OCD Support Resources

What is OCD?

A young man with dark hair, wearing a green t-shirt, a black apron, a green cap, and holding a paintbrush, working on a colorful wooden birdhouse outdoors on a sunny day.
A cartoon illustration of a dog with yellow fur, large ears, an orange nose, and an orange patch on its chest.
Blue stylized shape resembling a clover or flower on a black background

A brain stuck on "what if?"

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition where a person experiences unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and feels a strong urge to do certain actions (compulsions) to feel safe or in control. It’s not just about being clean or organised, it’s often about anxiety, fear, and needing to stop something “bad” from happening.

It’s not always visible, or logical

OCD can look different for everyone. Some people wash or check things repeatedly. Others need things to feel “just right” or silently repeat phrases in their head. Many hide their compulsions, so it can go unnoticed for years, especially in women, children, and Autistic people. What might seem “irrational” from the outside makes perfect sense to the brain trying to survive it.

Support should focus on safety, not stopping

The goal of support isn’t to simply stop compulsions, it’s to understand what’s driving them, reduce distress, and build healthier ways to feel safe. Blame, shame, or forced exposure only make things worse. With the right help, people with OCD can learn to live meaningful lives on their own terms.

Championing people with PDA or ODD

The key to supporting someone with OCD is compassion, curiosity, and consistency. Here’s some practical ways you can support someone with OCD to make life easier for them, without increasing anxiety or shame:

A clipboard with a large green checkmark on the paper, symbolizing completion or approval.

Understand that compulsions feel necessary.

They’re not just habits or quirks, compulsions often feel like the only way to keep themselves or others safe. Trying to block them suddenly can lead to panic.

Cartoon person with face and hair, wearing a teal jacket, gray pants, red shoes, holding hand to chest, against black background.

Help seperate the person from the OCD.

Phrases like “That’s the OCD talking” can help people externalise the condition. Remind them that they are not their compulsions, and that they’re doing their best to cope.

A black circle with a red circle and a diagonal red slash across it, indicating prohibition or restriction.

Never use shame or guilt to “motivate”.

Many people with OCD feel deep shame about their thoughts or rituals. Mocking or pressuring them can increase secrecy, distress, and hopelessness.

Illustration of two hands shaking in a handshake.

Collaborate, don’t control.

Support plans should be built with the person, not done to them. Respect their insight and involve them in every step of their care.

A cartoon illustration of an hourglass with yellow sand flowing from the top chamber to the bottom chamber against a black background.

Be patient, progress takes time.

Progress with OCD isn’t always linear. Support small steps, celebrate wins, and don’t rush. Healing happens in their time, not ours.

A cartoon flashlight with a blue body and handle, pointing downward.

Look out for less obvious OCD types.

OCD isn’t just about cleaning. It can involve moral worries, relationship doubts, identity fears, or mental rituals, all of which deserve equal support.

How we can help people with OCD

A woman playing with a young toddler in a cozy living room with a window, plants, and artwork in the background.

Whole Family Developmental Support →

  • Understand what OCD really is (and isn’t)

  • Learn how to respond without reinforcing compulsions

  • Support that empowers families and avoids power struggles

Two women holding hands, one gently gripping the other's wrist in a comforting gesture, indoors.

Functional Capacity & Needs
Assessments

  • Reports that identify how OCD affects daily life and participation

  • Strengths-based, respectful insights for NDIS and other supports

  • Language that avoids pathologising and focuses on real-world needs

Two women smiling and giving each other a high five outdoors.

Positive Behaviour Support →

  • Behaviour support that respects OCD as a mental health condition

  • Strategies that reduce distress and increase flexibility

  • Support plans that work with the person’s goals and capacity

Two people hugging in a grassy field under a clear blue sky.

Psychology and Mental Health →

  • Therapy to help manage obsessions, anxiety, and compulsions

  • Tools for distress tolerance, exposure (when appropriate), and values-based action

  • Clinicians trained to support OCD with compassion and clarity

Multiple people with different skin tones stacking their hands together, showing rings and wearing colorful sweaters.

Regional Intensives →

  • Ideal for families in rural or remote areas needing more than telehealth

  • Fast tracked strategies for home, school, and community

  • Calm, collaborative support tailored to your environment and goals

Not sure what’s right for you? Every person is different. Say G’day to Brooke today and we can work together to see what we can do to support you.

Hear it from real families

Young boy looking at a colorful, transparent slime or gel toy packed in a clear plastic container with a smile.
Cute cartoon hamster with a beige body, orange ears, and orange paws standing on its hind legs.
A cartoon-style illustration of a purple flower with six rounded petals.

“Before we understood what was really going on for J, every day felt like a struggle. Our support workers were doing their best, but nothing seemed to click. It often felt like we were all trying to push J into doing things, and the more we pushed, the more he shut down.

When Brooke and her team explained Autism & PDA to us, it was like someone finally turned the light on. We realised he wasn’t being difficult, he was doing everything he could to feel safe and in control.

With Brooke’s help, our whole approach changed. His support workers stopped trying to force things and started meeting him where he’s at by giving him time, space, and choices.

Now, J’s so much more relaxed. He actually wants to spend time with his workers because they see him for who he is. He laughs more, joins in on his own terms, and doesn’t feel like he has to mask or meet anyone else’s expectations.

It’s been incredible to watch him grow into himself, just by being accepted”
- J’s Mum

*Story and photo shared with permission. Not for reproduction.

Two smiling young women sitting close together, one wearing a brown sweatshirt with a frog design, the other in a pink sweater with purple hair, in an indoor setting with a plain ceiling and wall in the background.
Pink, stylized flower with seven rounded petals on a black background.
Blue digital illustration of a rhinoceros with spiky details

Real people. Real experience.
Here for you.

We’re not just professionals — we’re people who get it.

Our team is proudly autistic-led, trauma-informed, and shaped by lived experience. We’ve sat on both sides of the table — as clinicians, as family members, and many of us as neurodivergent individuals ourselves.

We understand that life isn’t always neat or easy, and behaviour support should never feel like a judgement or try to change who you are.

No matter what life looks like for you right now — we walk alongside you.