AT Parenting Survival | Raising Kids with OCD & Anxiety
This podcast offers support and practical strategies for parents raising children or teens with OCD and anxiety. Hosted by therapist Natasha Daniels, it covers topics like contamination OCD, intrusive thoughts, perfectionism, and social anxiety. Each episode provides evidence-based tools, including ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention), to help parents respond effectively and reduce family accommodation. The goal is to empower parents with clear, compassionate guidance for navigating daily challenges and supporting their child's recovery.
Episodes
Six Parenting Struggles No One Talks About When Your Child Has OCD
Parenting a child with OCD can feel lonely in ways people don’t always understand. Even when you know what OCD is, know what you’re supposed to do, and are doing everything you can to help, there are parts of this experience that can feel overwhelming, confusing, and incredibly hard to talk about.In this episode, I’m getting into some of the parenting struggles that often happen behind closed door
Why Doing the Right Thing for Your Child’s OCD Can Feel So Wrong
Sometimes doing the right thing for your child’s OCD can feel completely wrong.When you start pulling back accommodations, your child may actually become more distressed, irritable, or angry. That can leave you wondering: Am I helping, or am I making this worse?In this week’s episode, I talk about why things can get harder when you stop participating in OCD, what that increased distress actually m
Why is My Child’s OCD So Much Worse at Home?!
Maybe they can go to school, visit friends, or function fairly well outside the house, but the second they get home, OCD seems to take over. That can leave parents wondering why the rules, avoidance, contamination fears, or compulsions seem so much stronger in one environment than another.In this episode, I explain some of the reasons OCD can look different at home, including why home may become a
Understanding Your Child’s Sensory Needs with Laura Petix
If your child seems to have big reactions to sounds, textures, clothing, food, transitions, or everyday experiences, sensory processing may be playing a bigger role than you realize.In this episode, I’m joined by occupational therapist Laura Petix, from The OT Butterfly and author of The Sensory Code.We talk about how parents can better understand their child’s unique sensory needs, recognize what
How Parents Can Cope While Raising a Child With Anxiety or OCD with Janine Halloran
When you’re raising a child with anxiety or OCD, so much of your energy can go toward helping them cope that it’s easy to forget that you need coping skills too.In this episode, I’m joined by Janine Halloran, author of Coping Skills for Everyone: A Workbook to Get Unstressed, Recharge, and Stay Calm in a Chaotic World, to talk about coping skills for adults.We talk about what it looks like to take
The Three Skills I Wish Everyone With OCD Knew
If I could sit down with every person who has OCD and teach them just three skills, these are the ones I would choose.In this episode, I’m sharing the three skills I come back to again and again when helping people change their relationship with OCD. They’re simple concepts, but learning how to actually use them when OCD is loud, convincing, and demanding is another story.I’ll talk about why these
How Much Should Parents Be Involved in OCD Treatment?
When your child has OCD, treatment doesn’t happen in a vacuum. OCD comes home with them. It impacts routines, relationships, school, behavior, and often the way the entire family functions.So why are parents sometimes left on the sidelines of OCD treatment?Parents can be one of the most powerful resources in a child’s OCD recovery. You see what happens between therapy sessions, you’re often the on
When Your Child Won’t Tell You What Their OCD Is About
One of the hardest parts of parenting a child with OCD is not knowing what’s actually going on. Your child insists they’re “fine,” avoids your questions, or simply can’t explain what they’re experiencing. It can leave you feeling confused, shut out, and unsure of how to help.In this episode, I talk about why so many kids keep their OCD hidden, even from the people they trust most. You’ll learn why
When OCD Makes Your Child’s Thoughts Feel Contaminated
Most people think contamination OCD is about germs, chemicals, or bodily fluids. But what happens when your child feels like a thought, memory, word, person, or experience has become contaminated?In this episode of the AT Parenting Survival Podcast, Natasha Daniels explores mental contamination OCD—a lesser-known but surprisingly common form of OCD that can leave children feeling like something is
How Chronic Illness Impacts a Child’s Mental Health with Chyllia Dixon
In this episode, I talk with Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Chyllia Dixon about the emotional impact of growing up with a chronic illness and the unique mental health challenges children and families can face along the way.Drawing from both her professional experience and her own childhood experience with Juvenile Myositis, Chyllia shares insight into what chronically ill kids may be
What Parents Get Wrong When Deciding Whether OCD Treatment Is Working
It can be hard to tell whether OCD treatment is helping, especially when compulsions haven’t noticeably decreased, distress seems higher, or new themes suddenly appear.But progress is not always measured by how quiet OCD looks on the outside. Sometimes treatment is preventing OCD from getting worse. Sometimes a therapist is building trust and readiness before beginning ERP. And sometimes incr
What Parents Get Wrong About OCD Intrusive Thoughts
If your child has OCD, you’ve probably spent countless hours trying to make their intrusive thoughts go away. It’s an understandable instinct, but it’s also one of the biggest misconceptions about OCD.In this episode, I’ll unpack the common misunderstandings parents have about OCD intrusive thoughts and explain why many well-intentioned responses can accidentally keep OCD going. We’ll talk about w
The 7 Parenting Traps That Quietly Keep OCD in Charge
As parents, we naturally want to comfort, protect, and help our children. But when OCD enters the picture, some of our most loving instincts can unintentionally keep the OCD cycle going.In this episode, I walk through seven common parenting traps that quietly strengthen OCD, not because you’re doing anything wrong, but because OCD is incredibly good at recruiting parents into its game.These are su
Growing Up with OCD: Izzy’s Story of Courage and Determination
Growing up with OCD isn’t easy, especially when it tries to convince you to give up the things you love.In this episode, I sit down with Izzy, a child in The AT Parenting Community kids support group, as she shares her personal journey with OCD. She opens up about when her symptoms began, what it has been like navigating treatment, and how she has learned to keep pursuing the activities she’s pass
Learning to Parent the Child You Have, Not the Child You Expected
Every parent begins their journey with hopes and expectations. We imagine what family life will look like, what milestones our children will reach, and the experiences we’ll share together. But when anxiety, OCD, autism, ADHD, chronic illness, or other challenges change that picture, many parents find themselves quietly grieving the life they thought they’d have.In this episode, we talk about the
8 Signs You Don’t Fully Understand Your Child’s OCD
Even the most dedicated parents can unintentionally miss what OCD is really doing.If you’ve ever wondered why your child’s OCD keeps changing, why the same strategies don’t seem to work anymore, or why treatment feels like it’s not getting to the root of the problem, this episode is for you.In this episode, I’ll walk you through eight common signs that you may be viewing your child’s OCD through a
When OCD Recovery Feels Worse Before It Feels Better
Starting treatment for OCD can be one of the most hopeful steps a family takes, but it can also be one of the most confusing. Many parents expect that once their child begins therapy, exposures, or a new approach at home, things should immediately improve. Instead, they are often surprised when anxiety spikes, meltdowns increase, or OCD seems louder than ever.In this episode, I explore why OCD rec
Common OCD Themes Even Therapists Sometimes Miss
Many OCD themes are frequently misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or completely overlooked because they don’t match the stereotypes most people associate with OCD. In this episode, I dive into the OCD themes that often fly under the radar, including Moral OCD, Harm OCD, POCD, SOCD, ROCD, disgust based OCD, symmetry OCD, and Just Right OCD.I talk about how these themes can present in children and teens,
How to Help Kids When the Fear of Throwing Up Takes Over
When the fear of throwing up begins to take over a child’s daily life, it can quietly shrink their world. School, eating, travel, social events, exercise, sleepovers, restaurants, and even ordinary conversations can suddenly feel unsafe.In this week’s AT Parenting Survival Podcast, I’m talking all about emetophobia, the intense fear of vomiting, and how it can show up as both anxiety and OCD.We’ll
Is Your Child’s “Defiance” Actually Caused by OCD?
Defiance can be one of the most misunderstood signs of OCD in children and teens.When kids refuse to touch certain things, avoid everyday tasks, struggle with homework, take excessive time completing routines, or seem resistant to basic expectations, it can easily look like oppositional behavior. But underneath that behavior may be intrusive fears, avoidance compulsions, contamination concerns, or
Things Parents Often Miss in Kids with Contamination OCD
Contamination OCD is often much more complex than many parents realize. It is not always about germs, handwashing, or obvious fears of illness. For many kids, contamination OCD can center around chemicals, certain people, objects, or even an intense feeling of disgust rather than fear.In this episode, Natasha breaks down the subtle ways contamination OCD can be missed, misunderstood, or accidental
When Parents Become the “OCD Police” (And What to Do Instead)
Watching our kids struggle with OCD can feel overwhelming, exhausting, and emotionally draining. When we understand OCD and begin recognizing compulsions more clearly, many of us naturally shift from accommodating behaviors… to hyper-focusing on every compulsion, reassurance loop, and avoidance pattern.This is what I call becoming the “OCD police.”In this episode, I explore how parents can uninten
Helping Kids with Just Right OCD
“Just right” OCD can be one of the most confusing forms of OCD for parents, because it doesn’t look like fear.In this episode, we’re unpacking what it means when OCD is driven by a feeling instead of a specific fear. That internal sense that something is off, incomplete, or not quite right can keep kids stuck in loops that are hard to explain and even harder to stop.You’ll learn how “just right” O
Why Trying to “Reason” With Your Child’s OCD Backfires
It feels so natural to explain, reassure, and try to calm your child down when OCD is loud. After all, that’s how we solve problems in real life. But OCD doesn’t play by those rules.When we try to reason with OCD, we often get pulled deeper into its loop, answering more questions, giving more explanations, and still watching our child struggle.In this episode, I talk about why reasoning and reassu
The 3 Stages Parents Go Through When Learning to Handle OCD (and Where You Might Be Stuck)
Most parents think the hardest part of raising a child with anxiety or OCD is figuring out what to do.But the truth is, learning the skills is just the beginning.In this episode, I walk you through the three stages parents naturally move through when learning to handle OCD, from that first moment of awareness, to the messy middle of trying to implement strategies, to the point where things start t
Why Adjusting Expectations Matters When Parenting a Child with Anxiety or OCD
When you’re parenting a child with anxiety or OCD, it’s easy to get caught in a constant push to fix, improve, and move things forward. But when our expectations don’t match where our child actually is, it can quietly create more frustration, more pressure, and more disconnection for everyone involved.In this episode, we explore how to recognize when expectations are starting to do more harm than
What Good Communication Actually Looks Like with Anxiety and OCD
Good communication can feel like the missing piece when you’re raising a child with anxiety or OCD. You’re talking, explaining, reassuring, and trying to help, but somehow the conversations still feel stuck, tense, or like they’re going nowhere.In this episode, I unpack what good communication actually looks like, and why it’s not about saying the perfect thing or fixing the problem in the moment.
The Power of the Pause in Your Child’s Anxiety and OCD
When our child is anxious or stuck in OCD, everything can feel urgent. The questions, the reassurance seeking, the distress, the pressure to fix it right away. As parents, our instinct is often to respond quickly so we can calm things down. But sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is pause.In this episode, I talk about the power of the pause and why slowing down our response can actually he
An Important Difference Between Anxiety vs OCD Reassurance
Parents often hear the same questions from their child again and again, and it can be hard to know if answering is helping or making things worse. In this episode, I break down the important difference between anxiety reassurance and OCD reassurance.While they can look similar on the surface, they serve very different purposes. Anxiety reassurance often comes from a child not trusting their abilit
ARFID: Is It OCD, Anxiety, or an Eating Disorder?
ARFID can look like OCD, anxiety, extreme picky eating, or even a traditional eating disorder, which is why so many parents feel confused about what they are actually dealing with. In this episode, I break down the five types of ARFID, avoidant, aversive, restrictive, mixed, and ARFID plus, and explain how each one presents differently.We also talk about how ARFID overlaps with OCD and anxiet
OCD Compulsions Parents Don’t See
Most parents think they know what their child’s OCD looks like. They see the washing. The checking. The obvious behaviors.But what they’re usually seeing is just the tip of the iceberg.OCD isn’t only handwashing or checking. It’s mental reviewing, silent debating, internal checking, trying to “neutralize” a thought, confessing, reassurance seeking, avoidance, symmetry rituals, and that constant ne
Harm OCD in Children: The Fear of Harming Yourself or Others
Harm OCD is one of the most frightening and misunderstood themes of OCD, especially when it shows up in children. Intrusive thoughts about hurting oneself or someone else can feel shocking, confusing, and deeply distressing for both kids and parents. These thoughts often clash with a child’s true values, which is exactly why they feel so intense.In this episode, we gently unpack what harm OCD real
How to Tell When Your Child’s OCD Is Involving You
OCD rarely stays contained inside your child’s mind. It often pulls parents directly into the cycle through reassurance questions, confessing, repeated checking, cleaning rituals, avoidance rules, or even scripting exactly what you are allowed to say. If you feel like you are constantly answering the same questions, following invisible rules, or walking on eggshells, OCD may be involving you
How to Tell the Difference Between Anxiety, OCD, and “Just Kid Worries”
How do you know if your child is just worried, anxious, or dealing with OCD?Kids worry. That’s normal. But sometimes fear sticks around longer than it should and starts to take over daily life. In this episode, I break down the differences between typical kid worries, anxiety, and OCD so you can better understand what your child is really struggling with.We talk about:-What developmentally typical
When Progress Makes OCD Panic: Why Symptoms Spike Right Before They Get Better
In this episode, we talk about one of the most confusing and discouraging moments for parents raising a child with OCD, when things seem to get worse right as you start doing the right things.Many parents interpret a sudden spike in distress, anger, or compulsions as a sign that therapy is not working. But often, this increase in symptoms is actually a sign that OCD feels threatened. When OCD acco
Why Rationalizing With Your Child’s OCD Makes It Worse
In this episode, I break down why logical explanations, reassurance, and “talking it through” so often backfire when your child has OCD. While rationalizing may feel supportive and calming in the moment, it actually feeds the OCD cycle and strengthens your child’s need for certainty.I explain what OCD really is, how it operates in the brain, and why it isn’t a problem of logic or understanding. Yo
Interview with Mia Mason, Author of Worry’s Whispers a Graphic Novel About OCD and Anxiety
In this heartfelt and insightful episode, I sit down with Mia Mason, the creative force behind Worry’s Whispers, a beautifully illustrated collection of poems that gives voice to anxiety, fear, and the quiet corners of the inner world that so many of us know all too well.Mia and I explore the origins of her work, what inspired her to turn internal dialogue into poetic expression, and how Worry’s W
How to Find the Right Help for Your Child with OCD
When parents start looking for help for a child with OCD, the process can feel confusing, overwhelming, and high-stakes. Between therapy options, medication questions, and different levels of care, it’s hard to know what actually matters — and what doesn’t.In this episode, I break down what parents really need to know when seeking treatment for OCD.We talk about why the therapist’s training matter
Do You Have Enough Support Helping Your Child with OCD?
Parenting a child with OCD can feel incredibly isolating. Your child is on their own journey with anxiety or OCD, but that doesn’t mean you’re supposed to navigate it alone.In this episode, I talk about one of the most overlooked pieces of helping kids with OCD: parent support.I explore questions like:Who do you turn to when things feel overwhelming?Do you have access to other parents who get it?D
What Progress Actually Looks Like for Kids with Anxiety or OCD
When you’re raising a child with anxiety or OCD, progress can feel confusing, inconsistent, or even invisible at times. In this episode, we explore how your mindset around progress directly impacts the energy, pressure, and expectations your child feels as they navigate their struggles.We start by unpacking our relationship with the idea of progress and how common, well-intended beliefs can actual
The Hidden Cost of Parenting Your Child’s Anxiety or OCD from Fear
When your child is struggling with anxiety or OCD, fear can quietly take over your parenting. Fear of making things worse. Fear of missing something. Fear of what the future might hold. In this episode, I explore the hidden cost of parenting from that place.I talk about how fear often shows up in ways we don’t always recognize, such as agitation, constant anxiety, over-cheerleading, or swinging in
Are You Talking to Your Child or Your Child’s OCD?!
One of the hardest parts of raising a child with OCD is figuring out who you’re actually talking to. Is it your child… or is it their OCD pulling you into another loop?In this episode, we talk about the different ways OCD ropes parents in—whether it’s endless reassurance seeking, constant confessing, permission checking, “just right” demands, or those sneaky checking questions like, “Do I look sic
Building Trust When Your Child Has OCD
In this episode, we explore why trust is the foundation for helping a child with OCD. When trust is missing, kids shut down, hide their struggles, and resist therapeutic strategies. I share simple, practical ways to build (and rebuild) trust — from validating their experience, to going at their pace, to connecting with who they are beyond OCD. Even small shifts can strengthen your relationship and
Helping Your Child Survive the Holidays with OCD and Anxiety
The holidays can be magical — but for kids with OCD and anxiety, they can also be overwhelming. In this episode, Natasha helps parents prepare for the unique challenges that come with travel, family gatherings, disrupted routines, and sensory overload. You’ll learn how to anticipate triggers before they happen, create a holiday coping map with your child, set boundaries with relatives, and pr
Staying Present When Your Child’s OCD Is Loud
When your child’s OCD gets loud, it’s so easy to get swept into the panic, the questions, the intensity.But the calmer and more grounded you stay, the faster they can settle.In today’s episode I’m breaking down how to stay present when everything in you wants to react — and why this one skill changes the tone of your entire home.If you want deeper support in staying steady during your child’s anxi
When Professionals Get Your Child’s OCD Wrong
What happens when the professionals you trust to help your child’s OCD, actually make things worse?Too many parents of kids with OCD are told to “reassure them,” “avoid the triggers,” or “help them relax.” Even well-meaning therapists often miss the mark — treating OCD like general anxiety or skipping ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) altogether.In this episode, I’m breaking down why OCD is s
Why We Miss New OCD Symptoms in Our Child
When OCD symptoms fade, it’s natural to feel relief — maybe even believe it’s finally gone. But sometimes, that relief can make us miss the signs of OCD returning in new and surprising ways.In this episode, I’ll talk about why parents often overlook new OCD themes and what we can do differently. We’ll explore how tunnel vision, limited communication, and lack of education about OCD’s many disguise
Understanding Your Role: What You Can and Can’t Do When Your Child Has OCD
As parents, we want to rescue our kids from anxiety and OCD—but the truth is, some things are not within our control. And when we spend our energy trying to fix what isn’t ours to fix, we burn out, lose connection with our child, and unintentionally strengthen OCD. In this episode, I break down the critical difference between what is your role and what isn’t, so you can stop spinning your wheels a
The 7 Biggest Mistakes Parents Make When Trying to Help OCD (and What to Do Instead)
Are you trying everything to help your child’s OCD… yet nothing seems to stick?You’re not alone—and it’s not because you’re doing anything wrong.In this episode, I’m breaking down the 7 most common mistakes parents make when trying to help OCD, and more importantly, what to do instead. These mistakes are incredibly common, even among well-meaning therapists, and understanding them is the first ste
The Do’s and Don’ts of Pulling Back OCD Accommodations
When your child struggles with OCD, it’s natural to want to ease their distress, but those well-meaning “helping” moments can actually feed OCD’s control. In this episode, Natasha breaks down how to pull back accommodations safely and effectively, without creating unnecessary conflict or fear.You’ll learn:What OCD accommodations really are and how they sneak into daily routinesWhy reducing them he
My Child Can’t Explain Their OCD—Now What?
When your child can’t explain their OCD, it can feel impossible to know how to help. Many kids feel embarrassed, don’t have the words, or experience OCD as a feeling instead of a clear fear. Sometimes the compulsions come first, making it even harder to put into words.In this episode, I’ll share why kids struggle to explain their OCD and what you can do instead of pushing for answers. You’ll learn
When Reassurance Becomes an OCD Compulsion: How Parents Can Respond Differently
When your child is stuck in an endless cycle of reassurance, it can feel impossible to break free. Reassurance may bring temporary relief, but for kids with OCD it actually fuels the disorder and makes things worse in the long run.In this episode, I talk about how reassurance becomes a compulsion, why it keeps your child trapped in OCD’s cycle, and what you can do differently instead. You’ll learn
Why Your Go-To Parenting Strategies Don’t Work on OCD
Parents often rely on their usual parenting strategies to help their child with OCD — but those same strategies can actually backfire. In this episode, I break down the most common approaches parents try and explain why they don’t work when it comes to OCD.If you’ve ever felt stuck, repeating the same things without progress, this episode will help you understand why and what to do differentl
When OCD Shifts: Handling Theme Changes in Kids & Teens with OCD
OCD loves to change costumes. One week it’s germs, the next it’s harm or moral worries—and parents are left wondering, “Are we back at square one?” In this episode I explain why theme changes are common, what’s actually staying the same beneath the surface, and how to respond without chasing content.You’ll learn:Why themes change (and why that doesn’t mean regression)How to spot the OCD cycle acro
Interview with Dr. Tamar Chansky Author of Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
In this podcast episode, I sit down with Dr. Tamar Chansky to talk about the newly revised edition of her classic book, Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.Dr. Chansky has helped countless families better understand OCD and learn practical, compassionate strategies to support their children. In our conversation, we discuss what’s new in this updated edition, how the field’s
How to Help Young Children with OCD
OCD can show up much earlier than most people realize — and often in ways parents don’t immediately recognize. For younger kids, compulsions might appear before they can even describe intrusive thoughts. You might see rigidity, controlling behaviors, repetitive actions, or big meltdowns over things that don’t seem to make sense.In this episode, I’ll walk you through how OCD can look in young child
Does Your Child Have Contamination OCD: Are You Missing This?
Contamination OCD can be easy to spot, but often, it runs much deeper than what you are observing.In this episode, I break down the common mistakes parents make when trying to support a child with contamination OCD, such as:Assuming it’s always about germs or illnessFocusing only on visible rituals instead of the underlying fearOverlooking how contamination spreads from “ground zero” to more and m
Moral OCD: Mistakes Parents Often Make (and How to Avoid Them)
Moral OCD can be tricky for parents to recognize because it often looks like strong values, deep guilt, or honest confessions. In this episode, I break down the most common pitfalls parents fall into when trying to support their child with Moral OCD like:Mistaking OCD-driven fears for good moralsTreating compulsive “confessions” as realWorrying that if you don’t respond, your child will bottl
5 Things I’ve Learned Raising a Child with OCD, Anxiety & ARFID
Parenting a child with OCD, anxiety, and ARFID changes you in ways you can’t fully understand until you’re living it. Over the years, I’ve learned some powerful lessons — often the hard way — that have reshaped how I show up for my child and for myself. In this episode, I’m opening up about five insights that have made the biggest difference in our journey, and how you can begin to apply
From Fixer to Anchor: A Mindset Shift for Parents of Kids with OCD
When our child is in distress, it’s natural to want to jump in and fix things. But with OCD, that urge to solve, control, or protect can actually get in the way of long-term growth.In this episode, I talk about one of the most powerful mindset shifts we can make as parents of kids with OCD: moving from “fixer” to “anchor.” You’ll learn how to step out of the cycle of urgency and step into a role t
When You’re More Motivated Than Your Child to Fight OCD
You’re reading the books, watching the videos, and learning everything you can to help your child with OCD. But your child? They’re shutting down, avoiding exposures, or flat-out refusing to engage. Sound familiar?In this episode, I talk about what’s really going on when you’re more motivated than your child to fight their OCD — and how to respond in a way that builds connection and long-term prog
When Anxiety and OCD Feel Contagious—How to Stay Grounded
When you’re raising a child with anxiety or OCD, it’s easy to feel like you’re absorbing all of their fear, stress, and urgency. Their nervous system is on high alert—and suddenly, so is yours. In this episode, we explore why anxiety and OCD can feel contagious in families, and how to stay grounded in the middle of your child’s emotional storm.You’ll learn:Why your regulation matters more than you
When Helping Hurts: Navigating Burnout in OCD Parenting
When you’re parenting a child with OCD, burnout can sneak in quietly—and then hit hard. You’re doing all the things: managing compulsions, pulling back OCD accommodations, showing up for exposures, and trying to keep everything afloat. But what happens when your own emotional gas tank is empty?In this episode, I’m talking about what burnout really looks like in OCD parenting, why it’s so common, a
Why Kids with OCD Say ‘I Don’t Know’ to Everything—and What You Can Do About It
Do you ask your child with OCD a question—about their thoughts, feelings, or fears—only to get “I don’t know” in return? It can be frustrating, confusing, and leave you feeling stuck. But for kids with OCD, those three words often carry a lot more meaning than we realize.In this episode, I’ll unpack why “I don’t know” is such a common response in kids with OCD—and what it’s really communicating. Y
How to Reclaim Moments of Peace While Parenting a Child with OCD and Anxiety
When you’re parenting a child with OCD or anxiety, life can start to feel like one long crisis response. You may find yourself constantly managing meltdowns, fears, compulsions—and feeling like there’s no room for rest, laughter, or lightness.But even in the hard seasons, moments of peace and joy can exist.In this episode, I’ll share: Why joy and connection aren’t signs you’re ignoring your c
Navigating Travel with Kids Who Have Mental Health & Special Needs: Tips from a Travel Expert
Traveling with kids who have mental health or special needs can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be.In this episode, I talk with Hana Seyoum, founder of World of Possibilities Travel and a Certified Autism Travel Professional. Hana shares practical advice for families looking to travel with more ease, less stress, and a whole lot more joy. We talk about how to prepare ahead of time, what t
Raising Mentally STRONG Kids with Dr. Cristi Bundukamara
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Cristi Bundukamara—known as Dr. B—the founder of Mentally STRONG and creator of the Raising Mentally STRONG Kids program. We explore what it really means to build resilience, starting with her own journey through personal loss and what it taught her about mental strength.Dr. B shares practical strategies parents can use to tap into their own resilience and mode
Child OCD Bedtime Battles: How to Stop the Nighttime Loops That Trap You and Your Child
Bedtime shouldn’t feel like a battleground—but for many families raising a child with OCD, nighttime is when the OCD compulsions ramp up and take over. In this episode, child therapist and OCD parenting expert Natasha Daniels breaks down the most common nighttime OCD compulsions that trap both kids and parents in exhausting loops.You’ll learn:What nighttime OCD rituals look like (and why they’re s
Therapy for a Child with OCD Isn’t Enough: Why Your Role is Crucial
Child OCD Therapy is important—but it’s not the whole answer.In this episode, child therapist and OCD parent Natasha Daniels explains why therapy alone isn’t enough to help a child with OCD truly thrive. You’ll learn how your daily responses can either empower your child’s progress—or unintentionally grow their OCD. Discover practical ways to become a supportive, confident, and crucial p
When Kids Feel Unreal: Managing Depersonalization in Child OCD and Anxiety
Is your child saying things like:I don’t feel real? Is this a dream? Am I dead? Is this really happening?They may be experiencing depersonalization, a common but often misunderstood symptom in children with OCD and anxiety.In this episode, I break down what depersonalization looks like in kids with OCD and anxiety, why it happens, and—most importantly—how you can help. Whether it’s tied to panic,
How to Boost Your Child’s Confidence While Navigating Anxiety or Child OCD with Sharon West
Confidence can take a major hit when a child is struggling with OCD or anxiety. In this episode, I sit down with teen coach Sharon West to explore how we can nurture self-confidence in our kids—even as they battle intrusive thoughts, worry, and fear.Sharon shares insights from her 15+ years working with teens—as a life coach, foster mom, youth leader, and mom of three. Together, we talk about how
Tiffany Jenkins on Parenting with Anxiety, OCD and Depression
Tiffany Jenkins has been the authentic face of mental health struggles on the internet for years. She offers a candid, raw and often humorous view on her struggles of sobriety and mental health, helping normalize these issues for millions of people.I was thrilled to have the opportunity to have Tiffany back on the AT Parenting Survival Podcast to discuss her new book, A Clean Mess, and dive deeper
Child OCD vs Autism: Understanding the Key Differences
Is it autism or OCD? Sometimes the behaviors can look so similar, it’s hard to tell. In this episode of the AT Parenting Survival Podcast, I break down the key differences between autism and child OCD — and why understanding the distinction is crucial for getting the right support.You’ll learn:Why repetitive behaviors show up in both autism and OCD (but for very different reasons)How motivation, a
Avoid These 4 Communication Stoppers When Helping a Child with OCD
When you’re trying to support a child with OCD, communication is everything. But sometimes, even with the best intentions, we accidentally shut it down. In this episode of the AT Parenting Survival Podcast, I’ll walk you through four common OCD communication stoppers—like punishing, over-rationalizing, or jumping straight into coaching—and explain why they backfire. Learn how to foster o
PSP 418: A Game Changer for Parents Raising Kids with Anxiety or OCD
Raising a child with anxiety or OCD can feel incredibly isolating. Parents often find themselves without the support, education, or guidance they desperately need. In this episode, I’m diving into the three key areas where parents struggle most—and how my AT Parenting Community is designed to fill those gaps.Here’s what we cover in this episode:The crushing isolation that comes with parenting a ch
PSP 417: The Power of Pause: Teaching Kids to Delay OCD Responses (and Why It Works)
OCD thrives on urgency. The faster your child reacts to an intrusive thought, the more powerful OCD becomes. But what if your child learned to pause—even for a few seconds—before doing an OCD compulsion?In this episode, I’ll walk you through how to introduce the concept of “delay” as a gentle, approachable first step in helping your child take back control. You’ll learn how to teach it, what to ex
PSP 416: Groundbreaking Study on Virtual ERP for Kids with OCD – with Dr. Sara Conley from NOCD
In this episode of the AT Parenting Survival Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Sara Conley, a licensed clinical psychologist and clinical manager at NOCD, to discuss a groundbreaking new study on virtual Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy for children and teens with OCD.We explore the study’s powerful findings—including a 37.3% median reduction in OCD symptoms in just 13 sessions—and how vi
PSP 415: When OCD Looks Like Oppositional Behavior: Understanding Hidden Compulsions
If your child refuses to shower, melts down over clothing, or avoids homework, you might assume they’re being defiant. But what if it’s actually OCD driving their behavior? In this episode of the AT Parenting Survival Podcast for Anxiety and OCD, I break down how OCD-driven avoidance and compulsions can look like oppositional behavior—and why this misunderstanding is so common.You’ll learn:🟤
PSP 414: How to Handle OCD Meltdowns Without Making Them Worse
If your child has OCD, you’ve likely witnessed an OCD-driven meltdown—intense distress triggered by an intrusive thought, fear, or the inability to complete a compulsion. These meltdowns can be overwhelming for both you and your child. And while it’s natural to want to soothe their anxiety in the moment, some responses can unintentionally reinforce OCD.In this AT Parenting Survival Podcast episode
PSP 413: When Your Child’s OCD & Anxiety Turn Into School Avoidance
Anxiety and OCD can abruptly put the brakes on our children’s education.This is one of the most disruptive and concerning aspects of our children’s OCD or anxiety. It is a slippery slope that can gain momentum and get out of control rather quickly.In this week’s AT Parenting Survival Podcast, I explore how to identify the core fear around school refusal, how to decipher if it is a school issue ver
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