Finding Strength in the Forest: My Experience as a Psychotherapist at The OCD Camp
This year marked my second time supporting The OCD Camp as a psychotherapist and once again, I left feeling deeply humbled, inspired, and full of hope.
The OCD Camp isn’t just a retreat. It’s a place where people with OCD step away from the noise of everyday life and step into something altogether more meaningful: connection, challenge, and nature. Founded on the belief that meeting others with OCD and spending time outdoors can play a vital role in recovery, the camp offers so much more than just a break, it offers a chance to heal.
Each day is structured with intention. Campers participate in fun group activities, skill-based challenges, and reflective practices. There’s laughter, creativity, shared meals, and meaningful conversations. But what makes this camp truly extraordinary is the space it holds for openness. Around the campfire, beneath the trees, people speak with courage about how OCD has affected their lives, often for years, sometimes decades. These are not just stories, they are raw, real accounts of struggle, isolation, and resilience. It’s a deeply moving experience to witness people share so honestly, sometimes for the first time in their lives.
Stuart, who founded the camp, drawing on his own experience has created an environment that feels safe, non-judgmental, and grounded. His thoughtful structure ensures that everyone feels contained and supported. Jonny brings a wealth of knowledge and lived experience, offering practical skills and powerful insights into managing OCD. Together, they create a space where growth is not only possible, but encouraged at every step.
One of the most powerful moments for me this year was supporting campers who were in the midst of real struggle, watching them resist compulsions, stay with the discomfort, and experience the reward of reclaiming a small part of their freedom. Those breakthroughs, however small they may seem on the outside, are enormous on the inside. They represent courage, commitment, and hope.
There’s also something beautiful in how quickly the group comes together. Through cooking, crafting, and shared challenges, connections form naturally. There’s a genuine sense of community, people supporting each other not just with compassion, but with deep understanding. Saying goodbye is always hard, but it’s softened by the feeling that everyone is leaving with something meaningful: a renewed sense of strength, new friendships, and the belief that they can begin to take back control from OCD.
It’s an honour to be part of this rare and remarkable space. The OCD Camp is a reminder that recovery isn’t linear, but it is possible. And that with the right support, connection, and care, people can rediscover parts of themselves they thought they had lost.
All the best,
Emma Roselli
Find out more about the camp here >
