Explore every episode of the podcast OCD Family Podcast

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she welcomes Taylor Newendorp, LCPC, to the OCD Family Community. As Founder of Chicago Counseling Center and the Network Clinical Training Director at NOCD, Taylor illuminates the profound impact that perfectionism has on OCD and mental health at large. Additionally, as an accomplished author, Taylor shares about The Perfectionism Workbook. It has practical tips, helpful strategies and real life experiences that offer valuable guidance for anyone struggling with perfectionism or supporting loved ones who do. So join the conversation! Because while perfection is impossible— freedom is within reach.

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she sits down with Dr. Michael Alcée, Ph.D., psychologist and author of the The Upside of OCD, to explore the transformative emotional sensitivity and creativity within OCD warriors. Mike helps to illustrate how the very traits that can feel overwhelming for sufferers and loved ones can also spark incredible strength and resilience. Together, we discuss bridging cognitive and psychodynamic approaches in treatment, blending science with artistry and cultivating self compassion to honor the heart of those with lived experience. So join the conversation, as we explore the nuance and appreciate the gifts within our community’s struggles.

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she discusses strategies and tips for coping with crisis in honor of the recent LA County fires causing continued devastation in Southern California, USA. Join the conversation while we review physical safety protocols, coping skills for crisis management, honoring and coping with the vast array of emotional distress, resources for parents navigating crises with their children, and ways our local and global communities can help. Nicole is joined by Loren Witkin, CEO of Citadel, and OCD and Anxiety Specialists local to the Greater Los Angeles area, Dr. Michelle Witkin, Ph.D., and Chris Trondsen, LMFT. This discussion is happening live on OCD Family Podcast’s YouTube channel on 1/10/25 at 7pm PST.

*Audio only broadcasts will be available wherever you enjoy your podcasts after the livestream concludes. Per technical difficulties, the livestream has been edited to prioritize source content.

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she reviews an overview of evidence-based therapies and emerging protocols with help from some of her prior podcast guests. Nicole amasses highlights of ERP, I-CBT, MCT, Medication Support, TMS and Deep Brain Stimulation. Additionally, Nicole highlights 4 emerging protocols worth our time and attention, including the developing landscape for I-CBT with kids, Rumination-Focused ERP, the Mastery Approach and the Upside of OCD. So whether you’re already aware of most of these and curious to hear more, or new to the OCD Family Community and desperate for hope, we’ve got you with highlights from OCD researchers, psychiatrists, trainers and OCD treatment experts, oh my!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she welcomes back return guest expert and colleague, Carl Robbins, LCPC. We discuss the critical topic of anxiety sensitivity, which impacts OCD as well as a host of other mental health presentations. Carl shares his personal journey with anxiety sensitivity, insight and learning. The conversation journeys through different effective treatments, differentiating anxiety sensitivity from trait anxiety and more. So join the conversation as we touch on parenting, relationships and constructive tips for managing responses and promoting recovery and resilience.

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she tackles the tricky intersection of OCD and Eating Disorder (ED) with special guest, Jenna Stone, LMSW. Jenna shares insights regarding the spectrum of Eating Disorders while highlighting the harmful role diet culture plays. Nicole and Jenna discuss how recovery is deeply personal and requires a multidisciplinary approach, as well as tips and strategies for accessing evidence-based care and managing the holiday season(s). So join the conversation, because hope is on the menu!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she welcomes back her handsome hubs for some Ho-Ho-Holiday fun! Special guest and resident family member, Patrick Morris, helps in playing Christmas Courtroom, an Inference-Based CBT (I-CBT) inspired holiday game! So join the Morrises as they highlight some psychoeducation while having fun at OCD's expense!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, for Part V of our 3rd Annual OCRD Series to chat about Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) with Dr. Anthony Pinto, Ph.D., group co-facilitator, Isabelle Siegel, and OCPD Warrior, Mark. We focus on the characteristics of OCPD, challenges and treatment approaches for both individual and group therapy. Mark shares about his lived experience on work-life balance, relationships and overall quality of life. Dr. Pinto and Isabelle provide an overview of the main skills practiced in OCPD groups, and Mark highlights how these skills have impacted his road to recovery. Lastly, we have tips for the family members and loved ones to both cheer on and care for themselves. So join the conversation!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she welcomes Sandi James of Australia to our OCD Family Community! In Part IV or our 3rd Annual OCRD series, Sandi is sharing more about Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and how it wrestles with gender diversity. Join us as we explore the unique impact BDD has on gender-diverse individuals, its challenges in diagnosis and treatment, and the importance of tailored therapeutic approaches. Come for the learning, stay for the hope!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she discussed digital hoarding with guest expert, Dr. Nick Neave, Ph.D. out of the UK. Nick explains how hoarding behaviors— whether physical or digital— arise from an emotional attachment, fear of loss, and difficulty discarding items, which can impair daily functioning. We discuss how accumulation of emails, files or photos, can be driven by decision paralysis and social norms that encourage saving data along with the dangers and/or challenges it can pose. Nick shares about the development of the Digital Hoarding Questionnaire (DHQ), emerging research and current resources. So join for the learning and stay for the hope, because awareness is half the battle!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she dives into the often overlooked, but surprisingly common fear of vomiting, with insights from psychotherapist, Anna Christie. As we chat with the esteemed podcast host of Emetophobia Help with Anna Christie, we discuss how this intense phobia can lead to avoidance and safety behaviors that can interfere with people’s ability to engage in value-driven activities and functioning. Anna shares a bit about her story, discusses treatment options, gives great resources and highlights constructive tips for family members surrounding Emetophobia warriors. So join the conversation to learn all about the hope available and the freedom offered through recovery.

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent as she kicks off the annual OC-Related Disorders (OCRDs) Series! Nicole starts with guest experts, Dr. Marla Deibler, PsyD, & Dr. Renae Reinardy, PsyD. Together, they explore the nuances of BFRBs, discussing how these behaviors function as coping mechanisms and the importance of individualized, compassionate treatment. This episode touches on how BFRBs impact individuals and their families, touching on parenting strategies, treatment models and adult relationships. Join the conversation, as we unpack the complex nature of BFRBs, offer valuable insights, resources and a whole lot of hope!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she welcomes Stuart Ralph, host of one of the top OCD podcasts, The OCD Stories. It’s the final week of OCD Awareness Month, which means Stuart is helping the fam by discussing the 4th cornerstone of awareness building: Advocacy. Stuart shares about his personal journey with OCD, developing The OCD Stories podcast available wherever you enjoy your podcasts, OCD camps and more! So join the conversation, and find out how you too can be an advocate for OCD Awareness!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she welcomes renowned researcher and psychologist, Dr. Pia Callesen, Ph.D., and OCD and Trauma Specialist, Bronwyn Shroyer, LCSW, to our family gathering! Pia has led to way in training and further research with the founder of Metacognitive Therapy to bring the practice of MCT to Europe and beyond! Metacognitive Therapy has proven to be highly effective treatment for OCD, but it’s also a transdiagnostic approach that can help many people suffering from a range of different disorders. Pia helps to teach Nicole and Bronwyn an introductory understanding of how this therapy works, and we’re intrigued! So join the conversation to learn more about it too, because more hope is on the horizon for our OCD warriors.

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT & Mental Health Correspondent, as she continues OCD Awareness Month with the 2nd cornerstone of awareness: Lived Experience! Nicole welcomes special guest, Ashton Pizza, LMSW, to share about their story, including their autistic lived experience of OCD and C-PTSD. Learn how sharing our stories can validate, normalize and bring hope to others as we root on our warriors!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she kicks off OCD Awareness Month with a discussion on medication and it’s role in treating OCD. Nicole welcomes Dr. Stacy Greeter, MD, a pediatric and adult psychiatrist, to share her knowledge and insights into the process. Dr. Greeter emphasizes that medication decisions are personal and should be based on values, not fear. So come for wisdom and stay for the great tips, as we discuss our first cornerstone of OCD Awareness!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she takes this show on the road! Nicole traveled to Chicagoland this past week for the OCD Walk sponsored by OCD Midwest, an Official Affiliate of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF). Nicole shares about the history of the walk, honoring Denis Asselin’s advocacy in loving memory of his son through walkingwithnathaniel.org & the IOCDF. Additionally, Nicole talks to walk participants and volunteers to learn more about how we can get involved and grow this movement. So join the conversation! Because as Denis teaches us, conversation is key to this advocacy and we’re better together.

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she welcomes the creator behind AT Parenting Survival, Natasha Daniels, to our family table. Natasha describes her journey in treating anxiety and OCD, as well as becoming a global resource for parents through her books, podcasts, YouTube channel and the AT Parenting Community. Join the conversation to gain practical tips and access supportive resources for helping parents navigate OCD and anxiety with hope and resilience.

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she welcomes renowned expert in OCD and anxiety, Dr. Alec Pollard, Ph.D. In this episode, Alec introduces the concept of “recovery avoidance” and offers insight and tips from his new book, When A Loved One Won’t Seek Mental Health Treatment. So join this important conversation and learn what you can do to bring your family towards a healthier, more functional life!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, for our Season 3 premiere with lived experience warrior, Dany Grimwood. Listen as Dany becomes a voice for many who battle OCD in silence as he shares his story. Dany details his journey of recognizing the signs of OCD, to the challenges of living with it while raising a family, and how he navigated all the ups and downs along the way. But most importantly, learn how he began to free himself from fear through treatment, speaking out and living life anyway. You won’t want to miss his great tips and all the hope, so join the conversation, family!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, in the final episode of Season 2 and this summer’s Water Cooler Chats series! This episode covers tips on finding an OCD provider, a spotlight on community support, online supports groups and courses where therapists and warriors alike can learn more about OCD! OCD can be overwhelming enough, so join us for a brief overview of resources you can access today! And don’t forget to join us for the kick off of Season 3 next week!

Join host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she brings the OCD Family Community our penultimate episode of Season 2! This week is guided from a listener’s question about the Feared Possible Self, also known as the FPS, as learned about in Inference-Based CBT (I-CBT)! New to OCD!? Or even I-CBT!? No worries! Nicole will catch you up to speed while explaining the striking similarities between the OCD brain and theatrical, immersive productions like Hamilton! So join the conversation wherever you enjoy your podcasts and YouTube.

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she reflects on the recent 29th International OCD Conference in Orlando! Listen as she discusses the good, the bad and the ugly-- we're talking about you, humidity! Review the highlights and thoughts for future programming, but stick around for a whole lot of hope!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, for some myth busting fun! Nicole engages in a fun game to determine the difference between preferences and intrusive thoughts or inferences of doubt in OCD! Join us as Nicole creates AI contestants to play along, while leaning into social media content creators from TikTok to determine if their sharing is a “Preference or OCD!?” Also, listen until the end to hear who our 5 giveaway winners are from OFP’s 100th episode, courtesy of our giveaway sponsor, OCD Training School!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as we celebrate our milestone 100th episode of the OCD Family Podcast! Today, we celebrate by reminiscing about binge-worthy episodes from the past two seasons, engaging in some fun OCD-themed games with my husband Patrick, and announcing an exciting giveaway from our generous sponsor, OCD Training School. Join us for this special episode filled with gratitude, games, and amazing prizes as we mark 100 episodes together!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she we discusses the challenges holidays present for those with OCD and related disorders. We explore how changes in routine and societal expectations can trigger anxiety. We offer three strategies for navigating these challenges, and a practical application to own our strength and resilience. Meet us at the water cooler to learn more!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as we talk about SO-OCD and Gender Themed Subtypes of OCD! Many people confuse this with true sexual orientation and/or gender identity. So join us as we differentiate the differences and talk about how to treat it!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she takes on a listener question from our very own OCD Family Community. There’s lots of buzz about I-CBT these days, but a lot of misunderstanding also. Join Nicole as she investigates I-CBT further, and find out how I-CBT helps in the treatment of OCD!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she discussed Pure O! This controversial subtype has been discussed for many years, but what is it? Does it exist? And no matter what, what can be done to help? Come join us at the Water Cooler, fam, for quenchers like this all summer long!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she premieres the return of our summer series, the Water Cooler Chats! These chats are short form content meant to hydrate the OCD Family Community while we all spend more time with our families during the summertime! And our first quencher is the ultimate guide to finding the right OCD therapist for you! So come join us and check out YouTube for the return of animations!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she welcomes Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale, Ph.D., to our OCD Family Community. We discuss challenges and solutions for supporting military personal and veterans with OCD. Systemic barriers and stigma, the critical role of evidence based treatment, and a whole lot of hope is discussed. Lastly, we honor all service members and vets lost to un-aliving, as we pay tribute in honor of Memorial Day in the States.

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she joins her return panel of experts to dive into the complexities of PANS and PANDAS. We discuss symptoms like sudden onset of OCD and tics, emerging research from Columbia University, and effective treatments such as IVIG and steroids. Panelists share personal stories, emphasize the importance of finding knowledgeable doctors, and offer practical advice for managing flares. The conversation underscores the need for increased awareness and education, providing hope and resources for families navigating these challenging disorders.

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she welcomes back our dynamic sensory panelists. Topics include environmental influences on behavior, masking, autistic burnout and more. Additionally, we discuss the contextual nature of tics, the importance of looking at the function of our behaviors, and how sensory feedback can impact picky eating, clinical picky eating and ARFID. So join Dr. Briana Pollard, OTD, Amber Young, LMHC, Dr. Lisa Conway, Ph.D. & Dr. Max Maisel, Ph.D., as we dive into all the things and a whole lot of hope.

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she welcomes a diverse panel of sensory practitioners discussing the intricate connections between sensory processing and mental health relevant to our OCD and OC-Related Disorder (OCRD) warriors. We will hear from the specialized scopes of Occupational Therapy (OT), lived Autistic experience, Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) and Tics, Tourette’s Syndrome, and Just Right and Tourettic OCD. So join me and my fantastic panel of Briana Pollard, OTD, Amber Young, LMHC, Lisa Conway, Ph.D., and Max Maisel, Ph.D., as we build a foundation for understanding sensory regulation and more!

Join host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she welcomes Dr. Michael J. Greenberg to our family table! Explore how this integrative treatment shifts from traditional Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) therapy to support OCD warriors in gaining freedom from OCD. This conversation covers a vast array of CBT and psychoanalytic strategies for stopping rumination. Also, we discuss disgust based OCD, value driven language and it’s impact on treatment, Misophonia and more! So join the conversation, because we’re opening our stance to a new horizon of possibilities!

Join host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she is joined by Alie Garza, LCSW, and Madison @obsessivelystrong to play some riveting rounds of Two Truths & A Lie! We start with the ice breakers like any good family does, and then we up the ante to figure out which compulsions are true and which compulsions are false! So come join the fun! Because laughing at OCD’s expense with understanding and empathy are great ways to support our loved ones, learn more and alleviate tension. So what are you waiting for!? Let’s play!

Join host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she welcomes Dr. Melissa Hunt, Ph.D. to our family table. As we explore the gut-brain connection, Dr. Hunt helps us focus on the relationship between IBS & OCD. Additionally, we discuss how different cleaning compulsions can impact our risk for serious infection, autoimmune disease, and imbalance in our microbiome. Lastly, we learn how avoidance and safety behaviors can impact both the gut and brain, even when it comes to restrictive eating or elimination diets. But there’s a lot hope, fam! So join the discussion, as we expose links and learn about the life changing benefits of facing our fears.

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she welcomes Dina Scolan, LCPC, to our family table. Dina is the Program Director for The OCD & Anxiety Center in the Greater Chicago area, United States. Dina brings expertise and a 3 pronged plan to help families battling school refusal conquer avoidance and re-engage in value driven lives.

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she welcomes Amanda Petrik-Gardner, LCPC, back to our family table! This episode is all about applying what we learned last week about our Feared Possible Self (FPS) using I-CBT..So join us for a role play and some game time! Because Amanda and I break down different concepts with a rap or two, and you won’t want to miss it!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she welcomes OCD expert and lived experience warrior, Amanda Petrik-Gardner, LCPC, to our family table. Amanda is a skilled clinician, trainer and presenter who actively consults and shares clinically-relevant content through social media and conferences that help other warriors and practitioners alike have a better understanding of OCD, Obsessive Compulsive-Related Disorders (OCRDs) and Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs). Today, we’re examining a deeper look into some meaty Inference-Based CBT (I-CBT) concepts as we examine the meaning of the feared possible self and real self. So join the conversation! Because this learning can make a big impact in your OCD warriors’ treatment journey.

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, and celebrate fierce women during Women's History Month that are using their platforms to spread awareness about OCD. Nicole provides commentary on multiple interviews with different celebrities, relating content back to evidence based practices and the hope that's grounded in research. Join the conversation, fam! It a quick, but fun one!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, for a spotlight on Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). BDD is one of the OC-Related Disorders, and the BDD fam are our sisters of another mister. So we are doing what the family does best, and being there for each other. And as we revisit this topic, which isn’t the first and won’t be the last, we are shedding light on the treatment application that I-CBT can offer. If you’re new to learning about Inferenced-Based CBT, or I-CBT, come learn with us! Or if you are learning I-CBT but get stuck in how it can apply to BDD, then you’re in the right place! So join Nicole as she learns more from OCD and BDD expert, Margaret McCall, LPC.

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she welcomes Gina Abbondante, LCSW, to our family table. Gina joins to share about a common subtype of OCD that can show up anywhere between pregnancy and up to one year postpartum. This subtype can affect more than biological caregivers, and it can manifest is some pretty cruel ways. So come join our conversation, because raising awareness and learning is half the battle!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she welcomes Saraa D. Lee, LCSW to our family table. Saraa is an OCD and Trauma Specialist out of Soul Spa Psychotherapy, as well as a Clinical Supervisor for NOCD. Saraa shares her story of being both a practitioner and a lived experience warrior. Listen as she shares about the universality of how and where OCD strikes, strategies for embracing the big feelings and creating safety for all the family to access treatment. Additionally, Nicole celebrate Black History Month, recognizing the inspiration, strength, beauty and color that the Black community brings to our family.

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she welcomes her love and handsome hubs, Patrick Morris, back to our family table. With the recent passage of Valentine’s Day, they are discussing this commercialized love week and revisiting their conversation around the common subtype of Relationship OCD (ROCD). With the emerging understanding of Inference-Based CBT for the treatment of OCD, join Nicole and Patrick as they consider how perfectionism fuels the core of ROCD. And then stick around to hear from the Morris kiddos regarding some of their thoughts on love.

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as we welcome Jon Hershfield, LMFT, to our family table. Jon is well known leader in the OCD treatment field and broader community, and today he’s here for you, fam! Amongst many helpful books, presentations, and interviews Jon has participated in, he has written a book called When A Family Member Has OCD, which is particularly pertinent to us, fam! So join us while we highlight some helpful nuggets from that book, dispel some common OCD myths, play a few rounds of Never Have I Ever - OCD Edition courtesy of some help from ChatGPT, and share top recommendations for family members and warriors with lived experience battling OCD.

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she welcomes International OCD Foundation (IODCF) Advocate, Erika McCoy, to our family table. Erika shares a candid overview of her history living with OCD and trauma. Her honesty and vulnerability is gift to help others suffering to know they’re not alone. Additionally, she’s gathered blades of hope and created a vibrant grassroots advocacy that has bloomed into the international space. So come join us for some fierce courage, battle and hope, because Erika’s story is amazing and I can’t wait for you to hear more.

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she invites Catherine Goldhouse, LICSW, to our family table! Today is all about taboo themes that OCD can create to torture sufferers and loved ones. Join us as we explore how Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy offers an effective treatment option, hope and relief. And learn some practical ways to understand and apply these ideas in real time. So what are you waiting for? Let's do this!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she highlights intimate relationships and how OCD can crash the party. Nicole welcomes esteemed guests, Dr. Michelle Witkin, Ph.D., and Dr. Josh Spitalnick, Ph.D., as we address some of the unique and varied needs that come up for partners and spouses when loved ones are suffering from OCD. But not only will we chat about struggles, we share about a whole lot of hope available for folks inadvertently courting OCD. So join the discussion! And learn about tips and resources available for you, fam!

Join you host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent as she welcomes Rich Gallagher, LMFT, to our family table! The topic today is about disgust, particularly when intrusive thoughts or obsessional doubts feel distressing because of disgust. While this is a fairly common OCD presentation, it's a tricky area to treat. Join us to learn why, as Rich helps to introduce his Mastery Approach to addressing disgust based themes. Rich utilizes the findings in research with his own lived experience of OCD and as an OCD Specialist. So come learn with us! Because there's more hope on the horizon for the OCD Family Community!