Damien

February 2013

With a condition as crafty and complex as OCD, you really need a highly experienced therapist to help you.  Karen Buckingham, without a doubt, is not just highly experienced, but also one of the most well read and compassionate professionals in her field, both in the UK and around the world.  Through a combination of videos, note-taking, cognitive behavioural therapy, and exposure response prevention activities, she truly delivers a comprehensive, in-depth course which gives you all the primary skills you need to manage OCD for life.  Truly, the 5-day program is an eye-opening, life changing experience.

As a 19 year old student, I’m obviously in a pretty stressful period of my life.  With deadlines, assignments, and the pressure of university applications, who wouldn’t stress out occasionally? In the last two years, I began to develop intrusive thoughts as a result of this stress – I initially had no idea what they were, and became severely depressed and anxious by them.  After three months of almost completely failing to function socially or academically, I finally discovered after looking online that I suffered from OCD.  Immediately, this lifted some of the stress, now that I knew I wasn’t crazy or insane.

However, I never fully understood how to grasp them, with the multitude of conflicting reports on the Internet making it hard to find a template of dealing with them.  So while on good days I was able to ignore them, every few months I would have a relapse where I just didn’t know how to get rid of them. The more I tried to block them out, the more they would return. Finally, I decided to seek professional help, which after researching online, just so happened to be from the one and only Karen herself.

Honestly, it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!  Karen immediately dispels any fears or misunderstanding you have about OCD: no, having these thoughts does not mean you would ever act on them, and that you are not a worst person for having these thoughts.  The core of her teachings is based on the deceptively simple yet infinitely useful acronym LIAR:  Label, Ignore, Accept, and Refocus.   Unlike other therapists or online sources, Karen thoroughly explains the meaning behind each of these steps, leaving you 100% certain of their benefits.  Additionally, Karen taught me not only how to manage, but also to accept my anxiety, decreasing my resistance to my thoughts (not the content…but the actual thought process itself!) so that they no longer severely affected my functioning.  Additionally, Karen also helped me uncover issues with my mood and emotions as well; her personal and unique approach often results in her uncovering co-morbid symptoms alongside the OCD.  By the end of the course, you’ll truly have learnt absolutely everything you wanted to know about OCD and then some!

Additionally, Karen herself simply has an amazing personality and treatment style which helps your healing process tremendously.  While she possesses an extensive knowledge of the field surpassing that of most psychologists, and is highly focused and methodical in her teachings, she also treats you in a very personal and intimate manner which makes her advice immediately carry more relevance and weight.  All her teachings are carried out in a studio within her home as well, further strengthening the mutual bond of trust that you’ll feel as you work to solve your issues together.  She also includes significant diversity in the way she teaches you as well – using numerous methods such as power points, flash cards, personal anecdotes,  and even some inspired outdoor exercises in which you will have to face and overcome your OCD ‘fears’ – so as to enhance and enforce your learning experience.

As I write this, I am truly filled with joy as I recall the wonderful journey of discovery I embarked upon.   Through Karen’s care and guidance, I have become mindfully aware of my own thoughts and emotions in ways that I could never have imagined before.  Now, I can finally accept myself for who I am – a flawed but valuable human being, who can stand strong and survive in the face of hardship and adversity.  I may not be 100% perfect, but no one is – that’s precisely what makes us human. Undoubtedly, I will always remember and cherish Karen’s teachings for many years to come.

“D”

January 2013

To whom it may concern – I will not employ the services of Sharon Davies / OCD Treatment Clinic ever again…. Because i don’t need to!

As a long term sufferer of such an illness, i found it vital to take responsibility and learn all one could about such disorders in the effort to make informed decisions. i consider myself well informed with regards to available treatments (including both medications and ‘talking’ therapy) but, again and again, found them lacking.

I used to earn a salary which could be described as embarrassing and am able to calculate, with accuracy, the financial loss to my family that anxiety disorder caused. although, that is nothing – no value can be placed upon the loss of one’s family, the children, friends and everything else you love.

Yet, even from the very beginning, Ms Davis spoke in a language that only ‘us’ can understand. whilst informal and friendly, the course was full of knowledge and specific to one’s requirements. i found the REBT aspect ground-breaking (and i am a cynic), plus the field-based exercises were relevant to my own personal needs and involved.. well, i’ll let you discover that gem for yourselves.

The teachings and results of the courses are superb. i have felt just how you feel, lived just as you live, cried just as you cry. feel brand new. call Sharon.

Your life awaits, what are you waiting for..

Clint

January 2013

Sharon I can’t thank you enough for the help you have given me and I don’t think there are enough words I can say that would fully express how much you helped me from the darkest days of my life.

After a stressful year in my life with 2 close relatives bereavements and struggling with stress at work these events became a trigger for my OCD in Pure O form to show its ugly head. I struggled to come to terms with my OCD symptons mainly intrusive thoughts which left me ruminating what seemed like 24/7 which also led to anxiety attacks and then eventually depression and after receiving no help from my GP I found myself in a rut with nowhere to turn.

I read numerous unhelpful forums, tried reading books tried returning to my GP numerous times only to find myself feeling like I was a lost cause and going crazy. Fortunately for me I finally found Sharon’s OCD treatment online and gave her a call and I can’t say how lucky I was. All I can say in only a short time Sharon has given me the tools to be able to manage and overcome my OCD and also has given me a whole new way at looking at life in general. It is a learning curve and you need to be ready to put a lot of effort in and it will be tough but if you are willing to trust her and listen to her advice and keep implementing the methods she teaches no matter how hard it seems at the time then you will have success and you will get through what probably seems like a living hell at this moment in time.

Emma

January 2013

OCD was destroying my marriage, my relationships, my work, me…everything. I had tried councellors, group meetings, anti-depression drugs, psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, self-help books and none of them had even helped in the slightest. I felt so low and couldn’t imagine living like this any longer.

I work overseas and travel a lot, so the idea of starting some sort of weekly therapy again was not even an option for me…I needed something intensive. I found Karen’s website and immediately felt very encouraged to read that Karen and Sharon have both dealt personally with OCD and know exactly what it feels like. Not only that, but they were managing to control their OCD and it was not distressing them anymore. I started to read the testimonials and felt such a huge relief that I had found this website. I was overwhelmed by all the people’s experiences – never before had I seen anything so encouraging related to OCD. These were real people’s stories with great successes.

So a couple of skype calls later, with dodgy internet connection in the Caribbean, I was able to book a one to one 5 day intensive course. Karen was so accommodating with my job situation and schedule, I couldn’t have asked for a more caring therapist, and so I flew back to the UK relatively quickly and started the 5 days.

Karen gave me a completely different outlook to OCD that I had never thought of before. Within hours I was using her techniques to make small changes…and it was working. The encouragement you have when you work so closely and intensively with a therapist was beyond my expectations. Just having that support from someone who really knew what you were thinking and feeling was amazing. Everyday I was learning more and feeling better – I now had a completely different understanding of OCD and how to control it.

I am now back at work and feeling so much better than I ever expected I would feel ever again. It is hard work but when you see and feel the results it gives you so much more confidence that you can finally be the one in control.

Karen was fantastic. She made me feel so comfortable that I felt we were old friends chatting – some people just have that unique way about them I suppose. I was able to open up and be honest with Karen as I knew she was sharing her personal experiences and challenges with me too.

2 weeks later I feel about 80% in control of my OCD, which is incredible. Everyday I am working hard and seeing changes for the better. My husband and co-workers have noticed a huge difference in my behavior and persona…and I feel so much calmer than I have ever done before. There are situations that are testing me constantly, but I now have the tools to deal with this. Everyday I am controlling the OCD more and more. I am starting to enjoy life again!

Gareth

October 2012

I had made a number of attempts to overcome my OCD including various therapy sessions through the NHS and privately, which only brought short term relief from the OCD and over time it would return often worse than it was before. At its height we would cancel holidays or weekends away as I could not leave the house. After another unhelpful session of therapy, my wife found the OCD clinic on line and after a long chat with Karen over the phone we agreed to meet at the Clinic for an assessment. It was very clear to me from the outset that Karen fully understood what I was going through and made a number of observations that no one else had ever made in any of the sessions I had had over the years.

I had to go for it and went for the 5 day intensive course deciding to travel to the Clinic by train every day as it was so close to home.

Karen and Sharon were so welcoming and supportive right from the start. Sharon, like Karen, had suffered from OCD and recovered. Both had direct experience and a full understanding of what was going on, something I now know with hindsight the previous therapists I had met didn’t. Throughout the week they explained OCD in ways I had never heard or thought of before and it just became so much clearer, as did their positiveness and conviction that you can beat OCD and get your life back. But we also had a laugh, which I think is very important if you are an OCD sufferer.

The week was excellent and it was an experience that I will never forget. I always thought that group therapy was better and so it proved to be with 2 other OCD sufferers and their Carers on the same course, which allowed you to share their experiences, show that you are not alone and see the funny side of OCD. We all got on very well and everyone was comfortable which is a great help as it makes you feel you can say anything and in my experience my OCD often makes me a bit economical with the truth.

I would thoroughly recommend the 5 day course to anyone. I am sure you will have doubts, but we all have these so just ignore them and simply do it. You won’t regret it and I am sure in later years you will look back on it as the best decision you ever made.

Even when you have finished the course, it doesn’t end there, as there are follow up phone sessions to help you with your full recovery. It is hard work and to be honest you have to expect that if you have suffered from OCD for the number of years that I have, but with Sharon and Karen you are in excellent hands and they get very excited by the prospect of helping you making a full recovery

Sharon

May 2012

I got to the point where I just couldn’t take it any more, then my friend suggested we go to the OCD clinic, I was petrified of being away from my husband and I’m sure Karen and Sharon were getting fed up with how many emails and phone calls I gave them so that I could decide if they really understood what I was going through.

I had had enough!! I went for the 5 day intensive course and stayed at the Best Western Hotel along with 3 other people (who were to become my friends) there were 5 of us altogether.

I was so nervous when my husband left me, but I had a choice, did I want to get better? I DID!!

Karen and Sharon were so supportive and made me feel that I needed to do this, I have had years and years of treatment on the NHS and some private but I have never met 2 people who REALLY understood OCD, they have been through OCD and have recovered. They were both so inspirational, they explained OCD in a way that i had never heard before. It all made so much sense.

The week was FANTASTIC, I had to accept that I have OCD and needed to learn to accept the feelings and urges for what they really are.I realised that my thoughts and feelings are mixed up. I am not saying that it was easy, far from it. but it was an experience that I will never forget. It was a blessing to meet other people with OCD and by the end of the week we were all helping and supporting each other, we are all still in touch,

If you are considering attending the clinic, PLEASE do it!! I can not explain with words how wonderful it was.

Karen and sharon are amazing therapist and in the 30 odd years that i have had OCD they are the best I have ever and will ever meet. They are caring and soooo supportive, they really want you to get better!!

The week was also so funny we all had such a laugh, it was liberating, I met some wonderful people and I am at present continuing to challenge my thoughts and fears and everyday set myself new challenges with the tools that I have learnt!

Steve

May 2012

My name is Steve and I attended the OCD treatment clinic two weeks ago. I have suffered from OCD for 25 years an have tried various tablets and treatment sessions. I was at my wits end and my marriage was in trouble so I attended the 5 day intensive therapy course as a last resort.

I wish I had done this sooner as the course proved to be the best thing I have done to combat my OCD.

Karen and Sharon are fantastic and can relate to my thoughts, feelings and urges as they have experienced them themselves. The first two days were great as it gave me an understanding of what was happening inside my head and what I needed to do to change. The third and fourth day was field work which helped me to put into practice the theory learnt in the first two days and also it was rather fun. The final day was consolidation of what was learnt and achieved.

Having done this I feel that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, I have good days and not so good days but having attended the course I now have the tools to manage the issues I face and to work at it. The support and manner of Karen and Sharon is brilliant and the understanding and motivation is second to none. The follow up sessions are excellent as they keep you on the right path to recovery.

I would recommend anyone to attend this course if you suffer from this debilitating illness, my only regret is that I did not attend sooner.

Chris

May 2012

I have found meeting Karen and Sharon a great help in my battle with OCD. They are very lovely and very understanding. I would recommend the group especially as it really helps to meet people in a similar situation.

I have had CBT in the past but Sharon & Karen have such a unique insight into OCD. I feel this has helped me gain a much more rounded understanding of how the brain works and how it is possible to learn to fix it with growing new mental pathways.

I would recommend this to anyone suffering with OCD to really have the courage to take the course as its the best treatment I have ever done. You know longer have to suffer on your own anymore.

Anne

October 2011

I have long-term contamination OCD based on a fear of sewage/human waste with fluctuating control. Uncontrolled OCD has taken up hours of my day, months of my year and years of my life…. Although I still do compulsions, many of these compulsions are in my head and, at times, this results in hours of rumination with accompanying fear and doubt. This means that I often cannot concentrate on the book I am writing. And I find this extremely distressing and frustrating.

I have had many years of treatment both privately and on the NHS, but feel that private treatment is preferable because I can choose my own therapist and because I do not want to wait for therapy. When you have insufficient, little, or, no control over your OCD you simply do not want to wait months for therapy.

I just spent a week at the OCD Treatment Clinic and cannot tell you how helpful it has been for me. Being in a home setting, the clinic is warm and inviting. Doing therapy there is the closest thing to doing it at home. This makes it far easier to carry on your treatment on your own after treatment has ended.

Karen and Sharon are brilliant therapists. Because they have experienced and gained full control over their OCD I had complete trust in them. They do not ask a client to do therapy which they are not prepared to do themselves. I have done years of ERP and was facing my fears on a regular basis, but was still frightened of drains/toilets etc. So I clearly needed to be pushed even harder and to learn to sit out my fears without giving in to them.Some of the exposure tasks I carried out would frighten many who do not have OCD. Yet with Karen modeling for me they seemed much less frightening. Yes I did get anxious, but the anxiety subsided much faster than I had expected. The following day I wondered why I had been so terrified, as doing the tasks was much less frightening than the thought of doing them. Two days later I am still wearing my ‘contaminated’ clothes and feel totally okay about it.

Yet ERP is only a small part of this wonderful course. I have learned so much about the faulty beliefs which sustained my fears and the faulty techniques I was using to try to get rid of them. Changing my attitude and learning new helpful coping techniques will really help me to guard against a further relapse.

Doing this therapy alongside other sufferers was so valuable. We OCD’ers can feel so along and vulnerable at times. We can think that we are the only people in the world with these particular thoughts/fears. Sharing therapy made me feel needed, valued and supported. It was also a lot of fun at times. I have made some life long friends. Having an OCD buddy who I actually met will make keeping up my progress far easier. We can share our experiences and encourage each other to keep on facing our fears however hard things get.

The most valuable point is that doing a 25 hours intensive course gave me the kick start I so desperately needed. I did get tired; but it was so worth the effort I put into getting control. The progress I made in a week was truly outstanding.

Facing my fears has made me extremely proud of myself. It has also made me totally confident that I can continue progressing until I obtain the 99% control I so desire.

Karen and Sharon I cannot thanks you enough.