My first session with Sam was in June last year, 9 months ago. I just wanted to encourage those who are just beginning their recovery journey that there is hope.

Nine months ago, I was a bit of a mess. OCD was controlling my thoughts and behaviours and making me miserable. Yesterday, I was sharing with Sam how much progress I’ve made.

When I started, I was terrified of bed bugs. We went to Centre Parcs in July, and I was a mess – compulsively checking the bedding while pretending to my family that I was okay – panicking the whole time.

This month, my husband and I went away for two nights to an Airbnb. I stood in the bedroom and wanted to check, but I chose not to. The path of checking does not lead to recovery, and now I’m living on my terms. So I climbed into bed and slept really well!

Read the books, dispute your irrational beliefs, and move closer to recovery. There is so much more I could share about how my life is better now that I’m no longer caught up in constant compulsions – but that’s just one example!