The OCD Stories

In episode 562 I chat with Dr Steven Phillipson and his patient Lisa. 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, Lisa, who has kindly agreed to share her story.

We discuss the idea of Mind Body Syndrome (MBS) or 'Sarnos' as Steve refers to them, Lisa's story and experience with MBS and OCD, her therapy work with Steve, how MBS and OCD can mix, possible signs of MBS, how OCD can latch on to MBS, factoring in medical tests first, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/steve-and-lisa-562

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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In episode 561 I chat with Dr Patricia Zurita Ona. Patricia is director of the East Bay Behavior Therapy Center and adjunct professor at the Wright Institute. She is the author of many acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) based books, including ones on OCD.

We discuss her new book, perfectionism and procrastination, what is perfectionism, the values that are in perfectionism but how it goes too far sometimes, perfectionism and OCD, what playing it safe looks like in perfectionism, the function of perfectionism, procrastination around OCD therapy homework, compassionate accountability around procrastination, self-compassion, self-acceptance, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/patricia-561

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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In episode 560 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 Jonny, meta themed OCD, obsessing about OCD and the recovery process, the worries of is this even OCD and am I doing treatment right, a potential core fear of this theme, goals that are counter productive to recovery, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), attention training, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jonny-560https://theocdstories.com/episode/saraa-559

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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In episode 559 I chat with Saraa D. Lee, MSW, LCSW. Sarah is an OCD therapist who also lives with OCD. After recently getting re-married and having a second baby, her experience with OCD led her to take a different approach to helping people with OCD find, build, and maintain lasting love in their lives. As a licensed therapist and Clinical Supervisor specializing in Love, Marriage and OCD, she treats the full picture: ROCD, dating with OCD, marriage/couples with OCD, perinatal & postpartum OCD, and parenting with OCD by combining Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) with Gottman Method Therapy tools and other evidence based therapies for supporting healthy relationships.

We discuss an update on her, the topics of love ,marriage and OCD, working with the whole person, we discuss when someone feels like they struggle with key life stages, some of her own recent struggles, we talk dating and pregnancy, relationship skills and OCD, and much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/saraa-559

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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In episode 558 I chat with Dr Anthony Pinto and Dr Michael Wheaton. Anthony Pinto, Ph.D. is Senior Director of the Northwell Health OCD Center at Zucker Hillside Hospital on Long Island and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. Dr. Pinto has published over 100 manuscripts/chapters on OCD/related conditions and has an extensive record of conference presentations, invited lectures, and media appearances. He is the leading clinical and research authority on obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD). He co-edited a comprehensive academic book on OCPD (2020) and co-authored a self-help OCPD workbook (2026). He is the lead author of the self-rated Family Accommodation Scale for OCD and the Pathological Obsessive Compulsive Personality Scale, both of which are being used worldwide. He serves on the International OCD Foundation's Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board and is on the teaching faculty for the IOCDF's Behavior Therapy Training Institute. Michael Wheaton, Ph.D. is currently an Associate Professor of Psychology at Barnard College, where he teaches classes related to clinical psychology and conducts research on OCD and related disorder, including OCPD. Dr. Wheaton earned his PhD in clinical psychology from UNC-Chapel Hill and completed his postdoctoral training in the Center for OCD and Related Disorders at the New York State Psychiatric Institute/Columbia University Medical Center. His work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, American Psychological Foundation, and International OCD Foundation. He also runs a private practice focused on OCD and related disorders (including OCPD) in New York, NY.

We discuss their therapy backgrounds, what is obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD), the diagnostic criteria for it, the overlap with OCD, the comorbidity rate with OCD, their new OCPD workbook, they share plenty of skills for helping people with OCPD, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/anthony-and-michael-558

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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In episode 557 I chat with Krista Reed. Krista is a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW). Krista is passionate about working with patients who have Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders.

We discuss her therapy and OCD journey, being your authentic self, struggling to develop an acceptance of her authentic self, learning to be authentic, the Inference-based CBT (ICBT) feared possible self, feeling regret, OCD impacting one's ability to be authentic, Krista gives lots of examples from her own life, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/krista-557 https://theocdstories.com/episode/jake-556

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 many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

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 training, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jake-556https://theocdstories.com/episode/natalia-555

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 many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

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 Skills to Nudge Your Adult Child Out of the Nest.

We discuss her story, getting distracted by trauma in her own recovery, doing therapy in China, her self-guided exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) workbook, doing compassionate ERP, and her new book anxious to launch, supporting young adults struggling to leave home, her new EMDR book, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/natalia-555https://theocdstories.com/episode/pat-554

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 many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

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://theocdstories.com/episode/pat-554https://theocdstories.com/episode/ashley-and-victoria-553

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 many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

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 private practice at Magnolia Behavioral Health. Victoria is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor at the Anxiety and OCD Treatment Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Ashley and Victoria are part of a team that runs JACK's Plant A Camp initiative.

We discuss their therapy backgrounds, their kids summer camps through JACK, the Plant A Camp initiative, what the camps look like, making exposure engaging for the kids and teens, helping kids feel connected to other kids, shame in OCD, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) games, community, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/ashley-and-victoria-553

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 many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

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 treatments, sensorimotor OCD, tools that helped her, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/andrea-552

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 many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

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 more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/andrew-551

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 many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

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 prevention, the aspects and features of a relapse, having a plan for potential relapses, acceptance, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/chrissie-550

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 many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

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 religious and moral matters.

We discuss their therapy backgrounds, Justin's book The Christian's Guide to Overcoming OCD, the integration of faith and therapy, parental accommodation, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/justin-ted-549

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 many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

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 the NHS, private practice, and the criminal justice system, Jeremy has a particular interest in Rumination-Focused ERP for OCD and integrating evidence-based approaches with a deeper understanding of the emotional and relational processes that underpin obsessive-compulsive difficulties.

We discuss Rebecca's OCD story, her therapy work with Jeremy, relationship OCD (ROCD), rumination-focused exposure and response prevention therapy (RF-ERP), medication, Rebecca exploring her past in the context of her OCD, figuring out one's own OCD story, words of hope and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/rebecca-jeremy-548

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 many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

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 more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nathaniel-547

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 many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

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, Pete serves as the team psychologist for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League, where he works with professional athletes on performance, resilience, and mental health.

We discuss working with the San Jose sharks NHL team, why he works with OCD, anxiety and OCD in athletes, prevalence of OCD in athletes, performance anxiety, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), how OCD can affect athletes, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/peter-546

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 many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

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 letters

Dear Chris

I wish

Little Duke

Numbers, prayers, checks

A couple brand new poems currently untitled

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/duke-545

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 many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

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 more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nicole-sophia-544

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 many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

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 much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jonny-543

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

Alex and Jonny's CFT for OCD (Integrating Compassion Focused Therapy for OCD) training for therapists: https://www.icocdtraining.co.uk/

Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter