OCD Family Podcast

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she sits down with Aneela Idnani, co-founder of HabitAware and a passionate advocate for the Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior (BFRB) community. Aneela shares her powerful personal journey with trichotillomania (hair pulling), the shame and secrecy she carried for years, and how one moment of vulnerability led to the creation of the Keen bracelet—a groundbreaking tool for building awareness and reclaiming control. Together, we explore the emotional complexity of BFRBs, the importance of community and compassion, and the incredible hope that comes with understanding and support. So join the conversation!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she welcomes Sindhu BS, MS, PsyD, to the OCD Family Community. Together, we learn more about Sindhu, a trailblazing OCD practitioner based in India, to explore how mental health intersects with culture, tradition, and treatment. Sindhu helps to unpack the challenges of practicing evidence-based therapies like ACT, ERP, and ICBT in a collectivist society, while honoring cultural beliefs, religious practices, and the lived experience of OCD. From navigating magical thinking to redefining family roles, this episode offers a powerful look at how clinicians can adapt care to meet clients where they are—culturally and clinically. So join the conversation!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she welcomes back her old friend, advocate, and researcher, Katie Munday. Join us as we explore how research can better include, reflect, and respect neurodivergent, disabled, and OCD communities. Together, they dive into topics like accessibility, healthcare equity, chronic illness, mental health, and the importance of centering lived experience in research. Katie shares updates on their PhD journey, recent publications, and upcoming projects — all while emphasizing the transformative power of joy, community, and staying open to growth. It's a heartfelt and inspiring conversation that invites the fam to listen with compassion and curiosity.

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent as she sits down with Dr. Rebecca Sachs to explore autism through a needs-first, neurodiversity-affirming lens. Together, they unpack myths and misinformation, affirm the value of autistic individuals, and discuss how OCD and autism can intersect. It’s a compassionate conversation grounded in support, not stigma. So join the conversation, because accurate information is key.

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, for another Autism Acceptance Month episode. Nicole is joined by her 11-year-old son Jack — an AuDHDer with OCD — to explore how understanding and treating OCD can be made more accessible and fun by using the popular game Among Us. Together, they dive into how OCD acts like the game’s sneaky impostor, and how tools like ERP and I-CBT help “crew members” (aka us) spot and stop the sabotage. Full of humor, heart, and chime-loving charm, this episode highlights the power of special interests, neurodivergent thinking, and family teamwork in facing OCD head-on.

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she kicks off Autism Acceptance Month! We’re welcoming back special guest, Dr. Stacy Greeter, MD— a psychiatrist who brings both clinical expertise and lived experience as an autistic ADHDer with OCD. Nicole and Stacy dive into what it really means to provide neurodivergent-affirming care—from teasing apart compulsions vs. regulation, to the role of medication, and why behavioral therapies like ABA are so controversial in the autistic community. You'll also hear real-life examples, challenges with diagnosis and support systems, and how we can move toward care that prioritizes autonomy, authenticity, and collaboration—especially for folks navigating the intersection of autism and OCD. Join us!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she continues our deep dive with neuroscientist, Uma Chatterjee, to explore the neurobiology of OCD. Uma helps the fam break down the role of fight, flight, or freeze in the OCD brain. Plus, we tackle the hot topic of psychedelic research—could psilocybin and ketamine be game-changers for OCD treatment? Join us for a science-packed conversation that blends research, personal experience, and practical insights into the ever-evolving world of mental health.

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT & Mental Health Correspondent, as she is joined by Uma Chatterjee, MS, MHPS, a doctoral student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who shares her personal journey with OCD and her dedication to neuroscience research. Uma opens up about living with severe OCD from an early age, navigating misdiagnoses, and ultimately finding effective treatment. She discusses the neurobiology of OCD, the role of neurotransmitters, and the importance of understanding brain function in treatment. Packed with both personal experience and scientific expertise, this conversation offers hope and education for those affected by OCD. So join the conversation!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she is joined by Dr. Mike Twohig, Ph.D., a leading researcher and clinician in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). They dive deep into what ACT is, why it’s a powerful approach for OCD and related disorders. Mike shares insights regarding cognitive defusion, acceptance, and values-based living. Whether you’re new to ACT or looking to deepen your understanding, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways for individuals, families and practitioners alike. Join us!

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she welcomes back Mike Heady, LCPC, co-owner and director of the Anxiety And Stress Disorders Institute, to explore the complex world of shame. While shame often carries a negative connotation, could there be a healthy, functional side to it? Join the conversation, and learn more about the Compass of Shame and therapeutic strategies that can help cultivate healthy shame in your life, OCD or not!