Our Unique Treatment at The OCD Clinic®

Read Padraic’s blog on Psychology Today for the latest insights.

Brief, Effective & Scientifically Validated Treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorders

Advanced, Brief Strategic Therapy®

Applying over 60 years of clinical research and with 1000’s of patients successfully treated using our model, we have proven that even though human problems can be persistent, complicated and painful, we do not always require a long and protracted form of intervention to solve the problem and relieve the suffering(Gibson 2014, 2016, 2019a, 2019b, 2019c, Nardone 2013, Portelli, 2007).

Our model has been shown to be one of the most effective and efficient forms of treatment for Anxiety, Depression and Obsessive Compulsive Disorders currently available anywhere (Castlenuovo, 2017, Gibson, 2022, Vitry, 2022).

A Brief, Effective Treatment

We have demonstrated through research and practice, that even though human problems and suffering can be extremely persistent, complicated and painful, they do not necessarily require an equally prolonged and complicated solution.

Through 25 years of clinical research and practice we now have at our disposal an array of highly refined and effective scientific protocols for the treatment of many of the most debilitating problems your patients will experience. Through real-world ‘practice-based evidence’, our research has rendered our specific clinical interventions uniquely; 1) Effective 2) Efficient, 3) Repeatable, 4) Predictive, 5) Teachable and 6) Inexpensive to apply.

What is Advanced Brief Strategic Therapy

Advanced Brief Strategic Therapy is a scientifically verified treatment, which involves the use of highly refined clinical interventions, which seek the maximum results, that is (complete problem solution) in the quickest time possible. Brief Strategic Therapy is scientifically tested and we use rigorous logical interventions that draw on the theory of psychology, communication and linguistics primarily although not exclusively.

Without going into a long detailed history of our technique, BST draws primarily on the work of Gregory Bateson, using his work on communication theory developed in the field of anthropology; Constructivist developments of cybernetic theory (Dr. Heinz von Foerster, and Dr. Ernst von Glasersfeld); Milton Erickson’s studies on the language of change and on the work of the Mental Research Institute in Palo Alto, California as well as the work of, Dr. Paul Watzlawick of Stanford Medical School, Dr. John Weakland and Dr. Don Jackson, psychiatrist and founder of the MRI. These creative clinicians widened and systematized communication and psychological theory and applied its principles to resolving human problems briefly.

Current advances in the evolution of this model have been pioneered by Prof Giorgio Nardone and validated through the rigorous research on treatment outcomes with OCD, Postnatal Depression and Eating Disorders, by DR Padraic Gibson at The OCD Clinic®. It has also been further demonstrated by, DR Gregoire Vitry, 2020, and SYPRENE clinical research network, that the advanced Brief Strategic Therapy model has a compelling success rate in the clinical field. This clinical research has also led to the research of its effects in other contexts such as educational, business and social settings.

What’s The Difference Between Treatment at The OCD Clinic ® and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?


The most widely used and researched alternative model of treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is the Cognitive Behavioural approach, which has been shown to be effective and can have between 30% – 50% success in reducing the symptoms of OCD. However, according to one of its creators, many patients will continue to live with significant impairment for most of their life (Abramowitz 1998).

CBT Treatment also usually involves Exposure and Ritual Prevention, (Ex/RP) which is essentially finding ways to get the patient to resist their rituals while they are exposed to feared situations. It is often for this reason that so many patients either drop out from treatment, fail or relapse. This treatment often requires the patient to undergo very stressful situations and requires long sessions of therapy with time-intensive therapist involvement (Boncheck, 2009) and can leave the patient with some new behaviours, but no change in the perception that lead to the creation of the disorder.

A Short Story

Obsessive-compulsive disorder, is best represented by a simple story: “one day a psychiatrist is in a hospital and comes upon a patient clapping his hands every ten seconds. When asked about the reason for this strange behaviour, he explains: ‘I do it in order to scare away the elephants.’ When he was told there are no elephants in the hospital, the man responded by saying: ‘Well, there you go. See?’ it works!” While this is seemingly absurd to those not familiar with non-ordinary logic, at The OCD Clinic® we understand and are very familiar with the unusual and rigid logic that underlies such a problem and our study of such this logic, has allowed us to create an effective and efficient treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in all its forms.

Have Any Questions or Queries?

We will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. Please visit our contact page for full details on how to get in touch with us.