objects, or people
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Mental rituals (e.g., neutralising thoughts, silent phrases, mental checking)
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Seeking reassurance or confessing thoughts repeatedly
It’s important to note that compulsions can also be internal—covert mental actions rather than outward behaviours. These hidden rituals can be just as distressing and time-consuming.
Quirk vs. OCD
Everyone experiences worries or routines, but OCD becomes a problem when anxiety and compulsive behaviours are persistent, distressing, and interfere with daily life. A quirk might be harmless or enjoyable; OCD causes significant distress, exhaustion, and loss of freedom.
Treatment for OCD
OCD responds well to evidence-based psychological therapies, particularly Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).
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CBT helps people recognise and challenge unhelpful thinking patterns, replacing them with more balanced perspectives.
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ERP involves gradually facing feared thoughts or situations without performing compulsions. Over time, this reduces anxiety and weakens the OCD cycle.
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Some people also benefit from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which teaches acceptance of unwanted thoughts and helps individuals live according to their values rather than fear.