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Private Psychiatry – OCD Treatment

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Private OCD Psychiatry

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a complex and often misunderstood mental health condition. It involves distressing, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental rituals (compulsions) aimed at reducing anxiety. OCD can have a significant impact on daily life, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

Dr Peter McCann offers private psychiatric assessments and treatment for OCD for individuals aged 16 and over. Whether your symptoms are recent or long-standing, he can help you access a clear diagnosis and a personalised treatment plan. Patients undergoing treatment receive tailored therapy for OCD from an expert mental health professional.

OCD can cause significant distress and can be hard to overcome. If you or a loved one suffers from OCD help is at hand.

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Outpatient OCD Support at Castle Craig

Dr McCann’s Outpatient Psychiatry Service is available both online across the UK and in-person at our clinics in Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders. The service includes cognitive therapy aimed at treating the causes of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and helping patients manage their repetitive behaviours.

He provides intensive outpatient therapy that can be scheduled around your existing commitments to help make your treatment as convenient as possible.

He offers:
  • Private psychiatric assessments for OCD
  • Formal diagnosis and personalised treatment plans
  • Medication management, including for treatment-resistant OCD
  • Support for co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression, or trauma
  • Referral to appropriate talk therapy such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

CBT is a talking therapy which is effective for many patients suffering from OCD which focuses on the present thoughts people experience. The therapist works with you to develop specific coping mechanisms to help manage these thoughts.

ERP involves gradually exposing to patients to a stimulus which triggers their symptoms, in order to help them practice applying their new coping skills.

The service is available to those who are:
  • Privately funding their treatment
  • Covered by private medical insurance (e.g. BUPA, AXA Health)

Please note: we treat adults and young people aged 16+. We do not offer psychiatry services for children under 16.

Signs and Symptoms of OCD

OCD can take many forms and is not limited to cleaning or checking rituals. It can cause severe emotional distress, even when behaviours aren't visible to others. Severe OCD can have many negative effects on patient's lives.

Obsessions may include:
  • Intrusive thoughts about harm, violence, sex, or religious sin
  • Excessive doubt or fear of making a mistake
  • Distress over symmetry, order, or “just not right” feelings
  • Existential or philosophical rumination
  • Fear of contamination, illness, or doing something wrong

OCD often overlaps with other mental health conditions like generalised anxiety disorder, depression, body dysmorphic disorder, and health anxiety. OCD can affect patient's lives in many ways and can impact on our health and wellbeing.

Compulsions are unwanted repetitive behaviours that come in many forms. These may include:
  • Checking, counting, tapping, or repeating actions
  • Mental rituals (e.g. cancelling thoughts, repeating phrases)
  • Reassurance seeking (from others or oneself)
  • Avoidance of people, places, or objects linked to obsessions
  • Reviewing memories to “make sure” something didn’t happen
  • Specific rituals which patients follow

The benefits of effective treatment can include increased ability to focus on work, improved relationships with family and friends, and more mental energy to focus on your own health and wellbeing.

Common OCD subtypes include:
  • Contamination OCD
  • Checking OCD
  • Intrusive thought OCD (often called “Pure O”
  • Symmetry or ordering OCD
  • Relationship OCD (ROCD)
  • Postpartum OCD
  • Scrupulosity (moral or religious OCD)
  • Responsibility OCD
  • Existential OCD

Psychiatry for OCD

Dr McCann provides expert assessment and support, particularly for individuals who:

  • Feel misunderstood or misdiagnosed
  • Have unusual or non-stereotypical OCD symptoms
  • Experience intense shame or fear about taboo thoughts
  • Have not responded well to previous treatment

Treating OCD can come in many forms. We help our patients develop strategies for coping with their repetitive behaviours and unpleasant thoughts.

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In addition to therapy, Dr McCann can prescribe medications to help manage OCD. These include Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), which increase the quality of a chemical messenger called serotonin in the brain. This plays an important role in helping to regulate your mood.

We offer:

  • A full psychiatric evaluation
  • Diagnostic clarification and ruling out other mental health disorders
  • Prescription of medications such as SSRIs.
  • Support for those with treatment-resistant OCD
  • Coordination with therapists providing CBT and ERP
  • Written reports for insurers or other healthcare providers
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Private OCD Assessments

Private obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) assessments are conducted by Dr McCann, Consultant Psychiatrist and Medical Director at Castle Craig, who has many years experience in helping patients overcome their challenges.

What to expect:

  • One-to-one consultation exploring your symptoms, history, and needs
  • Diagnostic confirmation and clinical recommendations
  • A clear, personalised treatment plan
  • Written report available if required
  • No GP referral necessary
  • Payment via self-funding or private health insurance
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Why Choose Dr McCann for OCD Psychiatry

Dr McCann has many years’ experience in managing patients. He understands that each patient is different and can help provide treatment specialised to you.

Dr McCann is experienced in appreciating the subtle differences in every patient and developing effective treatment tailored to their individual needs.

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Consultant-Led Expertise

Psychiatric care is led by Dr Peter McCann, with dual UK/US certifications and expertise in OCD, anxiety, and dual diagnosis.

Tailored to Complex Presentations

Dr McCann treats OCD beyond the stereotypes. He provides treatment for different types of OCD, including Pure O, scrupulosity, and rumination-based OCD.

Fast Access, Online or In-Person

Book appointments quickly, either online or at one of our private clinics.

OCD Treatment Provided by Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Peter McCann.

Dr Peter McCann, MBBS, MSc, MRCPsych, is a mental health professional and the Consultant Psychiatrist and Medical Director of Castle Craig. Alongside his work in addiction rehabilitation in the Scottish Borders, he brings specialist expertise in treating a range of mental health conditions, including autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and bipolar disorder, as well as other complex mental health conditions.

  • Consultant Psychiatrist & Medical Director
  • UK GMC-registered and US board certified
  • Specialist in OCD, trauma, and co-occurring mental health conditions
  • Registered with BUPA and other private insurers

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Book your first appointment.

We offer partial or full reimbursement, and we're more than willing to help with any paperwork or information you might need to support your inquiry.

Contact our team to find out more information regarding private medical insurance. Our team is on hand to answer questions and help with anything you may need to provide to your insurer.

Our Location

We offer flexible appointment options to suit your needs; whether you prefer to visit us in person at our clinic at Castle Craig nestled in the scenic Scottish Borders, 20 miles from Edinburgh or you prefer to connect with us online from anywhere in the UK. Regardless of how you choose to engage, our commitment remains the same: to provide you with professional, compassionate, and evidence-based care throughout your treatment journey.

Our team at Castle Craig is dedicated to supporting you every step of the way, ensuring that you receive the highest quality of care tailored to your unique needs and circumstances. We are here to support you (or your loved one) with your eating disorder, to ensure your mental and physical health and emotional well-being are cared for and prioritised and to provide access to care that will support lasting recovery.

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How to Get Started

If you feel you are struggling with a mental illness or mental health challenges you can begin by self-referring through a phone call or email

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    If you're unsure about what support you need or if you have any concerns, we're more than happy to assist you. Whether you’re looking for more information about the services, the types of treatments available, or simply need someone to talk to, don’t hesitate to get in touch.