All The Hard Things

In this episode, I'm joined by Mollie Albanese, OCD advocate and NOCD Peer Advisor. We talk about.. - her experience with finding out she had OCD and starting ERP treatment - what recovery looks like and whether we should expect to get rid of our intrusive thoughts/images completely  - how to incorporate values into your recovery journey for continued success  You can follow Mollie...

In part three of this (unexpected!) three part episode, I talk about mental compulsions, the term "pure O", and more.  Specifically, I get into.. - case examples for mental compulsions - other tips/tricks regarding mental compulsions and how to resist them - some bonus content/final thoughts about pure o/mental compulsions This podcast should not be substituted, nor is meant to act as a subst...

In part two of this two-part episode, I talk about mental compulsions, the term "pure O", and more.  Specifically, I get into.. - examples of mental compulsions - functions of and "justifications for" mental compulsions - how to resist mental compulsions as well examples of non-engagement strategies This podcast should not be substituted, nor is meant to act as a substitute, for legitimate me...

In part one of this two-part episode, I talked about mental compulsions, the term "pure O", and more.  Specifically, I get into.. - whether the term "pure O" exists (spoiler alert: it's complicated) - difficulties associated with mental compulsions and how to address them  This podcast should not be substituted, nor is meant to act as a substitute, for legitimate mental health treatment/...

In this episode, I'm joined by Elise Petronzio, owner of the OCD advocacy shop "The OCDopus". We talk about.. - thought stopping, what it is, and why it feeds the OCD/anxiety cycle - what to do instead of thought stopping and how to beat this dysfunctional response - the importance/relevance of the "pink elephant" and ways Elise is working to give back to children in OCD residential units You...

In this episode, I'm joined by Megan and Lauren from The Matrescence, an online platform designed to help moms fill in the gaps to support their mental, physical, social, and emotional health.  We talk about.. - examples of postpartum difficulties including depression, anxiety, OCD, and rage - how to advocate for yourself in a health system that pays attention to baby and forgets about mom - h...

Note: This is part 2 of a 2 part episode.  If you haven't already, go back and listen to part 1 - episode #78.  In this episode, I talk about the differences and similarities between Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).  I also review... - why I think these disorders are, ultimately, the same - how treatment may differ slightly for one vs the other - how...

In this episode, I talk about the differences and similarities between Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).  I also review... - why I think these disorders are, ultimately, the same - how treatment may differ slightly for one vs the other - how parsing these disorders out can become an exercise in trivial distinctions - the most important thing to do with the...

This episode features Kaci, a mom who experienced harm intrusive thoughts with compulsive rumination as a mother.  We talk about... - her experience of intrusive thoughts, rumination, and getting therapy for these issues - her experience of going through exposure and response prevention (ERP), the gold standard treatment for OCD - her recommendations for stopping rumination and what to do instead...

In this episode, I'm joined by Kristina Orlova, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in the treatment of OCD.  We talk about .. - rumination and how this is a controllable, ritualistic behavior and, therefore, a choice - how to sit with uncertainty in OCD - how to respond when obsessions and compulsions attack your recovery and make you worry about relapse

In this episode, I'm joined by Zach Westerbeck who is an OCD warrior, mental health public speaker, and author of the book "You're Not Alone".  Together, we talk about.. - Zach's lived experience with OCD including sexual orientation obsessions and compulsions - how he turned his experience of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts into advocacy and a passion to help othe...

In this episode, Nathan Peterson and I go through our health scares and talk about what to do when the "what if's" actually happen. We go through tips you can use for your OCD and health anxiety. Uncertainty is the key to feeling better. It's time for you to learn how you can sit with it comfortably. ⁠Check out The OCD & Anxiety Recovery Blueprint HERE!⁠ 🚧 Take the FREE quiz...

Welcome to my Anonymom series.  Real moms talking about their deepest and darkest moments - anonymously.  Anonymom episodes may consist of difficult topics including miscarriage, infertility, separation, anxiety, depression, trauma, and other potentially triggering issues.  Names have been changed to protect the identity of the mom. This episode features Jaime, mom of two who experienced harm intr...

In this episode, I talk with Madina Alam, fellow NOCD therapist and ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) lover.  We discuss... - why OCD therapists who do ERP aren't like the typical therapists you see in the media or on TV - what makes OCD therapists unique in their approach/work - our favorite (and most challenging) parts about doing ERP/working with people who have OCD ⁠Check out The OCD...

In this episode, I talk with Emily Feldman, OCD and eating disorder warrior and advocate, about the overlap between OCD and eating disorders.  Here, we discuss.. - how rules, rigidity, and scheduling tendencies affected Emily's OCD and her eating disorder - eating disordered behavior in general including mental restriction, orthorexia, and more  - Emily's advice for anyone struggling with...

In this episode, I answer questions from my Instagram on rumination.  You'll hear about... - my thoughts on how to "stop ruminating" - the difference between good distraction and bad distraction - why OCD makes you doubt even whether you have OCD - what "embracing uncertainty" means  ⁠Check out The OCD & Anxiety Recovery Blueprint HERE!⁠ 🚧 Take the FREE quiz - "Wh...

In this episode, you'll learn about... - what the term "pure o" means  - my thoughts on whether "pure o" exists - why there's such a controversy about the concept of "purely obsessional disorder" - how therapists can approach someone who says they have "pure o" ⁠Check out The OCD & Anxiety Recovery Blueprint HERE!⁠ 🚧 Take the FREE quiz - "W...

In this episode, you'll hear me answer questions like ..... - "Can moms have relationship OCD with their baby?"  - "How do I deal with the burnout of intrusive thoughts?" - "What's different about working with children and adolescents vs adults?" - "How do I deal with my fear of emotions?  I always try to fix/fight them." Plus existential intrusive t...

In this episode, you'll learn about... - 7 reasons why you might not be habituating to exposure (i.e, getting used to them)  - the habituation model vs inhibitory learning model of exposure and response prevention (ERP) - why not habituating to your exposures/not getting used to them can still be a really good thing! ⁠Check out The OCD & Anxiety Recovery Blueprint HERE!⁠ 🚧 Take the FREE q...

In this episode, you'll learn about... - the difference between attention and awareness, and why you can't control your thoughts but you can control what you do with them  - what you should be doing and thinking during exposures - things you should avoid doing during exposures ⁠Check out The OCD & Anxiety Recovery Blueprint HERE!⁠ 🚧 Take the FREE quiz - "What's Your OCD/Anxie...

In this episode, you'll learn about... - common symptom presentations of relationship OCD - ideas for treatment of relationship OCD - information on relationship vs partner focused relationship OCD, values, and common misperceptions carried by those who have relationship OCD For OCD treatment, check out NOCD - head to www.treatmyocd.com and schedule your free 15 minute phone call to get connected...

In this episode, you'll learn about... - the various levels of care (inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, outpatient) and how they differ from each other - what to expect in each level of care and how to know what level of care is right for you/your loved one/your client - ways to find and access different levels of care, including IOCDF.org and psychologytoday.co...

In this episode, I interview Casey, an OCD warrior, advocate, and mom.  She talks to us about.. - her personal struggles with postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, and rage - her difficulties with the maternal mental health system in getting the help/recognition she needed - encouragement for other moms and ways that we can help support each other despite a failing maternal mental health syste...

In this episode, I interview Stephanie, an OCD warrior, advocate, and mom.  She also runs @navigate_ocd on Instagram.  She talks to us about.. - her personal struggles with anxiety, OCD, and chronic pain especially as it comes up in motherhood - difficulties with the maternal mental health system and having to advocate for herself (depression vs anxiety) - her experience of going through...

In this episode, you'll learn about... - what is a SUDS scale (subjective unit of distress scale) - ways that a SUDS/rating scale might make people anxious, especially if these individuals have ocd or anxiety - strategies for clients/therapists to work through so they can get the most out of treatment despite these difficulties This podcast should not be substituted, nor is meant to act as a subst...