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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: Category: self-help
May 28, 2023

In episode 383 I chat with Reed Amber who has kindly shared her story with us. Reed is a Sex Educator, Sex Worker and co-founder of ComeCurious and host of the award-winning F**ks Given podcast. 

We discuss her story, needing to have order in her life, relying on drugs to cope, resistance to therapy, health anxiety, IBS, depersonalisation and derealisation, making peace with the shadow parts of herself, intrusive thoughts and images, OCD and sex, the inner compassionate voice, facing her fears, panic attacks, and much more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/reed-383

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. This podcast episode is available as a video recording on our Patreon. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the other benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast 

May 21, 2023

In episode 382 I chat with Professor David Veale and Dr Rob Willson (PhD). David is a consultant psychiatrist specialising in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Rob is a Cognitive Behaviour Therapist.

We discuss an update on them, what is health anxiety, the episodic nature of health anxiety, the similarities and differences between health anxiety and OCD, death anxiety, the 2nd edition of their book Overcoming Health Anxiety, some of the worries and safety behaviours within health anxiety, compassion focused therapy (CFT), exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), and much more. Hope it helps.  

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/david-and-rob-382 

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

May 7, 2023

In episode 380 I chat with Dr Sam Greenblatt. Sam is a licensed clinical psychologist. 

We discuss what is new with him, OCD metaphors, what therapy for OCD can change, the difference between pain and suffering, reducing suffering, intensity, duration, frequency, and content. As well as much more. Hope it helps.   

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/sam-380 

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. For the month of May 2023, NOCD is offering a reduced rate of $100 USD per session, available to a limited number of new members, to help more people receive life-changing treatment. To get started and access this opportunity while it’s available, schedule a free call with the NOCD team today at learn.nocd.com/OCDStories.

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Apr 30, 2023

In episode 379 I chat with Nate Gruner. Nate is a staff Behavioral Therapist at McLean OCD institute. 

I chat with Nate about functional analytic psychotherapy (FAP), the history of FAP, what is FAP, the 5 rules of FAP, why FAP may be helpful for people with OCD, content vs process, the principles of awareness, courage and love. Nate shares some client examples where he has used FAP with OCD, and much more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nate-379 

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. This podcast episode is available as a video recording on our Patreon. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the other benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Apr 26, 2023

In this midweek special episode I chat with Dr Jonathan Hoffman and Dr Katia Moritz of the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida. 

In this episode we discuss what goes on behind the scenes of an OCD treatment centre, how the NBI team work together, what an average day looks like, how the clinic operates, and much more. Hope it helps.  

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nbi-3

The midweek special episodes which go out at the end of the month on a Wednesday are made possible by and in partnership with the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida. I will be interviewing different members of their clinical team on a range of topics. NBI specialise in treatment and programs for anxiety, OCD, comorbidities, and complex cases. They also offer an intensive outpatient program, and a residential program called the NBI Ranch: A supportive living experience that complements intensive treatment for Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Related Disorders.

To find out more about their intensive outpatient services, or the NBI ranch, as well as to read some of their free information online about OCD via their blog, click here to find out more: https://www.nbiweston.com/

Apr 23, 2023

In episode 378 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.

I chat with Eva about the history of intrusive thoughts. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/eva-388

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

Apr 16, 2023

In episode 377 I chat with Mike Heady. Mike (LCPC) is the Co-Owner & Co-Director of the Anxiety and Stress Disorders Institute of Maryland where he has specialized in the treatment of OCD, anxiety disorders, and related conditions for the last 16-years. He is a faculty member of the IOCDF’s Training Institute and is a regular presenter at annual conferences for the IOCDF and ADAA. 

We discuss what’s new with him, what is inference-based cognitive behavioural therapy (I-CBT), the name change from inference-based therapy (IBT) to I-CBT, what I-CBT therapy looks like for OCD, inferential confusion, doubt, the concept of reality sensing, can I-CBT be integrated with exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), vulnerable self themes, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/mike-377 

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

Apr 9, 2023

In episode 376 I chat with Ellen who has kindly shared her story with us. 

We discuss pocd, intrusive thoughts, self harm, experiencing sexual abuse as a child, going to inpatient and residential treatment, sexual intimacy while having intrusive thoughts, a suicide attempt, getting an OCD diagnosis, arousal non-concordance, shame, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), compassion, the idea of hope, and much more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/ellen-376

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

Apr 2, 2023

In episode 375 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 all OCD spikes are created equal, the different spikes themes Steve has found that may respond differently to therapy, we talk about certain themes of OCD: olfactory obsessions, metaphysical contamination, responsibility, just right, relationship, existential, and OCD staring. Steve shares his proof of an OCD god (this is a joke), ‘PTSD’ from the initial onset of OCD, and more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/steve-375

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

Mar 29, 2023

In this midweek special episode I chat with Dr Jonathan Hoffman and Dr Dee Franklin of the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida. 

In this episode we discuss what are eating disorders, are eating disorders OCD?, the overlap in criteria in the diagnostical statistical manual for mental disorders (DSM-V), how can viewing eating disorders as OCD help with treatment, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), a fear of swallowing and choking, when emotional intensity feels too intense to do exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), dealing with a harsh inner critic, and much more. Hope it helps.  

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nbi-2 

The midweek special episodes which go out at the end of the month on a Wednesday are made possible by and in partnership with the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida. I will be interviewing different members of their clinical team on a range of topics. NBI specialise in treatment and programs for anxiety, OCD, comorbidities, and complex cases. They also offer an intensive outpatient program, and a residential program called the NBI Ranch: A supportive living experience that complements intensive treatment for Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Related Disorders.

To find out more about their intensive outpatient services, or the NBI ranch, as well as to read some of their free information online about OCD via their blog, click here to find out more: https://www.nbiweston.com/

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Mar 26, 2023

In episode 374 I chat with Dr Jeremy Peterman. Jeremy is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and co-director at the Marin center for anxiety and behavioral therapy. 

We discuss what is emetophobia, phobia or OCD or both?, client therapy examples, trauma and emetophobia, the worries and compulsions that go along with emetophobia, the treatment for emetophobia, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), Jeremy gives a lot of exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) examples, we discuss values, disgust, shame and self-compassion, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jeremy-374

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

Mar 19, 2023

In episode 373 I chat with SJ who has kindly shared their story with us. 

We discuss their early OCD experiences, nightmares, SJ details many of their compulsions including praying, counting, organising visually, finding good numerical patterns, patterns of 3, restricting food, as well as more. We also discuss trichotillomania (hair pulling), intrusive thoughts around animals, online support groups, starting therapy, and much more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/sj-373 

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

Mar 12, 2023

In episode 372 I chat with Jeff who has kindly shared his story with us. 

We discuss his story, getting a diagnosis, emetophobia, his role as a mental health counselor, suicidal themed OCD, peadophile themed OCD, sexual orientation themed OCD, depression, somatic themed OCD, worrying about panic, relationship themed OCD, meditation, and much more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jeff-372

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

Mar 5, 2023

In episode 371 I chat with Dr Michael Greenberg. Michael is a clinical psychologist who specialises in Rumination-Focused ERP. 

We discuss what is Malan’s model of OCD, the triangle of conflict and the triangle of the person, he shares why this model is not parent shaming, why nothing real is ideal and that’s ok, how Malan’s ideas can inform exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), why OCD themes change from Michael’s view of Malan’s work, the concept of splitting, and much more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/michael-371 

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

Feb 26, 2023

In episode 370 I chat with Kristen Bailey who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us. 

We discuss her OCD story, how a panic attack triggered OCD, obsessing over hearing songs, harm intrusive thoughts, the fear of going crazy, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), doing acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and compassion focused therapy (CFT), dealing with sneaky compulsions, learning to accept her internal experiences, seeing relapses as teachers, resistance to self compassion, shame, obsessions vs mental compulsions, and much more. Hope it helps.     

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/kristen-370

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

Feb 22, 2023

In this midweek special episode I chat with Dr Jonathan Hoffman and Dr Katia Moritz who run the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida. 

In this episode we discuss why are we working together, what is OCD?, a discussion around this and the varying views that came up, what are obsessions and compulsions, common themes, is there a difference between obsessions and intrusive thoughts, the idea of experiential acceptance, preventative OCD treatment, some ways to view OCD, how their view of has changed of OCD, and much more. Hope it helps.  

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nbi-1

The midweek special episodes which go out at the end of the month on a Wednesday are made possible by and in partnership with the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in Florida. I will be interviewing different members of their clinical team on a range of topics. NBI specialise in treatment and programs for anxiety, OCD, comorbidities, and complex cases. They also offer an intensive outpatient program, and a residential program called the NBI Ranch: A supportive living experience that complements intensive treatment for Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Related Disorders.

To find out more about their intensive outpatient services, or the NBI ranch, as well as to read some of their free information online about OCD via their blog, click here to find out more: https://www.nbiweston.com/ 

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Feb 19, 2023

In episode 369 I chat with 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.

We discuss an update on him and his YouTube channel, what is emotional contamination themed OCD, magical thinking, some of the obsessions and compulsions of this theme, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) ideas and examples, working through resistance to treatment, how family and partners can support their loved one with this theme, words of hope and much more. Hope it helps.     

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nathan-369  

The podcast is made possible by NOCD and JS Health vitamins. 

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

JS Health’s vitamin formulas are solution-focused, meaning they are designed to target your main health concerns and support a whole range of wellness goals. Get 15% off their entire range at www.jshealthvitamins.com and use the code OCDSTORIES at checkout.

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Feb 12, 2023

In episode 368 I chat Michael Schramm who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story. 

We discuss his story, his earliest OCD memory, his varying OCD worries in childhood, getting his OCD diagnosis, getting into advocacy for OCD, doing exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), what’s helped him the most recently, and much more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/michael-368 

The podcast is made possible by NOCD and JS Health vitamins. 

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

JS Health’s vitamin formulas are solution-focused, meaning they are designed to target your main health concerns and support a whole range of wellness goals. Get 15% off their entire range at https://jshealthvitamins.com/collections/all-vitamins?utm_source=Podcasts&utm_medium=OCDStories and use the code OCDSTORIES at checkout.

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Feb 5, 2023

In episode 367 I chat with Dr Chad LeJeune. Chad is a professor of psychology at the University of San Francisco, and author of the books The worry trap, and more recently, “Pure O" OCD: Letting Go of Obsessive Thoughts with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

We discuss what is Pure O, what is acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), his book, when does a thought become an obsession, skills to defuse from sticky thoughts, his acronym LLAMP and how it can help, how to learn ACT skills so that they are remembered, learning to let go of fighting with horrible disturbing thoughts, discovering your values and how to live by them, and much more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/chad-367

The podcast is made possible by NOCD and JS Health vitamins. 

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

JS Health’s vitamin formulas are solution-focused, meaning they are designed to target your main health concerns and support a whole range of wellness goals. Get 15% off their entire range at www.jshealthvitamins.com and use the code OCDSTORIES at checkout.

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Jan 29, 2023

In episode 366 I chat with Dr Michael Greenberg. Michael is a clinical psychologist who specialises in Rumination-Focused ERP. 

In this episode we discuss Integrating psychoanalytical and behavioural perspectives, OCD and attachment theory, the fear of losing attachment, Malan’s model of OCD, unacknowledged normal healthy feelings, we both share a couple examples from our own lives, healthy aggression, and at the end we talk about rumination. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/michael-366

The podcast is made possible by NOCD and JS Health vitamins. 

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

JS Health’s vitamin formulas are solution-focused, meaning they are designed to target your main health concerns and support a whole range of wellness goals. Get 15% off their entire range at www.jshealthvitamins.com and use the code OCDSTORIES at checkout.

Join our Patreon to see the video versions of the podcast ad-free and other perks: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

Jan 22, 2023

In episode 365 I chat with Nils who has kindly agreed to share his story with us. 

We discuss Nil’s OCD story, including OCD themes: Hit and run OCD, contamination OCD with HIV fears, harm OCD, relationship OCD, and peadophile themed OCD. We discuss what helped him, seeing 9-10 psychologists and psychiatrists who didn’t identify OCD, Nils is a medical doctor (GP) so we discuss how he is helping his patients with OCD now, finding a therapist that could help him, and much more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nils-365 

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

Jan 15, 2023

In episode 364 I chat with Jenny who has kindly agreed to share her story with us. 

We discuss her OCD story including themes false memory OCD and relationship OCD. Jenny shares her experience of Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP), depression, how her fiancé responds in a helpful way to her OCD, and so much more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jenny-364 

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

Jan 8, 2023

In episode 363 I interviewed Lydia who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.

In this episode we discuss her story, including OCD themes: religious, relationship, somatic, contamination, peadophile, and health anxiety. Lydia talks about dermatillomania (skin picking), chronic pain, breath work, surfing, pilates, her faith, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), and much more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/lydia-363 

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

Jan 1, 2023

In episode 362 I chat with Jonny Say. Jonny is a UK based therapist. 

We discuss what he learned at the Sigmund Freud museum, secondary spikes in OCD with examples, recycling resistance, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) skills for secondary spikes, a theory on why the brain is doing this, and we discuss depression. Some secondary spikes discussed: Obsession switches form, analysing the technique, switches from a core fear of threat to a core fear of unhappiness, what if this isn’t OCD?, resentment, interactions with sensations. And much more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jonny-362

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

Dec 18, 2022

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

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