The OCD Stories

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  Natalia Aíza: Self-Guided Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy for OCD (#555) 13.09.2026 47dk

  In episode 555 I chat with Natalia Aíza. Natalia, LPC, is a therapist, writer, and mental health advocate. She is the founder of Kairos Wellness Collective, an innovative therapy center specializing in OCD and Anxiety Disorders. She is the author of Self-Guided Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy for OCD, Self-Guided EMDR Workbook, and the forthcoming Anxious to Launch: Empowered Parenting Skills to Nudge Your Adult Child Out of the Nest. We discuss her story, getting distracted by trauma in her own recovery, doing therapy in China, her self-guided exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) workbook, doing compassionate ERP, and her new book anxious to launch, supporting young adults struggling to leave home, her new EMDR book, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/natalia-555  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  
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  Story: Pat (religious and relationship OCD, pOCD, ERP) (#554) 06.09.2026 31dk

  In episode 554 I chat with Pat who has kindly agreed to share his story with us. We discuss getting diagnosed, religious themed OCD, relationship themed OCD around friendships, pOCD, switching themes, speaking to his workplace about his OCD, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), his compulsions, creative ways of expressing himself, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/pat-554  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  
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  Ashley Ordway and Victoria Schweiger: OCD Summer camps for kids (#553) 30.08.2026 43dk

  In episode 553 I chat with Ashley Ordway and Victoria Schweiger. Ashley is a licensed mental health counselor and acting President of the Board at JACK MHA. Ashley's work at the University of Florida Health was foundational in developing the University of Florida's Fear Facers Camp, one of the first in the nation, which provides treatment to children ages 7- 15 with OCD. Ashley also runs her private practice at Magnolia Behavioral Health. Victoria is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor at the Anxiety and OCD Treatment Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Ashley and Victoria are part of a team that runs JACK's Plant A Camp initiative.  We discuss their therapy backgrounds, their kids summer camps through JACK, the Plant A Camp initiative, what the camps look like, making exposure engaging for the kids and teens, helping kids feel connected to other kids, shame in OCD, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) games, community, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/ashley-and-victoria-553 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  
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  Story: Andrea (existential and sensory OCD, Bergen 4-day treatment) (#552) 23.08.2026 47dk

  In episode 552 I chat with Andrea who has kindly agreed to share her story with us. We discuss panic attacks, existential OCD, some OCD worries including what if gravity ceases to exist and what if my eyes roll up into my head, a core fear of living with suffering, her experiences at the Bergen 4-Day Treatment (B4DT), mental compulsions being missed in therapy, gender dysphoria and gender treatments, sensorimotor OCD, tools that helped her, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/andrea-552 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  
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  Story: Andrew (sexual orientation OCD, psilocybin, therapy) (#551) 16.08.2026 57dk

  In episode 551 I chat with Andrew who has kindly agreed to share his story with us. We discuss his story, how a bad experience with psilocybin triggered his OCD, trying to control thoughts, medication, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), sexual orientation themed OCD, compassion focused therapy (CFT), internal family systems therapy (IFS), working with parts of himself, meditation, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/andrew-551 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  
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  Chrissie Hodges: The OCD Relapse Roadmap (#550) 09.08.2026 42dk

  In episode 550 I chat with Chrissie Hodges. Chrissie is a Peer Support specialist, founder of OCD Gamechangers, and Author of 'Pure OCD: The Invisible Side of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder' and 'The OCD Relapse Roadmap'. Chrissie was awarded the hero award at the 24th IOCDF conference in San Fran. We discuss what's new with her, her new book The OCD Relapse Roadmap, relapses in OCD, relapse prevention, the aspects and features of a relapse, having a plan for potential relapses, acceptance, and much more. Hope it helps.  Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/chrissie-550 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 
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  Justin Hughes and Dr Ted Witzig, Jr.: The Christian's Guide to Overcoming OCD (#549) 02.08.2026 54dk

  In episode 549 I chat with Justin Hughes and Ted Witzig, Jr. PhD. Justin, MA, LPC, is a therapist and author specializing in OCD and anxiety. A CBT practitioner trained in psychology and theology (Dallas Theological Seminary), he bridges mental health and faith. Ted, PhD is a clinical psychologist and pastor.  His roles give him a special desire to help those whose OCD has become entwined in religious and moral matters.  We discuss their therapy backgrounds, Justin's book The Christian's Guide to Overcoming OCD, the integration of faith and therapy, parental accommodation, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/justin-ted-549 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 
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  Rebecca and Dr Jeremy Rowe: Rebecca shares her OCD story and how her work with Jeremy helped (Relationship OCD, RF-ERP) (#548) 26.07.2026 1sa 1dk

  In episode 548 I chat with Rebecca and Dr Jeremy Rowe. Rebecca kindly agreed to share her OCD story and her therapy work with Dr Jeremy Rowe with us. Jeremy is a chartered psychologist and clinical director of Ark Psychology, a UK-based independent practice providing specialist OCD treatment, ADHD and autism assessments, psychological therapy, and coaching. With over 25 years' experience across the NHS, private practice, and the criminal justice system, Jeremy has a particular interest in Rumination-Focused ERP for OCD and integrating evidence-based approaches with a deeper understanding of the emotional and relational processes that underpin obsessive-compulsive difficulties. We discuss Rebecca's OCD story, her therapy work with Jeremy, relationship OCD (ROCD), rumination-focused exposure and response prevention therapy (RF-ERP), medication, Rebecca exploring her past in the context of her OCD, figuring out one's own OCD story, words of hope and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/rebecca-jeremy-548 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 
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  Story: Nathaniel Wood (Intrusive thoughts, UFC) (#547) 19.07.2026 38dk

  In episode 547 I chat with Nathaniel Wood. Nathaniel is an English professional mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC. He has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us. We discuss his OCD story, hit and run themed OCD, intrusive thoughts, health anxiety, religious themed OCD, medication, fighting in the UFC, having things to focus on, therapy, what helps Nathaniel, words of hope and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nathaniel-547 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 
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  Dr Peter Aston: Treating OCD in professional athletes (#546) 12.07.2026 55dk

  In episode 546 I chat with Dr Peter Aston. Dr. Pete Aston is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, where he specialises in the treatment of OCD, health anxiety, and related conditions using exposure and response prevention (ERP). He is also the co-founder of California Psychology Center, a Bay Area group practice focused on OCD and anxiety disorders. In addition, Pete serves as the team psychologist for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League, where he works with professional athletes on performance, resilience, and mental health. We discuss working with the San Jose sharks NHL team, why he works with OCD, anxiety and OCD in athletes, prevalence of OCD in athletes, performance anxiety, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), how OCD can affect athletes, and much more. Hope it helps.  Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/peter-546 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 
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  Duke Al shares his OCD poems (#545) 05.07.2026 57dk

  In episode 545 I chat with Duke Al. Duke is a spoken word artist and OCD advocate. In this episode Duke reads some of his poems about OCD and explains the meanings behind them, including a new one partially inspired by a bit of my own story, he talks the power of poetry, and how he used poetry as a self-therapy, and much more. Hope it helps. Poems read: Poetry and rhyme  A Letter to myself about letters  Dear Chris I wish  Little Duke Numbers, prayers, checks  A couple brand new poems currently untitled Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/duke-545 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 
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  Story: Nicole Sophia (Suicidal, Sexual Orientation, and Relationship themes of OCD, self-compassion and her music) (#544) 28.06.2026 42dk

  In episode 544 I chat with Nicole Sophia who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.  We discuss suicidal themed OCD, getting diagnosed young, meeting Dan Siegel, sexual orientation themed OCD, relationship themed OCD, her music, mental compulsions, feeling her feelings, self-compassion, making friends with her OCD, expressing through being a singer song writer, using humour, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/nicole-sophia-544  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 
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  Jonny Say: Self-compassion in OCD recovery (#543) 21.06.2026 43dk

  In episode 543 I chat with Jonny Say. Jonny is a UK based therapist and co-director at The Integrative Centre for OCD Therapy.  We discuss self-compassion, integrating self-compassion into exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), some benefits of self-compassion, the inner critical voice, shame, real event themed OCD, Jonny guides us through an exercise in self-compassion to the past, and much more. Hope it helps.  Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jonny-543 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 Alex and Jonny's CFT for OCD (Integrating Compassion Focused Therapy for OCD) training for therapists: https://www.icocdtraining.co.uk/   Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter 
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  Blakely Hunze-Austin: OCD and Sex (#542) 14.06.2026 40dk

  In episode 542 I chat with Blakely Hunze-Austin. Blakely is a licensed professional counselor in the states of Colorado and Tennessee. She obtained her master's degree in clinical mental health counseling with a concentration in addictions. She's a nationally certified counselor who specializes in sex therapy, eating disorders, trauma, and OCD. She enjoys working with LGBTQIA, kink, and poly/ENM communities. She is completing hours to become a certified sex therapist and is trained in psychedelic-assisted therapy. We discuss her therapy story, OCD and sex, anxiety around sex and intimacy, redefining the meaning of sex, vaginismus, some particular OCD worries around sex, sensate focus sex therapy, disgust around sex, neurodiversity and sex, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/blakely-542 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 
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  Story: Brad Stulberg (Self-harm-themed OCD, writing, and his book The Way of Excellence) (#541) 07.06.2026 1sa 4dk

  In episode 541 I chat with Brad Stulberg who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us. Brad is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who writes about mastery, meaning, and excellence. We discuss his OCD story, beginnings of his OCD, health obsessions, self-harm themed OCD, finding a therapist for his OCD, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), writing about his OCD, OCD support groups, values, mindfulness, his new book The Way of Excellence, and much more. Hope it helps.  Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/brad-541 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 
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  Alex Habens: A Therapist's journey with OCD and Compassion Focused Therapy (#540) 31.05.2026 46dk

  In episode 540 I interview Alex Habens. Alex is a BABCP Accredited CBT Therapist, Clinical Supervisor and OCD Specialist. He also works with myself at The Integrative Centre for OCD Therapy. We discuss why he became a therapist and his own OCD experiences, what is compassion focused therapy (CFT), compassion more generally, integrating CFT into OCD treatment, shame, connecting with compassion, fears blocks and resistances to compassion, compassion during exposures, his CFT therapy group, and his CFT therapist training he is running, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/alex-540 His CFT for OCD (Integrating Compassion Focused Therapy for OCD) training for therapists: https://www.icocdtraining.co.uk/  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 
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  Katie d'Ath: OCD therapeutic communities and groups (#539) 24.05.2026 47dk

  In episode 539 I interview Katie d'Ath. Katie is a cognitive behavioural therapist with a special interest in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders. She is also the co-author of "Managing OCD with CBT for Dummies"  and she has a popular YouTube channel where she shares OCD videos. In this episode we discuss running OCD therapy groups, managing an online OCD community platform, benefits of community to people with OCD, what Katie's learned from her OCD community, learning from groups that the content of OCD isn't the problem, consistency in the skills and therapy, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/katie-539 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 
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  Dr Ronald Nicholson: Sensory OCD (Somatic/Sensorimotor OCD) (#538) 17.05.2026 38dk

  In episode 538 I chat with Dr Ronald Nicholson. Ron is a clinical psychologist. We discuss why he doesn't use somatic and sensorimotor OCD labels interchangeably, why he likes the label of sensory OCD, core fear vs the content, the idea of taking the B grade, the obsessions and compulsions around this theme, using exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) on this theme, exposure scripting, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/ron-538 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 
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  Story: Shannon (existential themed OCD and postpartum OCD) (#537) 10.05.2026 36dk

  In episode 537 I chat with Shannon who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.  We discuss her earliest OCD memory, various themes of OCD, existential themed OCD, worrying everyone is an 'non-playable character (NPC)', finding out it was OCD, starting therapy for OCD, doing therapy homework, postpartum OCD, support groups, non-engagement responses, shame and much more. Hope it helps.  Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/shannon-537  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 
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  Dr Fugen Neziroglu: When a higher level of care may be needed, and overvalued ideation (#536) 03.05.2026 59dk

  In episode 536 I chat with Dr. Fugen Neziroglu. Fugen is a board-certified cognitive and behavior psychologist and the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Bio Behavioral Institute in Great Neck, NY. Fugen has published more than 150 papers in scientific journals and authored or co-authored 15 books. We discuss her rich background in the field of OCD, being mentored by the late Dr Edna Foa, the dosage of therapy, when to level up care, some of the earliest signs once a week therapy isn't working for someone, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), residential treatment, inpatient treatment, medical treatments, what an IOP should look like, adapting the IOP to the clients timeframe. We then discuss overvalued ideation (OVI), low insight, the need to deal with OVI to improve treatment effectiveness, motivational interviewing, shame, and much more. Hope it helps.  Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/fugen-536  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