The OCD Stories Jonny Say and Stuart Ralph role-play a key ACT skill for rumination (#518)
Dec 28, 2025
Jonny Say, a UK-based therapist and co-director at The Integrative Centre for OCD Therapy, dives into practical Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) skills. He discusses the transformative 'dropping anchor' technique, helping individuals manage emotional storms and compulsions. The podcast also explores the innovative 'dipping in and out of the stream' exercise, vital for combating rumination. Jonny and Stuart demonstrate role-play scenarios, showcasing how these skills can disrupt negative thought patterns, offering listeners actionable tools for their journeys.
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Train Full Skill Then Shrink It
- Practice the full 'Dropping Anchor' sequence regularly until it becomes automatic in moments of distress.
- Then shorten it in-the-moment to quick noticing and a sensory refocus to prevent compulsions.
Metaphors Anchor Learning
- Metaphors stick far longer than technical explanations and help clients remember skills years later.
- Stuart and Jonny prefer metaphor-rich teaching because it embeds practice more effectively than dry theory.
Name Processes And Notice Details
- When naming thoughts, label the process (e.g., 'worry', 'analysis') rather than treating content as reality.
- Use detailed sensory descriptions (notice a door's silver handle) to pull attention into the present.