All The Hard Things

The holidays can be a magical time, but let’s be real—they can also feel like a bit much . Between family expectations, endless to-do lists, and the pressure of all the “shoulds” we place on ourselves, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. If you’re managing OCD and anxiety, that weight can feel even heavier. So today, we’re diving into how to find peace amidst the holiday chaos. Whether you’re navigatin...

I’m happy to have a special guest returning to the podcast—Grace, one of my OCD and Anxiety Recovery Blueprint students. Grace joined us a few months ago to share her incredible journey of recovery, highlighting the challenges she faced, the tools she’s used, and the progress she’s made. Today, we’re diving into an important topic: managing OCD and life's big changes. It’s one thing to practice re...

I’m thrilled to share a guest interview with Denise Rickenbach, a licensed marriage and family therapist. Together, we’re diving into topics (like OCD and perfectionism) that many of you face daily! If you’ve ever felt unsure about where to turn or what might work for you, this episode offers tips, tools, and encouragement to help you on your journey. It’s especially helpful for moms and parents s...

It’s been a while since we’ve had a guest on the podcast to open up about their experiences, and this conversation feels particularly timely and important. I’m excited to introduce a guest known as CHH. Who shares their powerful story and unique perspective on living with OCD, anxiety, and motherhood. Whether you’re a mom navigating the complexities of motherhood, someone living with OCD or anxiet...

Today’s episode is for those of you who have been putting in the work to manage OCD and anxiety—maybe you’ve tried therapy, read all the books, and listened to every podcast out there, but still feel like something’s missing. Let me assure you: this isn’t happening because you’re not trying hard enough or because you’re beyond help. You’re not resistant to change, and it’s not that you’re “too sic...

This post is going to be a real tough moment for you if you've ever felt like a passive participant in your OCD and anxiety recovery, and just super stuck its grips. So, if you've ever felt like OCD, intrusive thoughts or anxiety is something that just “happened to you”, meaning it's something that you feel really powerless against. I want you to hang with me because I'm going to share a mindset s...

Today, we're going to talk about one of the most frustrating pain points in recovery, which is that feeling of just being stuck. Like you're spinning your wheels, you're trying so hard, you're exerting so much effort, you're doing all the things , but you're not actually getting anywhere.  If you have been feeling stuck in the spiral of anxiety, intrusive thoughts and panic, this post is for you!...

Today, we're diving into the power of affirmations and exploring how to use them "good affirmations" vs "bad affirmations" effectively, without letting them slip into the territory of compulsive reassurance. If you’re navigating recovery or simply looking to add some grounded positivity to your day, this is for you! Here's a little preview of what we'll cover: How affirmations can be powerful tool...

If you’re anything like me, you might have a bit of a love-hate relationship with fear. Even though I’m a therapist who specializes in anxiety, I’ve always found fear fascinating. As a kid, I used to dream about being part of the horror movie world, and today, I still think there’s something to be learned from those spooky films. Whether you love the thrill of a scary movie or can’t wait for Hallo...

If you’re anything like me or many of the people I work with, you’ve likely found yourself stuck in a never-ending cycle of overanalyzing or ruminating over every little detail—past, present, or future. You think and think, hoping to find the right answer, the perfect solution, or some sense of certainty, but instead, you just end up feeling more overwhelmed and anxious. Have you ever felt like ov...

I’m so excited to get into today’s episode because we’re focusing on a topic that’s especially close to my heart—OCD. Whether you’ve been living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder for a while or are just starting to understand what it’s all about, this post will be a game changer. In honor of OCD Awareness Week, we’re breaking down 10 important things that everyone should know about OCD. These ins...

If you’ve ever experienced a panic attack or anxiety attack, you know how overwhelming and terrifying it can feel. Panic can hit like a wave, leaving you feeling like you’re completely out of control. There are so many misconceptions about panic attacks and high anxiety—what they are, what they mean, and most importantly, how to deal with them. Today, we’re going to break down some of the biggest...

If you've ever experienced a panic attack, you know how overwhelming and terrifying it can be. But if panic attacks or constant anxiety have become a recurring part of your life, you may find yourself asking, Why do these keep happening? How can I stop them from controlling my life? In this post, we’re going to explore exactly that. You’ll learn why traditional coping methods like breathing ex...

Today, we’re diving into a topic that could change the way you think about mental health care. We’re going to explore the stepped care model, or stepped care approach—what it is, why it’s crucial, and why traditional therapy may not always be the best or only option for everyone. Here’s a little spoiler: high-quality self-help can be just as effective—if not more so—for certain individuals. Before...

Hey everyone, welcome back! Today, we’re diving into a crucial topic, especially if you or someone you know has been struggling with OCD, anxiety, or intrusive thoughts. We’re going to talk about why traditional talk therapy—where talking is the main, and sometimes the only, intervention—isn't enough to help you overcome these issues. Talk therapy doesn't work for OCD and anxiety most of t...

Today, we’re going to get a little paradoxical. We’re diving into something different—how to make your OCD worse. Of course, the goal here is not to actually make it worse, but to help you recognize behaviors that can keep you stuck in the OCD cycle, so you can start doing the opposite. Here's a little preview of what we'll cover: • 5 Ways to Make OCD Worse • Why generic advice doesn't...

Today, we’re diving into a question I get all the time—how do I do exposures for intrusive thoughts? If you haven’t asked this question yourself, you’ve probably wondered about it or Googled it at some point. It’s a common question, especially for those beginning their recovery journey with OCD. But here’s the thing: it’s not a simple question to answer when it comes to understanding and treating...

Let's dive into today's topic: the bad things, or what not to do when you have OCD or anxiety. When I say bad, I mean habits or behaviors that can contribute to feeling stuck and stalled in your recovery, or things that might actually be detrimental to you. These are behaviors that may feel helpful in the moment but just reinforce the cycle of anxiety and compulsions. So, let's go thro...

Today, I'm going to talk about living ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) and how this isn’t just a one-and-done thing. You can’t just dip in and get out. Many people think of ERP as a specific exercise or a series of tasks that you need to complete and then you’re done. But the truth is, ERP is so much more than that. It's not just a series of moments; it’s really a lifestyle change. H...

Today, I'm pulling back the curtain on mindset shifts for lasting change. If you're ready to unlock your potential and see what’s truly possible for you in terms of freedom from OCD, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts, this episode is for you. Changing your mindset can be a game changer, especially when you're dealing with anxiety and intrusive thoughts. No, it’s not just about thinking p...

Today, I want to talk about one of my favorite topics to implement in both my personal and professional life: the impact of small changes. When we're in the thick of OCD, anxiety, and scary thoughts, we can get so caught up in the big picture that we lose sight of the tiny, nuanced changes we could make right here, right now. Let's dive into how these small changes can really make a big im...

Want to hear 10 things I tell my clients in the first therapy session? Today, I'm giving you a peek into what it's like to have a first session with a therapist who specializes in OCD and anxiety. I have been working with people who have OCD and anxiety since 2008, so I’ve crafted my first session over time. While it varies for everyone, some foundational principles are crucial for anyone...

Today, I am hammering out a question that I get at least once a day: how to tell when it's more than just anxiety. In this day and age, with social media, it seems like everything is a diagnosis, and everything is a problem. So let's talk about it! Here's a little preview of what we'll cover: 5 signs what you're experiencing is more than "just" anxiety How to know if...

Today, I'm diving right into a topic that I know will resonate with so many of you—these fricking mental blocks that are holding you back from what you want so bad. I get so many DMs and emails every single day from people who want desperately to overcome their OCD and anxiety, and to quote, "never have these thoughts again," and to just be able to be with their family. Insert goal h...

Today we are diving into a really fun topic — the new character in Inside Out 2, "Anxiety". For those of you who haven't seen it yet, Inside Out is a movie that personifies emotions as characters inside a young girl's mind. The sequel, released in June 2024, introduces a couple of new characters: Embarrassment, Envy, Ennui (a cool, chill, can't-be-bothered-by-anything charact...