The OCD Stories

In episode 482 I chat with Rebekah who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.  We discuss her early compulsions, trauma, an eating disorder, social anxiety and depression, agoraphobia, panic, being told she wouldn’t recover, her mum advocating for her, involuntary hospitalisation, diagnosis, joining support groups, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), harm and contamination OCD, dealing with shame, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), what helps her, her advocacy, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/rebekah-482 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://learn.nocd.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 

Transcribed - Published: 20 April 2025

In episode 481 I chat with Zoey who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.  We discuss fears of choking and swallowing, obsessing over her partners porn use, therapy, exposure and response prevention therapy therapy (ERP), aligning therapy with her values, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), seeing her therapist through NOCD, and much more. Hope it helps.  Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/zoey-481 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://learn.nocd.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 

Transcribed - Published: 13 April 2025

In episode 480 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 talk advocacy, censorship, stigma, the need for advocates to talk about all experiences of OCD to normalise all experiences including taboo themes, the difficulties of opening up, how cancel culture may have hindered advocacy, encouragement to share the whole picture of OCD, the topic of advocacy or influencer, how to handle criticism online, having an advocacy mission statement, and much more.  Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/chrissie-480  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://learn.nocd.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 

Transcribed - Published: 6 April 2025

In episode 479 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 on him, we talk about ideas for when people struggle with therapy for OCD. We discuss the length of therapy, he normalises the time frame, trying other approaches, therapists, or a combination of therapies. Increasing motivation through active reflection, building up skills around psychological flexibility, self compassion, and much more.  Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jonny-479 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://learn.nocd.com/theocdstories  Jonny ACT and compassion skills training for therapists: https://www.integrativecentreforocd.co.uk/live-trainings-therapists/act-and-compassion-skills-for-erp-and-ocd-recovery-with-jonny-say  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 

Transcribed - Published: 30 March 2025

In episode 478 I chat with Dr Josh Spitalnick. Josh is a licensed psychologist, owner and clinical director at the Anxiety Specialists of Atlanta, an outpatient clinic. He is co-author of “The Complete Guide to Overcoming Health Anxiety”. We discuss what’s new with him, his book, the title of the book, this idea of mental health - health anxiety, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), living life regardless of fears, social media’s impact on health anxiety, the different variations of health anxiety, therapy for health anxiety, and much more. Hope it helps.  Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/josh-478 The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US for children and adults. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://learn.nocd.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 

Transcribed - Published: 23 March 2025

In episode 477 I chat with Jakob who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us.  We discuss his story, panic, derealisation, the fear of ‘going crazy’, existential OCD, his advocacy work, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), and much more. Hope it helps.   Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jakob-477 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://learn.nocd.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 

Transcribed - Published: 16 March 2025

In episode 476 I chat with Megan who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.  We discuss her story, worries of choking, hyperawareness of swallowing, her compulsions, other themes including existential and religious OCD, accepting and navigating relapses, OCD getting in the way of medication, health anxiety and fears of other mental health conditions, low insight, thoughts of suicide, and much more. Hope it helps.  Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/megan-476 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 

Transcribed - Published: 9 March 2025

In episode 475 I chat with Nate Gruner and Meaghan Cleary. Nate is a staff behavioural therapist at the obsessive-compulsive disorder institute at McLean hospital. Meaghan is a licensed mental health counselor and a registered dance and movement therapist. She is also a behavioural therapist and group facilitator at the obsessive-compulsive disorder institute at McLean hospital.  We discuss what is functional analytic psychotherapy (FAP), the rules of FAP, using the therapeutic relationship to create change in OCD, what FAP looks like in a session, case examples, the therapist training we are running through the centre I co-run, integrating FAP with exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), why I’m interested in FAP, and much more. Hope it helps.  Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nate-and-meaghan-475  FAP training for therapists: https://www.integrativecentreforocd.co.uk/live-trainings-therapists/fap-for-ocd 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 

Transcribed - Published: 2 March 2025

In episode 474 I chat with Catherine Goldhouse. Catherine is a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) who specialises in anxiety, OCD, and relationships.  We discuss Catherine’s OCD story, inference-based CBT (I-CBT), exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), reality sensing, the idea that I-CBT cares about the why, this concept of the feared self, understanding the concept of inferential confusion, the question of whether you can combine ERP and I-CBT, and much more. Hope it helps.  Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/catherine-474 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 

Transcribed - Published: 23 February 2025

In episode 473 I chat Stephen Smith. Stephen is the Cofounder and CEO of NOCD.  Stephen shares his OCD story, the story of NOCD, the ups and downs of getting it to where it is today, the commitment from their team to improve access to OCD therapy, NOCD’s therapists and the rigorous training for them, and much more. Hope it helps.  Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/stephen-smith-nocd-473  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 

Transcribed - Published: 16 February 2025

In episode 472 I chat with Nick Sireau and Margherita Zenoni about their stories. Nick founded Orchard OCD a not-for-profit for advancing global OCD research, and Margherita manages the communication and fundraising for Orchard OCD and is doing her PhD at the University of Cambridge. We discuss their OCD stories, their work at Orchard OCD, the research they have supported and are a part of, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nick-and-margherita-472 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 

Transcribed - Published: 9 February 2025

In episode 471 I chat with Bronwyn Shroyer. Bronwyn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specialises in two treatment areas: OCD and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Bronwyn has lived experience with both PTSD and OCD. We discuss her OCD story including PTSD, the interplay between trauma and OCD, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), inference-based CBT (I-CBT), inferential confusion, reality sensing, and much more. Hope it helps.  Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/bronwyn-471  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 

Transcribed - Published: 2 February 2025

Applications for the 2025 OCD camp close on Sunday 2nd February.  To find out more and to apply visit: https://www.integrativecentreforocd.co.uk/the-ocd-camp Thanks for listening. 

Transcribed - Published: 28 January 2025

In episode 470 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 treatment of children and adolescents (9-25) with OCD, Steve breaks it down by age group, indications OCD is interfering in their lives, involving parents. How Steve explains OCD to kids, when to have parents in session, the idea of parental sabotage, when kids don’t want therapy, parents being on the same page in treatment, parental accommodation, medication, and much more. Hope it helps.  Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/steve-470  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 

Transcribed - Published: 26 January 2025

In episode 469 I chat with Rachael who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.  We discuss OCD themes including harm, postnatal fears of developing psychosis, existential, religious, and health anxiety. We talk about exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), learnings from ERP, how her partner helped, shame and much more. Hope it helps.  Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/rachael-469  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 

Transcribed - Published: 19 January 2025

In episode 468 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 Emily has been up to, the positives of pets on mental health, how pets can trigger our OCD, how this plays out in various themes of OCD, how vets can play a role in reducing compulsions, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/emily-468 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 

Transcribed - Published: 12 January 2025

In episode 467 I chat with Jonny Say who offers the therapist’s perspective to Jack’s episode last week titled: Understanding and practicing ACT skills (Client’s perspective). Jonny is a therapist and co-founder of The Integrative Centre for OCD Therapy.  We discuss Jonny’s perspective on Jack’s episode, Jonny shares some blocks and resistances to OCD skills practice, he also shares some interpersonal blocks that can occur, and other ideas that can help. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jonny-467 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 

Transcribed - Published: 5 January 2025

Thank you for all the support in 2024. I appreciate you! https://theocdstories.com/ The podcast is made possible by NOCD: https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories The integrative centre for OCD Therapy: https://www.integrativecentreforocd.co.uk/

Transcribed - Published: 31 December 2024

In episode 466 I chat with Jack who came back on to talk about his approach to learning ACT skills and practising them between his therapy sessions. We discuss his therapy including exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and compassion focused therapy (CFT), his approach to doing home practice and practicing skills outside of session, Jack recaps some of the ACT skills he learned, the importance of practising often, repetition and consistency, and much more. Hope it helps.   Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jack-466  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 

Transcribed - Published: 29 December 2024

In episode 465 I chat with Molly Schiffer (LCPC). Molly is a therapist and associate director at The Center for OCD and Anxiety at Sheppard Pratt.  We discuss her therapy story, cognitive processing therapy (CPT), trauma and OCD, CPT for trauma (PTSD & CPTSD), how trauma can fuel the OCD, CPT helping exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), Molly shares a clinical case example of CPT in action, and much more. Hope it helps.  Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/molly-465  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 

Transcribed - Published: 22 December 2024

In episode 464 I chat with Carey who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.  We discuss her OCD story, magical thinking, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), fears around medication, feelings of shame, existential OCD, feeling suicidal, going into a psychiatric unit, doing exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), words of hope, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/carey-464  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 

Transcribed - Published: 15 December 2024

In episode 463 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 on Jonny, what is insight in OCD, how it affects OCD, the 4 things Jonny sees in clients with low insight: when mental compulsions go up insight goes down, the intensity of the symptoms, low insight and shame go hand in hand, the beliefs that we carry about thoughts and feelings, words of hope, and much more.  Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jonny-463  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 

Transcribed - Published: 8 December 2024

In episode 462 I chat with Nick who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us.  We discuss his story, pOCD, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), advocacy, how his sexuality and OCD got entangled, his place of work questioning some of his OCD writings, and more. Hope it helps.  Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nick-462  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 

Transcribed - Published: 1 December 2024

In episode 461 I chat with Dr Michael Alcée. Michael is a clinical psychologist (Ph.D.).  We discuss his therapy story, how Michael works with OCD, the existential story, exposure to feelings, 3 upsides of OCD, his book, some nuances of OCD, and much more. Hope it helps.  Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/michael-461  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 

Transcribed - Published: 24 November 2024

In episode 460 I chat with Lou who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.  We discuss her OCD story, harm themed OCD around her family, self-harm themed OCD, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), her experiences at The OCD Camp, creativity, words of hope, and much more. Hope it helps.  Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/lou-460  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 

Transcribed - Published: 17 November 2024

In episode 459 I chat with Nicole Morris, LMFT. Nicole is a therapist and host of the OCD Family podcast.  We discuss her therapy story, her view of OCD, Inference-Based CBT (I-CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP), her podcast and favourite guests, words of hope and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nicole-459  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 

Transcribed - Published: 10 November 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 

Transcribed - Published: 3 November 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 

Transcribed - Published: 27 October 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 

Transcribed - Published: 20 October 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 

Transcribed - Published: 13 October 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 

Transcribed - Published: 6 October 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 

Transcribed - Published: 29 September 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

Transcribed - Published: 22 September 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

Transcribed - Published: 15 September 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

Transcribed - Published: 8 September 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

Transcribed - Published: 1 September 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

Transcribed - Published: 25 August 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

Transcribed - Published: 18 August 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

Transcribed - Published: 11 August 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

Transcribed - Published: 4 August 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

Transcribed - Published: 28 July 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

Transcribed - Published: 21 July 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

Transcribed - Published: 14 July 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

Transcribed - Published: 7 July 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

Transcribed - Published: 30 June 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

Transcribed - Published: 23 June 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

Transcribed - Published: 16 June 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

Transcribed - Published: 9 June 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

Transcribed - Published: 2 June 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

Transcribed - Published: 26 May 2024