Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Bergen 4-Day Treatment for OCD & Concentrated Treatment?

B4DT is a concentrated exposure treatment delivered over four consecutive days. A small number of clients and clinicians work together, with each client receiving individualised exposure and response prevention (ERP), delivered in a group setting. The client-to-clinician ratio is 1:1 — best described as individual treatment delivered in a group setting.

​

Published research on B4DT has shown strong and durable outcomes: in a study of 90 patients, 91.1% were classified as treatment responders post-treatment (Kvale et al., 2018, BMC Psychiatry), and separate long-term follow-up research found approximately 70% of patients remained in remission four years after treatment (Hansen et al., 2019, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy). Attrition from treatment has consistently been minimal across these studies.

​

Concentrated Treatment uses the same evidence-based ERP approach as B4DT, delivered over a longer timeframe — 6-session format across approximately 2–3 weeks, individually or in small groups.

​

How do I register my interest in B4DT or Concentrated Treatment?
If you have a diagnosis of OCD, or suspected OCD, you can register your interest by completing our Client Expression of Interest Form here.

​

Please complete this form once only — your information is stored securely and treated as confidential. We'll then invite you to complete a more detailed application, so we can better understand your personal circumstances. When a program becomes available that's suited to you, we'll be in touch to begin the preparation phase before enrolment.

What is the time commitment and structure?

Preparation - completed beforehand to build a shared understanding of your difficulties and create an individualised treatment plan. 

​

Bergen 4-Day Treatment

• Day 1 — education and preparation

• Day 2 — exposure and response prevention

• Day 3 — as above, with family and friends invited to a lecture

• Day 4 — consolidating treatment gains and preparing to return to daily life

B4DT groups are typically 3–6 clients with the same number of clinicians, delivered over 4 consecutive days in an outpatient setting.

Concentrated Treatment — delivered as a 6-session format over approximately 3 weeks, individually or in small groups.​

​​

Is treatment delivered in person, or is telehealth available?

Active treatment — both B4DT and Concentrated Treatment — is delivered in person at our Richmond clinic. Preparation and booster sessions can be delivered via telehealth.

​​​

When will dates for B4DT be available?
We list B4DT dates on the homepage as soon as they're confirmed, and contact registered individuals directly as places become available. Because B4DT is delivered in fixed groups, demand for each date often exceeds the number of places, so we appreciate your patience while we work through the list. Concentrated Treatment is delivered individually or in smaller groups, so it doesn't depend on a fixed group date.

Will B4DT or Concentrated Treatment be too intense for me?
It's a common and understandable concern — four consecutive days of concentrated exposure and response prevention is a big commitment compared to weekly therapy. The format is built for this: you're paired 1:1 with a clinician throughout, the days are carefully paced, and preparation sessions beforehand help you know what to expect before you start. Despite the intensity, B4DT has consistently shown very high completion rates internationally, and our own Australian pilot found high acceptability among participants too. Your readiness is also part of what we check in during screening and preparation, so if B4DT isn't the right fit, we'll talk through other options with you.

​

Can I keep seeing a clinician after treatment ends?
Yes — we continue seeing you through booster sessions, typically scheduled around 10 days and 3 months after treatment concludes, to check in and help consolidate your progress. Once these are complete, your care with us concludes, and you return to your GP or usual treating team for any ongoing support. This also allows us to offer B4DT and Concentrated Treatment to others waiting for access.

Do I need a formal OCD diagnosis to register interest?
No, OCD is commonly misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed, so we welcome enquiries from people who suspect they may be experiencing OCD as well as those with a formal diagnosis. Your suitability for B4DT or Concentrated Treatment is properly established through the assessment and preparation process itself.

​

Can I receive individual therapy instead?
Due to our focus on delivering high-quality B4DT and Concentrated Treatment, we're unable to take on ongoing individual therapy appointments. Depending on availability, we may offer a brief session to assess suitability for those unsure whether these formats would be appropriate for their situation.

​

What is the cost, and how do I access funding?
B4DT and Concentrated Treatment are not externally funded, so treatment involves an out-of-pocket cost. Medicare rebates are available for up to 10 sessions each calendar year with a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) from your GP, or a referral from a Psychiatrist or Paediatrician, including for telehealth consultations — the current rebate for a Clinical Psychologist is $149.05 per session. You may also be eligible for a partial reimbursement through your private health fund (note you can't claim both Medicare and private health rebates on the same session), or you may be referred through a third-party provider such as WorkCover, NDIS, or a private insurer. You're also welcome to attend as a private, self-funded client, which doesn't require a referral. If you experience financial hardship, please let us know — we're happy to discuss options where possible. Referrals should be emailed to admin@melbournemindcare.com.au.

What is your cancellation policy?
If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please provide a minimum of 48 hours' notice. Cancellations with less notice may incur the full session fee, as missed appointments are not covered by insurance and are the client's responsibility.

What if I need urgent or after-hours support?
MMC does not offer crisis or emergency support, and email is monitored intermittently during business hours. If you need immediate assistance:

• Contact your local GP

• Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24-hour service)

• Phone 000 for police or ambulance

• Visit your local emergency department

​