The OCD Whisperer Podcast with Kristina Orlova

129. The OCD Awareness Scale: A Tool for Better Understanding

Feb 18, 2025

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How well do we really understand the full spectrum of OCD? Many people—including professionals—struggle to recognize the various ways OCD can manifest beyond the commonly known themes.

In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, host Kristina Orlova welcomes Dr. Kimberly Glazier Leonte, PhD and Dr. Jacquelin Gouniai, PsyD, LPC, co-founders of The OCD Academy. They introduce the OCD Awareness Scale, a new tool designed to bridge the gap in OCD education by providing a more comprehensive look at the disorder's many forms.

Dr. Leonte and Dr. Gouniai discuss their professional experiences with OCD, the challenges of misdiagnosis, and the importance of increasing awareness for individuals, loved ones, and professionals. Dr. Gouniai also shares about her personal experience with OCD. The conversation highlights how their research has led to a scale that not only validates individual experiences but also helps guide effective treatment.

Whether you're seeking to understand your own OCD, support a loved one, or improve clinical awareness, this episode provides valuable insights into the ever-evolving landscape of OCD research and treatment.

Tune in to discover how the OCD Awareness Scale can help uncover the hidden dimensions of OCD.

In This Episode:

[00:00:03] Introduction to the OCD Whisperer Podcast
[00:01:02] Meet the Guests: Dr. Kimberly Glazier Leonte & Dr. Jacquelin Gouniai
[00:02:16] Why OCD Is So Commonly Misdiagnosed
[00:03:45] The Role of Research in Expanding OCD Awareness
[00:05:32] What Is the OCD Awareness Scale?
[00:07:10] Breaking the Stigma: Recognizing Lesser-Known OCD Themes
[00:09:05] How the Scale Helps Individuals with OCD
[00:10:45] Using the Scale for Loved Ones and Caregivers
[00:12:25] How Clinicians Can Use the Scale for Better Diagnosis
[00:14:30] OCD in Children: Can Parents Use the Scale?
[00:16:00] Jacquelin's Personal Journey with OCD and Misdiagnosis
[00:18:20] The Global Need for OCD Education and Accessible Resources
[00:20:15] Where to Find the OCD Awareness Scale
[00:22:00] Final Thoughts and Resources for Listeners

Notable Quotes:

"OCD can really latch onto anything. One of our goals was to create a tool that truly represents the full range of OCD themes and examples, so more people can recognize themselves in it." – Dr. Kimberly Glazier Leonte

"If someone doesn’t see their symptoms listed in a standard assessment, they might think they don’t have OCD at all. Our hope is to make the diagnosis process more inclusive and accessible." – Dr. Jacquelin Gouniai

"So many people go to primary care doctors or religious leaders first for help, and unfortunately, many don’t recognize OCD when they see it. This scale can help bridge that gap." – Dr. Jacquelin Gouniai

"I didn’t think I had OCD because I wasn’t washing my hands all the time. It took me years to realize my intrusive thoughts and rumination were classic OCD." – Kristina Orlova

Our Guests:

Dr. Kimberly Glazier Leonte, PhD
Kimberly is a clinical psychologist and co-founder of The OCD Academy. She specializes in OCD research, treatment, and education, focusing on increasing awareness of underrepresented OCD themes. Her research at McLean Hospital helped shape the OCD Awareness Scale, a tool designed to improve identification and treatment.

Dr. Jacquelin Gouniai, PsyD, LPC
Jacquelin is a licensed clinical psychologist and co-founder of The OCD Academy. With firsthand experience navigating OCD misdiagnosis, she is passionate about increasing OCD education, especially in underserved areas like Guam. Her work aims to improve access to proper OCD treatment and reduce stigma.

Resources & Links

Kristina Orlova, LMFT

The OCD Academy

Disclaimer

Please note while our host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.

Stay tuned for biweekly episodes filled with valuable insights and tips for managing OCD and anxiety. And remember, keep going in the meantime. See you in the next episode!