Hi, I’m Daniella.

OCD has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember… even though for around 28 years, I didn’t know it.

For years, I thought I was just a chronic over-thinker. I felt things deeply, questioned everything, and constantly worried about doing the wrong thing. But I had no idea that what I was really dealing with was Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Not the “neat and tidy” stereotype, but the kind that quietly and painfully chips away at your ability to live.

Then one day, almost overnight, OCD latched on severely and chronically. My life turned upside down. It completely hijacked my mind; I was stuck in my head 24/7, unable to function in everyday life. I couldn’t eat, sleep, focus, relax or work. My brain was spinning with constant intrusive thoughts, and I was engaging in endless mental compulsions, with no idea how to make it stop.

Some of the themes I’ve struggled with most intensely include False Memory OCD, Real Event OCD, Suicide OCD, Relationship OCD, Morality OCD, Harm OCD… and more. I honestly think I’ve experienced almost every OCD theme at some point. OCD is incredibly convincing, and when you’re in it, it can feel impossible to tell where you end and OCD begins.

Recovery didn’t come in one big moment; it came in hundreds of tiny, terrifying decisions to face fear without trying to fix it, over a number of years. Through Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), coaching, acceptance, determination, and support, I slowly began to recover.

As my recovery progressed, I felt a strong pull to understand OCD not just personally, but professionally. I hold a degree in Psychology, have formal accreditation in CBT for OCD, Level 2 Counselling training, and coaching qualifications. I continue to deepen my learning so that the work I do is grounded both in evidence-based approaches and real-world lived experience. My work blends professional understanding with compassion, nuance, and a deep respect for how complex OCD truly is.

After around three years in recovery, I started my OCD page, Navigating OCD. Through this, I realised just how many people were suffering in silence; feeling alone, misunderstood, or completely broken by their minds. People who didn’t feel seen by the stereotypes or quick fixes.

Today, I’m an OCD coach and advocate. I run webinars, share daily support on Instagram, and work 1:1 with people navigating some of the hardest parts of OCD. I don’t believe in false promises or “getting rid” of thoughts; I believe in learning how to live fully alongside uncertainty, and within that, you find your freedom.

Recovery isn’t perfect, but it is possible. And it’s absolutely worth it.

Thanks for being here,
Daniella