The OCD Stories

Stuart Ralph
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Jun 15, 2025 • 44min

Jan Stewart: A Parent's Journey Raising Children with OCD and Neurodiversity (#490)

In episode 490 chat with Jan Stewart. Jan is a mental health and neurodiversity advocate. She authored the book, 'Hold on Tight: A Parent's Journey Raising Children with Mental Illness'. We discuss Jan's parenting OCD story, neurodiversity, getting help for herself and her kids, why the patient is the whole family, separating her son from his diagnosis, reducing parental accommodation, advice for loved ones and parents, the importance of not forgetting the siblings, parental self-care, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jan-490 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 Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you'll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast
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25 snips
Jun 8, 2025 • 1h 9min

Dr Michael Greenberg: OCD as a defense mechanism (#489)

In this insightful discussion, Dr. Michael Greenberg, a clinical psychologist specializing in Rumination-Focused ERP, shares his expertise on OCD as a defense mechanism. He delves into the significance of childhood experiences and attachment in shaping behavior. The conversation also explores the interplay between psychoanalysis and exposure therapy, advocating for a dual approach to treatment. Additionally, Michael emphasizes the human aspects of parenting and clear communication, reminding us that mistakes can foster growth and understanding in relationships.
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Jun 1, 2025 • 49min

Dr Steven Phillipson: Look at you looking at me, and other niche OCD spike themes (#488)

Dr. Steven Phillipson, a licensed clinical psychologist and Clinical Director at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy in New York, dives into niche themes of OCD. He discusses obsessive worries about social perceptions, body dysmorphic disorder, and even bizarre fears like fearing your child isn’t yours or being in a simulation. Phillipson emphasizes the complexity of OCD, the importance of accurate diagnoses, and the societal stigma around mental health. His insights offer hope and navigate the intricacies of managing obsessive thoughts.
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May 25, 2025 • 58min

Justin Hughes, Valerie Andrews, Dr Alan Noble, and Chelsea Risko: A Deeper Dive into the role of faith (Christianity) in OCD treatment (#487)

Justin Hughes, a seasoned therapist, delves into OCD's impact on faith and spirituality. Valerie Andrews, CEO of Miss Mabel Sparrows, shares how her love for the Lord intertwines with her OCD struggles. Dr. Alan Noble discusses his journey with therapy and the intrusive fears that challenge his beliefs. Chelsea Risko opens up about her experience with harm OCD, emphasizing the delicate balance between faith and mental health. Together, they shed light on finding hope, community support, and the healing power of self-advocacy in the face of OCD.
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May 18, 2025 • 39min

Story: Stephen D'Intino (existential OCD, a detrimental psychedelics experience, trauma) (#486)

In this engaging conversation, Stephen D'Intino shares his personal journey with OCD, exploring existential themes and the impact of a negative psychedelic experience. He discusses how OCD has influenced his work and relationships, and the importance of therapy in his recovery. Stephen also dives into struggles with derealization, agoraphobia, and religious scrupulosity, highlighting the necessity of setting boundaries and embracing authenticity. His story emphasizes the healing power of connection and the significance of a supportive network in overcoming OCD.
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5 snips
May 11, 2025 • 50min

Jonny Say: OCD and the therapeutic relationship (#485)

In episode 485 I chat with Jonny Say. Jonny is a UK based therapist and co-director at The Integrative Centre for OCD Therapy. We discuss the importance of the therapeutic relationship, the benefits of it to outcomes, functional analytic psychotherapy (FAP), how compulsions can get in the way of the therapeutic relationship, how a good therapeutic relationship can help acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), the therapeutic relationship as a way of dealing with shame, rupture and repair, Jonny and I share our own experiences from therapeutic relationships, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jonny-485 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://learn.nocd.com/theocdstories FAP training for therapists: https://www.integrativecentreforocd.co.uk/live-trainings-therapists/fap-for-ocd Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you'll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast
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May 4, 2025 • 53min

Story: Patrick Hussain (Suicidal themed OCD, shame, ERP) (#484)

In episode 484 I chat with Patrick who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us. We discuss his story, suicidal themed OCD, dreams, his early OCD memories, panic, contamination, opening up to his partner, shame, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), we rift about OCD, words of hope, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/patrick-484 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://learn.nocd.com/theocdstories Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you'll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast
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Apr 27, 2025 • 46min

Dr Jon Abramowitz: Living well with OCD (#483)

In episode 483 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 books including Getting over OCD, The family guide to getting over OCD, and Living well with OCD. We discuss his latest research on postpartum OCD, his new book - Living well with OCD, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), urge surfing, competing responses, self monitoring, defusion, self compassion, inference-based CBT (I-CBT), words of hope, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jon-483 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://learn.nocd.com/theocdstories Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you'll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast
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Apr 20, 2025 • 37min

Story: Rebekah Collins (Contamination & harm OCD, PMDD, advocacy) (#482)

In episode 482 I chat with Rebekah who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us. We discuss her early compulsions, trauma, an eating disorder, social anxiety and depression, agoraphobia, panic, being told she wouldn't recover, her mum advocating for her, involuntary hospitalisation, diagnosis, joining support groups, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), harm and contamination OCD, dealing with shame, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), what helps her, her advocacy, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/rebekah-482 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://learn.nocd.com/theocdstories Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you'll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast
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Apr 13, 2025 • 36min

Story: Zoey (Fears of choking, obsessing over partners porn use, BDD) (#481)

In episode 481 I chat with Zoey who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us. We discuss fears of choking and swallowing, obsessing over her partners porn use, therapy, exposure and response prevention therapy therapy (ERP), aligning therapy with her values, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), seeing her therapist through NOCD, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/zoey-481 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://learn.nocd.com/theocdstories Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you'll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast

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