In episode 266 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 bookings including Getting over OCD, and The family guide to getting over OCD. 

In this episode I chat with Jon about why he wrote this book, how the family system plays into OCD and vice versa, he writes the book from two perspectives: one, the loved one with OCD wants to get better, and two, the loved one with OCD doesn’t want to do treatment, we discuss family accommodation and why it’s not helpful, how to stop accommodating your loved one, we discuss treatment refusal (when someone refuses to get help), we discuss the difference between a reward and a bribe for children, setting boundaries, how to get family life back on track even if a loved one refuses to get help, how to listen to and talk to your loved one with OCD, what areas of OCD research Jon is excited by, and much much more. Hope it helps.

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

In episode 265 I chat with Chance McNeely who has kindly agreed to share his story with us.

In this episode I chat with Chance about his OCD story, themes – sexual orientation OCD, harm OCD, relationship OCD, pedophile OCD, growing up in an anxious household, compulsively overthinking things, finding out about intrusive thoughts, peer support, self-compassion as his saving grace, becoming a certified peer, working for OCD Peers, and much much more. Hope it helps.

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

In episode 264 I chat with Mike Vatter who has kindly agreed to share his story with us. Mike is on the board of OCD Jacksonville.

In this episode I chat with Mike about his OCD story, things having to be just right, panic attacks, hitting breaking point, pulling hair, how his first therapist thought he didn’t have OCD, how a hit and run OCD episode helped him get an OCD diagnosis, using humour to make it easier, meeting his biological parents, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-mike-vatter-264

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

We are hosting an AMA with Jon Hershfield and Sean Shinnock to celebrate their new book on March 6th – find out more here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-afternoon-with-jon-hershfield-the-ocd-workbook-for-teens-launch-ama-tickets-139995489277

In episode 263 I chat with Dr Steven Phillipson. Steven is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD. Steven is the Clinical Director at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy in New York.

In this episode I chat with Steven about what is somatic (sensorimotor) OCD, neutral obsessions, obsessions and compulsions of this theme, how depersonalisation/derealisation may be a subset of this theme, how certain personality styles may play into this theme, how often he sees this theme in his private practice, he gives case examples, the focus of therapy for this theme, examples of exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), why Steve gets his patients to record each therapy session, what he wishes he knew when he started his journey in therapy, Steve’s biggest life influences, and much much more. Hope it helps.

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

In episode 262 I chat with Chrissie Hodges. Chrissie is a certified peer and family support specialist in Colorado, and co-founder of OCDPeers.com. Chrissie was awarded the hero award by the IOCDF for her advocacy work. 

In this episode I chat with Chrissie about what’s new with her and her work, what’s new with the OCD Gamechangers, what is (certified) peer support, what it is not, what does a peer conversation look like, how peer support can support the therapy process, what is OCD peers, the most attended group topics at OCD peers, what Chrissie has learned about OCD in the last 12 months, her learnings about advocacy, and much much more. Hope it helps.

This episode is sponsored by OCD Jacksonville and Natural Life. Shop the Fearless collection of apparel and gifts here https://www.naturallife.com/collections/fearless-giveback-collection. Use code “FEARLESS” at the checkout for 20% off the Fearless range. To find out more about OCD Jacksonville click here: https://ocdjacksonville.com/

In episode 261 I chat with Elizabeth who has kindly agreed to share her story.

In this episode I chat with Liz about her story, her experiences growing up including the death of her dad, and school bullying, her experiences with OCD, the fear of being judged, contamination worries, getting a diagnosis, hit and run OCD, what’s been helping her, her journey of finding the right treatment fit, dealing with the discomfort of seeking help, the experience of telling her family about her experiences, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-elizabeth-261

This episode is sponsored by OCD Jacksonville and Natural Life. Shop the Fearless collection of apparel and gifts here https://www.naturallife.com/collections/fearless-giveback-collection. Use code “FEARLESS” at the checkout for 20% off the Fearless range. To find out more about OCD Jacksonville click here: https://ocdjacksonville.com/

In episode 260 I chat with Ashley Annestedt and Felipe. Ashley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in OCD, Anxiety, and Neurobehavioral Disorders. Ashley is the founder of Beyond Borders CBT. She is joined by Felipe Malaco de Oliveira a former client from Brazil who has agreed to share his story. 

In this episode I chat with Ashley and Felipe about what is beyond borders CBT and why set it up, Felipe’s OCD story, sexual orientation OCD, doing exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), living with uncertainty, a relapse after the birth of his son, postnatal violent and sexual intrusive thoughts, OCD and Brazil, Ashley’s take on Felipe’s therapy, opening up to his wife about OCD, increasing the global access to ERP, and much much more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/ashley-and-felipe-beyond-borders-cbt-260

This episode is sponsored by OCD Jacksonville and Natural Life. Shop the Fearless collection of apparel and gifts here https://www.naturallife.com/collections/fearless-giveback-collection. Use code “FEARLESS” at the checkout for 20% off the Fearless range. To find out more about OCD Jacksonville click here: https://ocdjacksonville.com/

In episode 259 I chat with Jon Hershfield. Jon is a psychotherapist and the director of The Center for OCD and Anxiety, at Sheppard Pratt. He is the author six OCD books, including his most recent book the 2nd edition of “The mindfulness workbook for OCD”, and his upcoming book “The OCD Workbook for Teens”.

In this episode I chat with Jon about what’s new with him, The mindfulness workbook for OCD, what the book about, what’s new with this 2nd edition, Jon’s personal experiences with meditation and mindfulness, why he broke the book down by themes. We discuss The OCD workbook for teens, what it’s about, Sean Shinnock’s illustrations in the book, exercises in the book, how he works with teens, staying in the present moment, dealing with uncertainty, living joyfully, and much much more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jon-hershfield-mindfulness-workbook-for-ocd-259

This episode is sponsored by OCD Jacksonville and Natural Life. Shop the Fearless collection of apparel and gifts here https://www.naturallife.com/collections/fearless-giveback-collection. Use code “FEARLESS” at the checkout for 20% off the Fearless range. To find out more about OCD Jacksonville click here: https://ocdjacksonville.com/

In episode 258 I chat with Dr Jonathan Hoffman. Jon is a licensed psychologist in the states of Florida, New York, and Utah. He is Chief Clinical Officer of the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI) in South Florida, and director and founder of the NBI ranch residential program. He is author of the book Stuck: Asperger’s Syndrome and Obsessive-Compulsive Behaviors.

In this episode I chat with Jon about what he’s been up to, what is Autism Spectrum Disorder, where OCD and ASD can overlap, Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors, how Covid has impacted people with ASD and OCD, exposure and response prevention (ERP) for OCD with ASD modifications, the NBI ranch, words of advice on getting the most out of your therapist, advice for parent and families, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/autism-spectrum-disorder-and-obsessive-compulsive-disorder-258

In episode 257 I chat with Stefan Batorijs. Stefan is an Integrative Psychotherapist and founder of Nature and therapy UK. He is an associate Lecturer at Plymouth University, where he teaches the role of Nature and benefits of natural immersion for mental health and recovery from trauma on the clinical psychology doctorate programme.

In this episode I chat with Stefan about why he became a therapist specifically doing ecotherapy, his relationship with nature, what is Shinrin Yoku, the benefits of being in nature and practicing Shinrin Yoku, Stefan shares some examples of working therapeutically with individuals in nature, why Shinrin Yoku and ecotherapy can be deep serious work, being prepared when going out in nature, appreciating nature close to home, start small and build up, anxiety and the woods, nature as a restorative environment, advice for people in cities, what Stefan wants you to know about nature, and much much more. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/stefan-batorijs-shinrin-yokuand-ecotherapy-257