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Episode 27 OCD not only impacts the individual living with symptoms, but loved ones feel the pain, the suffering, and often the helplessness of not being able to stop it or relieve it! There can be guilt. There can be stress and fear. There can be frustration. And there can be hope, strength, and love.  We often overlook the experience of the parent of someone with OCD or the loved one. And they often overlook their own mental health and coping skills. It can sometimes be put on the back burner.  Today - three stories of parents and their lived experience of what it was like to discover symptoms, navigate the often scary task of finding help, and how they take care of themselves while showing up for their kids.  If you are a parent and looking for support, resources, and other parents/family who just get it - check out Natasha Daniels resources at and @childocdtherapist on Youtube and Instagram! If you are in need of a community of people who can help you feel more accepted, less alone, and more connected to people who understand, please check out my online community for weekly support, monthly classes and events at https://the-ocd-support-community.co.mn If this podcast inspires, supports, and gives you hope and you'd like to support us monthly or sponsor us, please visit our patreon page and become a member. Your contribution will help us continue the podcast and help us provide even more resources for our community! https://www.patreon.com/intrusivethoughtsunmasked

Episode 26: The Mask I Wore This Summer This is a storytelling episode talking about a personal experience I've had this summer and in reflection seeing the many masks I had to wear. What I wanted to focus on was the 'why'. Many of us wonder why it is we feel like we *have* to wear a mask at times -with ourselves and with others. Sometimes it feels like it doesn't make sense, and others just don't understand. So today, I wanted to share through my own experience some of the reasons many of us pick it up and put it on, and then even how hard it is taking it off.  I hope this episode resonates with you, and that if you have or are experiencing this, you can feel like there's a 'why' attached that sometimes gets lost in the shame we feel.  If you are in need of a community of people who can help you feel more accepted, less alone, and more connected to people who understand, please check out my online community for weekly support, monthly classes and events at https://the-ocd-support-community.co.mn If this podcast inspires, supports, and gives you hope and you'd like to support us monthly or sponsor us, please visit our patreon page and become a member. Your contribution will help us continue the podcast and help us provide even more resources for our community! https://www.patreon.com/intrusivethoughtsunmasked

Episode 25: Dr. Steven Phillipson - Emotions that can be a barrier to treatment and recovery for OCD In this episode, I talk to OCD specialist and renowned therapist about the emotions of resentment, despair and hopelessness and how they can impact treatment, and even after treatment, what it means to live with a brain like ours with OCD! Dr. Phillipson talks extensively about why we may feel these emotions and also what can help when they show up to remind us that this is a disorder that happened to us and not something that warrants these emotions that cause barriers.  Always a pleasure to have Dr. Phillipson on our podcast! It was a great discussion that felt validating and also person-centered when it comes to living with OCD and the natural emotional experience we have with the disorder and the themes. For more information about Dr. Phillipson's practice, go to: www.ocdonline.com If you are in need of a community of people who can help you feel more accepted, less alone, and more connected to people who understand, please check out my online community for weekly support, monthly classes and events at https://the-ocd-support-community.co.mn If this podcast inspires, supports, and gives you hope and you'd like to support us monthly or sponsor us, please visit our patreon page and become a member. Your contribution will help us continue the podcast and help us provide even more resources for our community! https://www.patreon.com/intrusivethoughtsunmasked

Episode 24: In My Own Words: Grief & Other Emotions In this episode, 3 lived experienced individuals with OCD share what it is like to live with the grief and other emotions that accompany a life with OCD. Emotions are not often talked about...but SHOULD BE! Because it's often the emotions that keep us silent...that enforce the mask. When in reality, if we only knew just how many people live with what we live with, feel what we feel...we would know that so many other people can relate and help us feel normalized and VALIDATED in those emotions.  I hope you will feel like what you have experienced is seen and heard through the narratives of these amazing guests! You truly are not alone! If you are in need of a community of people who can help you feel more accepted, less alone, and more connected to people who understand, please check out my online community for weekly support, monthly classes and events at https://the-ocd-support-community.co.mn If this podcast inspires, supports, and gives you hope and you'd like to support us monthly or sponsor us, please visit our patreon page and become a member. Your contribution will help us continue the podcast and help us provide even more resources for our community! https://www.patreon.com/intrusivethoughtsunmasked

Episode 23: The Clancy Trial  This has been a wild and tragic week of misinformation spewed and continued to be spewed on social media by influencers unethically 'diagnosing' Lindsay Clancy with mental health disorders.  Please know that behaviors by therapists who 'diagnose' people who they don't know, have not assessed, are not associated with the person or circumstances is a violation of ethics and it is irresponsible, reckless, and inappropriate. Therapists who do this are unethical and should not be trusted.  This week has been triggering for many in our community because of the circumstances of the trial, and when you have therapists carelessly adding to the fears to fulfill a personal agenda, it can have dire consequences. I'm doing this podcast to share my experience in advocating against this kind of behavior, and also to share how this has taken a toll on myself, and does with many advocates.  I am right there with you if you are struggling and feeling fears around this situation. You are not alone. And I hope this episode clears up any misguidance you may have seen by irresponsible influencers.  If you are in need of a community of people who can help you feel more accepted, less alone, and more connected to people who understand, please check out my online community for weekly support, monthly classes and events at https://the-ocd-support-community.co.mn If this podcast inspires, supports, and gives you hope and you'd like to support us monthly or sponsor us, please visit our patreon page and become a member. Your contribution will help us continue the podcast and help us provide even more resources for our community! https://www.patreon.com/intrusivethoughtsunmasked

Episode 22: Dr. Michael Greenberg: Psycho-Dynamic and OH MY Oedipal Complex! I have been waiting for a while to dive into this episode and post it for you! I adore Dr. Greenberg and how he thinks when it comes to the whole experience of OCD and the continued healing we can do in learning not just about the disorder but all of the other nuances about our childhood that can contribute to what we are experiencing emotionally today! And this episode reflects that! We had no agenda, and here we are going deep into where psycho-dynamic therapy can play a role in explanations of emotions now as adults and how concepts such as Oedipal complexes may offer an explanation to our themes.  Before you go running for the hills! Give it a listen. As a psychology student both in my past Masters degree and my current, I was ALWAYS scared of finding out some deep, dark meaning to why OCD manifests the way it does...when in reality psycho-dynamic offers way more complex interpretations that have nothing to do with content, themes, or my feared outcomes. Michael does an amazing job at breaking it down for us in a person centered, trauma informed way. Please know Michael will be joining us again, so send me your comments/questions and we can talk more about the things you are curious about! [email protected] If you are in need of a community of people who can help you feel more accepted, less alone, and more connected to people who understand, please check out my online community for weekly support, monthly classes and events at https://the-ocd-support-community.co.mn If this podcast inspires, supports, and gives you hope and you'd like to support us monthly or sponsor us, please visit our patreon page and become a member. Your contribution will help us continue the podcast and help us provide even more resources for our community! https://www.patreon.com/intrusivethoughtsunmasked

Episode 21: John, Stephanie, & Ryan: How to be a supportive sibling to someone with OCD SO MANY THANKS to these wonderful individuals for coming on to share their personal experiences of what it's like to live as siblings of someone who has OCD. This episode revealed so many of the issues many of us face - as people who LIVE with OCD - and those that are desperate to support us and help us get better - and how communication or fears or shame can get in the way of being able to meet each other. I loved how each person had a different viewpoint and especially how they approached this, all while everyone wanting one thing - to help make things better and easier.  Loved ones as supporters may seem SO EASY, right? Just understand OCD and do what needs to be done! That's just not the case with this disorder. So many of us wear a mask, we hide the experience, we shield our loved ones, and we cover up the degree of suffering we have to avoid feeling like a burden or weak or unworthy. How do we communicate this? How do we convey just how hard and consuming this is, all while making sure we are still loved, accepted, and not looked at differently? These are a few of the things we touched on today.  I really hope to have more of these interactive discussions on this podcast. The raw and vulnerable talk about what it's really like from ALL angles.  Many, many thanks to Stephanie, Ryan, and John for sharing your stories and for making me an 'honorary' member of your family! Being with you during this recording helped me feel loved and accepted, so I know that you all are doing your parts as a cohesive and supportive family not only to make John feel supported, but anyone that you encounter who may struggle with mental health issues to help them feel validated, normalized, and accepted - exactly as they are.  If you are in need of a community of people who can help you feel more accepted, less alone, and more connected to people who understand, please check out my online community for weekly support, monthly classes and events at https://the-ocd-support-community.co.mn If this podcast inspires, supports, and gives you hope and you'd like to support us monthly or sponsor us, please visit our patreon page and become a member. Your contribution will help us continue the podcast and help us provide even more resources for our community! https://www.patreon.com/intrusivethoughtsunmasked

Episode 20: This is a storytelling episode. I've been hearing from clients and many people that summers are super triggering because of the pressure to travel or the feelings of sadness/envy of people who are traveling and portraying that life is impeccable because of their trips! Travel is hard, y'all. There are a lot of expectations and it's a complete disruption of your routine, so while many people are excited for that, we - with OCD - may feel scared or dysregulated because we are USED to our routine and the control around it.  I wanted to share what it's been like for me the last 6-8 years learning and just having to deal with and manage the moments in different countries as I travel to do work to bring OCD awareness internationally. It's been something that has been a values based experience, but one that I've had to struggle to learn to be okay with and enjoy.  I hope this episode helps if this is something you deal with!! If you are in need of a community of people who can help you feel more accepted, less alone, and more connected to people who understand, please check out my online community for weekly support, monthly classes and events at https://the-ocd-support-community.co.mn If this podcast inspires, supports, and gives you hope and you'd like to support us monthly or sponsor us, please visit our patreon page and become a member. Your contribution will help us continue the podcast and help us provide even more resources for our community! https://www.patreon.com/intrusivethoughtsunmasked

Episode 19: The OCD Haze:  This terrifying state of mind and being when you are trapped inside of symptoms and it feels like there's no way to connect, no way to ever go back to who you were, and life will never be the same. It's almost impossible to describe and hard to remember when you're out of it, and hard to remember what it's like to be normal when you're in it.  In today's episode, we have four different accounts of what it's like to be inside the OCD haze. I know the descriptions and experiences are going to make you feel like you are not alone when you are in this space. There is such vulnerability and real reflection of the experience in this episode. I know you will relate! If you are in need of a community of people who can help you feel more accepted, less alone, and more connected to people who understand, please check out my online community for weekly support, monthly classes and events at https://the-ocd-support-community.co.mn If this podcast inspires, supports, and gives you hope and you'd like to support us monthly or sponsor us, please visit our patreon page and become a member. Your contribution will help us continue the podcast and help us provide even more resources for our community! https://www.patreon.com/intrusivethoughtsunmasked

Episode 18 This week I'm sharing about an incident that has happened recently. People in my life found out about my OCD themes and all of a sudden questioned whether I'm 'safe' to be around. This was devastating for many reasons...but after the initial shock...I knew what I had to do.  This is one of the biggest fears many of us have. To be misunderstood. To be not believed that this is unwanted. And unfortunately, many of us encounter it and then feel like we have to wear a mask to make OTHERS feel better about something that isn't our fault. I hope this episode helps you to see that if it ever does happen...you will get through it and you can act with resilience and empowerment to protect yourself in the face of people who are unwilling and incapable of understanding the facts.  If you are in need of a community of people who can help you feel more accepted, less alone, and more connected to people who understand, please check out my online community for weekly support, monthly classes and events at https://the-ocd-support-community.co.mn If this podcast inspires, supports, and gives you hope and you'd like to support us monthly or sponsor us, please visit our patreon page and become a member. Your contribution will help us continue the podcast and help us provide even more resources for our community! https://www.patreon.com/intrusivethoughtsunmasked

Episode 17: A Day in the Life of OCD Relapse I know you DON'T want to listen to this one especially if you're feeling good, haha! However, it's so important to know the truth about OCD. We will experience symptoms again. You will be in a position at some point where you will need to remember the tools that work for you and that there is absolutely hope for you to move through symptoms and be better again. Preparing for it seems scary - we'd rather believe OCD is gone for good! So, this episode is here for you when you need reminding  - You can get through relapse - you can and will be okay! In this episode, you will hear 3 stories of experienced relapse of OCD symptoms and how each person worked through it and what they learned through the process. You will also get some encouragement and simple tips on what to do to prepare and how to manage when it happens.  It's also amazing that this episode is dropping right after I published my workbook on relapse preparation! "The OCD Relapse Roadmap: Your Recovery Compass". This is a comprehensive workbook that will walk you through everything you experience OCD and help you prepare when symptoms reoccur. This is the roadmap you will need and want when you are in the dark - it will be the compass to guide you back to the shore. And I'm here with you as you navigate!  Get your copy at www.amazon.com! If you are in need of a community of people who can help you feel more accepted, less alone, and more connected to people who understand, please check out my online community for weekly support, monthly classes and events at https://the-ocd-support-community.co.mn If this podcast inspires, supports, and gives you hope and you'd like to support us monthly or sponsor us, please visit our patreon page and become a member. Your contribution will help us continue the podcast and help us provide even more resources for our community! https://www.patreon.com/intrusivethoughtsunmasked

Episode 16: Taking Back What OCD Spoiled In today's episode, I wanted to share a story with you, especially since right now I'm in Seville, Spain and the first time I was here, OCD almost ruined what has turned out to be a lot of love for this country and my experiences here.  I wanted to share this with you because every time I'm here I remember just how far I've come since that trip...and I just want to keep getting stronger.  In this episode, I also wanted to let you know that I published my Relapse Workbook! It's called The OCD Relapse Roadmap: Your Recovery Compass. It's so fitting that it published this week in the midst of being here. This workbook was a labor of love for me, and I'm so excited to give it to you! You can find it on Amazon! If you are in need of a community for people who can help you feel more accepted, less alone, and more connected to people who understand, please check out my online community for weekly support, monthly classes and events at https://the-ocd-support-community.co.mn  If this podcast inspires, supports, and gives you hope and you’d like to support us monthly or sponsor us, please visit our patreon page and become a member. Your contribution will help us continue the podcast and help us provide even more resources for our community! www.patreon.com/intrusivethoughtsunmasked

Episode 15: What 'Real Recovery' Means to Me In today's episode, we have 4 guests who live with OCD sharing what 'real recovery' means to them. What does real recovery even mean? The actuality of being in recovery with OCD can often be vastly different than what we imagine, and this can sometimes cause confusion, distress, and even grief. We sometimes look at OCD as a problem to be 'fixed', or something we can just find 'the key' to and it will all go away. And when we realize that OCD is part of how our brain operates, and we need to work within that reality and within ourselves to create a life with OCD, this may feel overwhelming. This is SO common! And this is why this episode is so important.  You will hear four different accounts of recovery evolution, and what has helped each individual get where they are today. One of the things I love about this episode is how each person stresses the importance of individuality. How are you framing your recovery, and what do you need to work through to continue to push farther into it? These are individual questions and the answers can take us in so many incredible directions. Because recovery from OCD is about discovery - the discovery of who we are with OCD, and knowing that we are still worthy and deserving regardless. Recovery for OCD isn't about 'fixing' our brain, it's about adapting and finding out who we are with it. And I hope this episode inspires you to believe that about yourself! If you are in need of a community of people who can help you feel more accepted, less alone, and more connected to people who understand, please check out my online community for weekly support, monthly classes and events at https://the-ocd-support-community.co.mn If this podcast inspires, supports, and gives you hope and you'd like to support us monthly or sponsor us, please visit our patreon page and become a member. Your contribution will help us continue the podcast and help us provide even more resources for our community! https://www.patreon.com/intrusivethoughtsunmasked

Episode 14: Today we are talking with Natasha Daniels, therapist and advocate and educator for parents who have kids with OCD / anxiety. Natasha is a parent of kids living with disorders and she also lives with anxiety. Today we have a discussion that ranges from the emotional journey for the parents and obstacles they deal with, to attachment styles and how it can sometimes be difficult to understand each other's roles because often both the parents AND the child are suffering - and both silently because of shame and guilt.  This is a very thoughtful and insightful conversation as always with Natasha! She is such a valuable resource for our community and is amazing at helping parents feel heard and seen in their struggle to try to do the best for their kids.  To find out more about Natasha - find her on TikTok and Instagram at @childocdtherapist  If you are in need of a community of people who can help you feel more accepted, less alone, and more connected to people who understand, please check out my online community for weekly support, monthly classes and events at https://the-ocd-support-community.co.mn If this podcast inspires, supports, and gives you hope and you'd like to support us monthly or sponsor us, please visit our patreon page and become a member. Your contribution will help us continue the podcast and help us provide even more resources for our community! https://www.patreon.com/intrusivethoughtsunmasked

Welcome to Episode 13! Today is a day of storytelling. I was on holiday last week in the Bahamas...a very sacred place of annual rest, relaxation, and ... um, yes - often painful realizations after time spent without distraction and intentional introspection.  When I'm alone with my brain, very wild things happen apparently, and today I'm going to tell you a couple stories about what I've learned and how it's helped me in my healing and recovery journey, despite how painful and filled with grief it was and still sometimes is.  This episode is a bit stream of consciousness, so I hope it resonates and makes sense (lol!). It felt good and cathartic to share with you some of these things that hit home for me when I least expected. And I think these things are important for us to share, so we know we aren't alone when putting the puzzle of...well ourselves...together.  if you are in need of a community of people who can help you feel more accepted, less alone, and more connected to people who understand, please check out my online community for weekly support, monthly classes and events at https://the-ocd-support-community.co.mn If this podcast inspires, supports, and gives you hope and you'd like to support us monthly or sponsor us, please visit our patreon page and become a member. Your contribution will help us continue the podcast and help us provide even more resources for our community! https://www.patreon.com/intrusivethoughtsunmasked