Published on: 8th October 2026
A Glossop mum is encouraging others to seek help after online NHS talking therapy helped her better understand and manage anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Amy, 27, was referred to NHS Tameside and Glossop Talking Therapies, after experiencing severe anxiety about her unborn baby's health.
The anxiety became so overwhelming that Amy avoided crowded places and seeing friends, fearful of catching an illness while pregnant. She had regular hospital scans and check-ups, convinced that something could go wrong at any time.
Amy explained: “It was all I could think about. I became very isolated and believed that something was wrong with me because I couldn’t enjoy being pregnant the way that other people did.”
“I’d experienced health anxiety growing up, but being pregnant made it all so much more intense. Suddenly I wasn’t just worried about my own health, it was about how I could protect the baby too.”
She went to her GP to talk about her symptoms and was referred to NHS Tameside and Glossop Talking Therapies, where she was able to access therapy online, fitting appointments around childcare and family commitments as a new mum.
Following an assessment with Kathryn Andrew, cognitive behavioural therapist, they identified Amy’s symptoms were linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Looking back, Amy realised that her OCD had been behind many of her behaviours, including repeatedly checking doors, locks, the oven and other appliances, alongside her ongoing struggles with health anxiety.
Amy said: “It was a lightbulb moment for me. Suddenly I understood why I had struggled in the way that I did. I felt so much better in knowing myself and knowing that, with the right help, I could have hope again.”
For the first time, Amy felt able to openly discuss her thoughts and feelings with a clinician.
She added: “From the get-go, Kathryn made me feel at ease. Her support felt truly tailored to my specific needs, it was really personalised and special.”
Amy had twelve sessions with Kathryn and praised the service for offering online appointments.
She said: "The process was so simple. Having therapy online saved me a lot of travelling time and took away the worry of how I’d manage to attend each week."
Kathryn Andrew, cognitive behavioural therapist, said: “Once Amy understood how obsessive-compulsive disorder was influencing her thoughts and behaviours, we were able to use evidence-based techniques to help her challenge those patterns.”
“The aim is not to get rid of difficult thoughts and behaviours altogether, but to help people respond to them differently so they have less impact on their lives.”
When asked what advice she would give to others in a similar situation, Amy said: “The biggest hurdle is taking that first step and going to your first session. It feels daunting but it will surprise you. Take a leap of faith and see where it takes you. I did, and I’m so grateful that I did.”
Kathryn added: "Amy's journey shows the importance of getting the right support at the right time. By helping people understand what is driving their difficulties, we can work together to develop practical ways to manage them, help them regain confidence and improve their quality of life. It's been wonderful to see her make such positive progress."
NHS Talking Therapies offer treatment for a range of issues including low mood, stress, worry or anxiety, difficulty sleeping, feelings of low self-worth, panic attacks, phobias and more.
Referrals during the perinatal period, from pregnancy until a child turns two, are also prioritised for both parents.
People aged 16 years and above, registered with a GP, can refer themselves by completing an online form at www.penninecare.nhs.uk/talkingtherapies
They can also be referred by their GP or another health professional.