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The OCD Stories

Welcome to The OCD Stories, hosted by Stuart Ralph. The podcast has been heard over 6 million times globally. Check out your first episode from our existing hundreds of episodes featuring experts, and people experiencing symptoms just like you today. If you do, you may just feel understood, heard and possibly help you identify your next step in your own personal journey to healing. Disclaimer - this podcast is not a replacement for therapy. Please seek treatment from a licensed mental health professional.
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Now displaying: 2021
Dec 26, 2021

In episode 309 I chat with Emily Hemendinger. Emily is a lead OCD therapist at the University of Colorado Health Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic. 

We discuss her therapy story and mental health story including OCD and an eating disorder, cognitive flexibility, cognitive remediation therapy, working on perfectionism, social anxiety, social media and tips for the mindful use of it, and much more. Hope it helps.  

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/emily-hemendinger-309

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 and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dec 19, 2021

In episode 308 I chat with Angel Brown who has kindly agreed to share her story with us. 

We discuss her story, harm intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, health anxiety, her compulsions, fear of going crazy, doing exposure and response prevention (ERP), helping her family understand how to support her, words of hope, and much more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-angel-308

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 and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dec 12, 2021

In episode 307 I chat with Eva Surawy Stepney. Eva is a research student studying for her PhD at the University of Sheffield. Her thesis title is, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and the foundations of ‘evidence-based’ practice in British Psychology, 1948-1990.

In this episode we discuss who she is and her PhD research, her article 'guilty obsessions', the history of OCD, the history of psychoanalysis and the development of other psychotherapies such as ERP, the importance of Sigmund Freud to the early development of the conceptualisation of OCD, what separates OCD from phobias, how other emotions like guilt, doubt and disgust can be drivers of OCD, how Freud originally said this but how mainstream psychiatry focused only on fear until in more recent years where the research is showing that other emotions play a role too, we discuss the idea of trauma and potential links to OCD, the history of ERP, and the conference 'OCD in Society'. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/eva-guilty-obsessions-307

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 and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Dec 5, 2021

In episode 306 I chat with Dr Eli Lebowitz. Eli created the treatment approach SPACE which stands for Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions. SPACE is a parent-based treatment program for children and adolescents with anxiety, OCD, and related problems. Eli is director of the Program for Anxiety Disorders at the Yale Child Study Center.

We discuss his therapy story, why he focused on helping families of people with OCD, what is SPACE, the negative consequences of accommodation, what SPACE consists of, the two core elements of SPACE which are to respond in a supportive manner and reduce accommodation, he gives case examples, sticking points in SPACE and ways to overcome them, and much more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-eli-lebowitz-306

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 and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Nov 28, 2021

In episode 305 I chat with Sidney Aburi who has kindly agreed to share his story with us. 

We discuss his OCD story, intrusive thoughts around religion, avoiding school, the severity of his compulsions, worrying about leaving his country, studying abroad, suicidal themed OCD, sexual orientation themed OCD, his journey of finding effective therapy, panic, words of hope and much more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-sidney-aburi-305

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 and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Nov 21, 2021

In episode 304 I chat with Katie Strang. Katie is a therapist, who advocates on Instagram through the account OCD Illustrated.

We discuss her OCD story, her themes, going to inpatient care, social anxiety, learning to take her symptoms less seriously, how she structures ERP now after therapy, we discuss how friends and family reducing accommodation can make OCD better, the value in connecting with people who have other symptoms than your own, words of hope and much more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-katie-strang-304 

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 and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Nov 14, 2021

In episode 303 I chat with Tapio Antere. Tapio is an aspiring film director from Finland. He has kindly agreed to share his story with us. 

We discuss his story, sexual orientation themed OCD, health anxiety, gender identity themed OCD, going to inpatient treatment, meditation, having friends with OCD and sharing humour in tough times, how he views intrusive thoughts, words of hope, his core fear, and much more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-tapio-antere-303 

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 and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Nov 7, 2021

In episode 302 I chat with Dr Amy Mariaskin. Amy is a licensed clinical psychologist and director at The Nashville OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center. 

We get an update on Amy, Thriving in relationships with OCD, her book, attachment in relationships, relationship themed OCD, the importance of relationships, OCD and friendships, developing exposures to face OCD and strengthen relationships, values and committed action towards our values, disclosing OCD, and more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-amy-mariaskin-302

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 and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Oct 31, 2021

In episode 301 I chat with Lucy who has kindly agreed to share her story.

In this episode we talk about her story, developing an eating disorder, going to residential treatment, using substances, the effects and trauma from abusive relationships including sexual assault, suicidal themed OCD, somatic OCD, harm themed OCD, some of her compulsions, getting diagnosed, her experience of doing exposure and response prevention (ERP), worrying about coronavirus and moral scrupulosity, obsessing over medication, the powerful moments in therapy that resonated with her, the trauma of OCD, words of hope, and much more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-lucy-301

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Oct 27, 2021

In this special episode, Aaron Harvey interviews Crystal Anderson.

Aaron chats with Crystal about her story, violent intrusive thoughts, going to inpatient treatment, getting diagnosed in her thirties, how her themes change week to week, getting intrusive thoughts about her dog, sexual orientation and existential themed OCD, they talk about race and culture and how this can impact access to care and community, they discuss advocacy, when people use the term “I’m so OCD”, depression, and much more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/aaron-harvey-crystal-anderson

Thanks to OCDPeers for sponsoring this week's special edition of the podcast. To find out about their peer support groups for OCD, and to meet others head to www.ocdpeers.com

Oct 24, 2021

In episode 300 I took some time to reflect on the last 6 years and 300 episodes. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for listening, and to acknowledge where the shows been, and where’s it’s going. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/stuart-300

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Oct 20, 2021

Dr Patrick McGrath head of clinical services at NOCD interviews Dr Alec Pollard Founding Director of the Center for OCD & Anxiety-Related Disorders (COARD). 

In this episode they talk about Alec’s therapy story, what areas of OCD have his interest currently, developing an approach to help families of loved ones who refuse therapy, developing his OCD institute in St Louis, why it’s exposure and response prevention (ERP) not exposure therapy, the importance of the RP of ERP, the influence of Joseph Wolpe to OCD therapy, how anger inhibits anxiety, panic disorder, learning to adapt to uncertainty, and much more. Hope that helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/mcgrath-pollard

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Oct 17, 2021

In episode 299 I chat with Justin Hughes. Justin is a licensed professional counsellor in Dallas, Texas who specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

In this episode I chat with Justin about some of the barriers that get in the way of Christians seeking treatment, he share’s some relevant scripture, why OCD is not a spiritual problem, seeing a therapist regardless of their own faith, the concept of common grace, we discuss miracles, uncertainty and Christianity, doing exposure and response prevention (ERP) without crossing the client’s religious and personal values, dealing with the guilt and shame of having had certain intrusive thoughts, speaking with family member’s who are hesitant about therapy, and much more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/justin-hughes-299

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Oct 13, 2021

In this episode peer support specialist Chrissie Hodges interviews Chance McNeely. 

Chrissie chats with Chance about his story, how culture can develop/influence themes, childhood trauma, their upbringings, struggling to speak up as children, self-compassion, trauma from OCD, shame, peer support, and much more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/chrissie-hodges-chance-mcneely

Thanks to OCDPeers for sponsoring this week's special edition of the podcast. To find out about their peer support groups for OCD, and to meet others head to www.ocdpeers.com

Oct 10, 2021

In episode 298 I interviewed Dr Jason Krompinger. Jason is a clinical psychologist at the OCD institute at McLean hospital.

I chat with Jason about his therapy story, case formulation vs diagnosis, barriers to accessing exposure and response prevention (ERP), perfectionism, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), functional analytic psychotherapy (FAP), we discuss the role of the ‘self’, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jason-krompinger-298

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Oct 6, 2021

In this special edition of The OCD Stories former guest and OCD advocate Catherine Benfield interviews Steve Brumwell. Steve is a writer and director, he is currently working on his short film about OCD called ‘Waving’.

In this episode they discuss Steve’s story, hiding the disorder, how a documentary helped him understand what was going on, they discuss harm intrusive thoughts, becoming a parent, self-harm, how his OCD interfered with some of his therapy, men’s mental health, they talk about his short film ‘Waving’, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/catherine-benfield-steve-brumwell

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Oct 3, 2021

In episode 297 I interviewed Kimberley Quinlan. Kim is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who treats people with OCD and related disorders, Eating Disorders and Body Focused Repetitive Disorders. She runs her own podcast called Your Anxiety Toolkit. She also runs CBTschool.com. 

In this episode we talk about her new book ‘The Self-Compassion Workbook for OCD’, the roadblocks to self-compassion, applying self-compassion to Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP), some of the exercises and practices in the book, why Jon Hershfield wrote the foreword to the book, Kim guides us through a self-compassion practice, how self-compassion can help you lean into fear, setting boundaries as an act of self-compassion, feeling like you don’t deserve compassion, we discuss self-criticism, when Kim has had to practice self-compassion for herself recently, and much more. Hope it helps.   

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/kim-quinlan-compassion-297

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Sep 29, 2021

Full episode out this Sunday. We discuss her new book 'The Self-Compassion Workbook for OCD: Lean into Your Fear, Manage Difficult Emotions, and Focus On Recovery'.

Kimberley's new book: https://amzn.to/3kSiUd2 

Disclaimer - this podcast is not a replacement for therapy. Please seek treatment from a trained professional. 

Sep 26, 2021

In episode 296 I interviewed Dr Nicola Petrocchi. Nicola is a licensed CBT psychotherapist based in Rome, Adjunct Professor of Psychology at John Cabot University (Rome) and student counsellor.

We discuss his therapy story, what is compassion-focused therapy (CFT), the evolutionary view of the mind, how CFT fits in with other therapies, his study: what it is, what it found. We talk about viewing OCD from a compassionate lens, the science behind compassion, we discuss different types of guilt, different exercises in CFT, working with the inner critical voice, we discuss some of the resistances to doing CFT, and much more. Hope it helps.   

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nicola-petrocchi-cft-296

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Sep 19, 2021

In episode 295 I interviewed Jamie Lewis who has kindly agreed to share his story with us.

I chat with Jamie about his story, building up the courage to speak to a doctor, pure O, somatic OCD, relationship OCD, perfectionism, derealisation, working with Dr Steven Phillipson, we talk about Steve’s podcast episode 'brain voice vs gatekeeper voice', peer support, the concept of irrelevance, words of hope, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-jamie-295

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Sep 12, 2021

In episode 294 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, including his most recent book the 2nd edition of, “The mindfulness workbook for OCD”.

I chat with Jon about what’s new with him, what is false memory OCD, real event OCD, the problem with compulsively reviewing memories or thoughts, how this theme of OCD links into moral scrupulosity, some of the compulsions linked to this theme, dealing with the uncertainty, rumination, when you’re worried to go to therapy, mindfulness around this theme, why the difference between a false memory or a real one doesn’t matter and why we shouldn’t try to figure it out, why drinking alcohol can make OCD worse, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jon-hershfield-false-memory-294

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Sep 5, 2021

In episode 293 I interviewed Micah Howe who has kindly agreed to share his story with us.

I chat with Micah about his OCD story, growing up as an evangelical Christian, his early memories of anxiety, fears of perfection, worries of offending people, how OCD impacted his faith, hoarding behaviours, scrupulosity, health anxiety, the process of getting therapy, advocacy, medication, setting up an IOCDF affiliate in IOWA, words of hope, and much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-micah-howe-293

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Aug 29, 2021

In episode 292 I interviewed Nathan Peterson. Nathan is an OCD specialist who practices in Allen, Texas. He works with OCD, anxiety, tics and Tourettes, and BFRB’s such as hair pulling and skin picking. He has a YouTube channel where he posts weekly videos about OCD and other anxiety related disorders.

I chat with Nathan about his therapy journey, the difference between doing an exposure (ERP) vs. being exposed, examining the day ahead to find opportunities for proactive ERP and identifying compulsions, why it’s important to actively do ERP vs being exposed, the importance of reducing compulsions to help our brains learn new information around the things we worry about, ideas for sticking to ERP homework, and much more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nathan-peterson-292

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Aug 15, 2021

In episode 290 I interviewed Dr Steven Phillipson. Steven is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD. Steven is the Clinical Director at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy in New York.

We discuss two of the most common spike themes of OCD: What if this never goes away, and how do I know this is OCD and not an authentic concern?, he normalises the process of OCD and the emotions that fuel it, the mistakes some people make in their recovery mindset, when OCD pops up in your mind when you wake, we discuss the idea of irrelevance, the recovery mindset, he shares plenty of examples and illustrations, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-steven-phillipson-290

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Aug 8, 2021

In episode 289 I interviewed Malia who has kindly agreed to share her story.

I chat with Malia about her story, her earliest OCD memory, emetophobia, somatic obsessions, medication, how the themes of OCD changed over the years, postpartum OCD, depersonalisation/derealisation, feeling guilty because of the thoughts, going through intensive outpatient treatment, how her husband also meet with other family members for OCD support, how her mindset of OCD has changed, words of hope, and much more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-malia-289

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

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