Dr Elaine Ryan
Dr Elaine Ryan is a skilled psychologist with a career spanning two decades.
She obtained her professional qualification, PsychD in Psychotherapeutic and Counselling Psychology, from the University of Surrey.
Dr Elaine Ryan is a Chartered Psychologist and the founder of MoodSmith Ltd, a UK-based mental health platform dedicated to providing expert guidance and evidence-based self-help programs for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), including HOCD, POCD, and intrusive thoughts.
She has worked in the field of psychology for over 20 years, specialising in anxiety disorders and OCD for the past 13 years.
Qualifications and Professional Registrations
Dr Ryan completed her Doctorate in Psychotherapeutic and Counselling Psychology (PsychD) at the University of Surrey, England. She also holds:
- MSc Psychology
- BSc Psychology
- (Dr Ryan also has a degree in Finance)
Registered with
- The British Psychological Society
- Registered European Psychologist
- Member of the UK Society for Behavioural Medicine
Clinical Experience
Dr Ryan worked in both NHS services and private practice in England, including clinical roles within the Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. She has extensive experience treating adults across a range of conditions, with a strong focus on OCD, anxiety, and trauma.
Therapy Approaches
Her training includes:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Mindfulness-based therapies
- Exposure and Response Prevention
MoodSmith Ltd is a UK-registered company. It was founded in 2010 and incorporated in 2017 to make high-quality psychological support accessible to everyone.
Dr Ryan personally develops all content on MoodSmith, drawing on her clinical expertise, research background, and direct work with thousands of people. Learn more about our commitment to quality information in our editorial process.
Expertise in OCD and Intrusive Thoughts
Dr Ryan is widely known for her specialist work in:
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Sexual orientation OCD (HOCD)
- Paedophilia-themed OCD (POCD)
- Intrusive thoughts and mental compulsions
- Health anxiety and generalised anxiety
Her online courses have helped thousands of people gain clarity, control, and peace of mind — all from the privacy of their own homes.
MoodSmith exists to make expert-led, trustworthy mental health support available beyond the therapy room — through online courses, articles, and resources created with clinical care and integrity