AT Parenting Survival | Raising Kids with OCD & Anxiety

Epizode

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  What Parents Get Wrong When Deciding Whether OCD Treatment Is Working 04.08.2026 41min

  It can be hard to tell whether OCD treatment is helping, especially when compulsions haven’t noticeably decreased, distress seems higher, or new themes suddenly appear.But progress is not always measured by how quiet OCD looks on the outside. Sometimes treatment is preventing OCD from getting worse. Sometimes a therapist is building trust and readiness before beginning ERP. And sometimes increased distress is a sign that your child is learning to face discomfort instead of immediately escaping it.In this episode, I’ll walk through the common ways parents misjudge treatment progress and the less obvious signs that therapy may be working, from greater openness and willingness to attend, to applying skills across themes, doing more of what OCD once blocked, and beginning to feel more hopeful.Download the free episode handout at www.natashadaniels.com/handouts and explore my OCD courses for parents, kids, and teens at atparentingsurvivalschool.com.***This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go tohttps://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parentingThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.Parents, do you need more support?  🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:https://atparentingsurvivalschool.comJoin the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):https://atparentingcommunity.comTake one of my FREE webinars:www.Natashadaniels.com/webinarsCheck out my books: www.Natashadaniels.com/books🌸 Other social places I hang out:http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  What Parents Get Wrong About OCD Intrusive Thoughts 28.07.2026 47min

  If your child has OCD, you’ve probably spent countless hours trying to make their intrusive thoughts go away. It’s an understandable instinct, but it’s also one of the biggest misconceptions about OCD.In this episode, I’ll unpack the common misunderstandings parents have about OCD intrusive thoughts and explain why many well-intentioned responses can accidentally keep OCD going. We’ll talk about why recovery isn’t about eliminating intrusive thoughts, why logic and reassurance rarely work, how OCD follows predictable themes and core fears, and what ERP is actually designed to do.When you understand how intrusive thoughts really work, you’ll stop chasing the content of OCD and start helping your child build the skills that lead to lasting recovery.Whether your child struggles with harm OCD, contamination OCD, moral OCD, relationship OCD, or another theme entirely, this episode will help you respond with more confidence and less fear.🧡 To get today’s PDF handout go to www.natashadaniels.com/handouts***This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go tohttps://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parentingThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.Parents, do you need more support?  🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:https://atparentingsurvivalschool.comJoin the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):https://atparentingcommunity.comTake one of my FREE webinars:www.Natashadaniels.com/webinarsCheck out my books: www.Natashadaniels.com/books🌸 Other social places I hang out:http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The 7 Parenting Traps That Quietly Keep OCD in Charge 21.07.2026 44min

  As parents, we naturally want to comfort, protect, and help our children. But when OCD enters the picture, some of our most loving instincts can unintentionally keep the OCD cycle going.In this episode, I walk through seven common parenting traps that quietly strengthen OCD, not because you’re doing anything wrong, but because OCD is incredibly good at recruiting parents into its game.These are subtle shifts, but they can dramatically change how you respond to OCD, and how your child learns to respond to it too.Download the free PDF handout for this episode: www.natashadaniels.com/handouts⁠🧡 Want more support?If you’re ready to stop feeling like you’re figuring this out alone, I’d love to welcome you into the AT Parenting Community. Inside, you’ll get access to my main courses, weekly live classes, a private parent community, monthly calls for parents, kids, and teens, practical tools you can use right away, and ongoing guidance to help you confidently navigate OCD and anxiety.Learn more and join us at: www.atparentingcommunity.com⁠ doors close on July 23, 2026.******This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go tohttps://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parentingThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.Parents, do you need more support?  🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:https://atparentingsurvivalschool.comJoin the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):https://atparentingcommunity.comTake one of my FREE webinars:www.Natashadaniels.com/webinarsCheck out my books: www.Natashadaniels.com/books🌸 Other social places I hang out:http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Growing Up with OCD: Izzy’s Story of Courage and Determination 14.07.2026 36min

  Growing up with OCD isn’t easy, especially when it tries to convince you to give up the things you love.In this episode, I sit down with Izzy, a child in The AT Parenting Community kids support group, as she shares her personal journey with OCD. She opens up about when her symptoms began, what it has been like navigating treatment, and how she has learned to keep pursuing the activities she’s passionate about, even when OCD tells her not to.Izzy’s story is an honest and inspiring reminder that courage isn’t about feeling fearless. It’s about continuing to move toward what matters, even when OCD is loud.Whether you’re raising a child with OCD or your child is struggling to believe recovery is possible, I hope Izzy’s story offers hope and encouragement.Sometimes the most powerful encouragement comes from hearing another child’s story. I know Izzy’s willingness to share hers will inspire so many families.Links Mentioned in Episode:Join the AT Parenting Community. Doors close July 23, 2026.***This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go tohttps://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parentingThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.Parents, do you need more support?  🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:https://atparentingsurvivalschool.comJoin the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):https://atparentingcommunity.comTake one of my FREE webinars:www.Natashadaniels.com/webinarsCheck out my books: www.Natashadaniels.com/books🌸 Other social places I hang out:http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Learning to Parent the Child You Have, Not the Child You Expected 07.07.2026 51min

  Every parent begins their journey with hopes and expectations. We imagine what family life will look like, what milestones our children will reach, and the experiences we’ll share together. But when anxiety, OCD, autism, ADHD, chronic illness, or other challenges change that picture, many parents find themselves quietly grieving the life they thought they’d have.In this episode, we talk about the difference between grieving and getting stuck in grief. You’ll learn why it’s okay to mourn the expectations you once held, how societal pressures and comparisons can make parenting even harder, and why clinging to artificial timelines often creates unnecessary stress for both you and your child.We’ll also explore what it means to truly parent the child in front of you, not the child you imagined. Every child needs something different, and learning when to gently push, when to pause, and how to adjust your approach can transform your relationship and help your child thrive.Ultimately, our goal isn’t to raise children who check every box or meet every milestone on someone else’s schedule. It’s to raise children who feel empowered, heard, loved, and willing to keep trying, even when life doesn’t go as planned.If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re doing enough, worried your child is falling behind, or found yourself grieving the parenting journey you expected, this episode is for you.Resources Mentioned:Get the free PDF handout of this episode Register here for the FREE parenting series: How to Be an Anchor for Your Child with Anxiety or OCD***This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go tohttps://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parentingThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.Parents, do you need more support?  🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:https://atparentingsurvivalschool.comJoin the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):https://atparentingcommunity.comTake one of my FREE webinars:www.Natashadaniels.com/webinarsCheck out my books: www.Natashadaniels.com/books🌸 Other social places I hang out:http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  8 Signs You Don’t Fully Understand Your Child’s OCD 30.06.2026 45min

  Even the most dedicated parents can unintentionally miss what OCD is really doing.If you’ve ever wondered why your child’s OCD keeps changing, why the same strategies don’t seem to work anymore, or why treatment feels like it’s not getting to the root of the problem, this episode is for you.In this episode, I’ll walk you through eight common signs that you may be viewing your child’s OCD through a lens that keeps you focused on the surface instead of what’s driving it underneath. When you begin to understand how OCD actually operates, you’ll know what to pay attention to, what to stop chasing, and how to respond in ways that support lasting recovery.This episode will help you shift from reacting to OCD’s content to understanding its patterns—so you can parent with more confidence and help your child make meaningful progress.Resources Mentioned:• Get the free podcast PDF Handout of this episode• Parent Course: How to Teach Kids to Crush OCD• Video: How OCD is Like an Octopus• Podcast: When Reassurance Becomes an OCD Compulsion: How to Respond Differently• Podcast: When OCD Recovery Feels Worse Before It Feels Better***This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go tohttps://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parentingThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.Parents, do you need more support?  🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:https://atparentingsurvivalschool.comJoin the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):https://atparentingcommunity.comTake one of my FREE webinars:www.Natashadaniels.com/webinarsCheck out my books: www.Natashadaniels.com/books🌸 Other social places I hang out:http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  When OCD Recovery Feels Worse Before It Feels Better 23.06.2026 48min

  Starting treatment for OCD can be one of the most hopeful steps a family takes, but it can also be one of the most confusing. Many parents expect that once their child begins therapy, exposures, or a new approach at home, things should immediately improve. Instead, they are often surprised when anxiety spikes, meltdowns increase, or OCD seems louder than ever.In this episode, I explore why OCD recovery can initially feel worse before it feels better. OCD thrives on avoidance, distraction, reassurance, and other coping strategies that provide short term relief. When children begin treatment, they often stop relying on those unhealthy coping mechanisms and start facing their fears directly. While this is an important part of recovery, it can temporarily make anxiety and distress feel more intense.I explain how OCD is not a passive disorder. It actively fights back when challenged. It may convince children that therapy is making them worse, tell them not to talk about their fears, flood them with more intrusive thoughts, or create intense distress during ERP and other evidence based approaches. Parents using strategies like SPACE may also notice an increase in emotional reactions as OCD loses its grip.Parents will learn why these early bumps in the road are often a normal part of the recovery process and how to prepare for them. I share practical ways to set expectations, build coping skills, develop a plan for tolerating distress, communicate effectively with therapists, and support children without pushing them too far too fast.If you have ever wondered whether treatment is working because things seem harder than before, this episode will help you understand what may really be happening and how to stay the course with confidence.Resources Mentioned in Episode:Free Anchor Series for parentsClick here to get your PDF Handout for this episodeYouTube video on how OCD sabotages therapyYouTube video on how OCD shuts down communicationMy BooksMy Kids and Teen OCD Course***This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go tohttps://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parentingThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.Parents, do you need more support?  🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:https://atparentingsurvivalschool.comJoin the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):https://atparentingcommunity.comTake one of my FREE webinars:www.Natashadaniels.com/webinarsCheck out my books: www.Natashadaniels.com/books🌸 Other social places I hang out:http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Common OCD Themes Even Therapists Sometimes Miss 16.06.2026 55min

  Many OCD themes are frequently misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or completely overlooked because they don’t match the stereotypes most people associate with OCD. In this episode, I dive into the OCD themes that often fly under the radar, including Moral OCD, Harm OCD, POCD, SOCD, ROCD, disgust based OCD, symmetry OCD, and Just Right OCD.I talk about how these themes can present in children and teens, why they are often mistaken for anxiety, behavioral issues, personality traits, or even hidden desires, and how shame and mental compulsions can keep kids struggling silently for years.You’ll also learn why OCD is not always driven by fear. Some themes are fueled by disgust, discomfort, uncertainty, or an overwhelming feeling that something is “off” or incomplete. I break down how OCD can lead to reassurance seeking, confession, avoidance, mental reviewing, and hidden rituals that many parents and even therapists may miss.I also discuss what parents can do if they suspect OCD is being overlooked, including how to educate themselves on OCD themes, help their child understand what OCD is doing, trust their gut, and seek out proper OCD specific support and ERP therapy.If your child has ever struggled with intrusive thoughts, shame around certain thoughts or feelings, hidden compulsions, or behaviors that never fully made sense through a traditional anxiety lens, this episode will help you better understand what may really be happening beneath the surface.Resources Discussed in Episode:Join our FREE series: How to Be an Effective Anchor for Your Kids with OCDGet your PDF handout of today’s episode here.OCD Therapy through NOCDOCD Therapist DirectoryKids and Teen Course on OCDFREE Therapist Workshop on OCDCrushing OCD Workbook for KidsChloe and The Bossy Cloud OCD Picture BookBTTI OCD TrainingTexas OCD Institute***This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go tohttps://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parentingThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.Parents, do you need more support?  🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:https://atparentingsurvivalschool.comJoin the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):https://atparentingcommunity.comTake one of my FREE webinars:www.Natashadaniels.com/webinarsCheck out my books: www.Natashadaniels.com/books🌸 Other social places I hang out:http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  How to Help Kids When the Fear of Throwing Up Takes Over 09.06.2026 46min

  When the fear of throwing up begins to take over a child’s daily life, it can quietly shrink their world. School, eating, travel, social events, exercise, sleepovers, restaurants, and even ordinary conversations can suddenly feel unsafe.In this week’s AT Parenting Survival Podcast, I’m talking all about emetophobia, the intense fear of vomiting, and how it can show up as both anxiety and OCD.We’ll explore the hidden compulsions that often fuel this disorder, including reassurance seeking, body checking, food restriction, avoidance, hyperfixation on nausea, and the constant need to prevent getting sick.I’ll also discuss:• Why emetophobia is not caused by trauma, even though a traumatic illness experience can trigger it• How avoidance quietly strengthens the fear over time• Why reassurance rarely helps long term• The difference between empowering your child versus protecting the disorder• How to identify the core fear driving the emetophobia• What exposures can look like for vomiting fears• How ERP therapy can help kids reclaim their livesIf your child’s fear of throwing up is beginning to control daily life, this episode will help you better understand what is happening beneath the surface and how to support recovery in a compassionate, therapeutic way.Resources from this episode:Get the PDF Handout for this episodeEmetophobia Videos:https://youtu.be/mvQlW3iSU5U?si=b-UBrQdNR7ze0gKxhttps://youtu.be/cclkHTOX0co?si=tuSIySbvUlVdzBuihttps://youtu.be/oShDAdBugJ0?si=MfdwLU2xx1xocR9chttps://youtu.be/KvhjJqSXDRw?si=aJiOJKyJn1LYUdGZBooks Mentioned:Anxiety Sucks: A Teen Survival Guide by Natasha DanielsOvercoming Emetophobia Exposure Workbook by Natasha DanielsGuts by Raina TelgemeierFacing Mighty Fears About Throwing Up by Dawn Huebner***This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go tohttps://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parentingThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.Parents, do you need more support?  🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:https://atparentingsurvivalschool.comJoin the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):https://atparentingcommunity.comTake one of my FREE webinars:www.Natashadaniels.com/webinarsCheck out my books: www.Natashadaniels.com/books🌸 Other social places I hang out:http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Is Your Child’s “Defiance” Actually Caused by OCD? 02.06.2026 51min

  Defiance can be one of the most misunderstood signs of OCD in children and teens.When kids refuse to touch certain things, avoid everyday tasks, struggle with homework, take excessive time completing routines, or seem resistant to basic expectations, it can easily look like oppositional behavior. But underneath that behavior may be intrusive fears, avoidance compulsions, contamination concerns, or “just right” OCD driving their actions.In this episode, I explore how hidden OCD symptoms are often mistaken for defiance, difficult behavior, or laziness, leading parents, teachers, and even therapists to respond in ways that may unintentionally worsen the cycle. I break down common household, school, and daily life behaviors that may actually be rooted in OCD, and explain how parents can better identify the true source of the struggle.You’ll learn how to dig deeper beneath the behavior, ask more effective questions, and determine whether your child needs discipline, boundaries, or therapeutic support through exposure and response prevention (ERP).If you are a parent who has ever wondered whether your child’s “bad behavior” may actually be part of their OCD, this episode will help you better understand what may really be happening beneath the surface.To get this episode’s PDF handout go to www.natashadaniels.com/handoutsGet the course: How to Handle Difficult Behavior Caused by Anxiety or OCD***This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go tohttps://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parentingThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.Parents, do you need more support?  🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:https://atparentingsurvivalschool.comJoin the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):https://atparentingcommunity.comTake one of my FREE webinars:www.Natashadaniels.com/webinarsCheck out my books: www.Natashadaniels.com/books🌸 Other social places I hang out:http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Things Parents Often Miss in Kids with Contamination OCD 26.05.2026 47min

  Contamination OCD is often much more complex than many parents realize. It is not always about germs, handwashing, or obvious fears of illness. For many kids, contamination OCD can center around chemicals, certain people, objects, or even an intense feeling of disgust rather than fear.In this episode, Natasha breaks down the subtle ways contamination OCD can be missed, misunderstood, or accidentally reinforced. Parents often focus on visible avoidance without recognizing the true “ground zero” of contamination, the original trigger or core fear driving the OCD cycle. Understanding that core fear or disgust response is essential for effective support.Parents will also learn why appeasing OCD or rationalizing with it can unintentionally strengthen the cycle.If your child struggles with contamination fears, disgust triggers, or confusing avoidance behaviors, this episode will help you better understand what may really be happening and how to respond more effectively.Resources Talked About in Episode:OCD Treatment:NOCD virtual OCD TherapyIOCDF Provider Directory Videos on Contamination OCD: How to Handle Contamination OCD Trying to Beat Contamination OCD? OCD Doesn’t Play Fair Understanding Ground Zero in Contamination OCD Disgust Based Contamination OCD Offense vs Defense for OCDHandouts and Courses: OCD Themes PDFHow to find the Core Fear Workshop SPACE Study Guide***This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go tohttps://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parentingThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.Parents, do you need more support?  🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:https://atparentingsurvivalschool.comJoin the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):https://atparentingcommunity.comTake one of my FREE webinars:www.Natashadaniels.com/webinarsCheck out my books: www.Natashadaniels.com/books🌸 Other social places I hang out:http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  When Parents Become the “OCD Police” (And What to Do Instead) 19.05.2026 48min

  Watching our kids struggle with OCD can feel overwhelming, exhausting, and emotionally draining. When we understand OCD and begin recognizing compulsions more clearly, many of us naturally shift from accommodating behaviors… to hyper-focusing on every compulsion, reassurance loop, and avoidance pattern.This is what I call becoming the “OCD police.”In this episode, I explore how parents can unintentionally move from helping to over-monitoring, constantly pointing out compulsions, questioning behaviors, and trying to control OCD at every turn. While this often comes from a place of deep love and fear, hypervigilance can damage trust, increase shame, and create communication breakdowns.I discuss why becoming the OCD police can backfire, how it may cause kids to hide symptoms or shut down, and why managing OCD isn’t about catching every compulsion.Most importantly, I break down what to do instead.You’ll learn how to shift from policing to coaching, how to prioritize the compulsions that involve you, when to push, when to pause, and how to build skills without sacrificing connection.If you are a parent who feels stuck between accommodating and over-correcting, this episode will help you find the middle ground that truly supports healing.Resources Discussed on Episode:When to Push and When to Pause www.childocdtherapist.com/power-of-the-pause/SPACE Study Course www.atparentingsurvivalseries.com/space/AT Parenting Community www.atparentingcommunity.comPulling Back OCD Accommodations www.childocdtherapist.com/pulling-back-ocd-accommodations/Trust and Communication www.childocdtherapist.com/trust-and-communication/How to Help Kids with Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors www.childocdtherapist.com/how-to-address-picking-and-pulling-behaviors/***This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go tohttps://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parentingThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.Parents, do you need more support?  🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:https://atparentingsurvivalschool.comJoin the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):https://atparentingcommunity.comTake one of my FREE webinars:www.Natashadaniels.com/webinarsCheck out my books: www.Natashadaniels.com/books🌸 Other social places I hang out:http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Helping Kids with Just Right OCD 12.05.2026 38min

  “Just right” OCD can be one of the most confusing forms of OCD for parents, because it doesn’t look like fear.In this episode, we’re unpacking what it means when OCD is driven by a feeling instead of a specific fear. That internal sense that something is off, incomplete, or not quite right can keep kids stuck in loops that are hard to explain and even harder to stop.You’ll learn how “just right” OCD can show up across daily life, from words and writing to clothes, shoes, grooming, and even how they move through their environment. We’ll also clarify common misconceptions, including why this isn’t perfectionism, how it differs from sensory processing challenges, and where Tourettic OCD fits into the picture.Most importantly, we’ll walk through how to start helping your child break free from these patterns using evidence-based approaches like ERP, including practicing things “not just right,” delaying compulsions, and resisting the urge to complete the loop for them. We’ll also touch on how parents can use a SPACE-informed approach to reduce accommodation and support their child more effectively.If your child gets stuck needing things to feel right before they can move on, this episode will help you understand what’s really going on and how to begin supporting them in a way that builds long-term resilience.Resources for this Episode:Get the PDF Handout for this episode: www.natashadaniels.com/handoutsYoutube video: How to Handle Just Right OCD Youtube video: Just Right OCD and Clothes Youtube video: Just Right OCD and Your Words Youtube video: When OCD Isn’t About a Fear, But a FeelingPodcast on Tourettic OCD ***This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go tohttps://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parentingThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.Parents, do you need more support?  🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:https://atparentingsurvivalschool.comJoin the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):https://atparentingcommunity.comTake one of my FREE webinars:www.Natashadaniels.com/webinarsCheck out my books: www.Natashadaniels.com/books🌸 Other social places I hang out:http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Why Trying to “Reason” With Your Child’s OCD Backfires 05.05.2026 40min

  It feels so natural to explain, reassure, and try to calm your child down when OCD is loud. After all, that’s how we solve problems in real life. But OCD doesn’t play by those rules.When we try to reason with OCD, we often get pulled deeper into its loop, answering more questions, giving more explanations, and still watching our child struggle.In this episode, I talk about why reasoning and reassurance can quietly fuel OCD, what’s actually happening in your child’s brain in those moments, and how to start shifting your role from “problem solver” to “anchor.”If you are a parent who finds yourself repeating the same answers over and over, or watching your child feel better for a moment only to spiral again, this episode will help you understand why and what to do instead.Links mentioned in episode:PDF handoutSPACE Study CourseVideo on Reassurance as an OCD CompulsionVideo on Confessing as an OCD Compulsion***This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go tohttps://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parentingThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.Parents, do you need more support?  🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:https://atparentingsurvivalschool.comJoin the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):https://atparentingcommunity.comTake one of my FREE webinars:www.Natashadaniels.com/webinarsCheck out my books: www.Natashadaniels.com/books🌸 Other social places I hang out:http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The 3 Stages Parents Go Through When Learning to Handle OCD (and Where You Might Be Stuck) 28.04.2026 47min

  Most parents think the hardest part of raising a child with anxiety or OCD is figuring out what to do.But the truth is, learning the skills is just the beginning.In this episode, I walk you through the three stages parents naturally move through when learning to handle OCD, from that first moment of awareness, to the messy middle of trying to implement strategies, to the point where things start to feel more integrated and sustainable.Because knowing what to do and being able to actually do it consistently are two very different things.If you’ve ever found yourself second-guessing your responses, feeling stuck in patterns you know aren’t helping, or wondering why this feels so much harder than it “should,” you are not alone.This episode will help you understand where you are in the process and why that middle stage can feel so overwhelming, even when you’re doing everything “right.”And more importantly, it will help you see what kind of support actually makes a difference as you move forward.If you are a parent who knows what to do but struggles to follow through consistently, or you feel stuck in that in-between stage where nothing quite clicks yet, this episode is for you.❤️ For more in-depth support join the AT Parenting Community where we walk this journey with you.Resources: IOCDF Treatment GuidelinePodcast episode: The Power of the Pause***This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go tohttps://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parentingThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.Parents, do you need more support?  🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:https://atparentingsurvivalschool.comJoin the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):https://atparentingcommunity.comTake one of my FREE webinars:www.Natashadaniels.com/webinarsCheck out my books: www.Natashadaniels.com/books🌸 Other social places I hang out:http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Why Adjusting Expectations Matters When Parenting a Child with Anxiety or OCD 21.04.2026 46min

  When you’re parenting a child with anxiety or OCD, it’s easy to get caught in a constant push to fix, improve, and move things forward. But when our expectations don’t match where our child actually is, it can quietly create more frustration, more pressure, and more disconnection for everyone involved.In this episode, we explore how to recognize when expectations are starting to do more harm than good, why they develop in the first place, and how to gently adjust them without losing hope or momentum. You’ll learn how to shift from pushing for outcomes to supporting capacity, so your child can build skills in a way that actually sticks, and you can find more peace in the process.If you are a parent who feels stuck between wanting more for your child and feeling discouraged by where things are, this episode will help you reset your expectations in a way that supports both growth and connection.❤️Join my free series at www.atparentingsurvivalseries.comGet the handout for this episode at www.natashadaniels.com/handouts ***This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go tohttps://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parentingThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.Parents, do you need more support?  🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:https://atparentingsurvivalschool.comJoin the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):https://atparentingcommunity.comTake one of my FREE webinars:www.Natashadaniels.com/webinarsCheck out my books: www.Natashadaniels.com/books🌸 Other social places I hang out:http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  What Good Communication Actually Looks Like with Anxiety and OCD 14.04.2026 54min

  Good communication can feel like the missing piece when you’re raising a child with anxiety or OCD. You’re talking, explaining, reassuring, and trying to help, but somehow the conversations still feel stuck, tense, or like they’re going nowhere.In this episode, I unpack what good communication actually looks like, and why it’s not about saying the perfect thing or fixing the problem in the moment. We’ll talk about how communication builds trust, how to recognize what might be shutting it down, and why slowing down and focusing on connection can often move things forward more than pushing for change.If you are a parent who feels like every conversation turns into a struggle, or your child shuts down, gets defensive, or won’t open up, this episode will help you rethink where to start and how to create the kind of communication that actually supports progress.📍 Join my FREE series: Survival Tools for Parents Raising Kids with Anxiety or OCD***This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go tohttps://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parentingThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.Parents, do you need more support?  🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:https://atparentingsurvivalschool.comJoin the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):https://atparentingcommunity.comTake one of my FREE webinars:www.Natashadaniels.com/webinarsCheck out my books: www.Natashadaniels.com/books🌸 Other social places I hang out:http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The Power of the Pause in Your Child’s Anxiety and OCD 07.04.2026 45min

  When our child is anxious or stuck in OCD, everything can feel urgent. The questions, the reassurance seeking, the distress, the pressure to fix it right away. As parents, our instinct is often to respond quickly so we can calm things down. But sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is pause.In this episode, I talk about the power of the pause and why slowing down our response can actually help our kids build resilience and break the anxiety and OCD cycle. A pause gives us space to respond intentionally instead of reacting out of stress, fear, or urgency. It also models for our kids that discomfort doesn’t have to be solved immediately.If you are a parent who feels pulled to jump in quickly when your child is anxious, asks for reassurance, or gets stuck in OCD loops, this episode will help you see how a small pause can create big shifts in how you support your child.🧡 Register for my free series Survival Tools for Parents Raising Kids with Anxiety or OCDLinks mentioned in podcast:OCD Reassurance videoPodcast: How to Use Reassurance CardsPodcast: How to Create an Effective Incentive PlanPodcast: How to Help Kids with Perfectionism***This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go tohttps://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parentingThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.Parents, do you need more support?  🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:https://atparentingsurvivalschool.comJoin the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):https://atparentingcommunity.comTake one of my FREE webinars:www.Natashadaniels.com/webinarsCheck out my books: www.Natashadaniels.com/books🌸 Other social places I hang out:http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  An Important Difference Between Anxiety vs OCD Reassurance 31.03.2026 40min

  Parents often hear the same questions from their child again and again, and it can be hard to know if answering is helping or making things worse. In this episode, I break down the important difference between anxiety reassurance and OCD reassurance.While they can look similar on the surface, they serve very different purposes. Anxiety reassurance often comes from a child not trusting their ability to cope, while OCD reassurance acts as a compulsion that keeps the OCD cycle going. Knowing the difference can change how you respond.If you are a parent who feels stuck answering the same worries, fears, or “what if” questions, this episode will help you understand when reassurance supports your child and when it unintentionally grows anxiety and OCD.Links discussed during episode:Get the PDF handout for this episode hereFree series: Survival Tools for Parents Raising Kids with Anxiety or OCDThe SPACE Study Guide CourseVideo: How Reassurance is a CompulsionPodcast: How to Use Reassurance CardsPodcast: How to Create an Effective Incentive Plan***This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go tohttps://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parentingThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.Parents, do you need more support?  🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:https://atparentingsurvivalschool.comJoin the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):https://atparentingcommunity.comTake one of my FREE webinars:www.Natashadaniels.com/webinarsCheck out my books: www.Natashadaniels.com/books🌸 Other social places I hang out:http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  ARFID: Is It OCD, Anxiety, or an Eating Disorder? 24.03.2026 59min

  ARFID can look like OCD, anxiety, extreme picky eating, or even a traditional eating disorder, which is why so many parents feel confused about what they are actually dealing with. In this episode, I break down the five types of ARFID, avoidant, aversive, restrictive, mixed, and ARFID plus, and explain how each one presents differently.We also talk about how ARFID overlaps with OCD and anxiety, when exposure and response prevention is the right fit, and when a feeding therapist or occupational therapist may be the better route. Understanding what is driving your child’s food restriction is the key to getting the right help.If you are a parent trying to figure out whether your child’s eating struggles are fear based, sensory based, or something else entirely, this episode will give you clarity and direction.Resources mentioned in episode:PANDAS NetworkAspireAnxiety Specialists of Atlanta - Dr. Megan FayePsypact mapEquip ARFID ProgramThe Emily ProgramKate Farm’s Protein ShakesBoost Very high Calorie Drink Free upcoming series: Survival Tools for Parents Raising Kids with Anxiety or OCD******This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go tohttps://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parentingThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.Parents, do you need more support?  🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:https://atparentingsurvivalschool.comJoin the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):https://atparentingcommunity.comTake one of my FREE webinars:www.Natashadaniels.com/webinarsCheck out my books: www.Natashadaniels.com/books🌸 Other social places I hang out:http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvivalhttp://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.