The OCD Stories

Story: Hannah (pOCD, harm, religious, and sexual orientation OCD) (#458) Nov 03, 2024

In episode 458 I chat with Hannah who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.

In this episode we discuss how OCD manifested for her in childhood including: a fear of rabies, worries around swallowing, worries around her heart stopping, as well as harm, religious, and sexual orientation themes of OCD. We discuss other themes such as pOCD, and doing exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), starting a support group, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/hannah-458

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Jon Hershfield: Residential treatment for OCD (#457) Oct 27, 2024

In episode 457 I chat with Jon Hershfield, MFT. Jon is the director of Sheppard Pratt’s The Center for OCD and Anxiety.

In this episode we discuss what is a residential treatment center, who can benefit from residential treatment, what a day in the life in residential looks like, the duration of a residential stay, therapy at residential centers, art therapy, yoga, mindfulness, having a team around you, the use of family therapy, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jon-457

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Marisa Mazza: Shame around OCD, and self-compassion (#456) Oct 20, 2024

In episode 456 I chat with Dr. Marisa T. Mazza. Marisa is a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of choicetherapy psychological services.

We discuss her book, what is shame, how shame manifests in OCD, how shame can interfere with exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), the inner critic, self-compassion, loving kindness, why we all deserve self-compassion, how to integrate self-compassion into ERP, fears blocks and resistances to self-compassion, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/marisa-456

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Elena Fasan: OCD in children (plus her OCD story) (#455) Oct 13, 2024

In episode 455 I chat with Elena Fasan. Elena is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and founder of the Children’s OCD & Anxiety Collective.

We discuss her OCD story, how OCD can effect a child’s development, getting creative with kids in OCD therapy, working with parents, supporting siblings, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/elena-455

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Katie Marrotte (I-CBT) (#454) Oct 06, 2024

In episode 454 I chat with Katie Marrotte. Katie is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). Katie kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.

We discuss her story, harm themed OCD, magical thinking, worries around natural disasters, sexual orientation themed OCD, worries around her dog, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), we discuss inference-based cognitive behavioural therapy (I-CBT) in detail, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/katie-454

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Natasha Daniels: Out of my shell (Social anxiety) (#453) Sep 29, 2024

In episode 453 I chat with Natasha Daniels. Natasha is an anxiety & OCD therapist. She runs her online membership AT Parenting Community. And recently authored the book, “Out of my shell: overcoming social anxiety from childhood to adulthood”.

We discuss her community, her social anxiety story, the loss of her husband, working through social anxiety, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), her new book, social anxiety and OCD, and much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/natasha-453

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Lauren Wadsworth, Dr Caitlin Pinciotti, and Dr Nathaniel Van Kirk: Trauma and OCD (#452) Sep 22, 2024

In episode 452 I chat with Dr Lauren Wadsworth, Dr Caitlin Pinciotti, and Dr Nathaniel Van Kirk. Lauren is a clinical psychologist in private practice, Caitlin is a clinical psychologist, researcher and assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine, and Nathaniel is a clinical psychologist and director of psychological services at McLean OCD Institute.

We discuss who they are, how do we define trauma, complex trauma (CPTSD) and PTSD, stats on trauma and OCD, static vs dynamic trauma and OCD links, research, therapies for trauma, treating OCD and trauma together, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/trauma-452

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Chrissie Hodges: Grieving from OCD (#451) Sep 15, 2024

In episode 451 I chat with Chrissie Hodges. Chrissie is a Peer Support specialist, founder of OCD Gamechangers, and Author of ‘Pure OCD: The Invisible Side of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder’. Chrissie was awarded the hero award at the 24th IOCDF conference in San Fran.

We discuss her new community, grieving from OCD, the points of grief in Chrissie’s OCD story (OCD onset, lost opportunities, love and sexual development, lost time, stigma), her grieving process, her difficulty of being involuntarily admitted to a mental health hospital, navigating anger in grief, self-compassion, figuring out who you are and what you want to do with your life as symptoms reduce, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/chrissie-451

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Carrie (#450) Sep 08, 2024

In episode 450 I chat with Carrie who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.

We discuss her story, intrusive thoughts, religious themed OCD, pocd, suicidal thoughts, postpartum OCD, getting therapy, doing exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), going to intensive outpatient therapy, shame, self-compassion, mindfulness, words of hope, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/carrie-450

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Steven Phillipson: What’s the problem? (#449) Sep 01, 2024

In episode 449 I chat with Dr Steven Phillipson. Steven is a licensed clinical psychologist who specialises in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD. Steven is the Clinical Director at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy in New York.

We discuss figuring out what’s the problem in OCD, defining what a problem is, anxiety vs worry, what gets in the way of OCD treatment, the issue with seeing thoughts and feelings as the problem, judging thoughts as bad, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/steve-449

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Chris Russo (#448) Aug 25, 2024

In episode 448 I chat with Chris Russo who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us.

We discuss his story, an early parental loss, religious themed OCD, hit and run themed OCD, the fear of rejection, panic attacks, getting therapy, finding it hard to let go of compulsions, trauma and OCD, what else helps, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/chris-448

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Nadav (#447) Aug 18, 2024

In episode 447 I chat with Nadav who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us.

We discuss his story, obsessing over if he had damaged his hearing and the compulsions around this, starting exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), sexual orientation OCD, zoophilia OCD, obsessing about obsessing, imaginal exposures in ERP, social anxiety, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nadav-447

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

LIVE podcast from the 29th IOCDF Conference in Orlando with Stuart and Jonny (#446) Aug 11, 2024

In episode 446 therapist Jonny Say and myself (Stuart Ralph) do a live podcast with an audience at the 29th International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) conference. We asked the audience for topics before recording, and then did our best to answer those topics live.

We discuss my full circle moment, Jonny’s experience of the conference, perfection, hyper responsibility, how loved ones can look after themselves when supporting someone with OCD, and how loved ones can support their loved ones with OCD, just right OCD, Inference-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (I-CBT), and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/live-446

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Grace Anderson (#445) Aug 04, 2024

In episode 445 I chat with Grace Anderson who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.

We discuss her story, real event themed OCD, magical thinking, contamination themed OCD, memory hoarding themed OCD, PANS, medication, therapy, humour, what else helps her and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/grace-445

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Chris Trondsen: Body Dysmorphic Disorder (#444) Jul 28, 2024

In episode 444 I chat with Chris Trondsen. Chris is psychotherapist at the Gateway institute, an OCD and anxiety treatment center. He currently serves as the Vice President of the IOCDF Southern California Affiliate, and is on the Board of Directors of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)

We discuss an update on Chris, what is body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), muscle dysmorphia, levels of insight in BDD, a view of how the brain works in BDD, therapy for BDD, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/chris-444

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Will (#443) Jul 21, 2024

In episode 443 I chat with Will who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us.

We discuss his story, harm themed OCD, OCD that latched onto someone, medication, the OCD theme of worrying whether he has OCD or not, tics, what helps him, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/will-443

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Jonny interviews Stuart on OCD Therapy for Children and Teens (#442) Jul 14, 2024

In episode 442 therapist Jonny Say interviews myself, Stuart, about my work as a therapist with children and adolescents.

We discuss how I adapt Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for children and teens with OCD, the other therapies I integrate, self-compassion, how parents can help their children with OCD, what I would tell my younger self, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/stuart-442

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Madina Alam: Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP) (#441) Jul 07, 2024

In episode 441 I chat with Madina Alam. Madina is a licensed mental health therapist, and director of therapist engagement at NOCD.

We discuss her therapy journey, Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP) as a tool for life, explaining ERP, working for NOCD, coming up with exposure ideas in session, homework, when ERP works really well what she notices, experiences of being on the TV show the Bachelor and dealing with the pressure, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/madina-441

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Jack (#440) Jun 30, 2024

In episode 440 I chat with Jack who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us.

We discuss his OCD story, an early parental loss, he shares themes of harm OCD, sexual orientation OCD, and peadophile themed OCD. Jack talks about substance use to mask the pain, how numbers played a part in his compulsions, being in an abusive relationship, he mentions suicide, attending The OCD Camp, doing Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP). Jack discusses secondary spikes, what else helps him, self-compassion and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jack-440

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Jonny Say: What ACT based Exposure can look like (#439) Jun 23, 2024

In episode 439 I chat with Jonny Say. Jonny is a UK based therapist and co-director at The Integrative Centre for OCD Therapy.

We talk about what are values based exposures, Jonny guides me through an imaginal exposure with acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), he goes through the skill dropping anchor, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jonny-439

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Russ Harris: We practice ACT and compassion skills for OCD (#438) Jun 16, 2024

In episode 438 I chat with Dr Russ Harris. Russ is a medical practitioner, author of the international best-selling self-help book ‘The Happiness Trap’ (as well as nine others), and is a world-renowned trainer of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT).

We discuss his new Happiness Trap card deck, rumination, the skill noticing and naming, he guides us through the ACT skill Dropping Anchor, the problems with distraction, self compassion, and he guides us through the kind hands exercise, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/russ-438

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Sam Greenblatt: Intersections between OCD and the LGBTQIA+ community (#437) Jun 09, 2024

In episode 437 I chat with Dr Sam Greenblatt. Sam is a licensed clinical psychologist.

We discuss an update on Sam, intersections between OCD and the LGBTQIA+ community, how OCD can show up in this community, including common OCD themes, working with therapists who understand the needs of the community, and much more. Hope it helps.

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Steven Phillipson’s OCD therapy group featuring Sadie, Rachel, and Mike (#436) Jun 02, 2024

In episode 436 I chat with Dr Steven Phillipson and three members of one of his OCD therapy groups: Sadie, Rachel, and Mike. Steven is a licensed clinical psychologist who specialises in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD. Steven is the Clinical Director at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy in New York.

We discuss Steve’s therapy group for OCD, we hear from his group members, their experiences in group, processing shame in the group, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) in the group, the safety of sharing in the group, their favourite group moments, words of hope, and much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/phillipson-436

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Alex (#435) May 26, 2024

In episode 435 I chat with Alex who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us.

We discuss his OCD story, harm themed OCD, hit and run themed OCD, reassurance seeking, finding a therapist that could help with OCD, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), judgements, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/alex-435

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Heather Sequeira: Complex trauma and OCD (#434) May 19, 2024

In episode 434 I chat to Dr Heather Sequeira. Heather is a consultant psychologist specialising in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

We discuss an update on her OCD story, what is complex trauma, the upstairs-downstairs brain, complex trauma and OCD, shame, we talk briefly on relationship themed OCD, self-compassion, rewiring the brain, disgust, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/heather-434

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Kayla (#433) May 12, 2024

In episode 433 I chat with Kayla who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.

We discuss her story, her early worries, self harm themed OCD, a bad psychedelic trip, health anxiety, OCD worries around the Covid vaccine, worries about going crazy, harm themed OCD, religious themed OCD, OCD worries of possession, finding appropriate help, medication, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), what’s helped her, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/kayla-433

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Louise Newson: Hormones, perimenopause, OCD and mental health (#432) May 05, 2024

UPDATE (30/09/2024): Since this podcast came out, this BBC Panorama episode was released. I am keeping the podcast episode live because I found the conversation with Louise insightful on the topic discussed, but please be aware of some of the criticisms surrounding Dr Newson and her private practice Newson Health. It's important to have a full picture when deciding on the best course of action for our health. Here is Newson Health’s response to the documentary.

In episode 432 I chat with Dr Louise Newson. Louise is a GP and Menopause Specialist, and co-founder of Newson Health Menopause and Wellbeing Centre. She is also author of, ‘The Definitive Guide to the Perimenopause and Menopause’.

We discuss her doctor story, hormones and mental health, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), the different hormones and their role in mental health, some of the perimenopause and menopause symptoms in relation to mental health, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), anxieties around HRT, other lifestyle factors that may help, teenage hormones, men and hormones, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/louise-432

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Paul Huntingford: The many opportunities to practice acceptance in OCD recovery (#431) Apr 28, 2024

In episode 431 I chat with Paul Huntingford. Paul is an integrative therapist, and sees clients through the Integrative Centre for OCD Therapy.

We discuss his therapy story, addiction, anxiety, what is acceptance, the many opportunities to practice acceptance in OCD recovery including: acceptance of the feelings, acceptance of the process, acceptance of the presence of thoughts, conditional acceptance, acceptance of the work to be done, acceptance of relapses, and much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/paul-431

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Edith Bell: PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) (#430) Apr 21, 2024

In episode 430 I chat with Edith Bell. Edith is a CBT Therapist and Director of Counselling for Familyworks Northern Ireland.

We discuss her therapy story, PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections), what is PANDAS, working therapeutically with OCD brought on by PANDAS, what to look out for, Sydenham chorea, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/edith-430

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Michael Greenberg: Q&A on RF-ERP (#429) Apr 14, 2024

In episode 429 I chat with Dr Michael Greenberg. Michael is a clinical psychologist who specialises in Rumination-Focused ERP (RF-ERP).

We discuss what’s new with him, he then answers listener questions, he explores how RF-ERP has helped people, learning to let go of the questions, some justifications of rumination that people use to justify it, persistent obsessions and urges, and much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/michael-429

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Kelly (#428) Apr 07, 2024

In episode 428 I chat with Kelly who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.

We discuss health anxiety, postpartum OCD, harm OCD, violent intrusive thoughts, getting help, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), physical sensations alongside intrusive thoughts, words of hope, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/kelly-428

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/ theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Erica Lugo (EricaFitLove) (#427) Mar 31, 2024

In episode 427 I chat with Erica who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us. You may know Erica as a trainer from USA Networks Biggest Loser TV show, or from her Instagram (EricaFitLove).

We discuss her OCD story, suicidal and self harm themed OCD, getting diagnosed, working with NOCD, doing exposure and response prevention therapy, the Whac-A-Mole effect of OCD, the power of tracking progress, doing home practice, hormones, words of hope, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/erica-427

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/ theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Josh (#426) Mar 24, 2024

In episode 426 I chat with Josh who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us.

We discuss his story, his early experiences of OCD, intrusive thoughts, sexual intrusive thoughts, religious OCD, self harm, joining the military, perfectionism, getting therapy, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/josh-426

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/ theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Nicholas Farrell: ERP - understanding it, hierarchies, and home practice (#425) Mar 17, 2024

In episode 425 I interviewed licensed clinical psychologist Nicholas Farrell. Nick is the clinical director of programming and development at NOCD.

We discuss Nick’s therapy journey, explaining exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) and its effectiveness, working on hierarchies that target the correct thing, home practice, ERP as a lifestyle change, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nicholas-425

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Emma Roselli: Working with parents of children and teens experiencing OCD (#424) Mar 10, 2024

In episode 424 I interviewed Psychotherapist Emma Roselli.

We discuss her therapy journey, working with Stuart at The Integrative Centre for OCD Therapy, working with and supporting parents of children and teens with OCD, what parents can do more of to support their child, acknowledging the tough experiences of parenting, boundaries and reducing accommodations, ruptures in the parent child relationship, working with taboo intrusive thoughts with children and teens, how parents can help around taboo intrusive thoughts, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/emma-424

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

The Lively Minds podcast interviews Stuart, and Matthew Antonelli (IOCDF): Tackling misinformation about OCD (#423) Mar 03, 2024

In episode 423 Will Sadler and Ellie Page of the Lively Minds podcast interviewed myself (Stuart), and Matthew Antonelli of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) about tackling the misinformation about OCD.

We talk about how misunderstood OCD is, why the media gets it wrong, the letting your intrusive thoughts win social media trend, educating a news outlet on OCD miseducation, educating clinicians, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/ocd-misinformation-423

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Joshua Fletcher (Anxiety Josh): And how does that make you feel? (#422) Feb 25, 2024

In episode 422 I interviewed Psychotherapist Joshua Fletcher (Anxiety Josh) about his new book, ‘And how does that make you feel?’.

We talk about his new book, the voices he uses in his book that narrates his inner dialogue, we discuss some of the clients in the book, the writing process being cathartic, we discuss integrative therapists, what he hopes the book achieves, emotional conservatism, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/josh-422

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Iona (#421) Feb 18, 2024

In episode 421 I chat with Iona who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.

We discuss her earliest OCD memory and it feeling like a premonition, her obsessions and compulsions, worries of harm coming to her family, wanting to normalise embarrassing compulsions, family support, medication, starting CBT as a teenager and having a tough time engaging and then being ready for therapy later on, how her sister helped, words of hope, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/iona-421

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Sam Greenblatt: A review of the therapies that have an evidence base for OCD (#420) Feb 11, 2024

In episode 420 I chat with Dr Sam Greenblatt. Sam is a licensed clinical psychologist.

We discuss an update on Sam, theories on relationship OCD, the nuances of therapy, the idea of trusting your gut, a review of the therapies that have an evidence base for OCD, the need for more longitudinal research, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/sam-420

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Saraa D. Lee (#419) Feb 04, 2024

In episode 419 I chat with Saraa D. Lee who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us. Saraa is a therapist (LCSW) at Soul Spa Psychotherapy and is an OCD and Trauma specialist.

We discuss her story, traumatic experiences in her childhood, her obsessions and compulsions, not getting a diagnosis, her therapy journey, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/saraa-419

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Steven Phillipson: OCD in times of crisis (#418) Jan 28, 2024

In episode 418 I chat with Dr Steven Phillipson. Steven is a licensed clinical psychologist who specialises in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD. Steven is the Clinical Director at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy in New York.

We discuss OCD in times of crisis, the terms of blood lust and guilt thrill, character indictment OCD, feeling bad because you’re not giving any attention to a crisis, or focusing too much on a crisis because it triggers OCD, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/phillipson-418

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Jesse Birnbaum and Sandy Robinson (OCD and chronic illness) (#417) Jan 21, 2024

In episode 417 I chat with Jesse Birnbaum and Sandy Robinson who have kindly agreed to share their OCD stories with us.

We discuss their OCD stories, living with OCD and chronic illnesses, going through therapy, self-compassion, setting up their special interest group for OCD and chronic illness, their experience of support groups, words of hope, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jesse-and-sandy-417

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Jonny Say: Positive emotions and experiences as triggers for OCD (#416) Jan 14, 2024

In episode 416 I chat with Jonny Say. Jonny is a UK based therapist and co-director at The Integrative Centre for OCD Therapy.

We talk about The OCD Camp, positive emotions and experiences as triggers, Jonny’s personal experiences with this, perfectionism of experience, shame around positive emotions and experiences, therapy around this issue, he gives theme examples, self-compassion, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jonny-416

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Jack McGlynn (#415) Jan 07, 2024

In episode 415 I chat with Jack who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us.

We discuss his story, somatic themed OCD, contamination themed OCD, going through grief, ADHD, pure O, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jack-415

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Duke Al Durham (#414) Dec 31, 2023

In episode 414 I chat with Duke who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us. Duke is a spoken word poet.

We discuss his story, his compulsions, drinking to cope, pOCD, real event themed OCD, a suicide attempt, getting treatment, therapy groups, how OCD targets numbers for him, Duke shares two spoken word pieces, we discuss type one diabetes, and how OCD latches onto his diabetes, the things that have helped him, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/duke-414

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Chrissie Hodges: Shame as a barrier to treatment for OCD (#413) Dec 24, 2023

In episode 413 I chat with Chrissie Hodges. Chrissie is a Peer Support specialist, founder of OCD Gamechangers, and Author of ‘Pure OCD: The Invisible Side of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder’. Chrissie was awarded the hero award at the 24th IOCDF conference in San Fran.

We discuss what's new with her, Chrissie’s OCD research, shame and OCD, themes of OCD and their relationship to shame, the question of do themes matter, shame as a barrier to treatment, shame around taboo intrusive thoughts, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/chrissie-413

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Katia Moritz: Navigating the holiday season with OCD Dec 20, 2023

In this midweek special episode I chat with licensed psychologist Dr Katia Moritz of the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida.

We talk about OCD and the holiday season, when excitement becomes a trigger for OCD, making values based choices, therapy homework over the holidays, how family can support their loved ones during the holidays, and much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nbi-11

The midweek special episodes which go out at the end of the month on a Wednesday are made possible by and in partnership with the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida. I will be interviewing different members of their clinical team on a range of topics. NBI specialise in treatment and programs for anxiety, OCD, comorbidities, and complex cases. They also offer an intensive outpatient program, and a residential program called the NBI Ranch: A supportive living experience that complements intensive treatment for Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Related Disorders.

To find out more about their intensive outpatient services, or the NBI ranch, as well as to read some of their free information online about OCD via their blog, click here to find out more: https://www.nbiweston.com/

Story: Laura (#412) Dec 17, 2023

In episode 412 I chat with Laura who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.

We discuss her story, relationship themed OCD, going inpatient, getting misdiagnosed, getting effective therapy for OCD, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), the inner critic, compassion focused therapy (CFT), and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/laura-412

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Ben Eckstein: Rumination (#411) Dec 10, 2023

In episode 411 I chat with Ben Eckstein (LCSW). Ben is a therapist in Durham, North Carolina, specialising in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders. Ben founded his therapy centre Bull City Anxiety, and recently published a book called, ‘Worrying is optional’.

We discuss what is rumination, building awareness of when ruminating, keeping a log of rumination, working with rumination in therapy, the difference between OCD and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/ben-411

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Benjamin Ellis (#410) Dec 03, 2023

In episode 410 I chat with Benjamin who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us.

We discuss his story, sexual intrusive thoughts, existential themed OCD, going into an eating disorder rehab facility, suicidal thoughts, doing exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), finding help in mixed martial arts, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/benjamin-410

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Jon Hoffman and Dr Amirsaman Sajad: The neuroscience of OCD Nov 30, 2023

In this midweek special episode I chat with Dr Jon Hoffman of the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida, and Dr Amirsaman Sajad, a neuroscientist at Vanderbilt University.

We discuss what is neuroscience, the difference between brain and mind, what goes on in the brain of OCD, how can neuroscience improve therapy for OCD, the importance of psychotherapy and neuroscience working together, why some people don’t have confidence in science and research, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nbi-10

The midweek special episodes which go out at the end of the month on a Wednesday are made possible by and in partnership with the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida. I will be interviewing different members of their clinical team on a range of topics. NBI specialise in treatment and programs for anxiety, OCD, comorbidities, and complex cases. They also offer an intensive outpatient program, and a residential program called the NBI Ranch: A supportive living experience that complements intensive treatment for Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Related Disorders.

To find out more about their intensive outpatient services, or the NBI ranch, as well as to read some of their free information online about OCD via their blog, click here to find out more: https://www.nbiweston.com/

Live from the OCD Action conference with Olivia Bamber, Mairéad Ruane, and Shaun Flores (#409) Nov 26, 2023

In episode 409 I chat with Olivia Bamber, Mairéad Ruane, and Shaun Flores. This conversation was recorded live at The OCD Action conference.

You will hear the OCD Action CEO Leigh Wallbank at the start introducing the panel. Thank you to Leigh, Cara, Eden and the rest of the OCD Action team for making it possible.

I ask my panel guests about road blocks to recovery, dealing with the highs and lows of recovery, what made their therapy effective, how they found the strength to keep trying with therapy, advice for those feeling unsure or undeserving of treatment, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/ocd-action-409

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Jonny Say: Understanding acceptance within OCD and its misconceptions (#408) Nov 19, 2023

In episode 408 I chat with Jonny Say. Jonny is a UK based therapist and co-director at The Integrative Centre for OCD Therapy.

We discuss an update with Jonny, the concept of acceptance from acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), what do we mean by acceptance, resentment as a compulsion, acceptance misconceptions, blocks to acceptance and navigating them, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jonny-408

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Kimberley Quinlan: Meditating with OCD (#407) Nov 12, 2023

In episode 407 I interviewed Kimberley Quinlan. Kim is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who treats people with OCD and related disorders, Eating Disorders and Body Focused Repetitive Disorders. She runs her own podcast called Your Anxiety Toolkit. She also runs CBTschool.com.

We discuss an update on her, what is meditation, meditation compared to mindfulness, resistances and blocks to meditation, Kim guides us through an OCD informed meditation, the basics of meditation, compassion, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/kim-407

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Abi K (#406) Nov 05, 2023

In episode 406 I chat with Abi who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.

We discuss her story, sexual intrusive thoughts, compulsive prayer, scrupulosity, emetophobia, trichotillomania, an eating disorder, what’s helped her, support from her partner, intimacy and intrusive thoughts, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/abi-406

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Dee Franklin and Dr David Tolin: OCD and PTSD Oct 31, 2023

In this midweek special episode I chat with Dr Dee Franklin of the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida, and Dr David Tolin is the Founder and Director of the Anxiety Disorders Center at the Institute of Living.

We discuss their therapy journey, what is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex PTSD, overlapping symptoms with OCD, high levels of anxiety, how PTSD and OCD interact with therapy, when the OCD latches onto the trauma, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nbi-9

The midweek special episodes which go out at the end of the month on a Wednesday are made possible by and in partnership with the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida. I will be interviewing different members of their clinical team on a range of topics. NBI specialise in treatment and programs for anxiety, OCD, comorbidities, and complex cases. They also offer an intensive outpatient program, and a residential program called the NBI Ranch: A supportive living experience that complements intensive treatment for Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Related Disorders.

To find out more about their intensive outpatient services, or the NBI ranch, as well as to read some of their free information online about OCD via their blog, click here to find out more: https://www.nbiweston.com/

Dr Steven Phillipson: The things Steve wants you to know about OCD, and a Q&A (#405) Oct 29, 2023

In episode 405 I chat with Dr Steven Phillipson. Steven is a licensed clinical psychologist who specialises in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD. Steven is the Clinical Director at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy in New York.

We discuss the things Steve wants you to know about OCD recovery, including why the OCD topics are irrelevant, we need to show the brain that the topic is meaningless, why we shouldn’t use memory to prove the OCD topic is irrelevant, the topics of OCD are only made relevant by the emotion behind it, people with OCD are not fearful people (generally speaking) they are fearful of a small amount of specific worries only. Steve then answers questions from some of the listeners of the show. He answers whether he has OCD or not, superstition and metaphysical OCD, clarification on Steve’s comment about an OCD god, dealing with the fear of death, ways to unhook from OCD thoughts, dealing with obsessing about emotional numbness, are OCD and addiction related, how to deal with intrusive thoughts in everyday moments, how much therapy homework should I do, why am I not getting better from exposures I.e. I’m still obsessing, sensorimotor OCD around the anus, magical thinking around OCD, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/steven-405

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. This podcast episode is available as a video recording on our Patreon. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the other benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Pernell Taylor (#404) Oct 22, 2023

In episode 404 I chat with Pernell Taylor who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us.

We discuss his story, OCD staring (Peripheral Vision / Visual Tourettic OCD), sexual orientation themed OCD, relationship themed OCD, doing exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), advocating, support groups, managing OCD in his relationship, mindfulness, faith, masculinity, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/pernell-404

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Hannah Leib (#403) Oct 15, 2023

In episode 403 I chat with Hannah Leib. Hannah is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.

We discuss her OCD story, worries around her Dad, an eating disorder, getting a diagnosis and therapy, starting a support group initiative at college, becoming a therapist, domestic violence, working with OCD in children and adolescents, school anxiety, words of hope, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/hannah-403

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Melissa Mose: Internal Family Systems therapy and ERP for OCD (#402) Oct 08, 2023

In episode 402 I chat with Melissa Mose. Melissa is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who treats OCD. Melissa is president of the IOCDF affiliate OCD SoCal.

We discuss her therapy story, what is Internal Family Systems therapy (IFS), the idea of parts of us, merging IFS with exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), OCD being a cluster of parts, thinking about parts of self during exposures, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/melissa-402

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Nicholas (#401) Oct 01, 2023

In episode 401 I chat with Nicholas who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us.

We discuss his story, his early childhood experiences, substance use, worries about choking, suicidal themed OCD, peadophile themed OCD, going through exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), group therapy, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nicholas-401

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Katia Moritz and Dr Wilfredo Rivera-Perez: The Myth about OCD and Suicide Sep 27, 2023

In this midweek special episode I chat with licensed psychologists Dr Katia Moritz and Dr Wilfredo Rivera-Perez of the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida.

We discuss what is suicide, some differences between being suicidal and experiencing suicidal OCD, when people experience both suicidal OCD or harm OCD and being actually suicidal, co-occurring disorders that may increase the risk for suicide, the importance of assessment, safety plans, suicidal ideation vs intention, protective factors, what to look out for as family members, and much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nbi-8

The midweek special episodes which go out at the end of the month on a Wednesday are made possible by and in partnership with the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida. I will be interviewing different members of their clinical team on a range of topics. NBI specialise in treatment and programs for anxiety, OCD, comorbidities, and complex cases. They also offer an intensive outpatient program, and a residential program called the NBI Ranch: A supportive living experience that complements intensive treatment for Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Related Disorders.

To find out more about their intensive outpatient services, or the NBI ranch, as well as to read some of their free information online about OCD via their blog, click here to find out more: https://www.nbiweston.com/

Nami interviews Stuart on 400 episodes (#400) Sep 24, 2023

In episode 400 Nami (my wife) chats with me (Stuart, the host of the podcast) about my experience and learnings from the podcast over the last 400 episodes.

We discuss and reflect on the last 400 episodes, what episodes and concepts have stood out to me, my original hopes for the podcast, how the podcast has influenced me, what topics I hope to cover in the future, what I would put on a billboard, what I would tell my 7 year old self, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/stuart-400

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Logan (#399) Sep 17, 2023

In episode 399 I chat with Logan who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us.

We discuss his story, relationship OCD, ADHD, therapy, how boredom played into the OCD, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/logan-399

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Maggie Perry: OCD and mood disorders (Ep398) Sep 10, 2023

In episode 398 I chat with Dr. Maggie Perry. Maggie is a licensed clinical psychologist based in Denver, Colorado and the founder of Relatable Health.

We discuss an update on her, mood disorders, how mood disorders affect OCD and vice versa, working with mood disorders alongside OCD, how to adjust therapy for the two disorders, behavioural activation, negative core beliefs, group therapy for OCD and mood, guilt, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/maggie-398

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Anthony Pinto: Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) (#397) Sep 03, 2023

In episode 397 I chat with Dr Anthony Pinto (Ph.D). Anthony is Director of the Northwell Health OCD Center at Zucker Hillside Hospital on Long Island in NY, and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. Dr. Pinto has an extensive publication record, with over 100 manuscripts/chapters on obsessive compulsive disorder and related conditions, particularly obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD). He is a leading authority on OCPD and co-edited a comprehensive book on the subject (Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder, American Psychiatric Association Publishing, 2020). He is the lead author of the self-rated Family Accommodation Scale for OCD, which is being used worldwide. He serves on the International OCD Foundation Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board.

Obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is a chronic maladaptive pattern of excessive perfectionism, preoccupation with orderliness/detail, and need for control over one’s environment that frequently co-occurs with OCD and can complicate its treatment. Despite its prevalence, many clinicians are not aware of how to treat OCPD. Dr. Pinto shares with us the core features of OCPD, how the condition impacts functioning, and explains how it can be differentiated from OCD. He also focuses on cognitive behavioural therapy interventions for the maladaptive traits and behaviours of OCPD. As well as navigating therapy for OCD while also having OCPD. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/pinto-397

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Michele Bechor and Dr Ciana Mickolus: A team approach to OCD treatment Aug 30, 2023

In this midweek special episode I chat with licensed psychologists Dr Michele Bechor and Dr Ciana Mickolus of the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida.

We discuss their stories, a team approach to OCD treatment, what’s it like working in a big multidisciplinary team, the benefits for clients and for staff, a day in the life at NBI, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nbi-7

The midweek special episodes which go out at the end of the month on a Wednesday are made possible by and in partnership with the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida. I will be interviewing different members of their clinical team on a range of topics. NBI specialise in treatment and programs for anxiety, OCD, comorbidities, and complex cases. They also offer an intensive outpatient program, and a residential program called the NBI Ranch: A supportive living experience that complements intensive treatment for Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Related Disorders.

To find out more about their intensive outpatient services, or the NBI ranch, as well as to read some of their free information online about OCD via their blog, click here to find out more: https://www.nbiweston.com/

Dr Jesse Spiegel and Dr Sarah Haider: Troubleshooting ERP when it’s not working (#396) Aug 27, 2023

In episode 396 I chat with Dr Jesse Spiegel and Dr Sarah A. Haider. Jesse and Sarah are licensed clinical psychologists working with OCD.

We discuss their therapy stories, why exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) doesn’t work sometimes, including intensity, frequency, and duration. We also cover asking clients to tell on themselves, psychoeducation, checking for small compulsions that interrupt ERP, mental compulsions, how much homework is ideal, uncertainty, reassurance, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jesse-and-sarah-396

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Hannah (#395) Aug 20, 2023

In episode 395 I chat with Hannah who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.

We discuss harm worries around her children, hit and run themed OCD, finding a therapist who is an specialist in OCD, her core fears, doing exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), doing ERP while raising kids, medication, support groups, OCD and faith, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/hannah-395

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Will (#394) Aug 13, 2023

In episode 394 I chat with Will who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us.

We discuss his story, growing up in a toxic environment, intrusive thoughts, confessing as a compulsion, perfectionism, being active duty in the US military, identity struggles, a bad relationship with alcohol, pOCD, relationship themed OCD, sexual orientation themed OCD, suicidal themed OCD, harm themed OCD, a fear of crossing bridges, health anxiety, being hyper-fixated on sleep, his journey to finding suitable therapy, peer support, intensive outpatient therapy program, masculinity, developing self-compassion, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/will-394

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Jonny Say: Overcoming barriers to OCD recovery (#393) Aug 06, 2023

In episode 393 I chat with Jonny Say. Jonny is a UK based therapist and co-director at The Integrative Centre for OCD Therapy.

We discuss our new OCD centre, we talk about 9 barriers to OCD recovery, including using exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) with the agenda of controlling symptoms, automatic compulsions, secondary spikes, intense feelings, difficulties with urge surfing, shame, unworkable beliefs, core fears, and systemic issues. But more importantly some ideas on how to overcome these barriers. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jonny-say-393

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Our OCD centre, The Integrative Centre for OCD Therapy: https://www.integrativecentreforocd.co.uk/

A conversation with an OCD Support group, featuring Dr Lauren Wadsworth (#392) Jul 29, 2023

In episode 392 I chat with 6 members of an OCD support group. The support group members on the show were Bri, Bridget, Cassie, Joe, Kim, Steve, and Dr Lauren Wadsworth.

We discuss what is the group about, what’s it like being in an OCD support group, the benefits of being in an OCD support group, they share some nice memories of being in the group, setting goals within the group, managing challenges in the group, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/ocd-support-group-392

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Ethan Smith and Dr Jonathan Hoffman: Aha moments Jul 26, 2023

In this midweek special episode I chat with Ethan Smith, and Dr Jonathan Hoffman of the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida.

We discuss aha moments, Ethan’s story and aha moment, aha moments of all kinds, pseudo aha moments, the catalysts for an aha moment, whether people need them, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nbi-6

The midweek special episodes which go out at the end of the month on a Wednesday are made possible by and in partnership with the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida. I will be interviewing different members of their clinical team on a range of topics. NBI specialise in treatment and programs for anxiety, OCD, comorbidities, and complex cases. They also offer an intensive outpatient program, and a residential program called the NBI Ranch: A supportive living experience that complements intensive treatment for Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Related Disorders.

To find out more about their intensive outpatient services, or the NBI ranch, as well as to read some of their free information online about OCD via their blog, click here to find out more: https://www.nbiweston.com/

Story: Katryna (#391) Jul 23, 2023

In episode 391 I chat with Katryna who has kindly agreed to share her story with us.

We discuss her OCD story, masking symptoms, self harm, OCD themes including: harm, symmetry, existential, suicidal, relationship. We talk about compulsively tapping and blinking, panic, her dog Oliver who helped her a lot, how taking mind altering substances triggered an OCD theme, a traumatic event (attempted kidnapping) triggering harm OCD, the use of humour in therapy, doing intensive outpatient therapy, NOCD, group therapy, depersonalisation and derealisation, and much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/katryna-391

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Kevin Ashworth: Helping parents help children (and teens) with OCD (#390) Jul 16, 2023

In episode 390 I chat with Kevin Ashworth. Kevin is the clinical director & senior clinician at the Northwest Anxiety Institute.

We discuss his therapy story, helping parents help kids and teens with OCD, helping with parental shame and guilt, psychoeducating parents on OCD, reducing accommodations, the therapeutic program SPACE which stands for supportive parenting for anxious childhood emotions, having Mum, Dad or care giver in the therapy room, dealing with conflict between child and parent, how much should parents remind kids of therapy homework, the importance of humour, learning to be miserable on purpose, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/kevin-390

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Lauren Rosen: Mindfulness and OCD (#389) Jul 09, 2023

In episode 389 I chat with Lauren Rosen. Lauren is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and founder of The Center for the Obsessive Mind.

We discuss her OCD story, what is mindfulness, some benefits of mindfulness, learning to let go of the question, making space for and accepting the presence of feelings, techniques and practices of mindfulness, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/lauren-389

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Sara (#388) Jul 02, 2023

In episode 388 I chat with Sara who has kindly shared her story with us.

We discuss her story, themes of OCD: sexual orientation, harm, existential, and relationship. We talk about panic disorder, depersonalisation, depression, substance use, getting diagnosed, dialectal behaviour therapy (DBT), intrusive thoughts, death anxiety, compassion for her younger self, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/sara-388

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Katia Moritz and Dr Jonathan Hoffman: Cracking the nut (case) Jun 28, 2023

In this midweek special episode I chat with Dr Jonathan Hoffman and Dr Katia Moritz of the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida.

We discuss the analogy Cracking the nut, who cracks the nut (case), working with tough cases of OCD, getting treatment ready, what makes OCD harder for someone, frustration tolerance, comorbidities, getting families and loved ones involved in the treatment process, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nbi-5

The midweek special episodes which go out at the end of the month on a Wednesday are made possible by and in partnership with the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida. I will be interviewing different members of their clinical team on a range of topics. NBI specialise in treatment and programs for anxiety, OCD, comorbidities, and complex cases. They also offer an intensive outpatient program, and a residential program called the NBI Ranch: A supportive living experience that complements intensive treatment for Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Related Disorders.

To find out more about their intensive outpatient services, or the NBI ranch, as well as to read some of their free information online about OCD via their blog, click here to find out more: https://www.nbiweston.com/

Emily Hemendinger: Executive functioning, and decision making in OCD (#387) Jun 25, 2023

In episode 387 I chat with Emily Hemendinger. Emily is clinical director of the OCD Program at the University of Colorado Health Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic.

We discuss what’s new with her, what is executive functioning, how OCD can effect executive functioning, how impaired executive functioning can impact people’s quality of life, things that can help, decision making, how exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) comes into play with decision making, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/emily-387

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. This podcast episode is available as a video recording on our Patreon. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the other benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Kelley Franke: OCD Story, and being a therapist (#386) Jun 18, 2023

In episode 386 I chat with Kelley Franke. Kelley is Licensed Marriage and Family therapist and founder of the Center for OCD.

We discuss Kelley’s OCD story, experiencing 3 major deaths in a short period of time and how this affected her OCD, existential themed OCD, a suicide attempt, becoming a therapist, how OCD impacted her parenting, advocating for people experiencing OCD, how her approach to OCD has changed in recent years, what matters most to her in the world of OCD right now, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/kelley-386

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. This podcast episode is available as a video recording on our Patreon. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the other benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Madelaine Sanfilippo: Group Therapy for OCD (#385) Jun 11, 2023

In episode 385 I chat with Madelaine Sanfilippo. Madelaine is a licensed Marriage and Family therapist in the state of California and Head of Groups at The Center for Anxiety and OCD.

We discuss her OCD story, what is a group, how does group therapy differ from individual therapy, the benefits of group therapy, when is group therapy right for you, the flow and process of group therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP) within a group therapy setting, who wouldn’t be suitable for group therapy, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/madelaine-385

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. This podcast episode is available as a video recording on our Patreon. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the other benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Steven Phillipson: Living within the variability of being human, being centred, autonomy, and assertiveness in relation to OCD (#384) Jun 04, 2023

In episode 383 I chat with Dr Steven Phillipson. Steven is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD. Steven is the Clinical Director at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy in New York.

We discuss what it means to live within the variability of being human, being authentic, being centred, autonomy, assertiveness, and why this can all be important in OCD therapy, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/steven-384

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. This podcast episode is available as a video recording on our Patreon. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the other benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Ethan Smith, Kyle King, and Dr Katia Moritz: Client and Therapist Perspectives of Two OCD Stories May 31, 2023

In this midweek special episode I chat with Dr Katia Moritz of the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida, and advocates Ethan Smith and Kyle King.

In this episode we discuss Ethan and Kyle’s OCD story, their recovery process, stories from their therapy sessions, Katia’s thoughts from her perspective, they all share mutual stories from their therapy processes, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nbi-4

The midweek special episodes which go out at the end of the month on a Wednesday are made possible by and in partnership with the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida. I will be interviewing different members of their clinical team on a range of topics. NBI specialise in treatment and programs for anxiety, OCD, comorbidities, and complex cases. They also offer an intensive outpatient program, and a residential program called the NBI Ranch: A supportive living experience that complements intensive treatment for Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Related Disorders.

To find out more about their intensive outpatient services, or the NBI ranch, as well as to read some of their free information online about OCD via their blog, click here to find out more: https://www.nbiweston.com/

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Reed Amber (#383) May 28, 2023

In episode 383 I chat with Reed Amber who has kindly shared her story with us. Reed is a Sex Educator, Sex Worker and co-founder of ComeCurious and host of the award-winning F**ks Given podcast.

We discuss her story, needing to have order in her life, relying on drugs to cope, resistance to therapy, health anxiety, IBS, depersonalisation and derealisation, making peace with the shadow parts of herself, intrusive thoughts and images, OCD and sex, the inner compassionate voice, facing her fears, panic attacks, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/reed-383

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. This podcast episode is available as a video recording on our Patreon. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the other benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Professor David Veale and Dr Rob Willson: Overcoming Health Anxiety (#382) May 21, 2023

In episode 382 I chat with Professor David Veale and Dr Rob Willson (PhD). David is a consultant psychiatrist specialising in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Rob is a Cognitive Behaviour Therapist.

We discuss an update on them, what is health anxiety, the episodic nature of health anxiety, the similarities and differences between health anxiety and OCD, death anxiety, the 2nd edition of their book Overcoming Health Anxiety, some of the worries and safety behaviours within health anxiety, compassion focused therapy (CFT), exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/david-and-rob-382

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Rich Gallagher: Disgust-Based OCD (#281) May 14, 2023

In episode 381 I chat with Rich Gallagher. Rich is a therapist (LMFT) based in Ithaca, NY. He is the author of numerous self-help books including The Anxiety Journal (Rockridge Press, 2022), Stress-Free Small Talk (Rockridge Press, 2019), How to Tell Anyone Anything (AMACOM/HarperCollins, 2009), and many others.

We discuss Rich’s therapy journey and OCD story, disgust-based OCD, the neurobiology of disgust and what this means for exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), adapting ERP for disgust, a judicious use of safety behaviours, good vs bad safety behaviours, where to start when everything feels contaminated, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/rich-381

For the month of May, NOCD is offering a reduced rate of $100 USD per session, available to a limited number of new members, to help more people receive life-changing treatment. To get started and access this opportunity while it’s available, schedule a free call with the NOCD team today at learn.nocd.com/OCDStories.

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Sam Greenblatt: What can therapy change? (#380) May 07, 2023

In episode 380 I chat with Dr Sam Greenblatt. Sam is a licensed clinical psychologist.

We discuss what is new with him, OCD metaphors, what therapy for OCD can change, the difference between pain and suffering, reducing suffering, intensity, duration, frequency, and content. As well as much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/sam-380

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. For the month of May 2023, NOCD is offering a reduced rate of $100 USD per session, available to a limited number of new members, to help more people receive life-changing treatment. To get started and access this opportunity while it’s available, schedule a free call with the NOCD team today at learn.nocd.com/OCDStories.

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Nate Gruner: Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) for OCD (#379) Apr 30, 2023

In episode 379 I chat with Nate Gruner. Nate is a staff Behavioral Therapist at McLean OCD institute.

I chat with Nate about functional analytic psychotherapy (FAP), the history of FAP, what is FAP, the 5 rules of FAP, why FAP may be helpful for people with OCD, content vs process, the principles of awareness, courage and love. Nate shares some client examples where he has used FAP with OCD, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nate-379

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. This podcast episode is available as a video recording on our Patreon. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the other benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Jonathan Hoffman and Dr Katia Moritz: How the sausage is made - Behind the scenes of an OCD treatment centre Apr 26, 2023

In this midweek special episode I chat with Dr Jonathan Hoffman and Dr Katia Moritz of the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida.

In this episode we discuss what goes on behind the scenes of an OCD treatment centre, how the NBI team work together, what an average day looks like, how the clinic operates, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nbi-3

The midweek special episodes which go out at the end of the month on a Wednesday are made possible by and in partnership with the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida. I will be interviewing different members of their clinical team on a range of topics. NBI specialise in treatment and programs for anxiety, OCD, comorbidities, and complex cases. They also offer an intensive outpatient program, and a residential program called the NBI Ranch: A supportive living experience that complements intensive treatment for Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Related Disorders.

To find out more about their intensive outpatient services, or the NBI ranch, as well as to read some of their free information online about OCD via their blog, click here to find out more: https://www.nbiweston.com/

Eva Surawy Stepney: The history of intrusive thoughts (#378) Apr 23, 2023

In episode 378 I chat with Eva Surawy Stepney. Eva is a research student studying for her PhD at the University of Sheffield. Her thesis title is, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and the foundations of ‘evidence-based’ practice in British Psychology, 1948-1990.

I chat with Eva about the history of intrusive thoughts. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/eva-388

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Mike Heady: Inference-based Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (I-CBT) (#377) Apr 16, 2023

In episode 377 I chat with Mike Heady. Mike (LCPC) is the Co-Owner & Co-Director of the Anxiety and Stress Disorders Institute of Maryland where he has specialized in the treatment of OCD, anxiety disorders, and related conditions for the last 16-years. He is a faculty member of the IOCDF’s Training Institute and is a regular presenter at annual conferences for the IOCDF and ADAA.

We discuss what’s new with him, what is inference-based cognitive behavioural therapy (I-CBT), the name change from inference-based therapy (IBT) to I-CBT, what I-CBT therapy looks like for OCD, inferential confusion, doubt, the concept of reality sensing, can I-CBT be integrated with exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), vulnerable self themes, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/mike-377

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Ellen (#376) Apr 09, 2023

In episode 376 I chat with Ellen who has kindly shared her story with us.

We discuss pocd, intrusive thoughts, self harm, experiencing sexual abuse as a child, going to inpatient and residential treatment, sexual intimacy while having intrusive thoughts, a suicide attempt, getting an OCD diagnosis, arousal non-concordance, shame, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), compassion, the idea of hope, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/ellen-376

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Steven Phillipson: All spikes are created equal, however… (#375) Apr 02, 2023

In episode 375 I chat with Dr Steven Phillipson. Steven is a licensed clinical psychologist who specialises in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD. Steven is the Clinical Director at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy in New York.

We discuss why all OCD spikes are created equal, the different spikes themes Steve has found that may respond differently to therapy, we talk about certain themes of OCD: olfactory obsessions, metaphysical contamination, responsibility, just right, relationship, existential, and OCD staring. Steve shares his proof of an OCD god (this is a joke), ‘PTSD’ from the initial onset of OCD, and more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/steve-375

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Jonathan Hoffman and Dr Dee Franklin: Are Eating Disorders Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? Mar 29, 2023

In this midweek special episode I chat with Dr Jonathan Hoffman and Dr Dee Franklin of the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida.

In this episode we discuss what are eating disorders, are eating disorders OCD?, the overlap in criteria in the diagnostical statistical manual for mental disorders (DSM-V), how can viewing eating disorders as OCD help with treatment, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), a fear of swallowing and choking, when emotional intensity feels too intense to do exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), dealing with a harsh inner critic, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nbi-2

The midweek special episodes which go out at the end of the month on a Wednesday are made possible by and in partnership with the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida. I will be interviewing different members of their clinical team on a range of topics. NBI specialise in treatment and programs for anxiety, OCD, comorbidities, and complex cases. They also offer an intensive outpatient program, and a residential program called the NBI Ranch: A supportive living experience that complements intensive treatment for Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Related Disorders.

To find out more about their intensive outpatient services, or the NBI ranch, as well as to read some of their free information online about OCD via their blog, click here to find out more: https://www.nbiweston.com/

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Jeremy Peterman: Emetophobia (#374) Mar 26, 2023

In episode 374 I chat with Dr Jeremy Peterman. Jeremy is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and co-director at the Marin center for anxiety and behavioral therapy.

We discuss what is emetophobia, phobia or OCD or both?, client therapy examples, trauma and emetophobia, the worries and compulsions that go along with emetophobia, the treatment for emetophobia, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), Jeremy gives a lot of exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) examples, we discuss values, disgust, shame and self-compassion, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jeremy-374

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: SJ (#373) Mar 19, 2023

In episode 373 I chat with SJ who has kindly shared their story with us.

We discuss their early OCD experiences, nightmares, SJ details many of their compulsions including praying, counting, organising visually, finding good numerical patterns, patterns of 3, restricting food, as well as more. We also discuss trichotillomania (hair pulling), intrusive thoughts around animals, online support groups, starting therapy, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/sj-373

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Jeff (#372) Mar 12, 2023

In episode 372 I chat with Jeff who has kindly shared his story with us.

We discuss his story, getting a diagnosis, emetophobia, his role as a mental health counselor, suicidal themed OCD, peadophile themed OCD, sexual orientation themed OCD, depression, somatic themed OCD, worrying about panic, relationship themed OCD, meditation, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jeff-372

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Michael Greenberg: Malan’s model of OCD (Part 2) (#371) Mar 05, 2023

In episode 371 I chat with Dr Michael Greenberg. Michael is a clinical psychologist who specialises in Rumination-Focused ERP.

We discuss what is Malan’s model of OCD, the triangle of conflict and the triangle of the person, he shares why this model is not parent shaming, why nothing real is ideal and that’s ok, how Malan’s ideas can inform exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), why OCD themes change from Michael’s view of Malan’s work, the concept of splitting, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/michael-371

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Kristen Bailey (#370) Feb 26, 2023

In episode 370 I chat with Kristen Bailey who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.

We discuss her OCD story, how a panic attack triggered OCD, obsessing over hearing songs, harm intrusive thoughts, the fear of going crazy, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), doing acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and compassion focused therapy (CFT), dealing with sneaky compulsions, learning to accept her internal experiences, seeing relapses as teachers, resistance to self compassion, shame, obsessions vs mental compulsions, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/kristen-370

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Jonathan Hoffman and Dr Katia Moritz: What is OCD? Feb 22, 2023

In this midweek special episode I chat with Dr Jonathan Hoffman and Dr Katia Moritz who run the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida.

In this episode we discuss why are we working together, what is OCD?, a discussion around this and the varying views that came up, what are obsessions and compulsions, common themes, is there a difference between obsessions and intrusive thoughts, the idea of experiential acceptance, preventative OCD treatment, some ways to view OCD, how their view of has changed of OCD, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nbi-1

The midweek special episodes which go out at the end of the month on a Wednesday are made possible by and in partnership with the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida. I will be interviewing different members of their clinical team on a range of topics. NBI specialise in treatment and programs for anxiety, OCD, comorbidities, and complex cases. They also offer an intensive outpatient program, and a residential program called the NBI Ranch: A supportive living experience that complements intensive treatment for Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Related Disorders.

To find out more about their intensive outpatient services, or the NBI ranch, as well as to read some of their free information online about OCD via their blog, click here to find out more: https://www.nbiweston.com/

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Nathan Peterson - Emotional Contamination OCD (#369) Feb 19, 2023

In episode 369 I chat with Nathan Peterson. Nathan is an OCD specialist who practices in Allen, Texas. He works with OCD, anxiety, tics and Tourettes, and BFRB’s such as hair pulling and skin picking. He has a YouTube channel where he posts weekly videos about OCD and other anxiety related disorders.

We discuss an update on him and his YouTube channel, what is emotional contamination themed OCD, magical thinking, some of the obsessions and compulsions of this theme, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) ideas and examples, working through resistance to treatment, how family and partners can support their loved one with this theme, words of hope and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nathan-369

The podcast is made possible by NOCD and JS Health vitamins.

NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

JS Health’s vitamin formulas are solution-focused, meaning they are designed to target your main health concerns and support a whole range of wellness goals. Get 15% off their entire range at www.jshealthvitamins.com and use the code OCDSTORIES at checkout.

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Michael Schramm (#368) Feb 12, 2023

In episode 368 I chat Michael Schramm who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story.

We discuss his story, his earliest OCD memory, his varying OCD worries in childhood, getting his OCD diagnosis, getting into advocacy for OCD, doing exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), what’s helped him the most recently, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/michael-368

The podcast is made possible by NOCD and JS Health vitamins.

NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

JS Health’s vitamin formulas are solution-focused, meaning they are designed to target your main health concerns and support a whole range of wellness goals. Get 15% off their entire range at https://jshealthvitamins.com/collections/all-vitamins?utm_source=Podcasts&utm_medium=OCDStories and use the code OCDSTORIES at checkout.

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Chad LeJeune: “Pure O" OCD: Letting Go of Obsessive Thoughts with ACT (#367) Feb 05, 2023

In episode 367 I chat with Dr Chad LeJeune. Chad is a professor of psychology at the University of San Francisco, and author of the books The worry trap, and more recently, “Pure O" OCD: Letting Go of Obsessive Thoughts with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

We discuss what is Pure O, what is acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), his book, when does a thought become an obsession, skills to defuse from sticky thoughts, his acronym LLAMP and how it can help, how to learn ACT skills so that they are remembered, learning to let go of fighting with horrible disturbing thoughts, discovering your values and how to live by them, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/chad-367

The podcast is made possible by NOCD and JS Health vitamins.

NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

JS Health’s vitamin formulas are solution-focused, meaning they are designed to target your main health concerns and support a whole range of wellness goals. Get 15% off their entire range at www.jshealthvitamins.com and use the code OCDSTORIES at checkout.

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Dr Michael Greenberg: Malan’s model of OCD (#366) Jan 29, 2023

In episode 366 I chat with Dr Michael Greenberg. Michael is a clinical psychologist who specialises in Rumination-Focused ERP.

In this episode we discuss Integrating psychoanalytical and behavioural perspectives, OCD and attachment theory, the fear of losing attachment, Malan’s model of OCD, unacknowledged normal healthy feelings, we both share a couple examples from our own lives, healthy aggression, and at the end we talk about rumination. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/michael-366

The podcast is made possible by NOCD and JS Health vitamins.

NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

JS Health’s vitamin formulas are solution-focused, meaning they are designed to target your main health concerns and support a whole range of wellness goals. Get 15% off their entire range at www.jshealthvitamins.com and use the code OCDSTORIES at checkout.

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Nils Thiessen (#365) Jan 22, 2023

In episode 365 I chat with Nils who has kindly agreed to share his story with us.

We discuss Nil’s OCD story, including OCD themes: Hit and run OCD, contamination OCD with HIV fears, harm OCD, relationship OCD, and peadophile themed OCD. We discuss what helped him, seeing 9-10 psychologists and psychiatrists who didn’t identify OCD, Nils is a medical doctor (GP) so we discuss how he is helping his patients with OCD now, finding a therapist that could help him, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nils-365

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Story: Jenny (#364) Jan 15, 2023

In episode 364 I chat with Jenny who has kindly agreed to share her story with us.

We discuss her OCD story including themes false memory OCD and relationship OCD. Jenny shares her experience of Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP), depression, how her fiancé responds in a helpful way to her OCD, and so much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jenny-364

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Lydia (#363) Jan 08, 2023

In episode 363 I interviewed Lydia who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.

In this episode we discuss her story, including OCD themes: religious, relationship, somatic, contamination, peadophile, and health anxiety. Lydia talks about dermatillomania (skin picking), chronic pain, breath work, surfing, pilates, her faith, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/lydia-363

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Jonny Say: Secondary spikes in OCD (#362) Jan 01, 2023

In episode 362 I chat with Jonny Say. Jonny is a UK based therapist.

We discuss what he learned at the Sigmund Freud museum, secondary spikes in OCD with examples, recycling resistance, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) skills for secondary spikes, a theory on why the brain is doing this, and we discuss depression. Some secondary spikes discussed: Obsession switches form, analysing the technique, switches from a core fear of threat to a core fear of unhappiness, what if this isn’t OCD?, resentment, interactions with sensations. And much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jonny-362

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Patricia Zurita Ona: ACT for BPD and OCD - super-feelers, and emotional regulation (#361) Dec 24, 2022

In episode 361 I chat with Dr Patricia Zurita Ona. Patricia is director of the East Bay Behavior Therapy Center and adjunct professor at the Wright Institute. She is the author of several books including 'Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder'.

We discuss what is borderline personality disorder (BPD) and super-feelers, what it’s like being a super-feeler, what is acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), the 6 micro-skills Patricia teaches, emotional noise vs emotional awareness, OCD and super-feelers, she details some of the micro-skills, attachment, compassion, being a super-feeler while doing exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/patricia-361

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Penny (#360) Dec 18, 2022

In episode 360 I interviewed Penny who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.

In this episode we discuss her story, sexual orientation themed OCD, relationship themed OCD, figuring out it’s OCD, getting married, Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP), working on issues in the relationship without OCD blowing them out of proportion, yoga, a reading of something she wrote, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/penny-360

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Steven Phillipson: The top 6 emotions of OCD (#359) Dec 11, 2022

In episode 359 I chat with Dr Steven Phillipson. Steven is a licensed clinical psychologist who specialises in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD. Steven is the Clinical Director at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy in New York.

We discuss what's new with Steve, the top 6 emotions often involved in OCD: anxiety, guilt, shame, depression, anger, and disgust. He discusses depersonalisation/derealisation (DPDR) and shares his experience of it, plus other emotions such as not having feelings, resentment, and desperation. Showing irrelevance to the brain voice, having an urge and impulse, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/steve-359

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Jess (#358) Dec 04, 2022

In episode 358 I interviewed Jess who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.

In this episode we discuss her story, her themes of OCD, her earliest memory of OCD, religious obsessions, health obsessions, some of the difficult experiences that exacerbated her OCD, relationship obsessions, the different therapies she did, figuring out her identity, medication, using NOCD therapy, creating notecards as reminders for therapy, how Jess deals with rumination, and much more. Hope that helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jess-358

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Brooke Miller (#357) Nov 27, 2022

In episode 357 I interviewed Brooke who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.

In this episode we discuss her story and journey through therapy, medication, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), panic, control and OCD, relationship themed OCD, over exercising as a punishment, developing intrusive thoughts around her therapist, having a psychotic episode, self harming, getting a bipolar 2 diagnosis, her son having OCD, and much more. Hope that helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/brooke-357

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Amy Mariaskin - OCD and Sexual Intimacy (#356) Nov 20, 2022

In episode 356 I interviewed Dr Amy Mariaskin. Amy is a licensed clinical psychologist and director at The Nashville OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center.

In this episode we discuss her new book, ways OCD can affect intimacy, when taboo intrusive thoughts interrupt sex, issues with orgasms, sexual kinks and fantasies and how these may trigger OCD, obsessively worrying about getting pregnant, over analysing the quantity of sex in a relationship, groinal and other bodily stuff, when sex is a compulsion, contamination worries and sex, medication, relating to sexuality again after years of OCD affecting it, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/amy-356

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Joshua Fletcher (Anxiety Josh) - What is Anxiety? (#355) Nov 13, 2022

In episode 355 I interviewed Psychotherapist Joshua Fletcher (Anxiety Josh).

We discuss his therapy story and mental health journey including OCD, what is anxiety, adrenaline and cortisol, panic attacks, wilful tolerance, meerkat mode, OCD taboo intrusive thoughts, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/anxiety-josh-355

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Chris (#354) Nov 06, 2022

In episode 354 I interviewed Chris who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us.

We discuss his OCD Story, depression, how seeing a therapist that didn’t understand OCD triggered his OCD, panic attacks, not being able to get a question out of his mind, seeing an old therapist again who noticed it was OCD, sexual orientation OCD, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), rumination, the inner critic, what helped him, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), compassion, and much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/chris-354/

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Jon Hershfield: OCD and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) (#353) Oct 30, 2022

In episode 353 I interviewed Jon Hershfield. Jon is a psychotherapist and the director of The Center for OCD and Anxiety, at Sheppard Pratt. He is the author of six OCD books.

We discuss what's new with Jon, his new book, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), OCD and BPD, common overlaps in traits, causes of BPD, how BPD may complicate therapy for OCD and how to navigate this, Dialectical behaviour Therapy (DBT), words of hope and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jon-353

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

5 million downloads: 18 guests (Wisdom & Hope) (#352) Oct 23, 2022

In episode 352 I invited 18 past guests to share their words of wisdom or hope with you to celebrate reaching 5 million downloads since 2015. Thank you to all my past guests for sharing their stories or expertise, and thank you to you for listening or spreading the show with others. I hope this episode educates and inspires.

Therapists and advocates on this episode (in order) are: Dr Jon Abramowitz, Sheryl Paul, Sheva Rajaee, Laura Johnson, Jenna Overbaugh, Dr Michael Greenberg, Jonny Say, Margaret Sisson, Dr Steven Phillipson, Kimberley Quinlan, Alejandro Ibarra, Dr Michael Twohig, Dr Patricia Zurita Ona, Dr Sam Greenblatt, Chrissie Hodges, Aaron Harvey, Dr Amy Mariaskin, and Sean Shinnock.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/5-million-352

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Robert Hudak: OCD and Schizophrenia (#351) Oct 16, 2022

In episode 351 I interviewed Dr Robert Hudak. Robert is a psychiatrist, and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the university of Pittsburgh.

We discuss his therapy story, what is schizophrenia, what is psychosis, he defines what hallucinations and delusions are, how to differentiate between an obsession and a delusion, how exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) is modified for OCD when the person also has a schizophrenia diagnosis, medication, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/robert-351

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Charlene Colwell: Integrating ERP with IFS for OCD (#350) Oct 09, 2022

In episode 350 I interviewed Charlene Colwell. Charlene is a therapist who uses Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP) and Internal Family Systems therapy (IFS - level 1 trained) for OCD.

We discuss her therapy story, what is IFS, how IFS maps the mind, another way to view OCD, how IFS may be helpful for OCD, using IFS alongside ERP, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/charlene-350

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Anna Geldard (#349) Oct 02, 2022

In episode 349 I chat with Anna Geldard who has kindly agreed to share her story with us.

We discuss some of her childhood mental health experiences, school anxiety, how OCD affected her work, she details some of her specific OCD experiences, depression, medication, postnatal/postpartum experiences of OCD, getting diagnosed, getting therapy, harm themed OCD, a relapse, hit and run themed OCD, getting therapy again, going inpatient, feeling suicidal, how menopause may have exacerbated some of her mental health symptoms, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopause, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/anna-349

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Shaun Flores (#348) Sep 25, 2022

In episode 348 I chat with Shaun Flores who has kindly agreed to share his story with us.

We discuss his story, how a dream triggered OCD in a big way, sexual orientation themed OCD, suicidal themed OCD, harm themed OCD, ADHD, some of the possible reasons why people of colour are under represented in the OCD community, how he’s doing now, his advocacy, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/shaun-248

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Chrissie Hodges: Groinal and other physical symptoms of OCD (#347) Sep 18, 2022

In episode 347 I interviewed Chrissie Hodges. Chrissie is a Peer Support specialist, founder of OCD Gamechangers, and Author of ‘Pure OCD: The Invisible Side of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder’. Chrissie was awarded the hero award at the 24th IOCDF conference in San Fran.

We discuss some of the physical symptoms of OCD, worrying about telling her therapist about the physical symptoms that were manifesting for her, the groinal, compulsions around these bodily sensations, disgust and shame, when checking compulsions make you feel and think you acted on a worry, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/chrissie-247

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Patricia Zurita Ona: Perfectionism and High-Achieving Behaviours (#346) Sep 11, 2022

In episode 346 I chat with Dr Patricia Zurita Ona. Patricia is director of the East Bay Behavior Therapy Center and adjunct professor at the Wright Institute. She is the author of several books including her new book ‘Acceptance and Commitment Skills for Perfectionism and High-Achieving Behaviors: Do Things Your Way, Be Yourself, and Live a Purposeful Life’.

We discuss what are perfectionistic, and high achieving behaviours, fears of being a failure and not being good enough, what perfectionism can look like in relationships and friendships, harnessing the power of perfectionism without losing yourself, checking in with what matters, how these things have impacted Patricia’s life, choosing to show up to what matters in your life, her new book, finding your own rhythms, values based decisions, OCD and perfectionism, how these traits can impact exposure and response (ERP) therapy, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/patricia-246

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Sam Greenblatt: In the wake of OCD (Trauma, identity, loss) (#345) Sep 04, 2022

In episode 345 I chat with Dr Sam Greenblatt. Sam is a licensed clinical psychologist.

We discuss an update on his past relapse, his fire metaphor, processing the trauma of OCD, meta OCD, PTSD and OCD, identity and OCD, the idea of perceived fragility, loss and grief around OCD, figuring out what is normative, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/greenblatt-345

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Courtney Newman (#344) Aug 28, 2022

In episode 344 I chat with Courtney Newman who has kindly agreed to share her story with us.

We discuss her story, going to therapy, learning what OCD is, mental compulsions, harm worries around her family, covid related contamination worries, having a clean world and a dirty world, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/courtney-344

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Robert Fox: IFS - Witnessing the positive intent of parts (#343) Aug 21, 2022

In episode 343 I chat with Robert Fox. Rob is a therapist (LMHC) practicing in Woburn, USA. He specialises in internal family systems and EMDR therapy.

We discuss what is internal family systems (IFS), the idea of parts of us, feeling feelings, the positive intention of our parts, the idea that OCD is a sign post to something deeper that needs healing or attention, pushing down feelings in childhood, case examples and examples from his own life, caring for the parts of ourselves, expressing and witnessing emotions, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/rob-fox-343

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Steven Phillipson: Sleep… the hostage of anxiety (#342) Aug 14, 2022

In episode 342 I chat with Dr Steven Phillipson. Steven is a licensed clinical psychologist who specialises in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD. Steven is the Clinical Director at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy in New York.

We discuss why sleep is the hostage of anxiety, desperation around sleep, what is sleep and the stages of sleep, how sleep medication, alcohol, and benzodiazepines can affect sleep quality, using sleep as avoidance, insomnia, sleep as an independent system, how trying to sleep may be causing a lack of it, what Steve doesn’t like about the CBT sleep hygiene approach, Steve’s approach to helping his clients sleep, why sleep shouldn’t be the goal, getting an OCD spike at night, OCD in our dreams, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/steve-phillipson-sleep-342

This episode is supported by Cambridge University Press and Dr Lynne Drummond’s new book “Everything you need to know about OCD”. Get 20% off Lynne’s new book at cambridge.org/EverythingOCD. Simply use discount code OCDStories20 at checkout.

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Lynne Drummond: Everything you need to know about OCD (#341) Aug 07, 2022

In episode 341 I chat Dr Lynne Drummond. Lynne is an honorary consultant psychiatrist at south west London and St George's NHS Trust, and visiting Professor at the University of Hertfordshire.

We discuss her therapy story, her new book “Everything you need to know about OCD”, the stigma around OCD, raising awareness around OCD, a historical view of how OCD has been viewed, working with patients who have struggled with treatment in the past, how Lynne and her team were able to help these patients, medication, how Lynne explains exposure and response prevention (ERP), optimising ERP, living with uncertainty, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/lynne-drummond-341

Get 20% off Lynne’s new book at cambridge.org/EverythingOCD. Simply use discount code OCDStories20 at checkout.

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Liam Moore (#340) Jul 31, 2022

In episode 340 I chat with Liam who has kindly agreed to share his story with us.

We discuss his story, pedophile themed OCD (pOCD), violent intrusive thoughts, attending a support group, grief and loss, learning to see OCD not as a bully, his therapy journey and what he learned, setting up his own OCD support group, a suicide attempt, advocating about OCD at his work, and so much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/liam-340

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Heather Sequeira: Trauma and OCD (PTSD, Complex and Developmental trauma) (#339) Jul 24, 2022

In episode 339 I chat to Dr Heather Sequeira. Heather is a consultant psychologist specialising in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

We discuss her therapy story, trauma and OCD, what is post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), what is complex or developmental trauma, what’s going on in the brain with trauma, disgust in trauma and OCD, doubt and uncertainty, treating OCD and trauma together, the role of compassion, when the OCD theme directly links to the trauma, focusing on what we want to do now, shame around the freeze response, and much more. Hope helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/heather-339

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Jordan Levy & Dr Tatyana Mestechkina: What if this is not OCD?: Doubting the “Doubting Disease” (#338) Jul 17, 2022

In episode 338 I chat Dr Jordan Levy and Dr Tatyana Mestechkina. Both Jordan and Tatyana are licensed clinical psychologists who treat OCD.

We discuss their therapy story, we chat about the thought of what if this is not OCD and other thoughts that get in the way of therapy, such as, What if this time is different? What if I’m doing therapy the wrong way? What if this is the piece of “evidence” that leads my therapist to think this isn’t OCD after all? What if these thoughts are bad, and I’m a bad person for having them and letting them be there? What if my therapist doesn’t know what they’re talking about? We discuss how to navigate the thoughts, the back door spike, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jordan-and-tatyana-338

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Geoff (#337) Jul 10, 2022

In episode 337 I chat with Geoff who has kindly agreed to share his story with us.

We discuss his story, depression, spending 20 years with a traditional psychoanalyst who did not help or recognise OCD within him, the red flags of this therapy for OCD, realising that there are different schools or types of therapy, and the trauma caused by this particular therapy relationship for Geoff, eventually finding some more helpful therapists, getting a cancer diagnosis, we discuss ethics in therapy, what’s helped him in his journey, doing movement therapy, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/geoff-337

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Lily Bailey: When I See Blue (#336) Jul 03, 2022

In episode 336 I chat with Lily Bailey about her new book ‘When I See Blue’. Lily also wrote the book called, ‘Because We Are Bad’.

We discuss her new book, Lily reads us a section of chapter 1 from her book, how the main character was inspired by some of Lily’s own story, the themes of OCD the main character Ben experiences, why Lily wrote more back story for Ben including other struggles, we discuss trauma and OCD, what she hopes readers will get from the book, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/lily-bailey-336

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Traci (#335) Jun 26, 2022

In episode 335 I chat with Traci who has kindly agreed to share her story with us.

We discuss her story, misophonia, perfectionism, religious scrupulosity, starting with therapy, ADHD, sexual intrusive thoughts, unwanted arousal, groinal, needing to get therapy perfect, rumination, and so much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/traci-335

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Jonny Say - Self-compassion, and building up psychological flexibility in OCD treatment (#334) Jun 19, 2022

In episode 333 I chat with Jonny Say. Jonny is a UK based psychotherapist.

We discuss how he’s doing, Jonny’s mental health and how he practices self-compassion daily, we discuss shame around intrusive thoughts and in doing compulsions, the inner critic, self-compassion and how it can help, building up psychological flexibility skills before exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), values based exposure, dropping anchor, a compassionate approach to ERP, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jonny-say-334

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Roberto Olivardia - ADHD and OCD (#333) Jun 12, 2022

In episode 333 I chat with Dr Roberto Olivardia. Roberto is a Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Instructor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School. He also maintains a private psychotherapy practice.

We discuss his therapy story, and personal story with ADHD, the school system and ADHD, what ADHD is, the comorbidity of OCD and ADHD together, how ADHD can feed into OCD, common OCD themes he sees with ADHD, how ADHD can undermine therapy for OCD if untreated, shame in ADHD and OCD, making accommodations for ADHD to enhance OCD treatment, medication for ADHD, why ADHD gets undiagnosed in OCD and more so in women, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/roberto-olivardia-333

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Kim and Jack (#332) Jun 05, 2022

In episode 332 I chat with Kim and Jack Vincenty who have kindly agreed to share their story, from the perspective of mother and son.

We discuss Jack’s story, Kim’s story as the parent, moral scrupulosity, being surrounded by triggers, going through multiple rounds of exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), going to Colorado to do his biggest exposure, depression, where Jack’s at now, we discuss their new not-for-profit JACK, spreading ERP in Puerto Rico, words of hope and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/kim-and-jack-332

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Art as healing: A live podcast with Catherine Benfield, Lily Bailey and Laura Johnson Jun 01, 2022

In this special midweek episode of the podcast which was recorded at the OCD in Society event recently. I chat with these 3 OCD advocates and artists about who they are, what their creative expression for OCD is, dealing with imposter syndrome and self doubt, the benefits of creative expression, how art can help spread information about OCD, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/ocd-in-society-live

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Amanda Arulanandam (#331) May 29, 2022

In episode 331 I chat with Amanda Arulanandam who has kindly agreed to share her story.

We talk about her story, growing up catholic, sexual intrusive thoughts, fears of sinning, seeking help from her priest, some of her compulsions, hitting rock bottom and considering suicide, doing exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), how her grandmother helped her, her grandmother’s own struggles, what else helps her, and much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/amanda-331

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Amita Jassi: OCD and ASD, and BDD (#330) May 22, 2022

In episode 330 I chat with Dr Amita Jassi. Amita is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the National and Specialist OCD, BDD and Related Disorder Service for Children and Young People (South London and Maudsley NHS Trust).

We discuss her therapy story, adapting OCD therapy for people with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), she shares what ASD is, how rigid thinking in ASD can impact treatment, bringing in special interests into therapy, tracking feelings without the use of a 0-10 scale, disentangling what is OCD vs what is ASD in terms of symptoms, how the family members can help their loved ones with autism and OCD. We then change topics to Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), she shares what it is, the lack of insight in BDD, where BDD comes from, the unrealistic expectations/representations of beauty in the media, the therapy for BDD, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) for BDD and how it differs from ERP for OCD, bringing compassion in, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/amita-330

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Maya Tadross (#329) May 15, 2022

In episode 329 I chat Maya Tadross who has kindly agreed to share her story with us.

We discuss her OCD story, being in residential treatment, her experiences of exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), managing OCD alongside studying, living by her values, we talk about perfectionism, OCD symptoms changing form, her well being priorities, getting an ADHD diagnosis later in life, her experience of ADHD and how OCD masked it for her, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/maya-329

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Russ Harris: Rumination, urge surfing, and dropping anchor (#328) May 08, 2022

In episode 328 I chat with Dr Russ Harris. Russ is a medical practitioner, author of the international best-selling self-help book ‘The Happiness Trap’ (as well as nine others), and is a world-renowned trainer of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT).

We discuss his book The Happiness Trap, the new second edition of the book, how ACT can help reduce rumination, Russ’s view of rumination, noticing and interrupting rumination during an exposure, he discusses the exercise dropping anchor, he guides us through dropping anchor live on the podcast, learning to make space for uncomfortable thoughts and feelings, we discuss learning to urge surf, how to stop techniques becoming compulsions, Russ shares personal examples of himself putting some of this into practice, words of hope and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/russ-harris-328

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Elise Petronzio (#327) May 01, 2022

In episode 327 I chat with Elise who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.

We discuss her story, her OCD themes, we chat about mental compulsions, compassion, the problem with comparing recovery journeys, learning to manage her workload, her advocacy brand OCDOPUS, being an advocate, when family don’t understand, words of hope, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/elise-327

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Geoff (#326) Apr 24, 2022

In episode 326 I chat with Geoff who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us.

In this episode we discuss his OCD story, harm obsessions, postnatal harm obsessions, working through grief for his brother, suicidal themed OCD worries, his compulsions, his advocacy in New Zealand, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/geoff-326

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Jessica Serber: Siblings, mindfulness and self-compassion in OCD treatment (#325) Apr 17, 2022

In episode 325 I chat with Jessica Serber. Jessica is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist as well as the founder of Mindful CBT California.

In this episode we discuss her therapy story, being a sibling of someone with OCD, how she supported her sister, how Jessica brings mindfulness into the therapy room, working with mindfulness sticking points, she shares an ice cube exercise for learning to tolerate discomfort and uncertainty, we discuss self-compassion, self punishment, an exercise for self-compassion, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jessica-serber-325

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Pamela (#324) Apr 10, 2022

In episode 324 I chat with Pamela who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.

We discuss her OCD story, stress in childhood, growing up in a religious upbringing, getting a diagnosis, trichotillomania, depression and PTSD, her compulsions and worries, medication and exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/pamela-324

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Meredith (#323) Apr 03, 2022

In episode 323 I chat with Meredith who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.

We discuss her OCD story, sexual orientation theme, medication, the tough time she had going to a general inpatient facility, how OCD symptoms were impacting her relationships, support groups, creating a bespoke support system, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), how her family learned not to reassure her when she was compulsively asking, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for her depression, exercise and meditation, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/meredith-323

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Clarissa Ong and Dr Michael Twohig - OCD and The Anxious Perfectionist (#322) Mar 27, 2022

In episode 322 I chat with Dr Clarissa Ong, and Dr Michael Twohig. Clarissa obtained her Ph.D. in Clinical/Counselling Psychology at Utah State University and is currently completing her post-doctoral training at the Center for Anxiety Disorders at Boston University and CBTeam. Michael (Ph.D.) is a licensed psychologist in the state of Utah and a Professor of Psychology at Utah State University, where he co-runs the ACT Research Group (with Dr. Levin).

We discuss perfectionism, their new book ‘The Anxious Perfectionist’, what you’ll find in their book, the research behind the book, learning to use perfectionism when it’s helpful and learning to be more flexible with perfectionism when it’s not helpful, how perfectionism can interfere with therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP) for finding the balance with perfectionism, and more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/anxious-perfectionist-322

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Jenna Overbaugh - Postpartum OCD and ERP (#321) Mar 20, 2022

In episode 321 I chat with Jenna Overbaugh. Jenna is a therapist who specialises in OCD, and is the clinical marketing director over at NOCD.

We discuss Jenna’s OCD story, postpartum OCD, how the US healthcare system could do more to recognise postpartum OCD, how her husband helped her, Jenna shares some of her intrusive thoughts, and some of her exposures (Exposure and Response Prevention - ERP), we discuss what Jenna wants you to know about OCD, finding time for exposures when you also have to raise a child, working at NOCD, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jenna-overbaugh-321

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Alexandra Reynolds (#320) Mar 13, 2022

In episode 320 I chat with Alexandra Reynolds who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.

We discuss her story, themes: contamination, relationship, health and taboo, we talk about her experiences of exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), we discuss complex trauma (cPTSD) and doing a separate trauma therapy for it, her attachment style, how cPTSD affected her relationships, her attachment style in her relationship and working through this, disassociating in therapy, postpartum OCD, her experience of group therapy, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/alexandra-reynolds-320

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Taylor Glendenning (#319) Mar 06, 2022

In episode 319 I chat with Taylor Glendenning who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.

We discuss her story, hit and run themed OCD, her other themes including violence and harm, some of her compulsions, her therapy journey, what’s she learned in therapy, medication, the benefit of going to therapy multiple times a week for her, developing the skill of distress tolerance, words of hope, feeling shame, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/taylor-glendenning-319

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Jonny Say interviews Stuart Ralph on his OCD research (#318) Feb 27, 2022

In episode 318 therapist Jonny Say interviews Stuart about his OCD research. Stuart's research used data from the University of Roehampton’s ETHOS project.

We discuss the motivation for this research, what is humanistic counselling, the research and what was found, what humanistic (and person-centred) counselling can learn from CBT, and what CBT can learn from humanistic counselling, hopes for the research, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/stuarts-research-318

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Sheryl Paul & Sheva Rajaee: Relationship OCD (#317) Feb 20, 2022

In episode 317 I chat with Sheryl Paul and Sheva Rajaee. Sheryl is a counselor informed by Jungian depth psychology, and author of the book The wisdom of anxiety. Sheva is a psychotherapist who specializes in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and other related anxiety disorders, and author of the book Relationship OCD: A CBT-Based Guide to Move Beyond Obsessive Doubt, Anxiety, and Fear of Commitment in Romantic.

We discuss what is love, why settling for a partner is ok, highly sensitive people in love, what it means to be in a romantic relationship, ways of dealing with rOCD, learning to listen to the wise mind over the anxious mind, explaining to friends that it’s OCD and not normal relationship concerns, sharing relationship OCD with your partner without hurting their feelings, self-esteem and self-love, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/sheryl-and-sheva-317

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Dr Sophie Suri (#316) Feb 13, 2022

In episode 316 I chat with Dr Sophie Suri who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.

We discuss her OCD story, trauma from the loss of her parents, health and harm themes, starting therapy, her experience of trauma, starting to see triggers as opportunities to practice her therapy skills, Sophie shares some of the most helpful strategies she learned in therapy, her future research, and the book she’s writing, finding her purpose and why, we discuss intuition, what else helped her in her journey, and more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-sophie-316

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Annie Anderson (#315) Feb 06, 2022

In episode 315 I chat with Annie Anderson who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.

We discuss her OCD story, relationship OCD, we discuss her religion (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) and how this played into her OCD, worries about her partners physical features and whether she felt in love, opening up to get help, a breakthrough she had, existential worries, finding effective therapy, what was helpful for her in therapy, her experience of group therapy over zoom, words of hope, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-annie-315

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Robert Fox: An Internal Family Systems (IFS) view of OCD (#314) Jan 30, 2022

In episode 314 I chat with Robert Fox. Rob is a therapist (LMHC) practicing in Woburn, USA. He specialises in internal family systems and EMDR therapy.

We discuss his own OCD story, shame, internal family systems therapy, we discuss the idea of parts of ourselves, OCD as a protective part of us which may be possibly protecting exiled parts of us, what are exiled parts, he gives examples of IFS in action, we discuss anger, self-compassion, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/robert-fox-314

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr David Burns: Exposure, and the hidden emotion model (#313) Jan 23, 2022

In episode 313 I chat with Dr David Burns. David is a psychiatrist, and is currently Adjunct Clinical Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Stanford University School of Medicine. He is the author of the best-selling book, Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy, as well as many other books, including the more recent book Feeling Great. David also developed the therapy TEAM-CBT.

We discuss his therapy story, his own journey with anxiety, he tells plenty of stories to illustrate this, we discuss motivation for doing exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), he gives client case examples, the hidden emotion model, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-david-burns-313

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Steven Phillipson: Character Indictment OCD (#312) Jan 16, 2022

In episode 312 I chat with Dr Steven Phillipson. Steven is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD. Steven is the Clinical Director at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy in New York.

We discuss what is character indictment, the varied emotions behind OCD, confessing as a common compulsion of this theme, a different way to look at the concept of being a good or bad person, feeling like you don’t deserve nice things, what the brains trying to do with OCD, how we demonstrate to the brain we are safe, Steve gives examples of character indictment OCD, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-steven -phillipson-312

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Sam Greenblatt: Cancel culture (OCD), & the overutilisation of porn to cope with OCD (#311) Jan 09, 2022

In episode 311 I chat with Dr Sam Greenblatt. Sam is a licensed clinical psychologist.

We discuss his own OCD setback and the learnings he got from it, we discuss the fear of being cancelled, cancel culture more generally, how the worry of cancel culture started with the ‘me too’ movement, how some people’s OCD has latched on to this, using exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) for this worry, we discuss the importance of focusing on the uncertainty not the themes, we then discuss pornography over utilisation to cope with OCD, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-sam-greenblatt-311

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Sam (#310) Jan 02, 2022

In episode 310 I chat with Sam who has kindly agreed to share her story with us.

We discuss her story, a sexual assault that came before the OCD, worrying about getting an STI, pedophile themed OCD (pOCD), her compulsions, doing exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), medication and self stigma, what else helps her, where she’s at now, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-sam-310

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Emily Hemendinger - Cognitive flexibility for OCD, perfectionism, social anxiety and social media (#309) Dec 26, 2021

In episode 309 I chat with Emily Hemendinger. Emily is a lead OCD therapist at the University of Colorado Health Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic.

We discuss her therapy story and mental health story including OCD and an eating disorder, cognitive flexibility, cognitive remediation therapy, working on perfectionism, social anxiety, social media and tips for the mindful use of it, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/emily-hemendinger-309

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Angel Brown (#308) Dec 19, 2021

In episode 308 I chat with Angel Brown who has kindly agreed to share her story with us.

We discuss her story, harm intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, health anxiety, her compulsions, fear of going crazy, doing exposure and response prevention (ERP), helping her family understand how to support her, words of hope, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-angel-308

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Eva Surawy Stepney - Guilty obsessions, and the history of OCD (#307) Dec 12, 2021

In episode 307 I chat with Eva Surawy Stepney. Eva is a research student studying for her PhD at the University of Sheffield. Her thesis title is, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and the foundations of ‘evidence-based’ practice in British Psychology, 1948-1990.

In this episode we discuss who she is and her PhD research, her article 'guilty obsessions', the history of OCD, the history of psychoanalysis and the development of other psychotherapies such as ERP, the importance of Sigmund Freud to the early development of the conceptualisation of OCD, what separates OCD from phobias, how other emotions like guilt, doubt and disgust can be drivers of OCD, how Freud originally said this but how mainstream psychiatry focused only on fear until in more recent years where the research is showing that other emotions play a role too, we discuss the idea of trauma and potential links to OCD, the history of ERP, and the conference 'OCD in Society'. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/eva-guilty-obsessions-307

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Eli Lebowitz - SPACE for OCD (Families) (#306) Dec 05, 2021

In episode 306 I chat with Dr Eli Lebowitz. Eli created the treatment approach SPACE which stands for Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions. SPACE is a parent-based treatment program for children and adolescents with anxiety, OCD, and related problems. Eli is director of the Program for Anxiety Disorders at the Yale Child Study Center.

We discuss his therapy story, why he focused on helping families of people with OCD, what is SPACE, the negative consequences of accommodation, what SPACE consists of, the two core elements of SPACE which are to respond in a supportive manner and reduce accommodation, he gives case examples, sticking points in SPACE and ways to overcome them, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-eli-lebowitz-306

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Sidney Aburi (#305) Nov 28, 2021

In episode 305 I chat with Sidney Aburi who has kindly agreed to share his story with us.

We discuss his OCD story, intrusive thoughts around religion, avoiding school, the severity of his compulsions, worrying about leaving his country, studying abroad, suicidal themed OCD, sexual orientation themed OCD, his journey of finding effective therapy, panic, words of hope and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-sidney-aburi-305

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Katie Strang (OCD Illustrated) (#304) Nov 21, 2021

In episode 304 I chat with Katie Strang. Katie is a therapist, who advocates on Instagram through the account OCD Illustrated.

We discuss her OCD story, her themes, going to inpatient care, social anxiety, learning to take her symptoms less seriously, how she structures ERP now after therapy, we discuss how friends and family reducing accommodation can make OCD better, the value in connecting with people who have other symptoms than your own, words of hope and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-katie-strang-304

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Tapio Antere (#303) Nov 14, 2021

In episode 303 I chat with Tapio Antere. Tapio is an aspiring film director from Finland. He has kindly agreed to share his story with us.

We discuss his story, sexual orientation themed OCD, health anxiety, gender identity themed OCD, going to inpatient treatment, meditation, having friends with OCD and sharing humour in tough times, how he views intrusive thoughts, words of hope, his core fear, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-tapio-antere-303

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Amy Mariaskin: Thriving in relationships with OCD (#302) Nov 07, 2021

In episode 302 I chat with Dr Amy Mariaskin. Amy is a licensed clinical psychologist and director at The Nashville OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center.

We get an update on Amy, Thriving in relationships with OCD, her book, attachment in relationships, relationship themed OCD, the importance of relationships, OCD and friendships, developing exposures to face OCD and strengthen relationships, values and committed action towards our values, disclosing OCD, and more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-amy-mariaskin-302

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Lucy (#301) Oct 31, 2021

In episode 301 I chat with Lucy who has kindly agreed to share her story.

In this episode we talk about her story, developing an eating disorder, going to residential treatment, using substances, the effects and trauma from abusive relationships including sexual assault, suicidal themed OCD, somatic OCD, harm themed OCD, some of her compulsions, getting diagnosed, her experience of doing exposure and response prevention (ERP), worrying about coronavirus and moral scrupulosity, obsessing over medication, the powerful moments in therapy that resonated with her, the trauma of OCD, words of hope, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-lucy-301

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Special episode: Aaron Harvey interviews Crystal Anderson about her OCD story and intrusive thoughts Oct 27, 2021

In this special episode, Aaron Harvey interviews Crystal Anderson.

Aaron chats with Crystal about her story, violent intrusive thoughts, going to inpatient treatment, getting diagnosed in her thirties, how her themes change week to week, getting intrusive thoughts about her dog, sexual orientation and existential themed OCD, they talk about race and culture and how this can impact access to care and community, they discuss advocacy, when people use the term “I’m so OCD”, depression, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/aaron-harvey-crystal-anderson

Thanks to OCDPeers for sponsoring this week's special edition of the podcast. To find out about their peer support groups for OCD, and to meet others head to www.ocdpeers.com

A sit and chat with Stuart (#300) Oct 24, 2021

In episode 300 I took some time to reflect on the last 6 years and 300 episodes. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for listening, and to acknowledge where the shows been, and where’s it’s going.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/stuart-300

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Special episode: Dr Patrick McGrath interviews Dr Alec Pollard Oct 20, 2021

Dr Patrick McGrath head of clinical services at NOCD interviews Dr Alec Pollard Founding Director of the Center for OCD & Anxiety-Related Disorders (COARD).

In this episode they talk about Alec’s therapy story, what areas of OCD have his interest currently, developing an approach to help families of loved ones who refuse therapy, developing his OCD institute in St Louis, why it’s exposure and response prevention (ERP) not exposure therapy, the importance of the RP of ERP, the influence of Joseph Wolpe to OCD therapy, how anger inhibits anxiety, panic disorder, learning to adapt to uncertainty, and much more. Hope that helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/mcgrath-pollard

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Justin Hughes: Walking faithfully as a Christian while doing OCD treatment (#299) Oct 17, 2021

In episode 299 I chat with Justin Hughes. Justin is a licensed professional counsellor in Dallas, Texas who specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

In this episode I chat with Justin about some of the barriers that get in the way of Christians seeking treatment, he share’s some relevant scripture, why OCD is not a spiritual problem, seeing a therapist regardless of their own faith, the concept of common grace, we discuss miracles, uncertainty and Christianity, doing exposure and response prevention (ERP) without crossing the client’s religious and personal values, dealing with the guilt and shame of having had certain intrusive thoughts, speaking with family member’s who are hesitant about therapy, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/justin-hughes-299

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Special episode: Chrissie Hodges interviews Chance McNeely - childhood trauma, & the trauma of OCD Oct 13, 2021

In this episode peer support specialist Chrissie Hodges interviews Chance McNeely.

Chrissie chats with Chance about his story, how culture can develop/influence themes, childhood trauma, their upbringings, struggling to speak up as children, self-compassion, trauma from OCD, shame, peer support, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/chrissie-hodges-chance-mcneely

Thanks to OCDPeers for sponsoring this week's special edition of the podcast. To find out about their peer support groups for OCD, and to meet others head to www.ocdpeers.com

Dr Jason Krompinger: ERP, ACT and FAP for OCD (#298) Oct 10, 2021

In episode 298 I interviewed Dr Jason Krompinger. Jason is a clinical psychologist at the OCD institute at McLean hospital.

I chat with Jason about his therapy story, case formulation vs diagnosis, barriers to accessing exposure and response prevention (ERP), perfectionism, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), functional analytic psychotherapy (FAP), we discuss the role of the ‘self’, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jason-krompinger-298

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Special episode: Catherine Benfield interviews Steve Brumwell Oct 06, 2021

In this special edition of The OCD Stories former guest and OCD advocate Catherine Benfield interviews Steve Brumwell. Steve is a writer and director, he is currently working on his short film about OCD called ‘Waving’.

In this episode they discuss Steve’s story, hiding the disorder, how a documentary helped him understand what was going on, they discuss harm intrusive thoughts, becoming a parent, self-harm, how his OCD interfered with some of his therapy, men’s mental health, they talk about his short film ‘Waving’, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/catherine-benfield-steve-brumwell

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Kimberley Quinlan: Self-Compassion for OCD (#297) Oct 03, 2021

In episode 297 I interviewed Kimberley Quinlan. Kim is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who treats people with OCD and related disorders, Eating Disorders and Body Focused Repetitive Disorders. She runs her own podcast called Your Anxiety Toolkit. She also runs CBTschool.com.

In this episode we talk about her new book ‘The Self-Compassion Workbook for OCD’, the roadblocks to self-compassion, applying self-compassion to Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP), some of the exercises and practices in the book, why Jon Hershfield wrote the foreword to the book, Kim guides us through a self-compassion practice, how self-compassion can help you lean into fear, setting boundaries as an act of self-compassion, feeling like you don’t deserve compassion, we discuss self-criticism, when Kim has had to practice self-compassion for herself recently, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/kim-quinlan-compassion-297

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

A self-compassion practice from Kimberley Quinlan Sep 29, 2021

Full episode out this Sunday. We discuss her new book 'The Self-Compassion Workbook for OCD: Lean into Your Fear, Manage Difficult Emotions, and Focus On Recovery'.

Kimberley's new book: https://amzn.to/3kSiUd2

Disclaimer - this podcast is not a replacement for therapy. Please seek treatment from a trained professional.

Dr Nicola Petrocchi: Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) for OCD (#296) Sep 26, 2021

In episode 296 I interviewed Dr Nicola Petrocchi. Nicola is a licensed CBT psychotherapist based in Rome, Adjunct Professor of Psychology at John Cabot University (Rome) and student counsellor.

We discuss his therapy story, what is compassion-focused therapy (CFT), the evolutionary view of the mind, how CFT fits in with other therapies, his study: what it is, what it found. We talk about viewing OCD from a compassionate lens, the science behind compassion, we discuss different types of guilt, different exercises in CFT, working with the inner critical voice, we discuss some of the resistances to doing CFT, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nicola-petrocchi-cft-296

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Jamie Lewis (#295) Sep 19, 2021

In episode 295 I interviewed Jamie Lewis who has kindly agreed to share his story with us.

I chat with Jamie about his story, building up the courage to speak to a doctor, pure O, somatic OCD, relationship OCD, perfectionism, derealisation, working with Dr Steven Phillipson, we talk about Steve’s podcast episode 'brain voice vs gatekeeper voice', peer support, the concept of irrelevance, words of hope, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-jamie-295

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Jon Hershfield - False memory (& real event) OCD (#294) Sep 12, 2021

In episode 294 I interviewed Jon Hershfield. Jon is a psychotherapist and the director of The Center for OCD and Anxiety, at Sheppard Pratt. He is the author of six OCD books, including his most recent book the 2nd edition of, “The mindfulness workbook for OCD”.

I chat with Jon about what’s new with him, what is false memory OCD, real event OCD, the problem with compulsively reviewing memories or thoughts, how this theme of OCD links into moral scrupulosity, some of the compulsions linked to this theme, dealing with the uncertainty, rumination, when you’re worried to go to therapy, mindfulness around this theme, why the difference between a false memory or a real one doesn’t matter and why we shouldn’t try to figure it out, why drinking alcohol can make OCD worse, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jon-hershfield-false-memory-294

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Micah Howe (#293) Sep 05, 2021

In episode 293 I interviewed Micah Howe who has kindly agreed to share his story with us.

I chat with Micah about his OCD story, growing up as an evangelical Christian, his early memories of anxiety, fears of perfection, worries of offending people, how OCD impacted his faith, hoarding behaviours, scrupulosity, health anxiety, the process of getting therapy, advocacy, medication, setting up an IOCDF affiliate in IOWA, words of hope, and much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-micah-howe-293

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Nathan Peterson - Doing an exposure (ERP) vs. being exposed (#292) Aug 29, 2021

In episode 292 I interviewed Nathan Peterson. Nathan is an OCD specialist who practices in Allen, Texas. He works with OCD, anxiety, tics and Tourettes, and BFRB’s such as hair pulling and skin picking. He has a YouTube channel where he posts weekly videos about OCD and other anxiety related disorders.

I chat with Nathan about his therapy journey, the difference between doing an exposure (ERP) vs. being exposed, examining the day ahead to find opportunities for proactive ERP and identifying compulsions, why it’s important to actively do ERP vs being exposed, the importance of reducing compulsions to help our brains learn new information around the things we worry about, ideas for sticking to ERP homework, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nathan-peterson-292

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Steven Phillipson: Two of the most common spike themes of OCD (#290) Aug 15, 2021

In episode 290 I interviewed Dr Steven Phillipson. Steven is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD. Steven is the Clinical Director at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy in New York.

We discuss two of the most common spike themes of OCD: What if this never goes away, and how do I know this is OCD and not an authentic concern?, he normalises the process of OCD and the emotions that fuel it, the mistakes some people make in their recovery mindset, when OCD pops up in your mind when you wake, we discuss the idea of irrelevance, the recovery mindset, he shares plenty of examples and illustrations, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-steven-phillipson-290

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Malia (#289) Aug 08, 2021

In episode 289 I interviewed Malia who has kindly agreed to share her story.

I chat with Malia about her story, her earliest OCD memory, emetophobia, somatic obsessions, medication, how the themes of OCD changed over the years, postpartum OCD, depersonalisation/derealisation, feeling guilty because of the thoughts, going through intensive outpatient treatment, how her husband also meet with other family members for OCD support, how her mindset of OCD has changed, words of hope, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-malia-289

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Elizabeth Forrester - Rumination (#288) Aug 01, 2021

In episode 288 I interview Dr Elizabeth Forrester. Liz is a consultant clinical psychologist in London.

I chat with Liz about her therapy story, her research into rumination, normalising intrusive thoughts, the difference between thinking and thought, the process of rumination, examples of rumination, healthy vs unhealthy distraction, what actually is exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), words of hope, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-liz-forres ter-288

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Saleha Hansbhai (#287) Jul 25, 2021

In episode 287 I interviewed Saleha Hansbhai who has kindly agreed to share her story.

I chat with Saleha about her story, her earliest OCD memory, violent intrusive thoughts, religious themed OCD, seeking reassurance, checking, confessing, getting multiple incorrect diagnoses, having suicidal thoughts, medication, later on experiencing suicidal themed OCD, getting hospitalised, eventually getting the right diagnosis, starting Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP), going to the IOCDF conference, meeting others with OCD, relapsing, how her father now uses her experience to educate others in the Muslim community who are suffering, why she shares her story, words of hope, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-saleha-287

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Marion Maw - Advocacy in New Zealand (#286) Jul 18, 2021

In episode 286 I interviewed Marion Maw who has kindly agreed to share her family story and advocacy in New Zealand.

In this episode I chat with Marion about her daughter's OCD story, and her parent story, moral worries (scrupulosity), getting therapy for her daughter, what she learned as a parent of a child experiencing OCD, sharing common feelings together, getting started in advocacy, the advocacy initiatives she’s involved with in New Zealand, how she uses her unique experience to advocate, her experience of advocating, words of hope and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-marion-286

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Michael Greenberg - Somatic/Sensorimotor OCD, and rumination (#285) Jul 11, 2021

In episode 285 I interviewed Dr Michael Greenberg. Michael is a licensed clinical psychologist.

In this episode I chat with Michael about his reflections on his first episode, Michael’s articles, what is somatic/sensorimotor OCD, depersonalisation/derealisation, how rumination can maintain somatic symptoms, the difference between awareness and attention, he reads his exercise from the article 'how to stop paying attention', the 6 things that get in the way when trying not to ruminate, how he treats somatic OCD, removing analysis and avoidance, we discuss mindfulness and why it may not be good for OCD in Michael’s opinion, practicing reducing rumination, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-michael-greenberg-285

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Catherine Benfield LIVE from the OCD Action conference Jul 08, 2021

This is a live interview I did with Catherine Benfield at the OCD Action conference.

We discuss her story, maternal OCD, getting support from her husband, starting her advocacy journey, raising awareness of perinatal OCD among midwives, working on kindness and self-compassion because of the way she felt about herself, her blog Taming Olivia, changing the perception of OCD, becoming an executive producer on a short film about OCD, and much more. Hope it helps.

Find out more about Catherine:

Catherine’s first appearance on the podcast: https://theocdstories.com/episode/catherine-benfield-perinatal-and-postnatal-ocd-ep114/ and her second appearance: https://theocdstories.com/episode/catherine-benfield-stigma-reduction-the-bbc-ocd-ep154/

Taming Olivia blog - https://www.tamingolivia.com/

Resources mentioned:

Find out more about OCD Action - https://ocdaction.org.uk/

Living with perinatal OCD - Journal of Midwifery https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/full/10.12968/bjom.2018.26.11.700

Ruji Rahman podcast episode - https://theocdstories.com/episode/ruji-rahman-cbt-compassion-and-uncertainty-ep156/

Maternal OCD charity - https://maternalocd.org/

Ethan Smith on the podcast - https://theocdstories.com/episode/ethan-smith-if-i-can-then-you-can-too-ep118/

Functional Analytic Psychotherapy episode - https://theocdstories.com/episode/nate-gruner-283/

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Gen Skeja (#284) Jul 03, 2021

In episode 284 I interviewed Gen Skeja who has kindly agreed to share his story.

I chat with Gen about his story, sexual intrusive thoughts, sexual orientation OCD, moving abroad to avoid the thoughts, finding out about OCD, reading about OCD, interviewing therapists to find a good match, panic attacks, the process of therapy, and much much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-gen-284

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Nate Gruner - Functional analytic psychotherapy (FAP) for OCD (#283) Jun 27, 2021

In episode 283 I interviewed Nate Gruner. Nate is a staff Behavioral Therapist at McLean OCD institute.

We talk about his therapy story, what is functional analytic psychotherapy (FAP), the interpersonal aspects of therapy, the importance of the therapeutic relationship, how FAP can be useful for OCD, he gives client in-session examples, using FAP, ACT and ERP together, doing exposures to build intimacy, we discuss clinically relevant behaviours (CRBs), and much much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nate-gruner-283

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Michael Twohig, Dr Patricia Zurita Ona and Jonny Say: ACT for OCD (#282) Jun 20, 2021

In episode 282 I interviewed Dr Michael Twohig, Dr Patricia Zurita Ona and Jonny Say. Michael is a licensed psychologist and researcher, Patricia is a clinical psychologist, and Jonny is an integrative counsellor.

In this episode I chat with Michael, Patricia and Jonny about their backgrounds and what brought them to acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), where ACT adds value to OCD treatment, how they use ACT alongside exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), we discuss the compulsion of rumination and how ACT can target it, how ACT targets other difficult emotions that can go alongside OCD, how ACT can work on other issues alongside OCD, how values can be useful to guiding life decisions, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/act-for-ocd-282

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Sam Greenblatt - A potential way of improving ERP: habituation model versus inhibitory learning theory (#281) Jun 13, 2021

In episode 281 I interviewed Dr Sam Greenblatt. Sam is a licensed clinical psychologist.

I chat with Sam about the effectiveness of exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), the habituation model of ERP, why habituation isn’t always needed, what is the inhibitory learning theory model of ERP, why has it improved on the habituation model, how inhibitory learning theory looks in a therapy session, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/sam-greenblatt-281

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Brian Sullivan (#280) Jun 06, 2021

In episode 280 I interviewed Brian Sullivan who has kindly agreed to share his story with us.

I chat with Brian about his story, divorce, bullying, depression, medication, suicidal ideation, working with the wrong therapist, then finding a helpful therapist, hospitalisation and how Brian found that helpful, what Brian has learned in therapy about OCD and life, going back to studying, we talk about Asexuality, words of hope, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-brian-280

Sheryl Paul - The wisdom of anxiety (and intrusive thoughts) (#279) May 30, 2021

In episode 279 I chat with Sheryl Paul. Sheryl is a counselor informed by Jungian depth psychology, and author of the book The wisdom of anxiety.

In this episode we chat about her story, transitions such as marriage, birth, death and the anxiety they can bring. We discuss the highly sensitive person, we talk a lot about relationship anxiety, we explore differing views of OCD and the integration of certain therapies with CBT, we discuss a Jungian view of OCD, the spirituality and beauty of ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) and facing fear as an innate human skill, the timetable of healing, emptiness, the Jungian idea of gathering gold, and much more more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/sheryl-paul-279

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Eeva Edds - Loved ones of people with OCD (#278) May 23, 2021

In episode 278 I chat with Eeva Edds. Eeva is a licensed professional counselor.

In this episode, we talk about her therapy story, what is caregiver burnout, how to prevent caregiver burnout, self-care, understanding your loved one’s experience of OCD, understanding accommodation, how the loved one can help the person with OCD, self-compassion, values, and much more more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/eeva-edds-278

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Kyle (#277) May 16, 2021

In episode 277 I interviewed Kyle who has kindly agreed to share his story with us.

In this episode, we talk about his story, health/contamination worries, panic attacks, work stress, worries of harm coming to his kids, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Inference Based Therapy (IBT), what else helps him, opening up to his wife, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and much more more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-kyle-277

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Rachel Huber (#276) May 09, 2021

In episode 276 I interviewed Rachel Huber. Rachel has kindly agreed to share her story with us.

In this episode, we talk about her OCD story, maternal (Postpartum) OCD, worrying about the health and safety of her children, her therapy journey, and much more more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-rachel-276

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Steven Phillipson: Brain Voice vs Gatekeeper Voice (#275) May 02, 2021

In episode 275 I interviewed Dr Steven Phillipson. Steven is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD. Steven is the Clinical Director at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy in New York.

In this episode, we talk about his thinking around the brain voice vs gatekeeper voice, knowing the difference between the brain voice and the gatekeeper voice, we do a role play using one of the areas that cause me anxiety, he uses this role play to demonstrate the brain voice vs the gatekeeper voice, the idea of writing the headline with the gatekeeper, the paradox of anxiety, self-compassion for the brain voice, and much more more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-phillipson-brain-voice-gatekeeper-voice-275

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Shai Friedland - OCD in South Africa (#274) Apr 25, 2021

In episode 274 I interviewed Shai Friendland. Shai is a clinical psychologist in Johannesburg, South Africa. He specialising in the treatment of OCD.

In this episode we talk about his OCD story, contamination worries, what led him to become a psychologist, we talk about OCD in South Africa, increasing advocacy in the country, living with uncertainty, words of hope, and much more more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/shai-friedland-274

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Michael Twohig - ACT for OCD (#273) Apr 18, 2021

In episode 273 I interviewed Dr Michael Twohig. Michael is the co-director of the USU ACT Research Group, a licensed psychologist in the state of Utah, and a Professor of Psychology at Utah State University.

In this episode I chat with Michael about his research and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) story, his experience of training under Dr Steven Hayes, what is ACT, why he studied ACT initially as a sole intervention for OCD and what he found, he breakdowns the 8 session ACT protocol he used in his research, we talk about psychological flexibility and why it’s important, we talk about cognitive defusion, integrating ACT with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), how bringing in values into therapy can helpful, some of the metaphors he likes for OCD, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/michael-twohig-273

The podcast is made possible by and sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Elke Atzpodien (#272) Apr 11, 2021

In episode 272 I interview Elke Atzpodien. Elke shared her story in episode 102 back in 2017, and she has come on to give us an update.

In this episode I chat with Elke about an update on her story, her experiences of Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP), group therapy, support groups, meeting Margot her therapy buddy, mixing exposure homework with valued activities, stopping asking for reassurance, how her husband had also suffered and decided to go to therapy to help process the 20 years of experiencing OCD in the home, her peer support training, stigma and self stigma, dealing with OCD during supporting her father through cancer treatment, the ideas of OCD treatment that helped her, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/elke-272

The podcast is made possible by and sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Ben Sedley - Stuff that’s loud (#271) Apr 04, 2021

In episode 271 I interview Dr Ben Sedley. Ben is a clinical psychologist from New Zealand. He has authored two books, and runs a private practice called ACT Wellington.

In this episode I chat with Ben about his therapy journey, what is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), how Relational Frame Theory (RFT) underpins ACT, how ACT can be useful for OCD, Ben gives examples of how ACT enhances ERP, ACT’s view of suffering, we talk about grief and OCD, his and Lisa Coyne’s book ‘Stuff that’s loud’ an ACT book for teens with OCD, his book ‘Stuff that sucks’, the importance of listening to teens, the ACT metaphors Ben likes, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/ben -sedley-271

The podcast is made possible by and sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Laura Johnson - OCD Doodles (#270) Mar 28, 2021

In episode 270 I chat with Laura Johnson. Laura is the creator of OCD Doodles and has kindly agreed to share her story with us.

In this episode I chat with Laura about her story, her earliest experience, existential and superstitious worries, how as a kid seeing a school shooting on TV triggered worries of harm coming to her family, how OCD impacted her family as a child, contamination worries, relationship worries, drinking alcohol to self-medicate, seeking help, taking medication, her treatment journey from getting the wrong types of therapy, her negative experiences of working with a coach, finally getting therapy with a qualified therapist experienced in OCD, feeling guilty around harm OCD, parenting while dealing with OCD, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/laura-johnson-ocd-doodles-270

The podcast is made possible by and sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Michael Greenberg - Putting Rumination and Agency at the center of ERP (#269) Mar 21, 2021

In episode 269 I chat with Dr. Michael J. Greenberg. Michael is a licensed clinical psychologist. He is the director of OCD Associates, a practice specializing in Rumination-Focused ERP.

In this episode I chat with Michael about why rumination is a compulsion, rumination focused exposure and response prevention (RF-ERP), how his approach to treating OCD doesn’t fit with the habituation model of ERP but how it’s closer to the inhibitory learning model approach, he gives examples how he does ERP, how and why he focuses on getting his client’s anxiety close to zero before doing an ERP exercise, why he focuses on eliminating rumination first before physical compulsions, the difference between thinking normally and ruminating, noticing when you are ruminating, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-michael-greenberg-269

The podcast is made possible by and sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Neil Hemmer (#268) Mar 14, 2021

In episode 268 I chat with Neil Hemmer. Neil is a therapist with a masters in social work, and has plenty of personal experience with OCD. He has kindly agreed to share his story with us.

In this episode I chat with Neil about his story, his early memories, contamination OCD, he gives his candid account of intrusive thoughts, his faith, religious OCD, medication, self medicating with alcohol, relationship OCD, obsessive worries about having sexually assaulted someone, harm OCD, suicidal ideation, hitting rock bottom, addiction and OCD, going inpatient for OCD and addiction, smart recovery for addiction, writing scripts in exposure and response prevention theory (ERP), he shares some graphic stories of his clients in the aim to give hope, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-neil-hemmer-268

The podcast is made possible by and sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Lou (#267) Mar 07, 2021

In episode 267 I chat with Lou who has kindly agreed to share her story with us.

In this episode I chat with Lou about her story, ruminating, reassurance seeking, not feeling good enough, self medicating at a young age with alcohol and drugs, how the birth of her first child triggered an OCD episode, peadophile themed OCD (pOCD), worries of her and others harming her baby (postpartum OCD/maternal OCD), feeling like a bad person, getting therapy, dealing with anger, discovering Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT), eventually deciding to take medication and her experiences, the various triggers around her children, telling her husband something wasn’t feeling right, a fear of upsetting people, the OCD camp, what else helps her with her well being, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-lou-267

The podcast is made possible by and sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Jon Abramowitz: The family guide to getting over OCD (#266) Feb 28, 2021

In episode 266 I chat with Dr Jonathan Abramowitz. Jonathan is a clinical psychologist with a private practice in Chapel Hill, NC specializing in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). He is also Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina. And author of several bookings including Getting over OCD, and The family guide to getting over OCD.

In this episode I chat with Jon about why he wrote this book, how the family system plays into OCD and vice versa, he writes the book from two perspectives: one, the loved one with OCD wants to get better, and two, the loved one with OCD doesn’t want to do treatment, we discuss family accommodation and why it’s not helpful, how to stop accommodating your loved one, we discuss treatment refusal (when someone refuses to get help), we discuss the difference between a reward and a bribe for children, setting boundaries, how to get family life back on track even if a loved one refuses to get help, how to listen to and talk to your loved one with OCD, what areas of OCD research Jon is excited by, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/the-family-guide-to-getting-over-ocd-266

The podcast is made possible by and sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thank you for listening to this week’s podcast. If you enjoy The OCD Stories and would like to support us with a one time tip/donation please go to theocdstories.com/support. All tips, no matter how large or small are greatly appreciated.

Story: Chance McNeely (#265) Feb 21, 2021

In episode 265 I chat with Chance McNeely who has kindly agreed to share his story with us.

In this episode I chat with Chance about his OCD story, themes - sexual orientation OCD, harm OCD, relationship OCD, pedophile OCD, growing up in an anxious household, compulsively overthinking things, finding out about intrusive thoughts, peer support, self-compassion as his saving grace, becoming a certified peer, working for OCD Peers, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-chance-mcneely-265

The podcast is made possible by and sponsored by NOCD. NOCD are now in the UK. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Mike Vatter (#264) Feb 14, 2021

In episode 264 I chat with Mike Vatter who has kindly agreed to share his story with us. Mike is on the board of OCD Jacksonville.

In this episode I chat with Mike about his OCD story, things having to be just right, panic attacks, hitting breaking point, pulling hair, how his first therapist thought he didn’t have OCD, how a hit and run OCD episode helped him get an OCD diagnosis, using humour to make it easier, meeting his biological parents, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-mike-vatter-264

The podcast is made possible by and sponsored by NOCD. NOCD are now in the UK. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Steven Phillipson - Somatic OCD (Sensorimotor OCD) (#263) Feb 07, 2021

In episode 263 I chat with Dr Steven Phillipson. Steven is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD. Steven is the Clinical Director at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy in New York.

In this episode I chat with Steven about what is somatic (sensorimotor) OCD, neutral obsessions, obsessions and compulsions of this theme, how depersonalisation/derealisation may be a subset of this theme, how certain personality styles may play into this theme, how often he sees this theme in his private practice, he gives case examples, the focus of therapy for this theme, examples of exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), why Steve gets his patients to record each therapy session, what he wishes he knew when he started his journey in therapy, Steve’s biggest life influences, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-steven-phillipson-somatic-ocd-263

The podcast is made possible by and sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Chrissie Hodges - Peer support for OCD (#262) Jan 31, 2021

In episode 262 I chat with Chrissie Hodges. Chrissie is a certified peer and family support specialist in Colorado, and co-founder of OCDPeers.com. Chrissie was awarded the hero award by the IOCDF for her advocacy work.

In this episode I chat with Chrissie about what’s new with her and her work, what’s new with the OCD Gamechangers, what is (certified) peer support, what it is not, what does a peer conversation look like, how peer support can support the therapy process, what is OCD peers, the most attended group topics at OCD peers, what Chrissie has learned about OCD in the last 12 months, her learnings about advocacy, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/chrissie-hodges-peer-support-for-ocd-262

This episode is sponsored by OCD Jacksonville and Natural Life. Shop the Fearless collection of apparel and gifts here https://www.naturallife.com/collections/fearless-giveback-collection. Use code “FEARLESS” at the checkout for 20% off the Fearless range. To find out more about OCD Jacksonville click here: https://ocdjacksonville.com/

Story: Elizabeth (#261) Jan 24, 2021

In episode 261 I chat with Elizabeth who has kindly agreed to share her story.

In this episode I chat with Liz about her story, her experiences growing up including the death of her dad, and school bullying, her experiences with OCD, the fear of being judged, contamination worries, getting a diagnosis, hit and run OCD, what’s been helping her, her journey of finding the right treatment fit, dealing with the discomfort of seeking help, the experience of telling her family about her experiences, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-elizabeth-261

This episode is sponsored by OCD Jacksonville and Natural Life. Shop the Fearless collection of apparel and gifts here https://www.naturallife.com/collections/fearless-giveback-collection. Use code “FEARLESS” at the checkout for 20% off the Fearless range. To find out more about OCD Jacksonville click here: https://ocdjacksonville.com/

Ashley and Felipe: Beyond Borders CBT (#260) Jan 17, 2021

In episode 260 I chat with Ashley Annestedt and Felipe. Ashley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in OCD, Anxiety, and Neurobehavioral Disorders. Ashley is the founder of Beyond Borders CBT. She is joined by Felipe Malaco de Oliveira a former client from Brazil who has agreed to share his story.

In this episode I chat with Ashley and Felipe about what is beyond borders CBT and why set it up, Felipe’s OCD story, sexual orientation OCD, doing exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), living with uncertainty, a relapse after the birth of his son, postnatal violent and sexual intrusive thoughts, OCD and Brazil, Ashley’s take on Felipe’s therapy, opening up to his wife about OCD, increasing the global access to ERP, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/ashley-and-felipe-beyond-borders-cbt-260

This episode is sponsored by OCD Jacksonville and Natural Life. Shop the Fearless collection of apparel and gifts here https://www.naturallife.com/collections/fearless-giveback-collection. Use code “FEARLESS” at the checkout for 20% off the Fearless range. To find out more about OCD Jacksonville click here: https://ocdjacksonville.com/

Jon Hershfield - The mindfulness workbook for OCD & The OCD Workbook for Teens (#259) Jan 10, 2021

In episode 259 I chat with Jon Hershfield. Jon is a psychotherapist and the director of The Center for OCD and Anxiety, at Sheppard Pratt. He is the author six OCD books, including his most recent book the 2nd edition of “The mindfulness workbook for OCD”, and his upcoming book “The OCD Workbook for Teens”.

In this episode I chat with Jon about what’s new with him, The mindfulness workbook for OCD, what the book about, what’s new with this 2nd edition, Jon’s personal experiences with meditation and mindfulness, why he broke the book down by themes. We discuss The OCD workbook for teens, what it’s about, Sean Shinnock’s illustrations in the book, exercises in the book, how he works with teens, staying in the present moment, dealing with uncertainty, living joyfully, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jon-hershfield-mindfulness-workbook-for-ocd-259

This episode is sponsored by OCD Jacksonville and Natural Life. Shop the Fearless collection of apparel and gifts here https://www.naturallife.com/collections/fearless-giveback-collection. Use code “FEARLESS” at the checkout for 20% off the Fearless range. To find out more about OCD Jacksonville click here: https://ocdjacksonville.com/

Dr Jonathan Hoffman - Autism Spectrum Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (#258) Jan 03, 2021

In episode 258 I chat with Dr Jonathan Hoffman. Jon is a licensed psychologist in the states of Florida, New York, and Utah. He is Chief Clinical Officer of the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in South Florida, and director and founder of the NBI ranch residential program. He is author of the book Stuck: Asperger's Syndrome and Obsessive-Compulsive Behaviors.

In this episode I chat with Jon about what he’s been up to, what is Autism Spectrum Disorder, where OCD and ASD can overlap, Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors, how Covid has impacted people with ASD and OCD, exposure and response prevention (ERP) for OCD with ASD modifications, the NBI ranch, words of advice on getting the most out of your therapist, advice for parent and families, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/autism-spectrum-disorder-and-obsessive-compulsive-disorder-258

Stefan Batorijs - Shinrin Yoku and Ecotherapy (#257) Dec 27, 2020

In episode 257 I chat with Stefan Batorijs. Stefan is an Integrative Psychotherapist and founder of Nature and therapy UK. He is an associate Lecturer at Plymouth University, where he teaches the role of Nature and benefits of natural immersion for mental health and recovery from trauma on the clinical psychology doctorate programme.

In this episode I chat with Stefan about why he became a therapist specifically doing ecotherapy, his relationship with nature, what is Shinrin Yoku, the benefits of being in nature and practicing Shinrin Yoku, Stefan shares some examples of working therapeutically with individuals in nature, why Shinrin Yoku and ecotherapy can be deep serious work, being prepared when going out in nature, appreciating nature close to home, start small and build up, anxiety and the woods, nature as a restorative environment, advice for people in cities, what Stefan wants you to know about nature, and much much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/stefan-batorijs-shinrin-yokuand-ecotherapy-257

Dr Sam Greenblatt - Frequent reasons therapy doesn’t work, and how to improve it (#256) Dec 20, 2020

In episode 256 I chat with Dr Sam Greenblatt. Sam specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD and other anxiety disorders. Sam works at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy in New York.

In this episode I chat with Sam about what got him into therapy, why some other therapies may not work for OCD, fully embracing the uncertainty of Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP), the importance of not white knuckling through exposures, inhibitory learning theory to explain how ERP works, why anxiety doesn’t always need to go down to see improvements in ERP, the back door spike, treat the problem not the symptoms, being mindful of the wording we use in therapy, and much much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-sam-greenblatt-frequent-reasons-therapy-doesnt-work-and-how-to-improve-it-256

Dr Patricia Zurita Ona - W.I.S.E. M.O.V.E.S. in ACT based ERP (#255) Dec 13, 2020

In episode 255 I chat with Dr Patricia Zurita Ona. Patricia is director of the East Bay Behavior Therapy Center and host of the Playing It Safe podcast. She is the author of several books including “The ACT Workbook for Teens with OCD” and her new book “Living Beyond OCD Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: A Workbook for Adults”.

In this episode I chat with Patricia about what is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), what is Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP), facing ones fears in service of what matters to them, blending ACT and ERP, her acronym W.I.S.E. M.O.V.E.S. and how she uses it with her clients, misconceptions about ACT, a values based exposure menu, inhibitory learning theory as a way to understand how ERP works, she gives plenty of OCD theme examples, and much much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-patricia-zurita-ona-wise-moves-in-act-based-erp

5 Years of the podcast. What's next? Dec 06, 2020

In this special 5-year anniversary episode I share my thoughts on the evolution of the podcast, my own journey with the show, my wish for you the listener, future direction of the show, and of course a thanks to you for listening to the podcast.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/5-years

Thanks for listening,

Stu

Story: Stephen Johns (#254) Nov 29, 2020

In episode 254 I chat with Stephen Johns who has kindly agreed to share his story with us.

In this episode I chat with Stephen about his story: violent, sexual orientation and self harm/suicidal intrusive thoughts, getting ineffective treatment, eventually finding a therapist that helped, working hard in Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP), he goes into details into the lengths he went with his compulsions, his medications, how the suicide of one of his favourite musicians triggered a relapse for him, how perfectionism impacted his therapy, how the experience of OCD taught him to slow down in his life, words of hope and much much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-stephen-johns-254

Dr Steven Phillipson - When OCD Involves Others (#253) Nov 22, 2020

In episode 253 I chat with Dr Steven Phillipson. Steven is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD. Steven is the Clinical Director at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy in New York.

In this episode I chat with Steven about when other people are the focus of one’s obsessions, he sets up the episode by explaining his view of OCD for context, Dr Phillipson gives a lot of different therapy examples across many themes, how people’s OCD themes involve others, advice and words of hope for the partners and family members who may be the recipient of one’s obsessions, some of the compulsions that may be paired with these obsessional themes, misophonia, I ask him 3 questions about himself and his therapy practice at the end and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-steven-phillipson-when-ocd-involves-others-253

Dr Michael Greenberg - Rumination is a compulsion (#252) Nov 15, 2020

In episode 252 I chat with Dr Michael Greenberg. Michael is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Anxiety Disorders and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

In this episode I chat with Michael about his OCD journey, the line between obsession and compulsion, what is rumination, why rumination is a compulsion, advice on stopping rumination, the idea of a core fear in OCD, the importance of understanding the core fear, how understanding the idea that OCD is a strategy to keep you safe allows you to start to let it go, how rumination may be the core of OCD, the idea of letting go of rumination when scared, how to stop ruminating about ruminating, the issues that may get in the way of stopping rumination, why it matters how we talk about OCD, words of hope and much much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-michael-greenberg-rumination-is-a-compulsion-252

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Ashley Annestedt - Teletherapy for OCD (#251) Nov 08, 2020

In episode 251 I chat with Ashley Annestedt. Ashley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in OCD, Anxiety, and Neurobehavioral Disorders. Ashley is licensed to provide therapy in 6 US states, and the founder of Beyond Borders CBT.

In this episode I chat with Ashley about what’s new with her, teletherapy, when teletherapy may be useful, how it can help people do exposures where they are triggered, tips for getting the most out of teletherapy, when teletherapy may not be right, using the interactive features of video therapy platforms, tips for therapists transitioning to teletherapy, what to prepare before your first teletherapy session so that is runs smoothly, words of hope, and much much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/ashley-annestedt-teletherapy-for-ocd -251

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Justin Hughes - Faith, spirituality and religion in OCD therapy (#250) Nov 01, 2020

In episode 250 I chat with Justin Hughes. Justin is a licensed professional counsellor in Dallas, Texas who specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

In this episode I chat with Justin about his therapy story, how faith/spirituality and therapy can work together, when OCD shakes someone’s faith, Christian scriptures around fear, worry and uncertainty, working with shame from the taboo nature of intrusive thoughts, living with uncertainty, words of hope, and much much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/justin-hughes-faith-spirituality-religion-ocd-therapy-250

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Ivy Ruths - Therapy For OCD (#249) Oct 25, 2020

In episode 249 I chat with Dr Ivy Ruths. Ivy is a licensed psychologist and licensed specialist in school psychology specializing in treating anxiety, depressive, and OCD-related disorders.

In this episode I chat with Ivy about why she got into working with people with OCD, living by ones values, the therapeutic relationship, Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP), the importance of doing therapy homework, living with uncertainty, motivation in therapy, words of hope and much much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-ivy-ruths-therapy-for-ocd-249

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story - Katy Marciniak (#248) Oct 18, 2020

In episode 248 I chat with Katy Marciniak who has kindly agreed to share her story with us.

In this episode I chat with Katy about her OCD story, how seeing a school shooting on TV triggered her harm worries, googling symptoms and finding relief in what she found, going to get professional help, relationship worries that focused on her marriage, finding an OCD specialist and how that helped her, learning to face the things she was avoiding for years, working on a fear of getting pregnant, the process of recovery, how her husband helps her, working hard at self compassion, words of hope and much much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-katy-marciniak-248

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Steven Phillipson - Things that complicate the success of ERP (#247) Oct 11, 2020

In episode 247 I chat with Dr Steven Phillipson. Steven is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD. Steven is the Clinical Director at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy in New York.

In this episode I chat with Steve about why some people get more from Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP) quicker than others, what is ERP and why it works, what are some common reasons that complicate the success of ERP, he gives plenty of OCD theme examples, when the need to do therapy right can become a secondary obsession itself, the idea of irrelevance, how the therapeutic relationship can affect treatment outcomes, the importance of homework, the importance of doing response prevention when doing exposures, why it’s ok if you don’t get anxious when doing an exposure, mental compulsions, educating significant others, an ideal mindset for doing ERP, why starting too high up the ERP hierarchy may not be a good thing, why building on success in therapy is helpful, how desperation and control can interfere with therapy, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-steven-phillipson-things-that-complicate-the-success-of-erp-247

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story - Jaclyn Steinmann (#246) Oct 04, 2020

In episode 246 I chat with Jaclyn Steinmann who has kindly agreed to share her story with us.

In this episode I chat with Jaclyn about her OCD story, suicidal themed obsessions, reassurance seeking, harm obsessions, sexual orientation obsessions, maternal harm obsessions, the different therapies she’s tried, finding Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP), doing ERP with NOCD, the experience of doing teletherapy, how helpful she found ERP, deciding to go on medication for OCD, continuing therapy with a different therapist, what else Jaclyn does to support her mental well being, reducing caffeine and sugar, an existential upbringing, words of hope, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-jaclyn-steinmann-246

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Pete Weiss - Contemporary psychoanalysis and CBT - is integration possible? (#245) Sep 27, 2020

In episode 245 I chat with Pete Weiss. Pete is a therapist who specialises in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder, as well as other mental health disorders. He is the co-founder of camp DCO, an annual OCD wilderness camp. Pete is a graduate of the Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI), and is currently a doctoral candidate at the Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis in Los Angeles, where he is working on integrating behavior therapy and contemporary psychoanalytic theory.

In this episode we discuss why as a CBT therapist of many years he decided to train in contemporary psychoanalysis, Pete explains his progression of understanding, he uses examples to explain his thinking, how differing levels of trauma may have an input on some peoples OCD, the idea “committee of the mind”, Pete’s perspective on Sigmund Freud’s view of OCD, nature and nurture as influences on OCD, how running his OCD camp influenced him to approach OCD relationally, shame in OCD, connecting with others as a way to process shame, empathy in OCD treatment, the idea around a core fear of death and loneliness, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/Contemporary-psychoanalysis-and-CBT-is-integration-possible-245

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Meg and Matt (#244) Sep 20, 2020

In episode 244 I chat with Meg and Matt who have kindly agreed to share their story from the point of view of husband and wife.

In this episode we discuss Meg’s OCD story, losing a friend to suicide, contamination and harm worries, having the support of her dog, also getting worries around her dog, finding out it was OCD, going for inpatient treatment, talking with others with OCD, medication, how she never believed she could get to where she has got to, Matt’s story, how Matt supports Meg, how Meg focused on therapy while also being a new parent, relationship boundaries around OCD, words of advice for partners, words of hope and much much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/Story-meg-and-matt-244

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Ian Johnson - Basketball & OCD (#243) Sep 13, 2020

In episode 243 I chat with Ian Johnson. Ian kindly shares his OCD story with us.

In this episode I talk with Ian about his OCD story, homosexual and relationship themed OCD, his childhood experiences, feeling suicidal, playing professional basketball while experiencing OCD, superstitious thinking, getting therapy, opening up and talking about his pain with a therapist, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), words of wisdom for athletes with OCD, feeling connected with others with OCD, mindfulness, his book The bounce and the echo, words of hope and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/Story-Ian-Johnson-243

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Amy Mariaskin - 4-8 year olds with OCD (#242) Sep 06, 2020

In episode 242 I chat with Dr Amy Mariaskin. Amy is a licensed clinical psychologist and director at The Nashville OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center.

In this episode I chat with Amy about what OCD looks like in 4-8 year olds, compulsions and obsessions, animism - inanimate objects having personalities, how 4-8 year olds conceptualise OCD, looking out for autism spectrum disorder, how OCD can impact other areas of this age groups lives, how Amy explains OCD to these kids, how therapy for children with OCD differs from adults, talking back to OCD, making exposures fun, utilising play in therapy, calling exposures bravery challenges, homework and rewards, getting parents and carers involved, words of hope and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-amy-mariaskin-4-8-year-olds-with-ocd-242

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story - Izzy Mather (#241) Aug 30, 2020

In episode 241 I chat with Izzy Mather who has kindly agreed to share her story with us.

In this episode I chat with Izzy about her story, intrusive thoughts around abuse, false memory OCD, getting therapy through the NHS, her compulsions, relapse, her first panic attack, getting ineffective therapy for OCD privately, starting medication, seeing a psychiatrist, getting therapy again on the NHS, changing medications with the doctor during pregnancy, understanding how her brain was working to better understand OCD, starting exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), how family members can help those with OCD, words of hope and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-izzy-mather-241

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

John Tessitore - Leading With Love (JCK Foundation) (#240) Aug 23, 2020

In episode 240 I chat with John Tessitore from the JCK foundation who has kindly agreed to share his and his foundation’s story with us.

In this episode I chat with John about his OCD story, depression, religious, sexual and suicidal themed intrusive thoughts, meeting someone else with OCD, dealing with the suicide of a close friend, going through CBT therapy, starting the JCK foundation and the work he does with the foundation, leading with love, helping de-stigmatise mental health in schools, starting the JCK clinic in Uganda, words of hope for people with OCD, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/john-tessitore-leading-with-love-jck-foundation-240

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Get some limited time only The OCD Stories x Draw Your Monster merch: https://teespring.com/monster-bus (100% profits goes to Riley's Wish Foundation)

Margaret & Patrick - OCD & Substance Use (#239) Aug 16, 2020

In episode 239 I have Dr Patrick McGrath head of clinical services at NOCD, and Margaret Sisson founder of the not-for-profit Riley’s Wish, which she started to honour the memory of her son Riley, who was a passionate advocate for people with OCD and addiction.

In this episode I chat with Margaret and Patrick about who they are, why they are passionate about helping people with OCD and substance use, how common OCD and substance use is, stigma of substance use, symptoms of addiction, treating addiction along with OCD, what inpatient treatment may look like for OCD and substance use, ideas for when you are afraid to tell your therapist about substance use, harm reduction or abstinence, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics anonymous, SMART recovery, things to consider with medication, words of hope, words of hope/advice for family members of people affected by this and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/Margaret-and-Patrick-ocd-and-substance-use-239

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Kimberley Quinlan - OCD and Sex (#238) Aug 09, 2020

In episode 238 I have Kimberley Quinlan. Kimberley is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who treats people with OCD and related disorders, Eating Disorders and Body Focused Repetitive Disorders. She runs her own podcast called Your Anxiety Toolkit. She also runs CBTschool.com.

In this episode I chat with Kim about sex and OCD. I asked her many questions I got from some of the listeners of the show. We talk about when OCD impacts your ability to connect with your partner, sexual intrusive thoughts and anxiety’s impacts on sexual expression, why it may be difficult to enjoy sex, working through intrusive thoughts that interfere with sex, avoidance of sexual intercourse because of obsessions, cognitive distortions around sex, influence of porn, worrying about pregnancy during sex, contamination worries, sexually transmitted disease worries, when sex can be a compulsion, medications possibly affecting sex, letting go of extra expectations of what sex should be like, how to relate and create a better relationship to sexuality, how partners can help, words of hope and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/kimberley-quinlan-ocd-and-sex-238

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Emily O'Leary - Thoughts That Seem Mad, Bad and Dangerous (#237) Aug 02, 2020

In episode 237 I chat with Dr Emily O’Leary. Emily is a Clinical Psychologist and the founder of four psychology clinics, including The OCD Clinic Brisbane and Anxiety House.

In this episode we chat about her therapy story, her research, bringing humour and authenticity into the treatment of OCD, metacognitive therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), ERP sticking points/challenges, OCD content vs OCD process, avoiding pitfalls of circular arguments, when you and your child has OCD, living with uncertainty, words of hope and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-emily-oleary-thoughts-that-seem-mad-bad-and-dangerous-237

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Tori Chavira (#236) Jul 26, 2020

In episode 236 I chat with Tori Chavira who has kindly agreed to share her story with us.

In this episode Tori shares her OCD story, opening up about her sexuality, contamination and harm worries, obsessions about driving, avoidance of driving, resistance to therapy, getting therapy, group therapy, her first session, mindset towards recovery, and much much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-tori-chavira-236/

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Molly and Cali Gambrel (#235) Jul 19, 2020

In episode 235 I chat with Molly and Cali Gambrel. Who have kindly agreed to share their OCD story from the point of view of mother and daughter. And to talk about their book “Practice being brave”.

In this episode I chat with Molly and Cali about Cali’s story, getting therapy, Cali’s first therapy session, Molly’s parental worries, naming her OCD, what Cali liked about therapy, what Molly learned about OCD and parenting, what Molly does that helps Cali, their book, words of hope, and much much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-molly-cali-235/

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Thomas Smalley (#234) Jul 12, 2020

In episode 234 I chat with Thomas Smalley. Thomas won the IOCDF’s hero award in 2019 for his OCD advocacy. He has kindly agreed to share his OCD story.

In this episode I chat with Thomas about his OCD story, his advocacy, getting therapy, dealing with shame, tracking progress in therapy, his experience of teletherapy, how physical exercise and faith were helpful outlets for him, finding his identity after he got his time back from compulsions, dealing with stigma, words of hope and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-thomas-smalley-234/

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Blink, Blink, Clop, Clop: An OCD Storybook Jul 08, 2020

This is audiobook is a children’s OCD storybook called “Blink, Blink, Clop, Clop” by Dr Katia Moritz.

This audiobook was produced by and for The OCD Stories podcast with kind permission from Dr Katia Moritz.

Special thanks to the voice over artists:

Henrietta the chicken = Dr Elizabeth McIngvale
Daisy the cow and Maybelle the cow = Natalie Rubenstein
Snort the pig, other pigs, and Farmer Brown = Ethan Smith
Biscuit the horse and Trotter the horse = Dr Steven Poskar
O.C.Flea and Hoot the owl = Dr Jonathan Hoffman
Nervous little chick = Nami Ralph
Tips for fighting O.C.Flea = Dr Fugen Neziroglu
Narration = Stuart Ralph

If you want to buy a print copy of “Blink, Blink, Clop, Clop” you can do so here: https://amzn.to/2Oc052Z

You can listen to the audiobook on the podcast, or on our website: https://theocdstories.com/episode/blink-blink-clop-clop

For more OCD resources please visit: https://theocdstories.com/resources/

Hope it helps

Stu

Introduction to Blink, Blink, Clop, Clop: An OCD Storybook Jul 08, 2020

This is an introduction to the audiobook of the children’s OCD storybook called “Blink, Blink, Clop, Clop” by Dr Katia Moritz released on The OCD Stories podcast.

This audiobook was produced by and for The OCD Stories podcast with kind permission from Dr Katia Moritz.

You can listen to the audiobook on the podcast, or on our website: https://theocdstories.com/episode/blink-blink-clop-clop

Special thanks to the voice over artists:

Henrietta the chicken = Dr Elizabeth McIngvale
Daisy the cow and Maybelle the cow = Natalie Rubenstein
Snort the pig, other pigs, and Farmer Brown = Ethan Smith
Biscuit the horse and Trotter the horse = Dr Steven Poskar
O.C.Flea and Hoot the owl = Dr Jonathan Hoffman
Nervous little chick = Nami Ralph
Tips for fighting O.C.Flea = Dr Fugen Neziroglu
Narration = Stuart Ralph

If you want to buy a print copy of “Blink, Blink, Clop, Clop” you can do so here: https://amzn.to/2Oc052Z

For more OCD resources please visit: https://theocdstories.com/resources/

Hope it helps

Stu

Dr Lauren Wadsworth - pOCD (#233) Jul 05, 2020

In episode 233 of the podcast I speak with Dr Lauren Wadsworth. Lauren is a licensed clinical psychologist specialising in treating people with OCD and related disorders.

We discuss her therapy story, what is peadophile themed OCD (pOCD), how common are these worries, types of obsessions and compulsions, the groinal response, intrusive images, ERP for this theme, mental compulsions, shame, how it can affect people’s sex lives, how families can help their loved ones with OCD, words of wisdom for living with uncertainty, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-lauren-wadsworth-pocd-233

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Sophie (#232) Jun 28, 2020

In episode 232 of the podcast I have Sophie who has kindly agreed to share her story with us. I chat with Sophie about her OCD story, perinatal OCD, intrusive harm thoughts around her child, her compulsions, reaching out for help, the importance of finding help from professionals who understand OCD, the power of speaking up, how getting a diagnosis was the best thing that ever happened to her, doing research, getting CBT therapy, learning to be dismissive of the thoughts, her advocacy, words of hope, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-sophie-232/

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Reid Wilson - 8 OCD Self Help Principles (#231) Jun 21, 2020

In episode 231 I chat with Dr Reid Wilson. Reid is a licensed psychologist and director at the Anxiety Disorders Treatment Center in North Carolina. Reid is the author of many books including ‘Stopping the noise in your head’.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/reid-wilson-8-principles-231/

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Nora Shalaway Carpenter (#230) Jun 14, 2020

In episode 230 I chat with Nora Shalaway Carpenter who has kindly agreed to share her story with us. We talk about OCD and pregnancy, and we talk about her book “The edge of anything”, as well as much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-nora-shalaway-carpenter

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Alegra Kastens - 5 roadblocks to acceptance in the treatment of OCD (#229) Jun 07, 2020

In episode 229 I chat with Alegra Kastens. Alegra is an associate Marriage and family therapist specialising in the treatment of OCD and anxiety disorders. Alegra is also an OCD advocate, and a blogger on Psychology Today. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/alegra-kastens-5-roadblocks-to-acceptance-in-the-treatment-of-OCD-229/

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Mary-Lyn Kieffer (#228) May 31, 2020

In episode 228 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Mary-Lyn Kieffer. Mary-Lyn Director at Made of Millions Canada who has kindly agreed to share her story with us.

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/story-mary-lyn-kieffer

Story: Sam Jones (#227) May 24, 2020

In episode 227 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Sam Jones. Sam has kindly agreed to share his story with us. Hope it helps.

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/story-sam-jones

Amanda Petrik-Gardner - Colouring in taboo OCD themes (#226) May 17, 2020

In episode 226 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Amanda Petrik-Gardner. Amanda is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who specialises in OCD, anxiety and related disorders. Amanda is author of the book “An OCD Exposure Coloring Book: Coloring Exposures for Sexual, Harming, Relationship, Religious, and Scrupulous Intrusive Thoughts”.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/amanda-petrik-gardner-colouring-in-taboo-ocd-themes

Aaron Harvey - No one told me (#225) May 10, 2020

In episode 225 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Aaron Harvey. Aaron is the founder of MadeofMillions.com a not-for-profit that brings together sufferers, advocates, and professionals on a mission to change how the world perceives mental health. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/aaron-harvey-no-one-told-me

Chrissie Hodges - Trauma of OCD (#224) May 03, 2020

In episode 224 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Chrissie Hodges. Chrissie is a Mental Health Advocate & Public Speaker, Peer Support Coach, Author of 'Pure OCD: The Invisible Side of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder'. Chrissie was awarded the hero award at the 24th IOCDF conference in San Fran.

https://theocdstories.com/podcast/chrissie-hodges-trauma-of-ocd

Stacey Kuhl Wochner - Real Event OCD (#223) Apr 26, 2020

In episode 223 of The OCD Stories podcast I chat with Stacey Kuhl Wochner. Stacey is director of OCD Specialists a private psychotherapy practice, treating adolescents and adults with OCD and related disorders.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/stacey-kuhl-wochner-real-event-ocd

Jon Hershfield - Coronavirus (Covid-19) & Moral Scrupulosity (OCD) Apr 22, 2020

In this special episode of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Jon Hershfield. Jon is a psychotherapist who specialises in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. He is the author five OCD books, including his most recent book “Overcoming Harm OCD”. I got Jon on the show to address some questions around the Coronavirus and moral scrupulosity OCD. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/jon-hershfield-coronavirus-covid-19-moral-scrupulosity-ocd

Chris and Jodi Langellotti - Two sides of one story (#222) Apr 19, 2020

In episode 222 of The OCD Stories podcast I chat with Chris and Jodi Langellotti who have kindly agreed to share their OCD story from the point of view of husband and wife.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/chris-and-jodi-langellotti-two-sides-of-one-story

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD and their therapy plans (and to book a free call) head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dr Steven Phillipson - (Call me Steve) The therapeutic relationship Apr 12, 2020

In episode 221 of The OCD Stories podcast I chat with Dr Steven Phillipson. Steven is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD. He co-founded the first Support group for OCD sufferers in the New York area in 1987. Steven is the Clinical Director at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-steven-phillipson-the-therapeutic-relationship

Dr Patrick McGrath - Answers to Top OCD Questions (#220) Apr 05, 2020

In episode 220 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Dr Patrick McGrath. Patrick is head of clinical services at NOCD. Patrick is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board and the Conference Planning Committee of the International OCD Foundation, as well as author of “The OCD Answer Book: Professional Answers to More Than 250 Top Questions about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder”.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-patrick-mcgrath-answers-to-top-OCD-questions

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD and their therapy plans (and to book a free call) head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Nathalie Maragoni - OCD therapy for children, young people & adults (#219) Mar 29, 2020

In episode 219 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Nathalie Maragoni. Nathalie is an associate marriage and family therapist specialising in Cognitive-Behavioural therapy for the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and other anxiety and OC-related disorders. Nathalie has also be an OCD advocate under the name Mindonfire_OCD on instagram for many years.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/nathalie-maragoni-ocd-therapy-for-children-young-people-and-adults

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD and their therapy plans head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Here are two bonus mini-podcasts I recorded with two people at NOCD: https://theocdstories.com/nocd-bonus/

Sheva Rajaee - Relationship themed OCD (#218) Mar 22, 2020

In episode 218 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Sheva Rajaee. Sheva is a psychotherapist who specializes in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and other related anxiety disorders. Sheva did a Ted Talk called “Addicted to the answer – anxiety in the age of information“ which made up the core of our first podcast together.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/sheva-rajaee-relationship-themed-ocd

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD and their therapy plans head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Here are two bonus mini-podcasts I recorded with two people at NOCD: https://theocdstories.com/nocd-bonus/

Dr Jon Grayson - Coronavirus (Covid-19) & OCD Mar 18, 2020

In this special episode of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Dr Jonathan Grayson. Jon has been specializing in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) for more than 40 years and is the author of Freedom from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-jon-grayson-coronavirus-covid-19-ocd/

Dr Celin Gelgec - Getting unstuck from OCD (#217) Mar 15, 2020

In episode 217 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Dr Celin Gelgec. Celin is a Clinical Psychologist and director at the Melbourne Wellbeing Group. She is the author of the book “Treating OCD - a clinician's guide to getting unstuck".

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-celin-gelgec-getting-unstuck-from-ocd

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD and their therapy plans head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Story: Pete Roberts (#216) Mar 08, 2020

In episode 216 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Pete Roberts who has kindly agreed to share his story with us. Pete is the author of the book 'Unknown Forces the heartfelt story of a man struggling with mental health and his battle to live a normal life'.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/story-pete-roberts

Story: Madasen McGrath (#215) Mar 01, 2020

In episode 215 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Madasen McGrath who has kindly agreed to share her story with us.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/story-madasen-mcgrath

3rd annual gamechangers is in less than a week (info + tickets): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/3rd-annual-ocd-gamechangers-tickets-82657196901

Mike Heady - Dating with OCD (#214) Feb 23, 2020

Find out more about the OCD Gamechangers 2020 event

In episode 214 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Mike Heady. Mike is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, and associate director at The Anxiety and Stress Disorders Institute of Maryland.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/mike-heady-dating-with-ocd

Story: Bryan Piatt (#213) Feb 16, 2020

Find out more about the OCD Gamechangers 2020 event

In episode 213 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Bryan Piatt who has kindly agreed to share his story with us. Bryan is a producer over at KARE 11 News, and co-founder of the Refresh Network, a mental health media platform.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/story-bryan-piatt

Story: Stephen Smith (NOCD Founder) (#212) Feb 09, 2020

In episode 212 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Stephen Smith who has kindly agreed to share his story with us. Stephen is the founder and CEO of NOCD.

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD and their treatment plans head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/story-stephen-smith-nocd-founder

Jon Grayson and Bob Cianfrone - A fear of going crazy (#211) Feb 02, 2020

In episode 211 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Dr Jonathan Grayson and Bob Cianfrone. Jon has been specializing in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) for more than 40 years and is the author of Freedom from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. He is on the podcast today to talk about the OCD subtype around the fear of going 'crazy', and is joined by Bob to share his experience.

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD and their treatment plans head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/jon-grayson-and-bob-cianfrone-a-fear-of-going-crazy

Natasha Daniels - Parenting children and teens with OCD (Ep210) Jan 26, 2020

On the podcast today I have Natasha Daniels. Natasha is a child and teen therapist. Creator of atparentingsurvival.com a website and podcast dedicated to helping families and parents understand and support their children with OCD and anxiety.

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD and their treatment plans head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Show notes:

https://theocdstories.com/podcast/natasha-daniels-parenting-children-and-teens-with-ocd/

Story: Nicole Falcone (Ep209) Jan 19, 2020

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD and their treatment plans head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

In episode 209 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Nicole Falcone who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story and poetry with us.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/story-nicole-falcone

Ryan Glode - Family accommodation in OCD treatment (Ep208) Jan 12, 2020

In episode 208 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Ryan Glode. Ryan is a licenced mental health counselor at RICBT a group psychotherapy practice specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. He is the president and founder of OCD Rhode Island, an Official Affiliate of the IOCDF.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/ryan-glode-family-accommodation-in-ocd-treatment

Story: Amy Diener (Ep207) Jan 05, 2020

In episode 207 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Amy Diener who has kindly shared her story with us. We talk about her OCD story, mental health in Asia and her art. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/story-amy-diener

Dr Patricia Zurita Ona - The ACT (& ERP) Workbook for Teens with OCD (Ep206) Dec 29, 2019

In episode 206 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Dr Patricia Zurita Ona. Patricia is director of the East Bay Behavior Therapy Center and adjunct professor at the Wright Institute. She is the author of several books including Escaping the Emotional Roller Coaster, and her new book “The ACT Workbook for Teens with OCD: Unhook Yourself and Live Life to the Full”.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-patricia-zurita-ona-act-and-erp-for-teens-with-ocd

Dr Jon Grayson & Sarah - OCD Staring (Ep205) Dec 22, 2019

In episode 205 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Dr Jonathan Grayson. Jon with his wife, Cathy founded the LA treatment centre for anxiety and OCD. Jon has been working with people with OCD for 35 years and is the author of Freedom from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. He founded the support group GOAL and is also known for his idea virtual camping. He is on the podcast today to talk about a subtype called OCD staring, and is joined by Sarah to share her experience.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-jon-grayson-and-sarah-ocd-staring

Karina Dach - Postpartum OCD (Ep204) Dec 15, 2019

In episode 204 of The OCD Stories podcast I chat with Karina Dach. Karina is a licensed therapist in Colorado, and Florida.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/karina-dach-postpartum-ocd

Dr Sally Winston - Compulsive Checking and Reassurance Seeking (Ep203) Dec 08, 2019

In episode 203 of The OCD Stories podcast I chat with Dr Sally Winston. Sally co-founded The Anxiety and Stress Disorders Institute of Maryland in 1992. She is co-author of “Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts”, and co-author of the new book “Needing to Know for Sure: A CBT-Based Guide to Overcoming Compulsive Checking and Reassurance Seeking”.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-sally-winston-compulsive-checking-and-reassurance-seeking

Dr Josh Spitalnick - OCD in children and its treatment (Ep202) Dec 01, 2019

In episode 202 of The OCD Stories podcast I chat with Dr Josh Spitalnick. Josh is a licensed psychologist, owner and clinical director at the Anxiety Specialists of Atlanta, an outpatient clinic.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-josh-spitalnick-ocd-in-children-and-its-treatment

Chris Trondsen Shares his Story, Advocacy and Becoming a Therapist (Ep201) Nov 24, 2019

In episode 201 of The OCD Stories podcast I chat with Chris Trondsen. Chris is psychotherapist at the Gateway institute, an OCD and anxiety treatment center. He currently serves as the Vice President of the IOCDF Southern California Affiliate - OCD So Cal, leading efforts in OCD awareness and education in the local community.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/chris-trondsen-shares-his-story-advocacy-and-becoming-a-therapist

Support this show

Dr Steven Phillipson - Exposure and Response Prevention (Ep200) Nov 17, 2019

Episode 200 is here. The timing is perfect, as we broke 2 million downloads last night. Thank you so much for being on this journey with the show. It’s been a long and rewarding 4 years. I hope the podcast continues to support and inspire you in your recovery. I appreciate you!

Support this show

In episode 200 of The OCD Stories podcast I chat with Dr Steven Phillipson. Steven is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD. He co-founded the first Support group for OCD sufferers in the New York area in 1987. Steven is the Clinical Director at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-steven-phillipson-exposure-and-response-prevention

Jayme Valdez - Pedophilia themed OCD (Ep199) Nov 10, 2019

In episode 199 of The OCD Stories podcast I chat with Jayme Valdez. Jayme is the owner of Clearview OCD Counseling, a private psychotherapy practice just outside Boston. Jayme is a licensed mental health counselor and serves on the Board of Directors for OCD Massachusetts and OCD Rhode Island.

Shownotes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/jayme-valdez-pedophilia-themed-ocd

Lori Johnson - Family support and boundaries (Ep198) Nov 03, 2019

In episode 198 of The OCD Stories podcast I chat with Lori Johnson. Lori is a therapist based in the Denver area who specialises in OCD, anxiety and addiction. Lori runs a private practice called In Focus Counselling.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/lori-johnson-family-support-and-boundaries

Jon Hershfield - Existential themed OCD (Ep197) Oct 27, 2019

In episode 197 of The OCD Stories podcast I chat with Jon Hershfield. Jon is a psychotherapist who specialises in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. We talk about what is existential themed OCD, common obsessions and compulsions, ERP for this theme, how families can support their loved one with OCD, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/jon-hershfield-existential-themed-ocd

Lucy and Jess - Mental Health Gardening (Ep196) Oct 20, 2019

In episode 196 of The OCD Stories podcast I chat with Lucy Clark from Mind Food, and Jess about her experience with mental health gardening. Mind Food is a not-for-profit that runs nature based courses that support people to manage & improve their mental wellbeing.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/lucy-and-jess-mental-health-gardening

Jon Hershfield & Shala Nicely - Meditation and Mindfulness for people with OCD (Ep195) Oct 13, 2019

In episode 195 of The OCD Stories podcast I chat with Jon Hershfield and Shala Nicely. Jon and Shala are both therapists who specialise in OCD. They co-wrote a book called “Everyday mindfulness for OCD: Tips, Tricks, and Skills for Living Joyfully”.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/jon-hershfield-shala-nicely-meditation-and-mindfulness-for-people-with-ocd

Dr Charles Brady - Suicidal Themed OCD (Ep194) Oct 06, 2019

In episode 194 of The OCD Stories podcast I chat with Dr Charles Brady. Charles is the director of the OCD and anxiety program at the Lindner Center of HOPE; vice-president at OCD Midwest an IOCDF affiliate, associate professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioural neuroscience at the University of Cincinnati college of medicine.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-charles-brady-suicidal-themed-ocd

A Penny for Your Intrusive Thoughts (Ep193) Sep 29, 2019

In episode 193 of The OCD Stories podcast I chat with the creators of the advocacy initiative A Penny for Your Intrusive Thoughts, who I will refer to as C and D. We chat about their OCD stories, their project: A Penny for Your Intrusive Thoughts, words of hope and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/a-penny-for-your-intrusive-thoughts

Story: Zoe Homonoff (Ep192) Sep 22, 2019

In episode 192 of The OCD Stories podcast I chat with Zoe Homonoff who has kindly agreed to share her story with us. We talk about her OCD story, getting a diagnosis, CBT, DBT, self-care: knitting and socialising, sharing her story, her blog, erasing stigma, words of hope and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/story-zoe-homonoff/

Dr Josh Spitalnick - Health Anxiety (Ep191) Sep 15, 2019

In episode 191 of The OCD Stories podcast I chat with Dr Josh Spitalnick. Josh is a licensed psychologist, owner and clinical director at the Anxiety Specialists of Atlanta, an outpatient clinic.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-josh-spitalnick-health-anxiety

Story: James Hervey (Ep190) Sep 08, 2019

In episode 190 of The OCD Stories podcast I chat with James Hervey who has kindly agreed to share his story with us.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/story-james-hervey

Mara Wilson's OCD Story (Ep189) Sep 01, 2019

In episode 189 of The OCD Stories podcast I chat with Mara Wilson. Mara is an actor who was in films such as Matilda and Mrs Doubtfire, she is also a writer, and OCD advocate. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/mara-wilsons-ocd-story

Dr Michelle Witkin - Siblings and OCD Aug 25, 2019

In episode 188 of The OCD Stories podcast I chat with Dr Michelle Witkin. Michelle is a licensed psychologist who specialises in working with children, teens, and adults with anxiety disorders. She has a special interest in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. We talk about siblings and OCD. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-michelle-witkin-siblings-and-ocd

Dr Steven Phillipson - Choice (Audiobook) (Ep187) Aug 18, 2019

In episode 187 of The OCD Stories podcast I share Dr Steven Phillipson audio of his article on "Choice". Steven is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD. He writes "In both the treatment of OCD and in living a disciplined life, there is no word more important than “choice.” Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-steven-phillipson-choice-audiobook

Shmuel Fischler - Religious OCD, and Scrupulosity (Ep186) Aug 11, 2019

In episode 186 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Shmuel Fischler. Shmuel is the owner and lead clinician at CBT Baltimore. We talk about religious themed OCD, and Scrupulosity. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/shmuel-fischler-religious-ocd-and-scrupulosity

Lily Bailey - Live from Austin (Ep185) Aug 04, 2019

In episode 185 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Lily Bailey, in front of an audience at the IOCDF conference in Austin. Lily is a model, OCD advocate and author of the book "Because we are bad: OCD and a girl lost in thought".

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/lily-bailey-live-from-austin

Dr Amy Mariaskin - Gender Identity themed OCD (Ep184) Jul 28, 2019

In episode 184 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Dr Amy Mariaskin. Amy is a licenced clinical psychologist and director at The Nashville OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center. We talk about gender identity themed OCD, sometimes referred to as trans OCD or transgender OCD. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-amy-mariaskin-gender-identity-themed-ocd

Dr Steven Phillipson - Magical thinking in OCD (Ep183) Jul 21, 2019

In episode 183 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Dr Steven Phillipson. Steven is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD. In this episode Steven talks about magical thinking and thought-action fusion. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-steven-phillipson-magical-thinking-in-ocd

Dr Steven Phillipson - Two Tail Spikes in OCD (Ep182) Jul 14, 2019

In episode 182 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Dr Steven Phillipson. Steven is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD. We talk about two tail spikes in OCD. Hope it helps!

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-steven-phillipson-two-tail-spikes-in-ocd

Kimberley Quinlan - Let’s talk about self-love (Ep181) Jul 07, 2019

In episode 181 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Kimberley Quinlan. Kimberley is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who treats people with OCD and related disorders. In this episode we talk about self-love. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/kimberley-quinlan-lets-talk-about-self-love

Dr Charles Mansueto - OCD Treatment (Ep180) Jun 30, 2019

In episode 180 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Dr Charles Mansueto. Charles is the founder and director of the Behavior Therapy Center of Greater Washington. He currently serves on the Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board for the IOCDF.

Shote notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-charles-mansueto-ocd-treatment

Dr Lisa Coyne - ACT and ERP (for children & adolescents) (Ep179) Jun 23, 2019

In episode 179 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Dr Lisa Coyne. Lisa is an assistant professor of psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and is a senior clinical consultant at the Child and Adolescent OCD Institute at McLean Hospital. Lisa is the founder of the New England Centre for OCD and anxiety.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/category/podcast/dr-lisa-coyne-act-and-erp-for-children-and-adolescents

Dr Chad Brandt - Bergen format (Ep178) Jun 16, 2019

Disclaimer - This podcast is for exploratory purposes only. The Bergen format is still being studied, and the success rate against weekly therapy is yet to be tested. If you are in therapy with a licensed therapist who understands OCD, and is using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) you have the best treatment backed by decades of robust science whether you do that 1 hour a week, or in 3-week intensive.

In episode 178 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Dr Chad Brandt. Chad is a licensed clinical psychologist with expertise in treating anxiety based disorders. He works at the Houston OCD program. We talk about his experience of being a therapist on the Bergen format, facing scary things and why you are normal. Hope it helps!

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-chad-brandt-bergen-format

What words of hope do you have for those with OCD? (Ep177) Jun 09, 2019

In episode 177 of The OCD Stories podcast I was at the OCD Action conference in London, and I interviewed anyone who wanted to answer the questions "What's your one bit of advice for those with OCD?" and "What words of hope do you have for those with OCD?". On today's episode I share the answers to the second question. Hope it helps.

This episode is sponsored by UNSTUCK: an OCD Kids Movie. Check out the website for information on how to rent the film. And if you are a therapist you can buy the film to show to all your clients, UNSTUCK have given us a code to use when purchasing the film for your practice, use code APR19UNS to get 20% off. Visit https://www.ocdkidsmovie.com/ to find out more!

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/category/podcast/what-words-of-hope-do-you-have-for-those-with-ocd

Story: Max Hawker - Rory Hobble and the Voyage to Haligogen (Ep176) Jun 02, 2019

In episode 176 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Max Hawker. Max has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us, and talk about his new book “Rory Hobble and the Voyage to Haligogen" which features a character with OCD.

This episode is sponsored by UNSTUCK: an OCD Kids Movie. Check out the website for information on how to rent the film. And if you are a therapist you can buy the film to show to all your clients, UNSTUCK have given us a code to use when purchasing the film for your practice, use code APR19UNS to get 20% off. Visit https://www.ocdkidsmovie.com/ to find out more!

To support Max and get a copy of his book "Rory Hobble and the Voyage to Haligogen" visit this link https://unbound.com/books/rory-hobble-and-the-voyage-to-haligogen/ to find out more and use code "OCDACTION20" to get 20% off.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/story-max-hawker-rory-hobble-and-the-voyage-to-haligogen

Mary Torres - ERP in Groups (Ep175) May 26, 2019

In episode 175 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Mary Torres. Mary is a licensed mental health counsellor based in south of Seattle where she runs her private practice Cornerstone OCD and anxiety. Hope it helps.

This episode is sponsored by UNSTUCK: an OCD Kids Movie. Check out the website for information on how to rent the film. And if you are a therapist you can buy the film to show to all your clients, UNSTUCK have given us a code to use when purchasing the film for your practice, use code APR19UNS to get 20% off. Visit https://www.ocdkidsmovie.com/ to find out more!

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/mary-torres-erp-in-groups

What's your one bit of advice for those with OCD? (Ep174) May 19, 2019

In episode 174 of The OCD Stories podcast I was at the OCD Action conference in London, and I interview anyone who wanted to answer the questions "What's your one bit of advice for those with OCD?" and "What words of hope do you have for those with OCD?". On today's episode I share the answers to the first question. Hope it helps.

Today’s episode is sponsored by Riley’s Wish. To find out more including Riley's story, to find resources or make a donation please visit RileysWish.com.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/whats-your-one-bit-of-advice-for-those-with-ocd

Rose Cartwright - PURE (The TV show) (Ep173) May 12, 2019

In episode 173 of The OCD Stories podcast I interview Rose Cartwright. Rose is a writer and author of the book “PURE”, which is now a channel 4 comedy-drama series. Rose is also a director over at intrusivethoughts.org, and Madeofmillions.com.

Today’s episode is sponsored by Riley’s Wish. To find out more visit RileysWish.com.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/rose-cartwright-pure-the-tv-show

Jayme Valdez - Addiction, taboo OCD themes, ERP and ACT (Ep172) May 05, 2019

In episode 172 of The OCD Stories podcast I interview Jayme Valdez. Jayme is the owner of Clearview OCD Counseling, a private psychotherapy practice just outside Boston. Jayme is a licensed mental health counselor and serves on the Board of Directors for OCD Massachusetts and OCD Rhode Island. Jayme is particularly interested in providing inclusive treatment for all persons living with OCD, including those with substance use disorders, self-harming behaviors, suicidality, as well as those in the LGBTQ, Persons of Color and other underserved communities.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/jayme-valdez-addiction-taboo-ocd-themes-erp-and-act

Story: Mark-Ameen Johnson (Ep171) Apr 28, 2019

In episode 171 of The OCD Stories podcast I interview Mark-Ameen Johnson. Mark has kindly agreed to share his OCD story, and his advocacy work. In this episode I chat with Mark about his OCD story, CBT, scrupulosity, his advocacy in sexual orientation OCD, OCD is OCD, words of hope, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/story-mark-ameen-johnson

Dr Jonathan Hoffman - OCD & Comorbidities (Ep170) Apr 21, 2019

In episode 170 of The OCD Stories podcast I interview Dr Jonathan Hoffman. Jon is a licensed psychologist in the states of Florida, New York, and Utah. He is Clinical Director of the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI), which he co-founded with Dr. Katia Moritz.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-jonathan-hoffman-ocd-comorbidities

Gerd Kvale and Bjarne Hansen - The Bergen OCD Format (Ep169) Apr 14, 2019

Disclaimer - This podcast is for exploratory purposes only. The Bergen format is still being studied, and the success rate against weekly therapy is yet to be tested. If you are in therapy with a licensed therapist who understands OCD, and is using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) you have the best treatment backed by decades of robust science whether you do that 1 hour a week, or in 3-week intensive.

In episode 169 of The OCD Stories podcast I interview Gerd Kvale and Bjarne Hansen, both professors and psychologists at the University of Bergen and at Haukeland University Hospital Bergen, Norway. They have created the Bergen OCD treatment format.

Show note: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/gerd-kvale-and-bjarne-hansen-the-bergen-ocd-format

Karina Dach - Compassion, respect, and humor in OCD treatment (Ep168) Apr 07, 2019

In episode 168 of The OCD Stories podcast I interview Karina Dach. Karina is a licensed therapist in Colorado, and Florida. We talk about her therapy story, how she applies exposure therapy in her own life, advice for someone starting ERP, staying consistent with exposure therapy after therapy, dealing with difficult emotions, acknowledging your progress, living with uncertainty, creative exposure exercises, what is parent training, support groups, being in nature, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/karina-dach-compassion-respect-and-humor-in-ocd-treatment

Story: Matt Shoobridge (Ep167) Mar 31, 2019

In episode 167 of The OCD Stories podcast I interview Matt Shoobridge. Matt hosts his own radio show on mental health called 'Mind over matter'. He has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/story-matt-shoobridge

This week's episode is sponsored by Huddle.care. To find out more (and get a discount for 2 months) check out huddle.care/ocd

Dr Maggie Perry - huddle.care, group therapy & teletherapy (Ep166) Mar 24, 2019

"Search and Destroy avoidance"

In this episode I chat with Maggie about her therapy story, huddle.care, how playing baseball inspired huddle.care, we talk about the inner workings of OCD, anxiety, social anxiety and panic, we discuss shame, and guilt, ERP, group therapy, teletherapy and Maggie's words of hope. Hope it helps.

Find out more about huddle.care/ocd

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-maggie-perry-huddle-care-group-therapy-and-teletherapy

Sean Shinnock - Hope, Vulnerability & OCD Advocacy (Ep165) Mar 17, 2019

In episode 165 of The OCD Stories podcast I interview Sean Shinnock. Sean is an artist, advocate, and creator of the monster initiative, with Draw your monster being a project under that umbrella. He has kindly agreed to talk with us again about hope, vulnerability, OCD advocacy and so much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/sean-shinnock-hope-vulnerability-and-ocd-advocacy

Not Alone Notes - Morgan Rondinelli & Molly Fishback (Ep164) Mar 10, 2019

In episode 164 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Morgan Rondinelli and Molly Fishback to talk about their initiative Not Alone Notes.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/not-alone-notes-morgan-rondinelli-and-molly-fishback

Dr Steven Phillipson - Altered States of Consciousness & OCD (Ep163) Mar 03, 2019

In this episode I chat with Steven about altered states of consciousness (ASC) which can occur after heavy usage of cannabis, or magic mushrooms (Psilocybin). We discuss how this lesser known symptom of OCD can manifest itself, and how to recover from it using CBT. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-steven-phillipson-altered-states-of-consciousness-and-ocd

Dr Steven Phillipson - Teletherapy for OCD (Ep162) Feb 24, 2019

In this episode of The OCD Stories podcast I talk with clinical psychologist Dr Steven Phillipson about teletherapy for OCD. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-steven-phillipson-teletherapy-for-ocd

Chrissie Hodges - Gamechangers 2019 (Ep161) Feb 17, 2019

In episode 161 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Chrissie Hodges. Chrissie is a Mental Health Advocate & Public Speaker, Peer Support Coach, Author of 'Pure OCD: The Invisible Side of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder'. Chrissie was awarded the hero award at the 24th IOCDF conference in San Fran.

Gamechanger's tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ocd-gamechangers-the-emotional-side-tickets-54807755472

Journal of hope: https://fundrazr.com/d1SbI4?ref=fb_97sTgb_ab_6ZuHCJT7DNc6ZuHCJT7DNc

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/chrissie-hodges-gamechangers-2019

Your ERP Questions Answered – Part 2 With Dr Joan Davidson (Ep160) Feb 10, 2019

In episode 160 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Dr Joan Davidson. Joan is a licensed psychologist and author of the book “daring to challenge OCD: overcome your fear of treatment and take control of your life using ERP”. In this episode I chat with Joan about ERP. She answers many questions that were submitted by the listeners a while back. We hope you find this episode useful in answering some of your ERP questions. Hope it helps.

Show notes for (Ep160) part 2 here: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/your-erp-questions-answered-part-2-with-dr-joan-davidson

Part 1 of Your ERP questions answered - with Shala Nicely

Story: Alex Culafi (Ep159) Feb 03, 2019

In episode 159 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Alex Culafi. Alex has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/story-alex-culafi

Jonny Say - OCD, Mindfulness and Compassion (Ep158) Jan 27, 2019

In episode 158 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Jonny Say. Jonny is a mindfulness teacher and has been practicing mindfulness and meditation for over 17 years. He is currently training as a psychotherapist. Jonny also has lived experience with OCD. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/jonny-say-ocd-mindfulness-and-compassion/

Sean Shinnock - OCD Story & The Monster Initiative (Ep157) Jan 20, 2019

In episode 157 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Sean Shinnock. Sean is an artist, advocate, and creator of The Monster Initiative, with Draw Your Monster being one of the projects. He has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/sean-shinnock-ocd-story-the-monster-initiative

Ruji Rahman - CBT, Compassion and Uncertainty (Ep156) Jan 13, 2019

In episode 156 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Ruji Rahman. Ruji is a London based CBT therapist. As well as being a psychotherapist Ruji herself has lived experience with OCD.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/ruji-rahman-cbt-compassion-and-uncertainty

Dr Katia Moritz - The Core of OCD Treatment (Ep155) Jan 06, 2019

In episode 155 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Katia Moritz. Katia is a Clinical Director of the NeuroBehavioral Institute in Florida and is a licensed psychologist who treats OCD. She also wrote the children’s OCD book “blink, blink, clop, clop”. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-katia-moritz-the-core-of-ocd-treatment

Catherine Benfield - Stigma reduction, the BBC & OCD (Ep154) Dec 23, 2018

In episode 154 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Catherine Benfield for the second time. Catherine runs the blog Taming Olivia, where she blogs about her experiences with OCD, focusing on perinatal and postnatal OCD, as well as advocates hard for the destigmatisation of OCD.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/catherine-benfield-stigma-reduction-the-bbc-and-ocd

Jon Hershfield - Overcoming Harm OCD (Ep153) Dec 16, 2018

In episode 153 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Jon Hershfield. Jon is a psychotherapist who specialises in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder. He is the author four books and in this episode he talks about his new book “Overcoming Harm OCD: Mindfulness and CBT Tools for Coping with Unwanted Violent Thoughts". Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/jon-hershfield-overcoming-harm-ocd

Story: Jo Edge (Ep152) Dec 09, 2018

In episode 152 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Jo Edge. Jo has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/story-jo-edge/

Dr Russ Harris - The Happiness Trap (Ep151) Dec 02, 2018

In episode 151 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Dr Russ Harris. Russ is a medical practitioner, author of the international best-selling book ‘The Happiness Trap’, and is an world-renowned trainer of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT). Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-russ-harris-the-happiness-trap

Jessica Emily - Littlest Lady (Redefining Trauma, & OCD) (Ep150) Nov 25, 2018

In episode 150 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Jessica Emily. Jessica is the creator of LittlesLady.com, and she’s kindly agreed to share her OCD and mental health story with us. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/jessica-emily-littlest-lady-redefining-trauma-ocd

Elvis Gomes - Understanding experiences of OCD (Ep149) Nov 18, 2018

In episode 149 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Elvis Gomes. He was on episode 15 where he shared his OCD story and talked about his experience on the TV show Switzerland’s Got Talent. He is now studying for his PhD at Queen Mary University of London.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/elvis-gomes-understanding-experiences-of-ocd

Kim Vincenty - A worried mother does better research than the FBI (Ep148) Nov 11, 2018

In episode 148 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Kim Vincenty. Kim is Vice president of OCD Jacksonville, an IOCDF affiliate. She has worked alongside the clothing brand Natural life to create the fearless collection, a range of products that target stigma and fear of anxiety disorders - as well as raise money for OCD Jacksonville.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/kim-vincenty-a-worried-mother-does-better-research-than-the-fbi

Story: Robin Roblee-Strauss (What If?) (Ep147) Nov 04, 2018

In episode 147 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Robin Roblee-Strauss who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story, and talk about his film “What if?”.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/story-robin-roblee-strauss-what-if

When OCD affects you at work (with charity OCD Action) (Ep146) Oct 28, 2018

In episode 146 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed 5 members of staff and volunteers from the charity OCD Action about when OCD affects you at work. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/when-ocd-affects-you-at-work-with-charity-ocd-action

Story: David Murphy (Ep145) Oct 21, 2018

In episode 145 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed David Murphy who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us. In this episode I chat with David about his OCD story, his recovery journey, OCD in Ireland, getting the right treatment, the importance of seeing a qualified therapist who understands OCD, mindfulness and meditation, being in nature, exercise and connecting with others. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/story-david-murphy/

Chrissie Hodges and Jess discuss OCD (Ep144) Oct 13, 2018

In episode 144 of The OCD Stories podcast my guest interviewer (Jess) interviewed Chrissie Hodges. Chrissie is a Mental Health Advocate & Public Speaker, Peer Support Coach, Author of 'Pure OCD: The Invisible Side of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder'. Chrissie was awarded the Hero award at the 24th IOCDF conference.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/chrissie-hodges-and-jess-discuss-ocd

Lori Johnson - OCD and Substance Use Disorders (Ep143) Oct 07, 2018

In episode 143 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Lori Johnson. Lori is a therapist based in the Denver area who specialises in OCD, anxiety and addiction. Lori runs a private practice called In Focus Counselling. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/lori-johnson-ocd-and-substance-use-disorders

Ashley Annestedt - Treatment Ready (Ep142) Sep 30, 2018

In episode 142 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Ashley Annestedt. Ashley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in OCD, Anxiety, and Neurobehavioral Disorders. Ashley is licensed to provide therapy in 6 US states.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/ashley-annestedt-treatment-ready

Alejandro Ibarra - OCD Treatment (Tratamiento de TOC) (Ep141) Sep 23, 2018

In episode 141 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Alejandro Ibarra. Alejandro is a psychologist from Seville, in Spain. He specialises in treating OCD, and if you speak Spanish you may recognise him from his wonderful youtube channel where he talks about OCD and OCD treatment.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/alejandro-ibarra-ocd-treatment-tratamiento-de-toc

Story: Kevin Putman (RUN OCD) (Ep140) Sep 16, 2018

In episode 140 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Kevin Putman. Kevin is known for his advocacy work with RUN OCD a grassroots movement motivated to educate, support and raise awareness about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. As part of this Kevin ran ping pong tournaments called Ping Pong 4 OCD at the IOCDF conferences and other events. In 2015 he won the hero award from the IOCDF.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/story-kevin-putman-run-ocd

Michelle Massi - ERP, Self-Compassion, and Common Humanity (Ep139) Sep 09, 2018

In episode 139 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Michelle Massi. Michelle is a therapist specialising in the treatment of OCD, and anxiety disorders. As well as working in private practice, Michelle also works at the UCLA OCD Adult Intensive Treatment Program. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/michelle-massi-erp-self-compassion-and-common-humanity

Edinburgh Fringe Festival: OCD and creativity (Ep138) Sep 02, 2018

In episode 138 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Lucy Danser and Sam Ross about their OCD stories, their plays and creativity. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/podcast/edinburgh-fringe-festival-ocd-and-creativity

What this person without OCD wants you to know (Ep137) Aug 26, 2018

In episode 137 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed my friend Eliot who attended and supported The OCD Camp. At the camp he got to spend 48hrs with many people with OCD. As he's someone who doesn't have OCD I wanted to get him on to find out his take on OCD, and people with OCD after getting to know many people with OCD. We also discuss his own mental health, how people can break down stigma, and his words of hope. Hope it helps.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/category/podcast/what-this-person-without-ocd-wants-you-to-know

Dr Patrick McGrath - It's ok to be uncomfortable (Ep136) Aug 19, 2018

In episode 136 of the podcast I chat with Dr Patrick McGrath about treating OCD and addiction together, virtual reality, mindfulness, why it's ok to be uncomfortable, ERP, how families can get involved in treatment, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-patrick-mcgrath-its-ok-to-be-uncomfortable

All the best,

Stu

Story: Anna Foster (Ep135) Aug 12, 2018

In episode 135 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Anna Foster. Anna is a presenter for BBC radio Newcastle. She shares her OCD story for the first time. It's a heartfelt and honest conversation. Hope it helps.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/story-anna-foster

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

All the best,

Stu

1 million downloads: A heartfelt thank you Aug 09, 2018

Thank you...

http://theocdstories.com/podcast

Aaron Harvey - Intrusive Thoughts (Ep134) Aug 05, 2018

In episode 134 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Aaron Harvey. Aaron is the founder of the wonderful IntrusiveThoughts.org a not for profit website that brings together sufferers, advocates, professionals and loved ones of people with OCD in order to save lives. Aaron shares his OCD story in an honest and open way. Hope it helps.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/aaron-harvey-intrusive-thoughts

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

All the best,

Stu

OCD Con (Day 3) Jul 30, 2018

Here is the final instalment of a 3 part mini series on my reflections, and learnings from the IOCDF conference in Washington, DC.

Hope it helps.

Stu

http://theocdstories.com/podcast

Kimberley Quinlan - It’s a beautiful day to do hard things (Ep133) Jul 29, 2018

In episode 133 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Kimberley Quinlan. In this episode I chat with Kimberley about how OCD can affect people's sex lives, giving yourself permission to be imperfect, why it's a beautiful day to do hard things, social anxiety, honouring your pain, self-love and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/kimberley-quinlan-its-a-beautiful-day-to-do-hard-things

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

All the best,

Stu

OCD Con (Day 2) Jul 29, 2018

Here is the second instalment of a 3 part mini series on my reflections, and learnings from the IOCDF conference in Washington, DC.

Hope it helps.

Stu

http://theocdstories.com/podcast

OCD Con (Day 1) Jul 27, 2018

Here is the first instalment of a 3 part mini series on my reflections, and learnings from the IOCDF conference in Washington, DC.

Hope it helps.

Stu

http://theocdstories.com/podcast

Story: Solome Tibebu (Anxiety in Teens) (Ep132) Jul 22, 2018

In episode 132 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Solome Tibebu. Solome shares her OCD story, and her initiative Anxiety in Teens. Hope it helps.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/story-solome-tibebu-anxiety-in-teens

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

All the best,

Stu

Sheva Rajaee - Some questions can't be answered (Ep131) Jul 15, 2018

In episode 131 I chat with Sheva about her OCD story, superstition in relation to OCD, avoidance, acceptance around unanswered questions, why the two words “So What” are the most powerful in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Hope it helps.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/sheva-rajaee-some-questions-cant-be-answered

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

All the best,

Stu

Dr Jonathan Abramowitz - Living the CBT lifestyle (Ep130) Jul 08, 2018

In episode 130 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Dr Jonathan Abramowitz for the second time about his book "Getting over OCD" and I ask him some listener questions. Hope it helps.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-jonathan-abramowitz-living-the-cbt-lifestyle

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

All the best,

Stu

Dr Jenny Yip - OCD Treatment (Ep129) Jul 01, 2018

In episode 129 of the podcast I chat with Dr Jenny Yip about her OCD story including postpartum OCD. Her experience as an OCD therapist, the role families can play in recovery and much much more. Hope it helps!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-jenny-yip-ocd-treatment

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

All the best,

Stu

Dr Kevin Chapman - Recognising culture in the effective treatment of OCD (Ep128) Jun 24, 2018

In this episode 128 I chat with Dr Kevin Chapman about the importance of understanding the role culture plays in the effectiveness of OCD treatment. Hope it helps!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-kevin-chapman-recognising-culture-in-the-effective-treatment-of-ocd

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

All the best,

Stu

Story: Spenser Gabin (Ep127) Jun 17, 2018

In episode 127 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Spenser Gabin. In this story edition of the podcast Spenser shares his OCD story. Hope it helps!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/story-spenser-gabin

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All the best,

Stu

Harris Goldberg - Relapse, stress and recovery (Ep126) Jun 10, 2018

In episode 126 of The OCD Stories podcast I had a second conversation with Harris Goldberg who is a scriptwriter and director in Hollywood. We discuss the topics of relapse, stress and much much more. Hope it helps!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/harris-goldberg-relapse-stress-and-recovery

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

All the best,

Stu

Kirsten Pagacz - Leaving The OCD Circus (Ep125) Jun 03, 2018

In episode 125 of The OCD Stories podcast I had a conversation with Kirsten Pagacz who is the author of the book “Leaving the OCD circus”. Hope it helps!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/kirsten-pagacz-leaving-the-ocd-circus

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

All the best,

Stu

The OCD Camp - My conversation with 6 campers (Ep124) May 26, 2018

In episode 124 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed 6 of the campers who attended the first UK OCD camp, to find out more about their experiences and what they learned. Hope it helps!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/the-ocd-camp-my-conversation-with-6-campers

Interested in The OCD Camp? Check out TheOCDCamp.com

All the best,

Stu

Dr David Sherman - Medication (Ep123) May 20, 2018

Disclaimer - This episode is not a replacement for medical advice. When making choices around medication please speak to a psychiatrist.

In episode 123 of The OCD Stories podcast I chatted Dr David Sherman. David is a psychiatrist practicing in New York City for around 15 years, and for much of that time he was also an assistant professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Centre. He has kindly agreed to come on the show to answer your questions around medication.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-david-sherman-medication

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

All the best,

Stu

Shala Nicely - Is Fred in the Refrigerator?: Taming OCD and Reclaiming My Life (Ep122) May 13, 2018

In episode 122 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Shala Nicely. We chat about her new book "Is Fred in the Refrigerator?", and discuss some of the learnings from the book. Hope it helps.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/shala-nicely-is-fred-in-the-refrigerator-taming-ocd-and-reclaiming-my-life

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All the best,

Stu

Story: Richard Taylor May 06, 2018

In episode 121 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Richard Taylor. In this story edition of the podcast I chat with Richard about his OCD story, and his recovery journey. He shares some wonderful wisdom and hope for those struggling with OCD. Hope it helps.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/story-richard-taylor

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

All the best,

Stu

Dr Steven Phillipson - "I'm a bit OCD". What actually is OCD? (Ep120) Apr 29, 2018

In episode 120 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Dr Steven Phillipson. Steven is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD. We talk about what Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) actually is, what Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) is and how they differ. Hope it helps.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-steven-phillipson-what-actually-is-ocd

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

All the best,

Stu

Rose (Bretécher) Cartwright - Pure (Ep119) Apr 22, 2018

In episode 119 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Rose Cartwright. Rose is a writer and author of the book “Pure” published under the surname Bretécher, which is now a Channel 4 drama series. Rose is also a director over at intrusivethoughts.org. Hope it helps.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/rose-cartwright-pure

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

All the best,

Stu

Ethan Smith - If I Can Then You Can Too (Ep118) Apr 15, 2018

In episode 118 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Ethan Smith. Ethan is a professional Writer/Director/Producer. Ethan is a national ambassador for the charity the IOCDF. We talk about his OCD story, his recovery and what helped him. Hope it helps.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/ethan-smith-if-i-can-then-you-can-too

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

All the best,

Stu

Story: Marco Maggioni (Ep117) Apr 08, 2018

In episode 117 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Marco Maggioni. Marco Kindly agreed to share his story with us. In this episode I chat with Marco about his OCD story, his recovery journey, how meditation has played a role in his recovery, tips for meditating, letting thoughts be, and the importance of kindness and compassion. Hope it helps.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/story-marco-maggioni

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

All the best,

Stu

Dr Fred Penzel - Succeeding in Your OCD Treatment (Ep116) Apr 01, 2018

In episode 116 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Dr Fred Penzel for the second time. We discuss how to succeed in OCD treatment covering many recovery focused topics. Hope it helps.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-fred-penzel-succeeding-in-your-ocd-treatment

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

All the best,

Stu

Margaret Sisson - OCD & Addiction (Riley's Wish Foundation) (Ep115) Mar 25, 2018

In episode 115 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Margaret Sisson. Margaret founded the charity Riley’s Wish which helps sufferers of OCD and addiction. The charity was started in honour and memory of her son Riley, who was a passionate advocate for people with OCD and addiction. Hope it helps!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/margaret-sisson-ocd-addiction-rileys-wish-foundation

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

All the best,

Stu

Catherine Benfield - Perinatal and Postnatal OCD (Ep114) Mar 18, 2018

In episode 114 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Catherine Benfield. Catherine runs the blog Taming Olivia, where she blogs about her experiences with OCD, focusing on perinatal and postnatal OCD. Hope it helps!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/catherine-benfield-perinatal-and-postnatal-ocd

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

All the best,

Stu

Dr Jonathan Grayson - Freedom from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (Ep113) Mar 11, 2018

In episode 113 I got Dr Jonathan Grayson on the show for the second time to talk about OCD recovery, treatment resistance and to answer listener questions. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-jonathan-grayson-freedom-from-obsessive-compulsive-disorder

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

All the best,

Stu

Story: Lillie Fergus (Ep112) Mar 04, 2018

In episode 112 I interviewed Lillie Fergus. This is the first part in a long series of OCD stories, where I interview people with OCD about their recovery journey. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/story-lillie-fergus

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

All the best,

Stu

Dr Edna Foa - The treatment, research and history of OCD recovery (Ep111) Feb 25, 2018

In episode 111 I interviewed Dr Edna Foa. Edna is a Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania and Director of the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety. She has devoted her academic career to study the psychopathology and treatment of anxiety disorders, primarily obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and social phobia. In 2010 TIME magazine named Edna one of their 100 most influential people in the world. In 2011 she was awarded the Outstanding Career Achievement Award by the IOCDF. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-edna-foa-the-treatment-research-and-history-of-ocd-recovery

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

All the best,

Stu

Stuart Ralph - Behind the scenes of The OCD Stories (Ep110) Feb 18, 2018

In episode 110 I was interviewed by a good friend and fellow podcaster Lawrence Neal. Lawrence asked me questions about running The OCD Stories, what I learned from my guests, what it's like training in therapy, my hopes for the show, The OCD Camp and the biggest opportunity for OCD therapists. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/stuart-ralph-behind-the-scenes-of-the-ocd-stories

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

All the best,

Stu

Dr Jonathan Abramowitz - Getting over OCD (Ep109) Feb 11, 2018

In episode 109 I interviewed Dr Jonathan Abramowitz. Jonathan is a clinical psychologist with a private practice in Chapel Hill, NC specializing in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). He is also Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina. Jonathan has written two self-help books and published over 250 scientific articles, books, and book chapters. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-jonathan-abramowitz-getting-over-ocd

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

All the best,

Stu

Chrissie Hodges - OCD Gamechangers (Ep108) Feb 04, 2018

In episode 108 I interviewed Chrissie Hodges. In this interview Chrissie answered some listener questions about OCD recovery. We also chat about her OCD Gamechangers event in March. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/chrissie-hodges-ocd-gamechangers-ep108

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All the best,

Stu

Dr Kevin Chapman - Having GRIT in OCD recovery (Ep107) Jan 28, 2018

In episode 107 I interviewed Dr Kevin Chapman. Kevin is a Licensed Psychologist in Kentucky. He specialises in the treatment of anxiety disorders using CBT, and ERP for OCD. Kevin is on the board of the nOCD app and is the sports psychologist for Louisville City Football Club. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-kevin-chapman-having-grit-in-ocd-recovery

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

All the best,

Stu

Dr Steven Phillipson - How ERP works, and the power of choice (Ep106) Jan 21, 2018

In episode 106 I interviewed Dr Steven Phillipson for the second time. In this episode with Steven we discuss how ERP works, developing a champion mindset in recovery, the power of choice, living by your values, Viktor Frankl, the phrase “If I’m not choosing it, let it be!”, and staying centred in emotional turmoil. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-steven-phillipson-how-erp-works-and-the-power-of-choice

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

All the best,

Stu

Peter Weiss - Camping, Nature and OCD (Ep105) Jan 12, 2018

In episode 105 I interviewed Peter Weiss. Pete is an OCD therapist based in Seattle. He has been co-running camps for kids and adults with OCD for 10 years. He was one of the therapists in the 2013 documentary Extreme OCD Camp. Pete is helping me set up a camp for adults with OCD in the UK. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/peter-weiss-camping-nature-and-ocd

Camp - TheOCDCamp.com

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All the best,

Stu

Dr Elizabeth McIngvale - Peace of Mind (Ep104) Jan 07, 2018

In episode 104 I interviewed Dr Elizabeth McIngvale. Liz is the founder of the not for profit Peace of Mind foundation which is dedicated to serving the OCD community. She has a Phd in social work and is assistant professor at Baylor university. At the age of 17 she became the national spokesperson for the international OCD foundation. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-elizabeth-mcingvale-peace-of-mind

Camp - TheOCDCamp.com

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

All the best,

Stu

The OCD Stories in 2018 (Ep103) Dec 24, 2017

In episode 103 I wanted to take the time to share with you my plans for 2018. I find that you guys help me shape the show, so I want to be more transparent with you. In this episode I talk about the new site (not built yet), why I decided to shut down my personal YouTube channel, my aims to do more face to face meet ups with listeners around the world, The OCD Camp, guests and doing more with Patreon. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/2018

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Elke - Recovering from (Contamination) OCD (Ep102) Dec 17, 2017

In episode 101 I interviewed Elke. Elke is a scientist for a biotech company and we know each other from Patreon where I have had the privilege of getting to know her and her story over the last year. On the podcast she shares her OCD story, and how she made progress in her recovery. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/elke-recovering-from-contamination-ocd

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Dr Ashley Smith - CBT, OCD recovery and a blind quest (Ep101) Dec 10, 2017

In episode 101 I interviewed Dr Ashley Smith about OCD recovery, treatment and CBT. We also chatted about personal development and overcoming the feeling of shame. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-ashley-smith-cbt-ocd-recovery-and-a-blind-quest

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To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Thank you (Ep100) Nov 28, 2017

In episode 100 I took the opportunity to thank you all sincerely for your support over the last two years, and reflect on the growth of The OCD Stories. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/thank-you

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To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Dr Steven Phillipson - Recovery From Thinking The Unthinkable (Ep99) Nov 26, 2017

In episode 99 I interviewed Dr Steven Phillipson. Steven is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD. He co-founded the first CBT/Support group for OCD sufferers in the New York area in 1987. Steven is the Clinical Director at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy.Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-steven-phillipson-recovery-from-thinking-the-unthinkable

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Emily Byrnes - A Strangely Wrapped Gift (Ep98) Nov 19, 2017

In episode 98 I interviewed Emily Byrnes. Emily is a teacher and poet. Her new book “A strangely wrapped gift” is a collection of poems including some on OCD and mental health. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/emily-byrnes-a-strangely-wrapped-gift

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To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Zoe Gillis - Disconnect to Reconnect (Ep96) Nov 05, 2017

In episode 96 I interviewed Zoe Gillis. Zoe is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who runs nature and mindfulness wilderness retreats. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/zoe-gillis-disconnect-to-reconnect

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To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Shannon Shy - Overcoming OCD (Ep94) Oct 22, 2017

In episode 94 I interviewed Shannon Shy.Shannon is the president of the board of directors for the IOCDF and an OCD peer support specialist. We talk about Shannon's story and overcoming OCD. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/shannon-shy-overcoming-ocd

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To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Kimberley Quinlan - OCD and Eating Disorders (Ep93) Oct 15, 2017

In episode 93 I interviewed Kimberley Quinlan. Kimberley is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who treats people with OCD and eating disorders. We talk about dealing with OCD and an eating disorder. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/kimberley-quinlan-ocd-and-eating-disorders

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To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Kimberley Quinlan - Badass Radical Acceptance for OCD (Ep92) Oct 08, 2017

In episode 92 I interviewed Kimberley Quinlan. Kimberley is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who treats people with OCD and related disorders. We talk about the idea of radical acceptance. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/kimberley-quinlan-badass-radical-acceptance-for-ocd

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To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Aneela Kumar - Trichotillomania and the Keen Smart Bracelet (Ep91) Oct 01, 2017

In episode 91 I interviewed Aneela Kumar. Aneela is the inspiration for HabitAware. The company behind “Keen” a smart bracelet that gently vibrates when you start to pick, pull or bite, to draw your attention to the unconscious habit. Aneela has had trichotillomania for 20+ years. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/aneela-kumar-trichotillomania-and-the-keen-smart-bracelet

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To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Jon Hershfield and Shala Nicely - Everyday mindfulness for OCD (Ep90) Sep 24, 2017

In episode 90 I interviewed Jon Hershfield and Shala Nicely. Jon Hershfield and Shala Nicely talked about their new book “Everyday mindfulness for OCD: Tips, Tricks, and Skills for Living Joyfully”. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/jon-hershfield-and-shala-nicely-everyday-mindfulness-for-ocd

This week's episode is sponsored by the Anxiety and Stress Disorders Institute of Maryland. If you are in the Baltimore area and are looking for treatment head over to anxietyandstress.com.

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Dr Courtney Paré - Homeopathy and OCD (Ep89) Sep 17, 2017

Disclaimer - this episode is for exploratory purposes only, and not medical advice. Please seek the advice of a licensed medical professional when considering any medical treatment.

In episode 89 I interviewed Dr Courtney Paré. Courtney is a naturopathic doctor who specialises in the treatment of mental health conditions, with a focus on anxiety and OCD. Courtney explains what homeopathy is, how it can work with SSRIs, the importance of therapy, being self-compassionate and mindful. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-courtney-pare-homeopathy-and-ocd

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To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Jon Hershfield - When a family member has OCD (Ep88) Sep 10, 2017

In episode 88 I interviewed Jon Hershfield. Jon is a pyschotherapist based in Maryland who specialises in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder. He is the author of three books “The mindfulness workbook for OCD” and “When a family member has OCD”. This episode is dedicated to supporting and helping family members of those with OCD. To one, support themselves, and two, support their loved ones with OCD more effectively.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/jon-hershfield-when-a-family-member-has-ocd

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To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Ryan Dumont - The Missing Peace: A Patient’s Guide to Recovery (Ep87) Sep 03, 2017

In episode 87 I interviewed Ryan Dumont. Ryan is an OCD wellness advocate, CEO of Dumont Innovative Technologies, and the author of the forthcoming book, “The Missing Peace: A Patient’s Guide to Recovery”. Enjoy.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/ryan-dumont-the-missing-peace-a-patients-guide-to-recovery

This week's episode is sponsored by CBT Solutions. They are based in Maryland. Find out more here -CBTBaltimore.com

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Sheva Rajaee - OCD and anxiety in the age of information (Ep86) Aug 26, 2017

In episode 86 I interviewed Sheva Rajaee. Sheva is a psychotherapist at the OCD Center of Los Angeles. We talk about how not to let information cause anxiety, living with uncertainty and many OCD related topics. Enjoy.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/sheva-rajaee-ocd-and-anxiety-in-the-age-of-information

This week's episode is sponsored by The Gateway Institute. They have locations in Orange County, San Francisco and Phoenix. Find out more here - GatewayOCD.com

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Beyond the doubt course - Jeff Bell and Shala Nicely (Ep85) Aug 20, 2017

In episode 85 of the podcast I talk with Jeff Bell and Shala Nicely about their online course Thriving with OCD: four keys out when locked in doubt. Enjoy.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/the-beyond-the-doubt-course

Get 25% off Jeff and Shala's course exclusive for The OCD Stories listeners: Find out more >>

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Chrissie Hodges – Pure O (Part 2) (Ep84) Aug 13, 2017

In episode 84 of the podcast I interview Chrissie Hodges for the second time in two weeks, as a part two of our interview on Pure O and OCD recovery. Enjoy.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/chrissie-hodges-pure-o-part-2

The OCD Stories book: http://theocdstories.com/book

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Chrissie Hodges - Pure O (Part 1) (Ep83) Aug 06, 2017

In episode 83 I chat with Chrissie Hodges. Chrissie is a mental health advocate, peer support coach and she raises awareness around Pure O. We cover Pure O and many other topics. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/chrissie-hodges-pure-o-part-1

Ep83 is sponsored by theocdclinics.com (Locations: Dallas Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio/Austin metro areas)

The OCD Stories book: http://theocdstories.com/book

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Dr Ariz Rojas - Treating Childhood OCD (Ep82) Jul 25, 2017

In episode 82 I interviewed Dr Ariz Rojas. Dr Rojas is a licensed psychologist in the Division of Tics, OCD, and Related Disorders in the Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. We talk about childhood OCD, ERP for kids and other childhood related OCD topics.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-ariz-rojas-treating-childhood-ocd

The OCD Stories book: http://theocdstories.com/book

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

UNSTUCK: A family that fights OCD together, beats OCD together (Ep81) Jul 23, 2017

In episode 81 I did my first face to face interview. UNSTUCK is a documentary about childhood OCD, with the unique angle of the kids as the experts. Kelly Anderson and Chris Baier started this project two years ago to shed some much needed light on how OCD affects children, and how they can recover. In this episode I chat with Chris, and his two daughters Vanessa and Charlotte.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/unstuck-a-family-that-fights-ocd-together-beats-ocd-together

The OCD Stories book: http://theocdstories.com/book

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

My experience of the IOCDF conference in San Fran (Ep80) Jul 16, 2017

In episode 80 I share my experience of the IOCDF conference in San Francisco. I talk about the two podcasts I recorded in person (a first for me), and some of the things I learned from the conference. I had a wonderful time, and met so many lovely people. The spirit of the conference was inspiring, and hopeful.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/my-experience-of-the-iocdf-conference-in-san-fran

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

The OCD Stories book: http://theocdstories.com/book

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Harris Goldberg - OCD in Hollywood (Ep77) Jun 24, 2017

In episode 77 of the podcast I chat with Harris Goldberg. Harris is a writer, producer and director, having worked on several Hollywood hits. In 2007 he wrote and directed the film Numb, which was a biopic about his mental health experiences. We talk about OCD, depersonalisation and mental health in Hollywood. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/harris-goldberg-ocd-in-hollywood

The OCD Stories book: http://theocdstories.com/book

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Kimberley Quinlan - Your Anxiety Toolkit (Ep76) Jun 15, 2017

In episode 76 of the podcast I chat with Kimberley Quinlan about her podcast "Your anxiety toolkit", her approach to therapy, and she answers your questions about OCD recovery. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/kimberley-quinlan-your-anxiety-toolkit

The OCD Stories book: http://theocdstories.com/book

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Mark Freeman - The Mind Workout (Ep75) Jun 11, 2017

In episode 75 of the podcast I chat with Mark Freeman about his new book "The Mind workout". We discuss his book, and various insights from it. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/mark-freeman-the-mind-workout

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

OCD Charities: OCD Action (Ep72) May 21, 2017

In episode 72 of the podcast I interview Olivia Bamber from the charity OCD Action. Olivia is the media and communications officer for the charity. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/ocd-charities-ocd-action

The OCD Stories book: http://theocdstories.com/book

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

OCD Charities: The IOCDF (Ep70) May 04, 2017

In episode 70 of the podcast I interviewed Jeff and Ethan from the International OCD Foundation. I ask them how the IOCDF can be of service to you, and how you can be of service to them. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/ocd-charities-the-iocdf

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

The OCD Stories book: http://theocdstories.com/book

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Your ERP Questions Answered - Part 1 with Shala Nicely (Ep68) Apr 18, 2017

In episode 68 of the podcast I interviewed Shala Nicely.I got Shala on the show to answer some of your ERP questions. I asked the community what their ERP questions were. 36 people answered, with a collective 78 questions. This is part one in answering these questions. Enjoy!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/your-erp-questions-answered-part-1-with-shala-nicely

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

The OCD Stories book: http://theocdstories.com/book

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Professor Paul Gilbert - Compassion and OCD (Ep67) Apr 16, 2017

In episode 67 of the podcast I interviewed Professor Paul Gilbert. We talk about how compassion can improve mental health, and help with Exposures. Enjoy.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/professor-paul-gilbert-compassion-and-ocd

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

The OCD Stories book: http://theocdstories.com/book

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Epifania Rita Gallina - Taking back your life through ERP (Ep66) Apr 04, 2017

In episode 66 of the podcast I interviewed Epifania Rita Gallinata. We talk about her OCD story, her recovery and her advice for taking your life back from OCD.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/epifania-rita-gallina-taking-back-your-life-through-erp

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

The OCD Stories book: http://theocdstories.com/book

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Donald Robertson - OCD, and Stoicism (Ep64) Mar 24, 2017

In episode 64 of the podcast I interview Donald Robertson. Donald is a therapist and author. We talk about the origins of CBT, stoicism and OCD recovery. Donald shares some great advice. Hope it helps!

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/donald-robertson-ocd-and-stoicism

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Dr Allen Weg - OCD Treatment Through Storytelling (Ep63) Mar 16, 2017

In episode 63 of the podcast I interviewed Dr Allen Weg. I talked with Allen about using story telling in the treatment of OCD. Hope it helps!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-allen-weg-ocd-treatment-through-storytelling

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Eric Kupers - The Dharma of OCD (Ep62) Mar 10, 2017

In episode 62 of the podcast I interviewed Eric Kupers. I talked with Eric about a philosophical piece of writing he did called "The Dharma of OCD". Hope it helps!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/eric-kupers-the-dharma-of-ocd

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Storytime - My 40 Year Journey With OCD Mar 08, 2017

Welcome to the Wednesday story edition of The OCD Stories podcast. In this storytime edition I read Eric's OCD story.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/storytime-my-40-year-journey-with-OCD

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

Adam Shaw - Pulling The Trigger (OCD Recovery) (Ep61) Mar 03, 2017

In episode 61 of the podcast I interviewed Adam Shaw. Adam shares his OCD story, and talks about his book "Pulling the trigger" and charity "The Shaw Mind Foundation". Hope it helps!

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/adam-shaw-pulling-the-trigger-ocd-recovery

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Storytime - On Avoiding Writing This Essay Feb 28, 2017

Welcome to the Wednesday story edition of The OCD Stories podcast. In this storytime edition I read Morgan's OCD story.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/storytime-on-avoiding-writing-this-essay

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Liz Atkin - From Compulsive Skin Picking to Compulsive Charcoal (Ep60) Feb 26, 2017

In episode 60 of the podcast I interviewed Liz Atkin. Liz talks about her experience with compulsive skin picking, her 1 minute charcoal drawings and recovery tips. Hope it helps!

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/liz-atkin-from-compulsive-skin-picking-to-compulsive-charcoal

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Rob Willson - Overcoming OCD and BDD (Ep59) Feb 19, 2017

In episode 59 of the podcast I interviewed therapist Rob Willson. Rob has written many books on OCD and BDD, and offers lots of great advice for both overcoming OCD and BDD. Hope it helps!

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/rob-willson-overcoming-ocd-and-bdd

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Their One Piece Of Advice (Ep58) Feb 12, 2017

In episode 58 of the podcast I have compiled some of my guests recent answers to the question "What would you tell someone with OCD you meet in an elevator (30 second elevator ride)?". Hope it helps!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/their-one-piece-of-advice

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Storytime - February Fifteenth: My Obsession With Obsession Feb 08, 2017

Welcome to the Wednesday story edition of The OCD Stories podcast. In this storytime edition I read PJ's OCD story.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/storytime-february-fifteenth

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Storytime - From Contamination OCD To The BBC Jan 31, 2017

Welcome to the Wednesday story edition of The OCD Stories podcast. In this storytime edition I read Louise's OCD story.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/storytime-from-contamination-ocd-to-the-bbc

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Professor David Veale - OCD Psychiatry and Research (Ep55) Jan 22, 2017

In episode 55 of the podcast I interviewed research and psychiatrist David Veale. David has added a lot to the research field of OCD and had some great answers to my questions. I hope it helps!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/professor-david-veale-ocd-psychiatry-and-research

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Alison Dotson - Being Me With OCD (Ep54) Jan 13, 2017

In episode 54 of the podcast I interviewed Alison Dotson. Alison is an OCD advocate and author of the book “Being me with OCD: How I learned to obsess less and live my life”. I hope it helps!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/alison-dotson-being-me-with-ocd

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

OCD Storytime - "It all started when I was 3 years old" (Ep 53) Jan 08, 2017

In episode 53 of the podcast I read out Sofi's OCD story. I share what I found inspiring about it, and what we can learn to use in our own recovery from OCD. I hope it helps!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/ocd-storytime-it-all-started-when-i-was-3-years-old

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Kat Nicole - OCD 1 Year On (Ep 52) Jan 01, 2017

In episode 52 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed YouTuber (Shalom Aleichem) and OCD blogger Katlyn Nicole on her journey of recovery from OCD for the second time. I hope it helps!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/kat-nicole-ocd-1-year-on

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Advice for an Amazing Life (OCD Recovery) Dec 25, 2016

This is a mini episode made up of some of the answers to the question "what advice do you have for people to live an amazing life?". I hope you find this helpful and inspiring to your OCD recovery.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/advice-for-an-amazing-life

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Kieron O'Connor - Inference Based Therapy (Ep 49) Dec 05, 2016

In episode 49 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Dr Kieron O'Connor. Kieron is a key researcher behind Inference Based Therapy (IBA) which he created to treat OCD. He shares the principles behind the therapy and insight into OCD. I hope it helps!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/kieron-oconnor-inference-based-therapy

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Stephen Smith - Treat My OCD (Ep48) Nov 27, 2016

In episode 48 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Stephen Smith. Stephen is the co-founder of the app nOCD. On this epsiode he shares with us the new features of the app and also some advice. I hope it helps!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/stephen-smith-treat-my-ocd

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

A day in the life of Stuart Ralph (Ep 46) Nov 13, 2016

In episode 46 of The OCD Stories podcast I was interviewed by Chetna of The East Bay Behavior Therapy Center. Chetna asked me some great questions about recovery, OCD, what the behind the scenes of The OCD Stories looks like and motivation. I hope it helps!

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/a-day-in-the-life-of-stuart-ralph

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Dr Jonathan Grayson - OCD Recovery, Uncertainty and Virtual Camping (Ep45) Nov 06, 2016

In episode 45 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Dr Jonathan Grayson. We chat about virtual camping, ERP, motivation in recovery and much much more. I hope it helps!

Show notes: theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-jonathan-grayson-ocd-recovery-uncertainty-and-virtual-camping

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Dr Becky Beaton - Hoarding, Trauma and OCD (Ep43) Oct 23, 2016

In episode 43 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Dr Becky Beaton. We discuss motivation in recovery, approaching treatment from many angles and mindfulness, among much much more. Enjoy.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-becky-beaton-hoarding-trauma-and-ocd

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Dr Reid Wilson - Stopping the noise in your head (Ep42) Oct 16, 2016

In episode 42 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Dr Reid Wilson. We chat about his approach to treating OCD. He offers some brilliant advice, for dealing with OCD.

Show notes - http://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-reid-wilson-stopping-the-noise-in-your-head

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Shala Nicely Answers Your OCD Recovery Questions (Ep41) Oct 09, 2016

In episode 41 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Shala Nicely. You guys sent in some great questions which I asked Shala. Topics include sleep, starting ERP, mental checking and much much more.

Show notes - http://theocdstories.com/podcast/shala-nicely-answers-your-ocd-recovery-questions

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Ashley Fulwood (OCD UK) - Recovery Is Possible (Ep39) Sep 25, 2016

In episode 39 of the podcast I chat with OCD UK CEO Ashley Fulwood. Ashley shares some great advice for challenging OCD.

Show notes - http://theocdstories.com/podcast/ashley-fulwood-ocd-uk/

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Morgan Rondinelli - My OCD Voice (Ep 38) Sep 18, 2016

In episode 38 of the podcast I chat with Morgan Rondinelli. Morgan is an OCD advocate and blogger. We talk about her recovery, what helped her and ERP therapy. Hope it helps...

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/morgan-rondinelli-my-ocd-voice

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Duncan CJ - OCD, and Living a Fulfilled Life (Ep36) Aug 30, 2016

In episode 36 of the podcast I chat with Duncan CJ. Duncan is the host of the Spirit Pig podcast. He interviews people all over the world about fulfilment. He doesn't have OCD but I wanted to get him on the show to share his advice for living a fulfilled life. Hope it helps...

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Adam Strauss - Comedy, Recovery and Psychedelics (Ep35) Aug 29, 2016

DISCLAIMER - This is an exploratory interview into the potential of psychedelics as a treatment for OCD. This is NOT a how to guide. If you take psychedelics, you do so at your own risk.

In episode 35 of the podcast I chat with comedian Adam Strauss about his use of psychedelics as a potential treatment for OCD. We discuss the legality of it all and the future potential. Adam also shares the importance of acceptance and ACT. Hope it helps.

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Julia Gottwald - Adolescent OCD (Ep 34) Aug 21, 2016

In episode 34 of the podcast I chat with Julia Gottwald. Julia is researching Adolescent OCD. We discuss why teenagers with OCD are different from adults with OCD. We look at why teenagers with OCD could have a different treatment plan from adults. This is an interesting and inspiring conversation about OCD and OCD research. Hope it helps.

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Jeff Bell - When in doubt, make belief (Ep 33) Aug 14, 2016

In episode 33 of the podcast I chat with Jeff Bell, author of two books on OCD. Jeff shares his great advice for recovery from OCD, including the importance of purpose and service. We talk about his book "When in doubt, make belief". Hope it helps.

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD: http://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Recovery from OCD is possible - Motivation Jul 25, 2016

I may have a sore throat but I didn't want to let that stop me from sharing something. Recovery from OCD is possible. I hope this mini-episode inspires you.

To your success, Stuart and The OCD Stories team

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Say No to OCD with the nOCD app (Ep 30) Jul 17, 2016

Download the nOCD app (free): http://m.treatmyocd.com/ocdstories

In episode 30 of The OCD Stories podcast I talked with Stephen Smith. Stephen co-founded the app nOCD. The app tracks and measures obsessions and compulsions. It's a great app and is free -check it out. Stephen also shares some great advice from his own OCD journey. Enjoy.

To your success, Stuart and The OCD Stories team

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Catlin Palmer - Accept anything and you can transcend everything (Ep29) Jul 10, 2016

In episode 29 of The OCD Stories podcast I talked with Catlin A. Palmer. Catlin is part native American. We discuss his culture and how this impacted his mental health. Catlin is a life coach with a background in social work. He talks about his battles with Pure O, depression and social anxiety. We also discuss addiction, and how to overcome it. Enjoy.

To your success, Stuart and The OCD Stories team

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OCD Books, Books, Books (Ep 28) Jul 03, 2016

In episode 28 of the podcast I discuss some of the OCD books that I've read, in the hopes it helps you decide your next book for your recovery!

To your success, Stuart and The OCD Stories team

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Dr Guy Doron on ROCD and the ROCD App (Ep27) Jun 26, 2016

In episode 27 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Dr Guy Doron. I first interviewed Guy in January for episode 5. Guy is one of the leading researchers in relationship OCD (rOCD), and along with his team he his uncovering important information about this subtype of OCD. He has recently co-created an app for ROCD recovery. This episode offers general OCD advice, so don't worry if you don't suffer with ROCD. OCD is OCD.

To your success, Stuart and The OCD Stories team

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Ed's Story: The Truth of OCD (Ep 26) Jun 19, 2016

In episode 26 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Ed Renshaw. Ed first wrote his OCD story for the website in 2015. I've since got to know Ed well, and wanted to get him on the show to share his journey and inspiration with you. Enjoy...

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

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The OCD Maestro (Ep 25) Jun 12, 2016

In episode 25 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Andy. Andy is an artist, photographer and the illustrator behind the popular OCD Instagram account OCD Maestro. Enjoy...

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

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Lily Bailey "Because We Are Bad" (Ep 24) Jun 06, 2016

In episode 24 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Lily Bailey. Lily is a model and author. I interviewed her in episode 12 of the podcast to hear her story, and find what helped her in her journey. In this episode we talk about her new book "Because we are bad: OCD and a girl lost in thought".

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

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Mary on OCD Recovery, The Arts and Leaning In (Ep 22) May 23, 2016

In episode 22 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Mary. Mary was featured in the book "Daring to challenge OCD", and has some wonderful advice to share. Enjoy...

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

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Dr Chad LeJeune on Worry, ACT and Breathing (Ep 20) May 08, 2016

In episode 20 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Dr Chad LeJeune. Chad is a professor of psychology at the University of San Francisco. He has more than 20 years experience treating people with anxiety problems. Chad is also the author of the book “The Worry Trap” which is reviewed at 4.9 stars out of 5.

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

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Eric Kupers on Meditation, ERP, EMDR and OCD! (Ep19) May 01, 2016

In episode 19 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Eric Kupers. Eric is Associate Professor, at Cal State University East Bay, in the Department of Theatre. He is also Dance Co-Director, at the Dandelion Dance theater. We talk about his recovery, medication, EMDR and relationships.

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

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Katie d'Ath on Managing OCD With CBT (Ep 18) Apr 24, 2016

In episode 18 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Katie d'Ath. Katie is an author and OCD therapist. We talk about CBT, sleep, diet and exercise as well as much much more. Enjoy...

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

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Dr Courtney Paré on Naturopathic Medicine for OCD (Ep 17) Apr 17, 2016

Disclaimer - this episode is for exploratory purposes only, and not medical advice. Please seek the advice of a licensed medical professional when considering any medical treatment.

In episode 17 of the podcast I interviewed Dr Courtney Paré. Courtney specialises in naturopathic medicine, and has had her own battles with OCD. She shares her advice for getting better form OCD naturally. Enjoy...

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

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Elvis Gomes - Switzerland's Got Talent and Sexual Orientation OCD Apr 03, 2016

In episode 15 of the podcast I interviewed Elvis Gomes. Elvis is a singer songwriter and 2015 performed his song "Let me go" on Switzerland's Got Talent. We talk about his recovery, his song and the alternative recovery methods. Enjoy...

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

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Dr Joan Davidson on Daring To Challenge OCD (Ep 14) Mar 27, 2016

In episode 14 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Dr Joan Davidson. Joan is author of the book “Daring to challenge OCD: overcome your fear of treatment and take control of your life using ERP”

Show notes: http://www.theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-joan-davidson-daring-to-challenge-ocd

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Dr Fred Penzel on Homosexual OCD, BDD & Zen (Ep 13) Mar 20, 2016

In episode 13 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Dr Fred Penzel. Fred is a psychologist and founding member of the International OCD Foundation. He has authored a book on OCD and one on Trichotillomania.

Show notes: http://theocdstories.com/podcast/dr-fred-penzel-on-homosexual-ocd-bdd-zen

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Lily Bailey - Because We Are Bad: OCD & A Girl Lost In Thought (Ep 12) Mar 13, 2016

In episode 12 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Lily Bailey. Lily is a writer and model. She is the author of the book Because we are bad: OCD and a girl lost in thought.

Show notes:

Lily's OCD story (1:25)

Lily's experiential approach to treatment and CBT (3:10)

Psychotherapy (7:00)

ACT for OCD (9:00)

Advice for those struggling with ERP (14:00)

Lily's OCD turning point (17:00)

Why Lily made lists (19:40)

Lily and religious OCD (22:00)

About the book Because we are bad (28:00)

Lily's one piece of advice (31:20)

What Lily would have on her billboard (32:40)

Find out more about Chris and Kelly:

Lily on Twitter - @LilyBaileyUK

Lily's book: Because we are bad: OCD and A Girl Lost In Thought (Amazon & Canbury Press)

Resources mentioned:

Ashley on Twitter

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

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Beyond The Doubt - Jeff Bell & Shala Nicely Mar 06, 2016

In episode 11 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Jeff Bell & Shala Nicely. Jeff and Shala have a personal and professional journey with OCD, and have come together to create Beyond The Doubt.

Show notes:

Shala & Jeff's OCD story (2:10)

What worked other then ERP/CBT? (14:20)

The importance of meaning (17:10)

Seeing the Universe as friendly (22:45)

Power of personal responsibility (26:30)

How to deal with dull looming anxiety (38:00)

“The only way to effectively manage uncertainty, is to embrace uncertainty?” (32:30)

Advice for conquering ERP (41:40)

The ultimate goal for OCD recovery (46:30)

Shala's advice for changing careers and becoming a therapist (49:20)

The purpose behind BeyondTheDoubt.com (56:30)

The one piece of advice (59:30)

What Jeff and Shala would have on their billboard (1:01:00)

Find out more about Chris and Kelly:

Beyond The Doubt - BeyondTheDoubt.com

Twitter: Jeff / Shala

Shala's website - ShalaNicely.com

Jeff's initiative - Adversity to Advocacy

Jeff's books: Rewind, replay, repeat (Amazon.co.uk/Amazon.com) & When in doubt, make belief (Amazon.co.uk/Amazon.com)

Resources mentioned:

Jon Hershfield

Viktor Frankl's book Man's search for meaning (Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com)

Tamar Chansky's book Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (Amazom.co.uk/Amazon.com)

Steven Hayes' podcast episode

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UNSTUCK: An OCD Kids Movie (Ep 10) Mar 02, 2016

In episode 10 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Kelly Anderson and Chris Baier. Chris and Kelly are creating the documentary called UNSTUCK: An OCD Kids Movie. A documentary featuring entirely a cast of children, showing the wisdom and bravely that youth brings.

Show notes:

Chris & Kelly’s OCD story (1:40)

Aim of the documentary (4:30)

Documentary structure (6:30)

How OCD affects the siblings (8:00)

The documentary will show anxiety is much a part of OCD as obsessions and compulsions (12:20)

The documentary is about describing the journey of recovery (13:35)

How Chris and Kelly’s kids got diagnosed (17:40)

Benefits of kids with OCD hanging out with other kids with OCD (24:00)

Why only kids will be in the film (32:30)

OCD in school (34:30)

Advice for parenting a kid with OCD (36:40)

The one piece of advice for the parent and the one piece of advice for the kid struggling with OCD (44:10)

What Chris and Kelly would write on their billboard (46:30)

Find out more about Chris and Kelly:

The film website and trailer: OCDKidsMovie.com

OCD Kids Movie Facebook

Twitter: Chris / Kelly

Resources mentioned:

Mount Sinai hospital OCD treatment

Project UROK

To your success,

Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

David Adam "The Man Who Couldn't Stop" (Ep 9) Feb 28, 2016

In episode 9 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed David Adam. David is an editor and author of the book "The man who couldn't stop".

Show notes:

David’s OCD story (2:10)

Medication (3:45)

What started David’s recovery (4:05)

Group therapy (5:40)

OCD and HIV obsessions. How the media can play a part in new obsessions (8:20)

How David Researched his book (11:15)

David’s ERP pyramid (14:20)

David’s advice for doing ERP (16:00)

Accepting uncertainty, and why you are already great at it! (22:40)

Relaxation and distraction (26:40)

“What would most people do?” phrase (29:40)

Advice for not reassurance seeking (32:50)

Ignorance that is pure, and how to deal with it (36:30)

How David describes OCD to someone (39:00)

The one piece of advice David would give to someone with OCD (41:10)

What David would have one his billboard (45:00)

Find out more about David:

David on Twitter @DavidNeilAdam

His book: The man who couldn’t stop: OCD and the true story of a life lost in thought (Amazon.co.uk/Amazon.com)

Resources mentioned:

David’s talk at the OCD Action conference

To your success, Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

Jack Pridmore on the BBC Documentary Extreme OCD Camp, and Recovery Feb 14, 2016

In episode 8 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Jack Pridmore. Jack was in the 2013 BBC documentary 'Extreme OCD Camp'. Jack is now focusing on getting his degree, and raising awareness for OCD.

The audio cuts out the recording a couple times for a few seconds. This was due to bad internet signal. If it goes silent for a few seconds please keep listening :-)

Show notes:

Jack’s OCD story (3:10)

Jack on contamination OCD and unplanned exposures (8:35)

Living alone and living with others (11:00)

Jack on ERP, therapy and group therapy for addiction (12:10)

The benefits of group therapy for OCD (13:30)

Jack on his attitude going into the ‘extreme OCD camp’ (17:15)

How group therapy removes the need to hide your OCD (18:20)

Jack on further OCD treatments and ACT (22:45)

Jack on Peter Weiss and Travis Osborne’s compassionate approach to therapy (30:00)

How Jack got on the documentary, and his thoughts on the TV show Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners (33:50)

Doing ERP while been filmed (40:35)

Doing therapy in nature (48:25)

Jack’s tips for doing ERP successfully (51:50)

Jack’s favourite moment from the trip (56:15)

Jack’s 2015 charity adventure (58:45)

Jack’s 2016 charity walk - I walked a mile in my shoes (1:11:00)

What just would say if he met someone with OCD (1:14:20)

What Jack would have on a billboard (1:15:00)

Jack’s future plans (1:16:00)

Find out more about Jack:

Jack’s Twitter - @JackJPridmore

ididmymile.co.uk

@ididmymile on Twitter

Resources:

OCD Action

OCD UK

Mind charity

To your success, Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

Peter Weiss On The BBC Documentary Extreme OCD Camp (Ep 7) Feb 07, 2016

In episode 7 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Peter Weiss. Pete is a therapist who works with people who have OCD, ADHD and Autism. He is the founder of Blue Compass Camps, and in 2013 the BBC did a documentary about one of his OCD camps.

Show notes:

Pete’s OCD Story (2:40)
What Pete thinks about the documentary (12:00)
What it was like doing therapy in front of a camera (15:30)
What inspired Pete to help people with OCD and why it’s common to have have mental health issues with OCD (19:00)
Why camping in the wild improves recovery times (26:40)
How to speak with people are are anxious (35:25)
The power of "Maybe" (38:00)
ERP is important, but it is only a tool (43:00)
The importance of assessing the ERP challenge before you attempt it (47:50)
How to boost self-esteem for OCD treatment (52:00)
How to not let anxiety get to you when you are helping someone who is anxious and parenting a child with OCD (1:01:20)
The challenges facing someone who has OCD and depression. Also Pete's advice (1:06:30)
The future of OCD Camps (1:09:45)
Pete's one piece of advice (1:13:40)
What Pete would have on their billboard (1:17:40)

Find out more about Peter:

Pete’s private practice - Seattle Child Therapy

Blue Compass Camps

Teen OCD Camp

Resources mentioned:

Travis Osbourne

Extreme OCD Camp documentary - Part 1/Part 2

Jeffrey Schwartz - Brain Lock (Amazon UK/Amazon US) & You Are Not Your Brain (Amazon UK/Amazon US)

The CBT article on The Guardian

Dr Steven Hayes

International OCD Foundation - IOCDF.org

To your success, Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

Jon Hershfield On Mindfulness, ERP And Acceptance For OCD (Ep 6) Jan 31, 2016

In episode 6 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Jon Hershfield. Jon is the author of two books on OCD and a therapist who specialises in OCD treatment.

Show notes:

Jon’s OCD Story (1:30)
What Jon did before he retrained into therapy (7:10)
Risk and OCD (9:00)
What mindfulness is, and how can it be used to treat OCD (11:40)
Mindfulness and ACT (14:45)
Jon’s tips to stay on track with mindfulness training (16:15)
Using mindfulness for anger (22:00)
Good meditations for beginners (26:40)
How to meditate even though you are getting intrusive thoughts (31:50)
How mindfulness can work alongside ERP (39:20)
Jon’s tip for starting and sticking with ERP (44:20)
The acceptance script and how to use it (51:20)
Mental reviewing, scenario bending, mental rehearsal and mental hoarding (1:00:30)
The one bit of advice Jon would give if he only had 30 seconds (1:12:00)
Jon’s new book “When a family member has OCD” (1:14:15)
What Jon would have written on his billboard (1:16:40)

Find out more about Jon:

Jon's website - OCDBaltimore.com
Jon on Twitter - @CBTOCD
The mindfulness workbook for OCD (Amazon UK/Amazon USA)
When a family member has OCD (Amazon UK/Amazon USA)

Resources mentioned:

OCD Georgia talk
Peaceful warrior film
Dr James Claiborn
Headspace
10% happier app and book (Amazon UK/Amazon USA)
IOCDF
Shala Nicely

To your success, Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

Dr Guy Doron Talks About All Things rOCD & How To Beat It (Ep 5) Jan 25, 2016

In episode 5 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Dr Guy Doron. Guy is one of the leading researchers in relationship OCD (rOCD), and along with his team he his uncovering important information about this subtype of OCD.

Show notes:

Guy’s OCD Story (1:00) Finding rOCD in research (4:30) How rOCD also covers relationship with God (6:40) Type 1 vs Type 2 rOCD, and why someone would get one over the over (8:20) New study: embarrassability and OCD (11:40) Why an OCD sufferer seeks rightness in the relationship (12:50) How rOCD can affect dating not just the relationship (15:05) How distorted views of love affects relationships (19:50) How someone tells if they have rOCD or a bad relationship? (24:20) How rOCD can make relationships better (28:30) How to explain to your partner that you are trying your best to deal with the OCD (31:30) How ERP can be used to treat rOCD (35:20) The one thing rOCD sufferers can do today to improve their lives (41:20) Guy’s most astonishing finding from his research (44:45) What guy would want written on his billboard (47:00)

Find out more about Dr Steven Hayes:

Guy’s site – ROCD.net

Resources mentioned:

Dr Danny Derby – www.dr-derby.com

Dr Steven Hayes

To your success, Stuart and The OCD Stories team

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Dr Steven Hayes on ACT, OCD and Living A Meaningful Life Jan 10, 2016

Show notes:

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) research depth (3:20)

ACT vs CBT in the research (4:40)

Steve’s OCD, anxiety and research story (6:00)

Why and how Steve came up with ACT (12:50)

Relational frame theory (RFT) (15:45)

How Eastern philosophy links with ACT (20:50)

The importance of using our minds without our minds using us (23:20)

Psychology within the media, marketing and technology (26:00)

Getting ACT into schools (28:45)

Tinnitus story to understand ACT (39:00)

Why you shouldn’t try to stop thoughts. Instead accept them (46:20)

Accept your emotions, not just your thoughts (47:20)

Can you beat OCD? (48:00)

Finding meaning in suffering (51:00)

ACT and Logotherapy (53:20)

How to accept your thoughts and defuse from them - including exercises (58:25)

Steve’s thoughts on meditation (1:12:50)

Using ACT to get rid of physical compulsions (1:20:30)

How ACT is gentler than ERP, and mental health vs illness (1:26:40)

Why you are one of the lucky ones (1:44:20)

Find out more about Dr Steven Hayes:

Steve’s site - http://www.stevenchayes.com

Steve’s books

Get out of your mind and into your life

Resources mentioned:

Marianne Williamson quote -

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

The worry trap by Chad LeJeune

Man’s search for meaning by Viktor Frankl

Increasing Willingness to Experience Obsessions: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a Treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by Michael P. Twohig, Steven C. Hayes, Akihiko Masuda

To your success, Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

Kat Nicole on beating, and learning to live after OCD Jan 01, 2016

Show notes:

Kat’s OCD Story (1:50)

Mark Freeman’s air mattress effect (3:45)

Getting diagnosed (4:05)

Making intrusive thoughts worse (5:05)

Separating yourself from the thought (6:35)

Using script exposure for recovery (7:55)

Recording script exposure and playing it back (10:25)

How Pure O lead to other types of OCD? (12:00)

Struggling with Prayer (13:00)

Advice and strategies for praying without OCD (13:40)

Dealing with physical compulsions (15:00)

Using “Well, maybe it is” for acceptance (17:40)

Advice for opening up about sexual obsessions to your therapist (17:35)

How faith has helped recovery (22:35)

How the church has helped in recovery (25:10)

Opening up about OCD to inspire others (28:40)

Number 1 tip for beating OCD - “Accept your thoughts” (34:00)

Future plans (35:10)

Final words of wisdom (38:30)

What Kat would want written on a billboard for the world to see (40:55)

How to find out more about Kat (42:15)

Find out more about Kat:

YouTube channel - Shalom Aleichem

Blog - Do An Exposure

Tumblr - Do An Exposure

Twitter - @Thekatway

Snapchat - @Thekatway

Kat’s OCD Story on The OCD Stories

Resources mentioned:

Mark Freeman on ACT and OCD recovery

Brene Brown Ted Talks on Vulnerability and Shame

To your success, Stuart and The OCD Stories team

Get exclusive podcasts and content by becoming a member of the podcast find out more here >>

Bob Burg On How You Can Succeed Despite OCD Dec 19, 2015

Show notes:

Bob’s OCD story (2:20)
The types of therapy/medication Bob has done (7:30)
Bob’s advice on Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP) (9:30)
Bob’s advice on therapy (11:40)
OCD Stigma (13:10)
Bob’s advice for business people with OCD (16:30)
How to get motivated in an OCD spike. Action precedes motivation (19:40)
Bob’s morning routine (22:18)
OCD and exercise (24:25)
What OCD has taught Bob (25:40)
Being happy despite OCD (30:30)
Success mindset vs fixed minset for recovery. The importance of personal development (31:30)
Bob’s one key piece of business advice (34:25)
Bob’s additional advice on dealing with OCD (36:00)
What Bob would want written on a billboard (37:00)