The OCD Stories
The OCD Stories is a podcast hosted by Stuart Ralph that has been downloaded over 8 million times globally. It features hundreds of episodes with experts and individuals who share their experiences with OCD. The podcast aims to help listeners feel understood and guide them in their personal journey toward healing. It is not a replacement for professional therapy.
Episodes
Story: Jake Moss (existential OCD, and experiencing unethical practices from an OCD coach) (#556)
In episode 556 I chat with Jake who has kindly agreed to share his story with us. Jake is a psychotherapist and person with lived experience of OCD. We discuss his OCD story, experiencing panic, having a drug induced mental health episode, existential themed OCD, working with an unethical OCD coach, past OCD themes, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and values, compassion, his therapy traini
Natalia Aíza: Self-Guided Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy for OCD (#555)
In episode 555 I chat with Natalia Aíza. Natalia, LPC, is a therapist, writer, and mental health advocate. She is the founder of Kairos Wellness Collective, an innovative therapy center specializing in OCD and Anxiety Disorders. She is the author of Self-Guided Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy for OCD, Self-Guided EMDR Workbook, and the forthcoming Anxious to Launch: Empowered Parenting Sk
Story: Pat (religious and relationship OCD, pOCD, ERP) (#554)
In episode 554 I chat with Pat who has kindly agreed to share his story with us. We discuss getting diagnosed, religious themed OCD, relationship themed OCD around friendships, pOCD, switching themes, speaking to his workplace about his OCD, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), his compulsions, creative ways of expressing himself, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocd
Ashley Ordway and Victoria Schweiger: OCD Summer camps for kids (#553)
In episode 553 I chat with Ashley Ordway and Victoria Schweiger. Ashley is a licensed mental health counselor and acting President of the Board at JACK MHA. Ashley's work at the University of Florida Health was foundational in developing the University of Florida's Fear Facers Camp, one of the first in the nation, which provides treatment to children ages 7- 15 with OCD. Ashley also runs her priva
Story: Andrea (existential and sensory OCD, Bergen 4-day treatment) (#552)
In episode 552 I chat with Andrea who has kindly agreed to share her story with us. We discuss panic attacks, existential OCD, some OCD worries including what if gravity ceases to exist and what if my eyes roll up into my head, a core fear of living with suffering, her experiences at the Bergen 4-Day Treatment (B4DT), mental compulsions being missed in therapy, gender dysphoria and gender treatmen
Story: Andrew (sexual orientation OCD, psilocybin, therapy) (#551)
In episode 551 I chat with Andrew who has kindly agreed to share his story with us. We discuss his story, how a bad experience with psilocybin triggered his OCD, trying to control thoughts, medication, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), sexual orientation themed OCD, compassion focused therapy (CFT), internal family systems therapy (IFS), working with parts of himself, meditation, and much m
Chrissie Hodges: The OCD Relapse Roadmap (#550)
In episode 550 I chat with Chrissie Hodges. Chrissie is a Peer Support specialist, founder of OCD Gamechangers, and Author of 'Pure OCD: The Invisible Side of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder' and 'The OCD Relapse Roadmap'. Chrissie was awarded the hero award at the 24th IOCDF conference in San Fran. We discuss what's new with her, her new book The OCD Relapse Roadmap, relapses in OCD, relapse preven
Justin Hughes and Dr Ted Witzig, Jr.: The Christian's Guide to Overcoming OCD (#549)
In episode 549 I chat with Justin Hughes and Ted Witzig, Jr. PhD. Justin, MA, LPC, is a therapist and author specializing in OCD and anxiety. A CBT practitioner trained in psychology and theology (Dallas Theological Seminary), he bridges mental health and faith. Ted, PhD is a clinical psychologist and pastor. His roles give him a special desire to help those whose OCD has become entwined in relig
Rebecca and Dr Jeremy Rowe: Rebecca shares her OCD story and how her work with Jeremy helped (Relationship OCD, RF-ERP) (#548)
In episode 548 I chat with Rebecca and Dr Jeremy Rowe. Rebecca kindly agreed to share her OCD story and her therapy work with Dr Jeremy Rowe with us. Jeremy is a chartered psychologist and clinical director of Ark Psychology, a UK-based independent practice providing specialist OCD treatment, ADHD and autism assessments, psychological therapy, and coaching. With over 25 years' experience across th
Story: Nathaniel Wood (Intrusive thoughts, UFC) (#547)
In episode 547 I chat with Nathaniel Wood. Nathaniel is an English professional mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC. He has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us. We discuss his OCD story, hit and run themed OCD, intrusive thoughts, health anxiety, religious themed OCD, medication, fighting in the UFC, having things to focus on, therapy, what helps Nathaniel, words of hope and much
Dr Peter Aston: Treating OCD in professional athletes (#546)
In episode 546 I chat with Dr Peter Aston. Dr. Pete Aston is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, where he specialises in the treatment of OCD, health anxiety, and related conditions using exposure and response prevention (ERP). He is also the co-founder of California Psychology Center, a Bay Area group practice focused on OCD and anxiety disorders. In addition
Duke Al shares his OCD poems (#545)
In episode 545 I chat with Duke Al. Duke is a spoken word artist and OCD advocate. In this episode Duke reads some of his poems about OCD and explains the meanings behind them, including a new one partially inspired by a bit of my own story, he talks the power of poetry, and how he used poetry as a self-therapy, and much more. Hope it helps. Poems read: Poetry and rhyme A Letter to myself about l
Story: Nicole Sophia (Suicidal, Sexual Orientation, and Relationship themes of OCD, self-compassion and her music) (#544)
In episode 544 I chat with Nicole Sophia who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us. We discuss suicidal themed OCD, getting diagnosed young, meeting Dan Siegel, sexual orientation themed OCD, relationship themed OCD, her music, mental compulsions, feeling her feelings, self-compassion, making friends with her OCD, expressing through being a singer song writer, using humour, and much mo
Jonny Say: Self-compassion in OCD recovery (#543)
In episode 543 I chat with Jonny Say. Jonny is a UK based therapist and co-director at The Integrative Centre for OCD Therapy. We discuss self-compassion, integrating self-compassion into exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), some benefits of self-compassion, the inner critical voice, shame, real event themed OCD, Jonny guides us through an exercise in self-compassion to the past, and m
Blakely Hunze-Austin: OCD and Sex (#542)
In episode 542 I chat with Blakely Hunze-Austin. Blakely is a licensed professional counselor in the states of Colorado and Tennessee. She obtained her master's degree in clinical mental health counseling with a concentration in addictions. She's a nationally certified counselor who specializes in sex therapy, eating disorders, trauma, and OCD. She enjoys working with LGBTQIA, kink, and poly/ENM c
Story: Brad Stulberg (Self-harm-themed OCD, writing, and his book The Way of Excellence) (#541)
In episode 541 I chat with Brad Stulberg who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us. Brad is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who writes about mastery, meaning, and excellence. We discuss his OCD story, beginnings of his OCD, health obsessions, self-harm themed OCD, finding a therapist for his OCD, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), acceptance and commitment
Alex Habens: A Therapist's journey with OCD and Compassion Focused Therapy (#540)
In episode 540 I interview Alex Habens. Alex is a BABCP Accredited CBT Therapist, Clinical Supervisor and OCD Specialist. He also works with myself at The Integrative Centre for OCD Therapy. We discuss why he became a therapist and his own OCD experiences, what is compassion focused therapy (CFT), compassion more generally, integrating CFT into OCD treatment, shame, connecting with compassion, fea
Katie d'Ath: OCD therapeutic communities and groups (#539)
In episode 539 I interview Katie d'Ath. Katie is a cognitive behavioural therapist with a special interest in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders. She is also the co-author of "Managing OCD with CBT for Dummies" and she has a popular YouTube channel where she shares OCD videos. In this episode we discuss running OCD therapy groups, managing an online OCD community platform,
Dr Ronald Nicholson: Sensory OCD (Somatic/Sensorimotor OCD) (#538)
In episode 538 I chat with Dr Ronald Nicholson. Ron is a clinical psychologist. We discuss why he doesn't use somatic and sensorimotor OCD labels interchangeably, why he likes the label of sensory OCD, core fear vs the content, the idea of taking the B grade, the obsessions and compulsions around this theme, using exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) on this theme, exposure scripting, an
Story: Shannon (existential themed OCD and postpartum OCD) (#537)
In episode 537 I chat with Shannon who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us. We discuss her earliest OCD memory, various themes of OCD, existential themed OCD, worrying everyone is an 'non-playable character (NPC)', finding out it was OCD, starting therapy for OCD, doing therapy homework, postpartum OCD, support groups, non-engagement responses, shame and much more. Hope it helps. Sh
Dr Fugen Neziroglu: When a higher level of care may be needed, and overvalued ideation (#536)
In episode 536 I chat with Dr. Fugen Neziroglu. Fugen is a board-certified cognitive and behavior psychologist and the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Bio Behavioral Institute in Great Neck, NY. Fugen has published more than 150 papers in scientific journals and authored or co-authored 15 books. We discuss her rich background in the field of OCD, being mentored by the late Dr Edna Foa, th
Story: Michael (health anxiety, trauma and OCD) (#535)
In episode 535 I chat with Michael who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us. We discuss his OCD story, nightmares in childhood, relationship themed OCD, the onset of his OCD, harm themed OCD, getting therapy, experiencing a health condition, medical trauma, health anxiety, balancing real health conditions with health anxiety, trauma and OCD (PTOCD), living life and making choices, doi
Rachel Kuchem Woodward: Faith, Scrupulosity and OCD (#534)
In episode 534 I chat with Rachel Kuchem Woodward (LCSW). Rachel is the owner of Re-Viving Lives Counseling, in Fort Worth. Rachel is a therapist holistically and clinically treating girls and women since 2019. Having her own 20+ year personal journey with OCD, Rachel is passionate about treating sufferers of OCD and educating faith circles on OCD, bridging the gap between biblical and clinical c
Dr Steven Phillipson and Sean: 'Sarnos' and Sean's story (#533)
In episode 533 I chat with Dr Steven Phillipson and his patient Sean. 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. He is joined by one of his patients, Sean, who has kindly agreed to share his story. We discuss Sean's OCD story, Steve discusses th
Dr Sorcha O'Connor: The PsilOCD study investigating low-dose psilocybin for OCD (#532)
In episode 532 I chat with Dr Sorcha O'Connor. Sorcha is a neuroscientist and PhD graduate from Imperial College London, where she led the PsilOCD study investigating low-dose psilocybin for OCD. We discuss Sorcha's background that led her to this work, what is psilocybin, the background to the study, what the actual study looked like for participants, the outcomes of the study, what's happening
Story: Alex (suicidal OCD, existential OCD, health anxiety, I-CBT) (#531)
In episode 531 I chat with Alex who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us. We discuss his OCD story, suicidal themed OCD, inference-based cognitive behavioural therapy (I-CBT), worries of harming others, existential themed OCD, how his wife helped, meditation, low self worth, understanding the past, peadophile themed OCD, health anxiety, self compassion, and much more. Hope it helps.
Story: Amy (relationship OCD, harm OCD, contamination OCD) (#530)
In episode 530 I chat with Amy who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us. We discuss relationship themed OCD, harm themed OCD, contamination themed OCD, realising that what was going on was OCD, compulsions, disordered eating, how her husband helped, finding the OCD community, doing exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), medication, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: ht
Dr Jon Hoffman: Rethinking Mental Rituals: A Philosophical Conversation (#529)
In episode 529 I chatted with Jonathan Hoffman. Jon is a licensed psychologist and Board Certified in Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology. He co-founded the NBI Ranch and the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI), where he was Chief Clinical Officer, exiting these roles at the end of 2025 after many years of practice. We discuss an update on Jon, what are mental rituals/compulsions, the history of ment
Jeff Bell: Lessons that OCD and its treatment have taught Jeff about navigating Parkinson's (#528)
In episode 528 I chat with Jeff Bell, a past guest of the podcast. Jeff is a long time OCD advocate and is the author of "When in doubt, make belief" and "rewind, replay, repeat". Jeff co-founded adversity to advocacy. We get a recap of his OCD story, the idea of greater good motivation, lessons OCD has taught him that helps him deal with other conditions such as his Parkinson's disease diagnosis,
Ethan Tuccienza: Exposure to emotions (#527)
In episode 527 I chat with Ethan Tuccienza. Ethan is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and clinical director of Behavioural Psych Studio's LA office. We discuss his therapy story, dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), exposure to emotions, DBT-PTSD as an intervention, trauma, shame, tolerating emotions, he shares a couple DBT skills including w
Story: Mike (sexual orientation OCD, existential OCD, somatic OCD, harm OCD) (#526)
In episode 526 I chat with Mike who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us. We discuss sexual orientation themed OCD, existential themed OCD, somatic themed OCD, harm themed OCD, compulsing around the recovery process, getting therapy, working with Dr Steven Phillipson and Dr Michael Alcee, words of hope and much more. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/mike-526 (Episode incl
Story: Charlotte (harm and suicidal themed OCD, journaling, therapy) (#525)
In episode 525 I chat with Charlotte who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us. We discuss her story, worrying she was pregnant as a kid, realising it's OCD, experiencing theme switches, harm themed OCD, mental health health anxiety, suicidal themed OCD, getting therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), acceptance, her joy jour
Ray Kolke: Rumination by the Numbers (RBTN) as a tool for dealing with rumination (#524)
In episode 524 I chat with Ray Kolke. Ray is a licensed mental health counsellor (LMHC) who works with people affected by OCD and anxiety. We discuss his therapist background, why he doesn't ask his clients how they are feeling at the start of the session, he discusses not focusing on feelings in more detail, rumination, his tool of rumination by the numbers (RBTN), he breaks down this tool, and
Story: Angie (Health anxiety, contamination OCD, suicidal OCD) (#523)
In episode 523 I chat with Angie who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us. We discuss health anxiety, contamination themed OCD, and suicidal themed OCD. Doubting whether it's OCD or not, compulsions, uncertainty, getting therapy including exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), relationships, exercise, having a dog in relation to OCD, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes
Lauren Rosen: Mental Compulsions in OCD (#522)
In episode 522 I chat with Lauren Rosen, LMFT. Lauren is a therapist and founded the Center for the Obsessive Mind, an outpatient clinic serving individuals in California, Florida, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania and select other states and countries. Lauren is the author of The Mental Compulsions Workbook for OCD. Lauren also hosts the Purely OCD Podcast. We discuss her Mental compulsion work
Story: Regan (Harm and contamination OCD, panic attacks) (#521)
In episode 521 I chat with Regan who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us. We discuss her OCD story, the journey to getting an OCD diagnosis, moving countries in adolescence, panic attacks, harm themed OCD, contamination themed OCD, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), nightmares, childhood experiences of OCD, her cat in the context of OCD, her partner, the grounding techni
Brad Hufford: Functioning well despite OCD distress is still a victory (#520)
In episode 520 I chat with Brad Hufford. Brad is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-C) who specialises in working with OCD. He is a therapist at the Behavior therapy Center of Greater Washington. We discuss Brad's OCD story, being a therapist over the last 30 years, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), the therapy relationship, the idea of functioning well despite distress is still
Story: Ally Kristan (Grief, worries of harm coming to others, her book) (#519)
In episode 519 I chat with Ally Kristan who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us. We discuss her story, her compulsions, starting therapy in adolescence, grief, worries of harm coming to others, what else has helped her, intuition, her book, connection with nature, animism, penguins and the Antarctic (Ally's a penguin expert), and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocds
Jonny Say and Stuart Ralph role-play a key ACT skill for rumination (#518)
In episode 518 Jonny Say and I practiced some Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) skills together. Jonny is a UK based therapist and co-director at The Integrative Centre for OCD Therapy. We discuss the skill dropping anchor, how the skill dipping in and out of the stream can help us learn how to deal with rumination, Jonny and I role play a client session using dipping in and out of the stre
Spenser Gabin: Reflections on ERP therapy, and becoming a therapist (#517)
In episode 517 I chat with Spenser Gabin. Spenser is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in Encinitas, California We discuss his OCD, becoming a therapist, his thoughts on Ian O'Brien's episode and clinical perceptive on Ian's research findings on exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP): drop out rate, explaining how ERP links to life, setting expectations, ERP as a lifestyle, an
Story: Emma (Group therapy, OCD around parenting, real event OCD) (Ep516)
In episode 516 I chat with Emma who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us. We discuss OCD around parenting, real event themed OCD, group therapy and experiences of it, rumination, reassurance, dealing with shame, creativity in recovery, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/emma-516 The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, conv
The 10-Year Anniversary Episode: Featuring the Listeners (#515)
In episode 515 I opened the 10-year anniversary episode up to the listeners. People were able to make a recording of a 30 second sound bite for the show. This episode features all those recordings. Thank you to all those who submitted a sound bite. And thanks to you for listening and for your support over the last 10 years. What a ride it's been! Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/10-ye
Dr Ronald Nicholson: AI and OCD (#514)
In episode 514 I chat with Dr Ronald Nicholson. Ron is a clinical psychologist. We discuss why it's important to talk about artificial intelligence (AI) and OCD, AI and reassurance, how AI can play into compulsions, cognitive struggles due to over reliance on AI, the detriment of the loss of engagement with other humans, technology reducing distress tolerance, the future of mental health in this A
Story: Amanda (OCD themes: Religion, harm and contamination) (#513)
In episode 513 I chat with Amanda who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us. We discuss OCD themes of religion, harm and contamination. Amanda talks about depression, controlling food, stopping driving, navigating the Covid pandemic and OCD, compulsions controlling other people, therapy, grief and loss, figuring out it was ok not to do her compulsions, exposure and response prevention
Dr Steven Phillipson and Sarah: Metaphysical OCD and Sarah's story (#512)
In episode 512 I chat with Dr Steven Phillipson and Sarah. 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. He is joined by one of his patients, Sarah, who has kindly agreed to share her story. We discuss what is metaphysical themed OCD, what is metap
Melissa Mose: Integrating IFS and ERP for OCD (#511)
In episode 511 I chat with Melissa Mose. Melissa is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who treats OCD. Melissa is president of the IOCDF affiliate OCD SoCal. We discuss her new book for therapists on internal family systems therapy (IFS) for OCD, what is IFS, integrating IFS and exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), working with parts that get in the way of therapy, noticing and wo
Dr Steven Poskar: Medications for OCD (#510)
In episode 510 I chat with Dr Steven Poskar. Steven is a psychiatrist and clinical director of OCD NYC. He is also a member of the Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board of the International OCD Foundation. We discuss his therapy journey, myths and misconceptions around OCD medication, SSRIs for OCD, choosing an SSRI based on their side effect profiles, weaning off medication, augmenting medicatio
Ian O'Brien: OCD Story, and research on why people struggle to engage with ERP using over 100 interviews from The OCD Stories podcast (#509)
In episode 509 I chat with Ian O'Brien. Ian is a psychotherapist based in Dublin, Ireland, who specialises in OCD. We discuss his OCD story including relationship OCD (rOCD) and pOCD, getting therapy, support groups, and becoming a therapist. We then discuss his research on why people struggle to engage with ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) in which he analysed over 100 interviews from The O
Michael Stier: Health anxiety (#508)
In episode 508 I chat with Michael Stier. Michael is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and Director of Education and Training at the Anxiety Specialists of Atlanta. We discuss his therapy story, working with health anxiety, the health anxiety book he co-wrote, what is health anxiety, insight in health anxiety, bodily sensations, values based living, and much more. Hope it helps. Sh
Chrissie Hodges: Acceptance of OCD (#507)
In episode 507 I chat with Chrissie Hodges. Chrissie is a Peer Support specialist, founder of OCD Gamechangers, and Author of 'Pure OCD: The Invisible Side of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder'. Chrissie was awarded the hero award at the 24th IOCDF conference in San Fran. We discuss her community, acceptance and radical acceptance, what is acceptance, what are we actually accepting, what acceptance is
Dr Sam Greenblatt: Unlocking Relationship OCD (ROCD) treatment (#506)
In episode 506 I chat with Dr Sam Greenblatt. Sam is a licensed clinical psychologist. We discuss an update on him, relationship OCD (ROCD) using his personal story as a case study, improving ROCD treatment, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), internal family systems (IFS) therapy, working with other emotions around ROCD, feeling emotions without analysing them, improving relationship
Dr Fahad Khan: Islamic religious OCD (Waswasa & OCD) (#505)
In episode 505 I chat with Dr Fahad Khan. Fahad is a licensed clinical psychologist. He currently serves as the Deputy Director at Khalil Center, providing psychological services while supervising clinical and research work. He co-wrote The Islamic Workbook for Religious OCD: A Guide for Overcoming Intrusive Thoughts and Compulsions. We discuss his therapy story, waswasa, compulsive prayer, helpin
Story: Jack Henderson (OCD, eating disorder, therapy, poetry) (#504)
In episode 504 I chat with Jack who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us. We discuss his OCD story, guilt and shame, diet and exercise as part of OCD, an eating disorder diagnosis, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), medication, support groups, being creative, expressing through poetry, the idea of signal vs noise, self compassion, he reads some of his poetry, and much mor
Samantha Faden & Dr Jenifer Cullen: Successfully adjusting OCD therapy for autistic clients (#503)
In episode 503 I chat with Samantha Faden and Dr Jenifer Cullen. Samantha is autistic and has lived experience with OCD. Sam is the client of Dr Cullen. Jenifer M. Cullen, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist at the McLean OCD Institute. We discuss their therapy relationship as therapist and client, how Sam's therapy journey has gone, what worked, how they learned together over time, getting a
Christopher Weston: OCD story, BDD, and Somatic OCD (#502)
In episode 502 I chat with Christopher Weston. Chris is a therapist (LMFT) specialising in OCD. We discuss his OCD story, his early life experiences that were challenging, panic attacks, somatic/sensorimotor OCD, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and much more. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/chris
Alexandra Reynolds: Navigating shame around health anxiety (OCD) (#501)
In episode 501 I chat with Alexandra Reynolds. Alexandra is an OCD Advocate, Community Support Group Leader at NOCD, and is currently doing her graduate clinical training. We discuss her health anxiety story, stigma around the diagnosis, running her health anxiety support group, shame and guilt around having health anxiety and the compulsions, experiencing stigma or judgement from family and heal
The 500th episode. Musings and reflections from a Welsh mountain range.
In episode 500 I, Stuart Ralph, reflect on my journey with The OCD Stories podcast over the last nearly 10 years. To do this I took a hike in the Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales, UK. Thanks for listening over the last 500 episodes! Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/500 The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside
Dr Ronald Nicholson: Using humour in OCD therapy (#499)
In episode 499 I chat with Dr Ronald Nicholson. Ron is a clinical psychologist currently practicing as a post-doctoral fellow at Dr. Steven Phillipson's Center of Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy. We discuss humour in OCD therapy, why humour can help, finding the right balance between humour and seriousness, humour as a way of showing irrelevance, Dr Phillipson asks a few questions including wha
Jonny Say interviews Stuart on the lead up to episode 500! Podcast beginnings, Stuart's key learnings, and what helped him (#498)
In episode 498 psychotherapist Jonny Say interviews Stuart. Stuart is the host and founder of The OCD Stories podcast. Stuart is a psychotherapist, and co-founder of The Integrative Centre for OCD Therapy. In the build up to episode 500 Jonny interviews me (Stuart), we discuss the history of the podcast and some of my personal history, how the podcast helped me in the early days and which topics o
Dr Steven Phillipson: Identity contamination, not buying into OCD themes, talking about OCD, ERP tools (#497)
In episode 497 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 identity contamination as a theme of OCD, the amygdala, not buying into OCD themes, talking about OCD with people, Dr Phillipson's Cancel Tok
Story: Riley (Compulsive exercise, residential treatment, finding joy again) (#496)
In episode 496 I chat with Riley who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us. We discuss how OCD latched on to her sport (swimming), compulsive exercise, her different compulsions, obsessions around being strong, getting therapy, restricting foods, residential treatment, medication, finding joy in activities again, words of hope, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdsto
Gina Abbondante: OCD story, panic disorder, ERP, I-CBT (#495)
In episode 495 I chat with Gina Abbondante. Gina is a psychotherapist and clinical director at Change of Mind counselling. We discuss her OCD story, panic disorder - having a panic attack as early as kindergarten, blood injection injury phobia, when OCD started, suicidal themed OCD, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), inference-based CBT (CBT), working with postpartum and postnatal par
Story: Clare (Intrusive thoughts, ERP, research) (#494)
In episode 494 I chat with Clare who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us. We discuss intrusive thoughts, harm themed OCD, skin picking, her family, exposure and response prevention therapy, her research, words of hope, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/clare-494 Thanks to our podcast partners NOCD who make this podcast possible. NOCD offers ef
Story: Braden Smith (Religious OCD, ERP, NFL, psychedelics) (#493)
In episode 493 I chat with Braden Smith who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us. Braden is a offensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). We discuss his OCD story, religious scrupulosity OCD, how OCD affected his professional career as an NFL athlete, how OCD focused on his faith, using psychedelic treatments, exposure and response prevention ther
Sheva Rajaee: Relationship OCD Couples Therapy (#492)
In episode 492 I chat with Sheva Rajaee. Sheva is a psychotherapist who specialises in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and other related anxiety disorders. She is the founder of the Center for Anxiety and OCD (CAOCD). Sheva authored the book Relationship OCD: A CBT-Based Guide to Move Beyond Obsessive Doubt, Anxiety, and Fear of Commitment in Romantic Relationships. We discuss an up
Story: Rowen (Sexual orientation themed OCD, relationship themed OCD) (#491)
In episode 491 I chat with Rowen who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us. We discuss her story, compulsively confessing, sexual orientation themed OCD, relationship themed OCD, the possibility of her birth control (IUD) affecting her mental health, words of hope and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/rowen-491 The podcast is made possible by NOCD.
Jan Stewart: A Parent's Journey Raising Children with OCD and Neurodiversity (#490)
In episode 490 chat with Jan Stewart. Jan is a mental health and neurodiversity advocate. She authored the book, 'Hold on Tight: A Parent's Journey Raising Children with Mental Illness'. We discuss Jan's parenting OCD story, neurodiversity, getting help for herself and her kids, why the patient is the whole family, separating her son from his diagnosis, reducing parental accommodation, advice for
Dr Michael Greenberg: OCD as a defense mechanism (#489)
In episode 489 I chat with Dr Michael Greenberg. Michael is a clinical psychologist who specialises in Rumination-Focused ERP (RF-ERP). We discuss an update on Michael, rumination-focused exposure and response prevention therapy (RF-ERP), OCD as a defense mechanism, a psychoanalytical view of OCD, digesting feelings, some different psychological defenses, attachment and early experiences, clinica
Dr Steven Phillipson: Look at you looking at me, and other niche OCD spike themes (#488)
In episode 488 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 the worries that come up around getting obsessed with others responses to us - what Steve calls look at you looking at me, olfactory obsession
Justin Hughes, Valerie Andrews, Dr Alan Noble, and Chelsea Risko: A Deeper Dive into the role of faith (Christianity) in OCD treatment (#487)
In episode 487 I chat with Justin Hughes, Valerie Andrews, Dr Alan Noble, and Chelsea Risko. We discuss how OCD can latch on to faith, scrupulosity, finding the line between compulsive prayer and valued prayer, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), inference-based cognitive behavioural therapy (I-CBT), how faith was a support for them, worrying about therapy and faith, working with a no
Story: Stephen D'Intino (existential OCD, a detrimental psychedelics experience, trauma) (#486)
In episode 486 I chat with Stephen who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us. We discuss his story, his early memories, how OCD affected his work, existential themed OCD, medication, a detrimental psychedelics experience, religious scrupulosity, derealisation, getting admitted to a psychiatric ward, therapy, agoraphobia, boundaries, trauma work, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes:
Jonny Say: OCD and the therapeutic relationship (#485)
In episode 485 I chat with Jonny Say. Jonny is a UK based therapist and co-director at The Integrative Centre for OCD Therapy. We discuss the importance of the therapeutic relationship, the benefits of it to outcomes, functional analytic psychotherapy (FAP), how compulsions can get in the way of the therapeutic relationship, how a good therapeutic relationship can help acceptance and commitment t
Story: Patrick Hussain (Suicidal themed OCD, shame, ERP) (#484)
In episode 484 I chat with Patrick who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us. We discuss his story, suicidal themed OCD, dreams, his early OCD memories, panic, contamination, opening up to his partner, shame, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), we rift about OCD, words of hope, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/patrick-484 The pod
Dr Jon Abramowitz: Living well with OCD (#483)
In episode 483 I chat with Dr Jonathan Abramowitz. Jonathan is a clinical psychologist with a private practice in Chapel Hill, NC specializing in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). He is also Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina. And author of several books including Getting over OCD, The family guide to getting over OCD, and Living well w
Story: Rebekah Collins (Contamination & harm OCD, PMDD, advocacy) (#482)
In episode 482 I chat with Rebekah who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us. We discuss her early compulsions, trauma, an eating disorder, social anxiety and depression, agoraphobia, panic, being told she wouldn't recover, her mum advocating for her, involuntary hospitalisation, diagnosis, joining support groups, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), acceptance and commitmen
Story: Zoey (Fears of choking, obsessing over partners porn use, BDD) (#481)
In episode 481 I chat with Zoey who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us. We discuss fears of choking and swallowing, obsessing over her partners porn use, therapy, exposure and response prevention therapy therapy (ERP), aligning therapy with her values, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), seeing her therapist through NOCD, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.
Chrissie Hodges: Advocating for taboo OCD themes (#480)
In episode 480 I chat with Chrissie Hodges. Chrissie is a Peer Support specialist, founder of OCD Gamechangers, and Author of 'Pure OCD: The Invisible Side of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder'. Chrissie was awarded the hero award at the 24th IOCDF conference in San Fran. We talk advocacy, censorship, stigma, the need for advocates to talk about all experiences of OCD to normalise all experiences incl
Jonny Say: Ideas for when people struggle with therapy for OCD (#479)
In episode 479 I chat with Jonny Say. Jonny is a UK based therapist and co-director at The Integrative Centre for OCD Therapy. We discuss an update on him, we talk about ideas for when people struggle with therapy for OCD. We discuss the length of therapy, he normalises the time frame, trying other approaches, therapists, or a combination of therapies. Increasing motivation through active reflect
Dr Josh Spitalnick: Health Anxiety, and living life well (#478)
In episode 478 I chat with Dr Josh Spitalnick. Josh is a licensed psychologist, owner and clinical director at the Anxiety Specialists of Atlanta, an outpatient clinic. He is co-author of "The Complete Guide to Overcoming Health Anxiety". We discuss what's new with him, his book, the title of the book, this idea of mental health - health anxiety, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), exposure a
Story: Jakob (Panic, derealisation, the fear of 'going crazy', existential OCD) (#477)
In episode 477 I chat with Jakob who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us. We discuss his story, panic, derealisation, the fear of 'going crazy', existential OCD, his advocacy work, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jakob-477 The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenie
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