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 

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 

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 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 

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

In episode 349 I chat with Anna 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In episode 331 I chat with Amanda 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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