Treating Sexual Orientation Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder with Cognitive Analytic Therapy: Case Report and Quasi-Experimental Outcome Evaluation

<b>Background and Clinical Significance</b>: Evaluations of interventions for sexual orientation obsessive–compulsive disorder (SO-OCD) are rare. This study therefore evaluated the effectiveness of cognitive analytic therapy (CAT). <b>Case Presentation</b>: A 28-year-old hete...

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Main Authors: Ese-Oghene Osivwemu, Melanie Simmonds-Buckley, Chris Gaskell, Stephen Kellett
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Reports
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2571-841X/8/2/51
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author Ese-Oghene Osivwemu
Melanie Simmonds-Buckley
Chris Gaskell
Stephen Kellett
author_facet Ese-Oghene Osivwemu
Melanie Simmonds-Buckley
Chris Gaskell
Stephen Kellett
author_sort Ese-Oghene Osivwemu
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background and Clinical Significance</b>: Evaluations of interventions for sexual orientation obsessive–compulsive disorder (SO-OCD) are rare. This study therefore evaluated the effectiveness of cognitive analytic therapy (CAT). <b>Case Presentation</b>: A 28-year-old heterosexual male presented with SO-OCD in the form of obsessions concerning his sexual identity and associated avoidance and reassurance-seeking compulsions. The evaluation was a quasi-experiential A/B single-case experimental design (SCED) with follow-up of the eight-session CAT intervention. The SCED had three phases: baseline ‘A’ (two sessions; 21 days), active treatment ‘B’ (six sessions; 56 days) and follow-up (one session; 44 days). There were seven daily rated idiographic outcome measures (intrusion count as the control, a compulsion count and then intensity measures of checking, worrying, generating evidence, shame and anxiety). Four nomothetic outcome measures (including a primary outcome measure of SO-OCD) were collected at assessment, end of treatment and follow-up. Generalised logistical models were fitted to the idiographic outcomes. Six of the seven idiographic measures responded to treatment, indicating an effective intervention. Idiographic change was non-linear and synchronised with specific psychotherapeutic actions and there was no evidence of relapse. There was a clinically significant and reliable pre–post reduction in SO-OCD with progress sustained over the follow-up period. <b>Conclusions</b>: Overall, the study indicates that CAT was an effective intervention for the SO-OCD. The study methodology is critiqued and guidance on SO-OCD treatment is provided.
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spelling doaj-art-b9bb0d0f729b4ea18d532ef43ab15eee2025-08-20T03:27:42ZengMDPI AGReports2571-841X2025-04-01825110.3390/reports8020051Treating Sexual Orientation Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder with Cognitive Analytic Therapy: Case Report and Quasi-Experimental Outcome EvaluationEse-Oghene Osivwemu0Melanie Simmonds-Buckley1Chris Gaskell2Stephen Kellett3Department of Clinical and Applied Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 2LT, UKDepartment of Clinical and Applied Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 2LT, UKDepartment of Clinical and Applied Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 2LT, UKDepartment of Clinical and Applied Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 2LT, UK<b>Background and Clinical Significance</b>: Evaluations of interventions for sexual orientation obsessive–compulsive disorder (SO-OCD) are rare. This study therefore evaluated the effectiveness of cognitive analytic therapy (CAT). <b>Case Presentation</b>: A 28-year-old heterosexual male presented with SO-OCD in the form of obsessions concerning his sexual identity and associated avoidance and reassurance-seeking compulsions. The evaluation was a quasi-experiential A/B single-case experimental design (SCED) with follow-up of the eight-session CAT intervention. The SCED had three phases: baseline ‘A’ (two sessions; 21 days), active treatment ‘B’ (six sessions; 56 days) and follow-up (one session; 44 days). There were seven daily rated idiographic outcome measures (intrusion count as the control, a compulsion count and then intensity measures of checking, worrying, generating evidence, shame and anxiety). Four nomothetic outcome measures (including a primary outcome measure of SO-OCD) were collected at assessment, end of treatment and follow-up. Generalised logistical models were fitted to the idiographic outcomes. Six of the seven idiographic measures responded to treatment, indicating an effective intervention. Idiographic change was non-linear and synchronised with specific psychotherapeutic actions and there was no evidence of relapse. There was a clinically significant and reliable pre–post reduction in SO-OCD with progress sustained over the follow-up period. <b>Conclusions</b>: Overall, the study indicates that CAT was an effective intervention for the SO-OCD. The study methodology is critiqued and guidance on SO-OCD treatment is provided.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-841X/8/2/51sexual orientation obsessive–compulsive disordercognitive analytic therapycase reportsingle-case experimental design
spellingShingle Ese-Oghene Osivwemu
Melanie Simmonds-Buckley
Chris Gaskell
Stephen Kellett
Treating Sexual Orientation Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder with Cognitive Analytic Therapy: Case Report and Quasi-Experimental Outcome Evaluation
Reports
sexual orientation obsessive–compulsive disorder
cognitive analytic therapy
case report
single-case experimental design
title Treating Sexual Orientation Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder with Cognitive Analytic Therapy: Case Report and Quasi-Experimental Outcome Evaluation
title_full Treating Sexual Orientation Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder with Cognitive Analytic Therapy: Case Report and Quasi-Experimental Outcome Evaluation
title_fullStr Treating Sexual Orientation Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder with Cognitive Analytic Therapy: Case Report and Quasi-Experimental Outcome Evaluation
title_full_unstemmed Treating Sexual Orientation Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder with Cognitive Analytic Therapy: Case Report and Quasi-Experimental Outcome Evaluation
title_short Treating Sexual Orientation Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder with Cognitive Analytic Therapy: Case Report and Quasi-Experimental Outcome Evaluation
title_sort treating sexual orientation obsessive compulsive disorder with cognitive analytic therapy case report and quasi experimental outcome evaluation
topic sexual orientation obsessive–compulsive disorder
cognitive analytic therapy
case report
single-case experimental design
url https://www.mdpi.com/2571-841X/8/2/51
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