The OCD Whisperer Podcast with Kristina Orlova

Can You Really Accept a Thought You Hate? 🧠   In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Dr. Marisa Mazza, a psychologist and expert in ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). Together, they explore the "how-to" of diffusion and acceptance—the tools that transform your relationship with intrusive thoughts from a battle into a peaceful coexistence.   [Dr. Mazza opens up about]:  • The Thought Machine: Why your brain is hardwired to produce automatic, often negative thoughts, and why you can't just "turn it off" • The Velcro Effect: Understanding the evolutionary biology behind why negative thoughts stick while positive ones slide away • Defusion Strategies: Practical ways to "unhook" from obsessions using labels, billboards, and even silly voices like Mickey Mouse • True Acceptance: Why accepting a thought doesn't mean you like it, want it, or agree with it—it simply means you're willing to have it   By the end of this episode, you’ll realize that while you can’t control the "Thought Machine," you can absolutely control how you respond to it.   Whether you’re navigating OCD yourself or supporting someone, this episode offers tangible strategies and a mindset shift toward psychological flexibility.   📲 About Marisa Mazza (guest): • PsyD, a faculty member of the Behavioral Therapy Training Institute, author of The ACT Workbook for OCD • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmazza/ • Web Page: https://www.choicetherapy.net/team   ✂️ TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] – The Cure Lie: Why thoughts are 100% automatic [04:57] – Velcro Brain: Why your mind clings to the negative [07:31] – The Unhooking Hack: Simple phrases to detach instantly [08:56] – Mental Billboards: Stripping the power from intrusive thoughts [12:31] – The OCD Compass: Your fears reveal your deepest values [16:44] – The Acceptance Trap: Willingness vs. wanting the thought [21:53] – Brain Labeling: Turning off the internal panic alarm [26:07] – The 4-Step Script: How to handle a massive spike [28:45] – Not Your Fault: Reclaiming your life from OCD   ✅ Free Resources & Links 🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM 📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB 🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/ ✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/   📲 Stay Connected Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults Website: www.korresults.com/   📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com   ✅ About OCD Whisperer Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.   ⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.   🔑 SEO Keywords OCD Recovery Mental Health Podcast Anxiety Relief Overcoming OCD OCD Treatment Psychology Therapy Tips OCD Whisperer   © OCD Whisperer

🧠Is the opposite of anxiety actually trust?   In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Dr. Marisa Mazza, PsyD, a faculty member of the Behavioral Therapy Training Institute and author of The ACT Workbook for OCD. Together, they explore Psychological Flexibility—the core of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—and how it integrates with ERP to help you live a "big, beautiful life" even with OCD.   Key points covered: • Defining Psychological Flexibility: Understanding the 6 core processes of ACT (Presence, Values, Committed Action, Self-as-Context, Diffusion, and Acceptance). • The ERP + ACT Integration: Why symptom reduction isn't always enough and how ACT addresses the "day-to-day living" aspect of recovery. • The "Flashlight" Metaphor: Shifting your focus from internal control to values-based living. • Slowing Down to Heal: Why we use busy-ness as a distraction and how to safely sit with the "scary" silence.   Recovery isn't just about stopping compulsions; it’s about having the flexibility to roll with life’s punches. Whether you’re navigating OCD yourself or supporting someone, this episode offers a philosophical and practical roadmap for moving beyond just "getting by" to truly thriving.   📲 About Marisa Mazza (guest): • PsyD, a faculty member of the Behavioral Therapy Training Institute, author of The ACT Workbook for OCD • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmazza/ • Web Page: https://www.choicetherapy.net/team   ✂️ TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] - The OCD Whisperer x Dr. Marisa Mazza [03:12] - Psychological Flexibility: The "Game Changer" in Treatment [05:26] - A New Relationship with Your "What Ifs" [09:13] - Beyond Symptom Reduction (ACT vs. ERP) [13:12] - The "Grief" Example: Putting Acceptance into Action [16:32] - Why "Slowing Down" Feels So Dangerous [22:47] - The Silent Retreat Test: Facing What We Run From [27:26] - The Ultimate Reframe: Trust vs. Anxiety [29:40] - Your "Itty Bitty Baby Step" for Today   ✅ Free Resources & Links 🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM 📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB 🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/ ✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/   📲 Stay Connected Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults Website: www.korresults.com/   📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com   ✅ About OCD Whisperer Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.   ⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.   🔑 SEO Keywords OCD Recovery Mental Health Podcast Anxiety Relief Overcoming OCD OCD Treatment Psychology Therapy Tips OCD Whisperer   © OCD Whisperer

🧠Can OCD trick even a trained medical professional? What happens when your worst fear actually comes true—and your OCD tells you it’s your fault?   In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Sarah Michelle Boes, nurse practitioner, entrepreneur, mother, and OCD advocate. Together, they explore what it’s like to live for decades with undiagnosed OCD, how pregnancy intensified obsessive thinking, and how recovery is possible even after hitting rock bottom.   Sarah opens up about: • Living with OCD symptoms since childhood without knowing it • Being misdiagnosed until adulthood • How pregnancy and motherhood intensified magical thinking OCD • The moment she realized OCD—not reality—was running the show • Entering intensive ERP treatment and rebuilding her life   This is an honest, vulnerable conversation about living through fear, uncertainty, and doubt—and learning how to move forward anyway. Whether you’re navigating OCD yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers hope, clarity, and practical insight into long-term recovery.   📲 About Sara Boes (guest): • NP, mental health advocate, author, Founder • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmichelleboes/?hl=en • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-michelle-boes/ • Web Page: https://sarahmichelleboes.com/   ✂️ TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Meet Sarah Boes [01:10] The First Signs of OCD No One Recognized [03:31] Pregnancy Triggered My Worst OCD Ever [04:27] The Baby Shower That Broke My Brain [05:10] When OCD “Got It Right” About My Child [07:22] Life After a Severe OCD Diagnosis [10:08] Hitting Extreme OCD and Entering Intensive Treatment [11:52] What Actually Helped Me Recover From OCD [13:39] Losing the Constant Feeling of Urgency [15:39] Who Am I Without My OCD? [17:02] Doing the Things OCD Tried to Take Away [20:01] OCD Remission, Relapse, and Real Recovery [21:52] When OCD Targets What You Love Most [25:35] The Sneaky Ways OCD Comes Back [27:34] Reassurance, Relationships, and Setting Boundaries [30:09] Final Thoughts and Where to Find Sarah   ✅ Free Resources & Links 🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM 📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB 🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/ ✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/   📲 Stay Connected Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults Website: www.korresults.com/   📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com   ✅ About OCD Whisperer Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.   ⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.   🔑 SEO Keywords OCD recovery living with OCD ERP therapy for OCD intrusive thoughts magical thinking OCD postpartum OCD OCD personal story anxiety and OCD reassurance seeking OCD acceptance and OCD   © OCD Whisperer

🧠Can you really accept OCD thoughts without agreeing with them? And what does “acceptance” actually look like when your mind is attacking you nonstop?   In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova, LMFT, speaks with Dr. Sarah Brungardt, psychologist and founder of Calm OCD. Together, they explore one of the most misunderstood (and feared) concepts in OCD recovery: accepting intrusive thoughts without engaging in compulsions.   Dr. Brungardt breaks down what acceptance truly means, why fighting thoughts keeps OCD stronger, and how learning to tolerate uncomfortable emotions can give you your life back.   Dr. Sarah opens up about: • Why the goal of OCD therapy is not eliminating thoughts or emotions • How emotional reasoning keeps people stuck in compulsive loops • Why rumination is one of the most overlooked compulsions in OCD • What real acceptance looks like in daily life (and why it feels impossible at first)   Acceptance doesn’t mean approval. It doesn’t mean giving up. It means learning how to live with uncertainty instead of letting OCD control your choices. Whether you’re navigating OCD yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and practical insight into how acceptance actually works in recovery.   📲 About Sara Brungardt (guest): • CEO of "calmocd" • OCD & Anxiety Specialist • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calmocd/ • CalmOCD web page: https://www.calmocd.com/   ✂️ TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] – Meet Dr. Sarah Brungardt: Your Guide to Understanding OCD [01:17] – Why “Acceptance” Sounds Impossible at First [03:23] – Sitting With Feelings That Feel Unbearable [05:47] – How Can You Avoid Engaging with Thoughts [08:03] – Acceptance Is the First Exposure [09:59] – How Long OCD Recovery Really Takes [12:10] – How can I feel positive emotions during OCD attacks [13:51] – How can you stop trying to figure out OCD thoughts [16:29] – When Acceptance Becomes the Obsession   ✅ Free Resources & Links 🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM 📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB 🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/ ✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/   📲 Stay Connected Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults Website: www.korresults.com/   📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com   ✅ About OCD Whisperer Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.   ⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.   🔑 SEO Keywords OCD acceptance intrusive thoughts OCD rumination OCD ERP therapy for OCD mental compulsions OCD recovery tools accepting intrusive thoughts OCD psychoeducation   © OCD Whisperer

🧠What If OCD Isn’t About Uncertainty—But About Doubting the Wrong Things?   In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova, LMFT shares her personal journey living with OCD and how her understanding of treatment has evolved over time. Drawing from both lived experience and nearly a decade of clinical work with OCD, Kristina breaks down ERP, ICBT, ACT, and why learning how OCD actually works mattered more than chasing themes or subtypes.   This conversation dives into: • Living with relationship OCD, morality OCD, and “feeling off” OCD • Why rumination was her most powerful (and invisible) compulsion • How ERP—especially imaginal exposures—changed her relationship with intrusive thoughts • What it really meant to reach recovery and live without being ruled by OCD   Kristina shares how learning to spot rumination, tolerate uncomfortable body sensations, and stop feeding imaginary stories helped her step out of OCD’s internal world and back into real life.   Whether you’re living with OCD, supporting someone who is, or trying to decide which treatment approach is right for you, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and practical insight into what recovery can actually look like.   ✂️ TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] – I Didn’t Know I Had OCD (Even as a Therapist) [02:52] – Why Understanding OCD Matters More Than Knowing Your “Subtype” [05:17] – Why ERP Helped Me (And What People Get Wrong About It) [07:32] – The Compulsion No One Talks About: Rumination [09:52] – When Your Brain Starts Searching for Problems That Don’t Exist [12:07] – Exposure to Feelings: Letting Anxiety Exist Without Fixing It [14:32] – The Breakthrough I Had With I-CBT [16:55] – Obsessional Doubt vs Real-Life Uncertainty [20:27] – The Moment I Stopped Believing Every Story My Mind Created [22:42] – How to Tell When You’re Doubting Normally vs Obsessionally [24:42] – Why There Is No “One Right” Way to Treat OCD [27:32] – Recovery Is Possible (And What I Want You to Take From This)   ✅ Free Resources & Links 🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM 📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB 🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/ ✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/   📲 Stay Connected Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults Website: www.korresults.com/   📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com   ✅ About OCD Whisperer Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.   ⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.   🔑 SEO Keywords OCD recovery relationship OCD ERP therapy for OCD ICBT for OCD rumination OCD obsessional doubt intrusive thoughts OCD living with OCD OCD treatment options   © OCD Whisperer

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Is your child’s OCD hiding behind good behavior and perfectionism?   In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Katherine Schooland, LMFT, founder and director of Raising Brave Kids, a multi-state practice specializing in child and teen anxiety and OCD. Together, they explore how childhood OCD can quietly hide in high-functioning, compliant, and “well-behaved” kids — and why it’s so often missed. Katherine shares deep clinical insight into how OCD actually shows up in children, especially when it doesn’t look anxious, disruptive, or obvious.   Katherine breaks down: • How childhood OCD can hide behind reassurance-seeking, perfectionism, and compliance • Why mental compulsions and rumination are so hard for parents to spot • The difference between normal developmental worries and OCD “stickiness” • How ERP-informed parenting can interrupt the OCD cycle early • What happens when childhood OCD goes unrecognized into adolescence and adulthood   Whether you’re parenting a child with OCD, suspect something deeper than “just anxiety,” or supporting a family navigating uncertainty, this episode offers clarity, hope, and concrete tools to help kids — and parents — move forward.   📲 About Katherine (guest): • LMFT, founder and director of Raising Brave Kids • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisingbrave.kids • Raising Brave Kids: https://www.raisingbravekids.com/   ✂️ TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] – When OCD Hides in “Good Kids” [01:36] – The Reassurance Trap Parents Don’t Realize They’re In [04:10] – When Perfectionism Isn’t a Strength Anymore [06:02] – Avoidance That Doesn’t Look Like Avoidance [07:01] – The Mental Rituals No One Sees [09:17] – How Loving Parents Accidentally Feed OCD [10:47] – Supporting Your Child Without Becoming the Anxiety Regulator [13:23] – Why Parents Must Regulate Themselves First [14:16] – What Happens When Childhood OCD Is Missed [16:49] – Why Early Skills Change Everything [17:40] – The Biggest Gaps in OCD Treatment Today [20:09] – You’re Not Failing—There Is a Way Forward   ✅ Free Resources & Links 🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM 📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB 🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/ ✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/   📲 Stay Connected Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults Website: www.korresults.com/   📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com   ✅ About OCD Whisperer Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.   ⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.   🔑 SEO Keywords childhood OCD OCD in children parenting a child with OCD reassurance seeking OCD mental compulsions ERP for kids family accommodation OCD anxiety vs OCD in children   © OCD Whisperer

🤰These Thoughts Don’t Mean You Want to Harm Your Baby   In this second of two episodes about perinatal OCD on The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova is joined again by Betty Flores, LCSW, a perinatal mental health specialist and founder of Perinatal Wellness, for an honest and deeply needed conversation about perinatal OCD, intrusive thoughts, pregnancy, and postpartum mental health. Betty shares her own lived experience with undiagnosed perinatal OCD—including how both she and her therapist initially missed the signs—and how that journey ultimately led her to specialize in helping parents who feel terrified by thoughts they don’t understand.   Betty opens up about: • Experiencing intrusive thoughts during postpartum that were misunderstood as “normal worry” • Why perinatal OCD is often missed or minimized—even by trained professionals • Taboo intrusive thoughts involving harm and why they don’t reflect intent • How reassurance, checking, and mental review quietly fuel the OCD cycle • Why ERP therapy and proper education changed everything   Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, supporting a loved one, or trying to understand intrusive thoughts, this conversation offers clarity, education, and relief—without minimizing how real and painful this experience can be.   📲 About Betty Flores (guest): • Certified in Perinatal Mental Health | EMDR | ERP • Perinatal OCD/Anxiety, Reproductive Trauma, Grief & Loss • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perinatal_wellness/ • Perinatal Wellness: https://www.perinatal-wellness.com/   ✂️ TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] – When the Expert Misses OCD in Herself: A Therapist’s Undiagnosed Perinatal OCD [03:19] – Why Perinatal OCD Is So Often Misdiagnosed (Even by Professionals) [05:40] – Normal Parent Worry vs OCD: The One Difference That Changes Everything [07:25] – OCD Is the Doubting Disease: How “What If” Thoughts Take Over [08:15] – Can You Control OCD During Pregnancy? What Actually Helps [09:25] – What Postpartum OCD Really Looks Like (Thoughts, Urges, and Checking) [10:37] – Responsibility, Parenthood, and OCD’s Biggest Trap [13:20] – How Common Is Perinatal OCD (And Why Parents Stay Silent) [14:59] – Can Postpartum OCD Turn Into Psychosis? Clearing Up a Common Fear [16:58] – Baby Blues vs Postpartum Depression: The Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore   ✅ Free Resources & Links 🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM 📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB 🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/ ✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/   📲 Stay Connected Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults Website: www.korresults.com/   📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com   ✅ About OCD Whisperer Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.   ⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.   🔑 SEO Keywords perinatal OCD postpartum OCD intrusive thoughts pregnancy harm OCD parents ERP therapy for OCD postpartum anxiety vs OCD OCD intrusive thoughts baby maternal mental health   © OCD Whisperer

🤰Are these protective instincts… or is it postpartum OCD?   In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Betty Flores, LCSW, a perinatal mental health specialist from Perinatal Wellness. Together, they explore how postpartum and pregnancy OCD show up, why intrusive thoughts feel so convincing during this stage of life, and how parents can tell the difference between normal worry and an OCD-driven threat response.   Betty breaks down: • What intrusive thoughts in pregnancy and postpartum actually look like • How perinatal OCD disguises itself as “being a good parent” • The difference between normal protective instincts and OCD-driven urgency • Why reassurance-seeking, checking, and mental reviewing fuel the cycle   If you’re pregnant, postpartum, trying to conceive, or supporting someone who is — and struggling with frightening thoughts that don’t match who you are — this episode offers clarity, normalization, and hope. You are not broken, dangerous, or failing as a parent. And help is available.   📲 About Betty Flores (guest): • Certified in Perinatal Mental Health | EMDR | ERP • Perinatal OCD/Anxiety, Reproductive Trauma, Grief & Loss • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perinatal_wellness/   ✂️ TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] – Normal Protective Instinct or OCD? Why This Question Confuses Almost Every Parent [02:32] – The “What If” Spiral: Intrusive Thoughts in Pregnancy & Postpartum Explained [05:02] – Why Mental Compulsions Are Harder to Spot Than Physical Ones [05:52] – “If I Say This, Will I Be Reported?” Why Parents Stay Silent About Intrusive Thoughts [07:42] – Do These Thoughts Mean I Want to Harm My Baby? How to Tell the Difference [09:45] – What OBs, Midwives, and Doctors Often Get Wrong About Perinatal OCD [11:00] – Why Perinatal OCD Is So Often Misdiagnosed as “Just Anxiety” [12:26] – Does Perinatal OCD Ever Go Away? What Actually Helps [14:02] – ERP in Pregnancy & Postpartum: Why It Works (And Why People Fear It) [14:34] – Final Takeaway: You’re Not Dangerous — You’re Stuck in an OCD Loop   ✅ Free Resources & Links 🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM 📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB 🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/ ✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/   📲 Stay Connected Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults Website: www.korresults.com/   📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com   ✅ About OCD Whisperer Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.   ⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.   🔑 SEO Keywords postpartum OCD perinatal OCD intrusive thoughts postpartum pregnancy anxiety vs OCD ERP for postpartum OCD intrusive thoughts about baby maternal mental health   © OCD Whisperer

💔Can OCD convince you that you’re incapable of love?   In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Zack Tucker, OCD advocate and creator of OCDestigmatize. Together, they explore relationship OCD, health anxiety, shame, and what real recovery actually looks like when OCD never fully disappears—but stops controlling your life.   Zack opens up about: • Relationship OCD and the fear of “not really loving” partners • How intrusive thoughts destroyed past relationships and self-esteem • Promiscuity, avoidance, and using control to cope with emotional pain • ERP, exposure, and redefining what recovery truly means • Living with OCD long-term while still building love, confidence, and meaning   Whether you’re navigating OCD yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers hope, perspective, and reassurance that you can live fully—even with uncertainty.   📲 About Zack Tucker (guest): • popular mental health Instagram page owner • OCD survivor • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ocdestigmatize/   ✂️ TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] – Meet Zach & Why He Started Speaking Publicly About OCD [01:22] – Relationship OCD: Believing You’re Incapable of Love [02:42] – How OCD Destroys Relationships Without Anyone Seeing It [04:22] – Real Doubt vs OCD Doubt: Why Relationship OCD Feels So Convincing [05:57] – The First Breakup That Wasn’t Caused by OCD [08:17] – What Recovery Actually Looks Like (Thoughts Still Exist) [10:12] – From POCD to Health OCD: When Themes Shift but Fear Stays [12:12] – Living With Real Risk: Health OCD, Rabies, and Uncertainty [15:32] – Vietnam as Exposure Therapy: Facing Every Fear at Once [17:42] – Why Recovery Isn’t Cold Turkey (And Why Self-Compassion Matters) [20:07] – Ending Shame by Putting OCD on the Internet [22:02] – What He’d Tell His Younger Self About OCD and Recovery   ✅ Free Resources & Links 🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM 📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB 🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/ ✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/   📲 Stay Connected Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults Website: www.korresults.com/   📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com   ✅ About OCD Whisperer Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.   ⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.   🔑 SEO Keywords relationship OCD OCD recovery intrusive thoughts ERP therapy for OCD health anxiety OCD living with OCD managing OCD long-term OCD and relationships   © OCD Whisperer

🧠Can social media trigger your OCD without you even realizing it?   In this solo episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova explores how social media interacts with OCD, compulsions, and obsessive thoughts. She shares strategies for scrolling with intention, not on autopilot, and how to reclaim control over your digital habits.   Kristina opens up about: • How a quick scroll can spark OCD spirals and leave you feeling anxious or empty • The sneaky ways social media hijacks compulsions and triggers obsessions • Why intention-focused use is more effective than avoidance • Simple, actionable steps to reclaim control over your scrolling habits   Whether you’re navigating OCD yourself or supporting someone, this episode offers practical strategies, awareness tools, and encouragement to transform your social media use into a value-driven practice.   💪Listener Challenge: Before bed tonight, pause and screenshot your home screen. Circle the app you reach for first when you feel triggered and post it (or save privately). Then write: “I’m choosing intention — not autopilot.” Let’s show social media who’s really in charge.   📲 About Krista Reed (guest): • OCD/BDD/BFRB Specialist in KS • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristaruthreed/?hl=en • Breathe Between Battles: A Daily Reflection Journal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSL41QCR?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_SKM3AA2QVVQ5B5MHYS9Q&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_SKM3AA2QVVQ5B5MHYS9Q&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_SKM3AA2QVVQ5B5MHYS9Q&bestFormat=true   ✂️ TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] – What happens when social media feels like a drug? [00:28] – Why can a “quick scroll” leave us anxious and empty? [02:02] – How do endless scrolling and notifications hijack our attention? [02:37] – Can heavy social media use harm our mental health? [04:04] – How does OCD interact with compulsions and comparison triggers online? [05:02] – Why does a quick glance spiral into self-critique and rumination? [07:16] – How are OCD symptoms evolving with technology? [08:09] – What’s the difference between intentional use and avoidance? [09:02] – How can we use social media with awareness and intention? [09:50] – How can small actions help reclaim control over our mind? [10:49] – Listener Challenge — you MUST try this [12:07] – How can community support help in taking back social media?   📚 Research Sources Mentioned in This Episode: • Primack et al. (2017). Social media use across multiple platforms linked to higher depressive symptoms. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4853817/ • Keles et al. (2020). Social media associated with anxiety, depression, loneliness, and lower well-being. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7785056/ • Giraldo-Luque et al. (2023). Excessive social media use connected to stress, poor sleep, and emotional distress. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10129173/ • Lin et al. (2017). Using more social media platforms predicts higher anxiety/depression. https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.pn.2017.1b16 • Hunt et al. (UPenn). Cutting social media to 30 min/day reduces anxiety, depression, loneliness. (summary) https://www.news.iastate.edu/news/cutting-back-social-media-reduces-anxiety-depression-loneliness • Dalvi-Esfahani et al. (2022). Compulsive social media use positively correlated with OCD symptoms. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9407245/ • Garcia & Thibedeau (2018). OCD symptoms increasingly include digital compulsions. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6120640/ • Frontiers Review (2022). Problematic social media use linked to OCD, ADHD, anxiety. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1106004/full   ✅ Free Resources & Links 🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM 📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB 🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/ ✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/   📲 Stay Connected Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults Website: www.korresults.com/   📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com   ✅ About OCD Whisperer Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.   ⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.   🔑 SEO Keywords social media and OCD living with OCD managing compulsions mindful social media use OCD awareness strategies intentional scrolling OCD recovery tips   © OCD Whisperer

🧠 Can grief and OCD completely change your sex drive, intimacy, and connection with your partner?   In this powerful episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Krista Reed, licensed therapist and trauma specialist, about how grief, trauma, cortisol, and the nervous system directly affect sexuality, desire, and emotional intimacy in people with OCD.   ❤️This episode explores: • Why grief and OCD can shut down desire — or make it feel overwhelming • How cortisol and chronic stress disrupt arousal and connection • The role of sex, intimacy, and orgasm in nervous system regulation • Why shame around desire is so common in OCD • How trauma stored in the body blocks emotional and sexual safety   This is one of the most honest conversations we’ve had about OCD, grief, and sex — and how to begin healing at the nervous system level.   📲 About Krista Reed (guest): • OCD/BDD/BFRB Specialist in KS • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristaruthreed/?hl=en • Breathe Between Battles: A Daily Reflection Journal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSL41QCR?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_SKM3AA2QVVQ5B5MHYS9Q&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_SKM3AA2QVVQ5B5MHYS9Q&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_SKM3AA2QVVQ5B5MHYS9Q&bestFormat=true   ✂️ TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] – Why Grief and OCD Can Completely Disrupt Desire [00:42] – Lowering Cortisol: The Foundation of Emotional and Sexual Regulation [01:53] – What Chronic Stress Does to Libido and Arousal [02:39] – Journaling the Thoughts You’re Too Ashamed to Say Out Loud [03:28] – When Your Mind Is Loud but Your Body Feels Numb [05:02] – Creativity, Fantasy, and Sexual Energy as Emotional Escape [06:08] – Discipline vs Avoidance in Mental and Sexual Health [07:41] – Showing Up for Your Body Even When You Don’t Want To [08:36] – Mood Swings, Hormones, and Emotional Intimacy [09:24] – Burnout, Attraction, and Feeling Disconnected From Pleasure [10:34] – The Body’s Natural Drive for Physical Release [11:28] – Sex as Stress Relief: When It Helps and When It Becomes Escape [11:57] – The Nervous System, Orgasms, and Temporary Calm [12:32] – Shame, Desire, and Wanting Comfort at the Same Time [13:20] – Using Sex for Safety After Emotional Loss [14:43] – Physical Connection as a Shortcut to Feeling Alive [15:36] – When Pleasure Becomes Regulation, Not Destruction [16:12] – Emotional Regulation Through Touch, Not Self-Punishment [17:37] – There Is No “Wrong” Way to Feel Arousal During Grief [18:49] – Alcohol, Hookups, and Numbing Emotional Pain [19:56] – Dopamine, Sex, and the Trap of Chasing Relief [20:44] – Cultural Shame Around Grief, Desire, and Coping [22:08] – When Sex Feels Like Healing but Turns Into Avoidance [24:12] – The Line Between Connection and Self-Destruction [26:12] – OCD’s Role in Sexual Intrusive Thoughts and Guilt [26:54] – Letting Arousal Exist Without Turning It Into Compulsion [27:40] – Harm Reduction in Sex, Dating, and Emotional Coping [29:16] – Why Control Feels Safer Than Surrender [30:33] – Writing About Sex, Loss, and Shame Without Censoring Yourself [31:43] – What Sexual Self-Compassion Actually Means [32:56] – Forgiveness, Healing, and Reclaiming Desire [33:45] – Boundaries in Intimacy and Emotional Safety [34:38] – You’re Not Broken for Wanting Relief Through Your Body [35:42] – Final Reflections on Grief, OCD, Sex, and the Nervous System   ✅ Free Resources & Links 🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM 📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB 🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/ ✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/   📲 Stay Connected Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults Website: www.korresults.com/   📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com   ✅ About OCD Whisperer Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.   ⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.   🔑 SEO Keywords OCD and sex intimacy and OCD grief and sex drive trauma and desire nervous system and arousal OCD relationships sexual shame and OCD   © OCD Whisperer

🧠 Can you grieve “correctly” when you have OCD?   In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Krista Reed, clinical social worker and specialist in OCD, BFRBs, and Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Together, they explore how grief, loss, and real-life emotional pain interact with OCD — and how deeply the experience can impact identity, relationships, and recovery.   ❤️Krista opens up about: • The childhood loss that first ignited her OCD • How witnessing traumatic events shaped her fears • The return of old compulsions — and the arrival of new ones — after recent family deaths • The struggle of balancing caregiving, parenting, and severe OCD during her father’s hospitalization   Whether you’re navigating OCD yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers compassion, insight, and the reminder that there is no right or wrong way to grieve.   📲 About Krista Reed (guest): • OCD/BDD/BFRB Specialist in KS • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristaruthreed/?hl=en • Breathe Between Battles: A Daily Reflection Journal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSL41QCR?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_SKM3AA2QVVQ5B5MHYS9Q&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_SKM3AA2QVVQ5B5MHYS9Q&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_SKM3AA2QVVQ5B5MHYS9Q&bestFormat=true   ✂️ TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] – Krista’s Story: Becoming an OCD Specialist Because She Had No Choice [00:40] – Why We’re Talking: Real-Life Grief Colliding With OCD [02:19] – The Moment It All Started: A Childhood Death That Changed Everything [04:42] – Misunderstood Trauma: When a Small-Town Tragedy Sparks Lifelong OCD [07:48] – The Hospital Nightmare: Krista’s Dad Nearly Dies and OCD Explodes [08:17] – “What If I Want Him to Die?” The Darkest OCD Thoughts No One Talks About [10:39] – The Heartbreaking Moment: Her Dad Wakes Up and Doesn’t Know Who She Is [13:15] – Masking While Falling Apart: Parenting Through an OCD Spiral [14:25] – Pre-Grief, Fear, and the Reality of Being in the Unknown [15:55] – When OCD Comes Back After New Losses: Two Deaths in Two Weeks [18:22] – “Your Food Is Contaminated”: New Compulsions That Come Out of Nowhere [20:19] – Grieving Wrong? How OCD Makes You Doubt Your Own Emotions [21:30] – Conflicting Feelings: Relief, Sadness, Gratitude, and Guilt All at Once [24:20] – When Two Family Members Die but the Pain Feels Different Each Time [28:09] – Kristina’s Story: Losing Her Mom and Feeling Everything at Once [31:36] – Being Told You’re “Too Much”: The Hidden Shame of Deep Feelers [34:18] – Why People With OCD Often Feel Grief More Deeply Than Others [37:21] – The Empathy Factor: Why Some People Cry for Strangers and Feel Everything [37:39] – What Grief Really Triggers in People With OCD [39:23] – What to Do When OCD Hijacks Your Grief [39:45] – When Old Traumas Return Out of Nowhere: OCD Has No Timeline [42:01] – The 2020 Spiral: OCD Convinces Krista Her Dad Will Die Again [43:00] – Planning a Funeral That Isn’t Happening: OCD’s Wildest Curveball [43:13] – Breaking the Spell: How Krista Finally Called OCD’s Bluff [44:01] – Even Clinicians Get Stuck: Why This Disorder Is So Relentless [44:20] – Final Thoughts: Normalizing Your Grief, Your Feelings, and Your Journey   ✅ Free Resources & Links 🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM 📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB 🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/ ✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/   📲 Stay Connected Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults Website: www.korresults.com/   📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com   ✅ About OCD Whisperer Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.   ⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.   🔑 SEO Keywords OCD and grief intrusive thoughts during grief managing OCD during loss anticipatory grief OCD emotional intensity and OCD grief processing with OCD OCD recovery stories   © OCD Whisperer

🧠 *Can self-compassion really help you recover from OCD?*   In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Lukasz, known online as Intrusive OCD Memes. Together, they explore how humor, community, and self-awareness play a role in managing OCD, and how sharing personal experiences can help both yourself and others.   Lucas opens up about: • First symptoms of OCD as a child and struggles with contamination fears • How intrusive thoughts and mental compulsions impacted his relationships • His journey toward seeking therapy after years of coping alone • Using humor and memes as a form of self-therapy and community support   Whether you’re navigating OCD yourself or supporting someone else, this episode offers hope, insight, and tools to show that connection, humor, and community can make a real difference.   📲 About Lukasz Czajkowski (guest): • IOCDF Advocate with OCD/ROCD • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intrusiveocdmemes?igsh=dDFyOGl6eXNyNmVz • YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@intrusiveocdmemes   ✂️ TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] – Meet Lucas: The Man Behind Intrusive OCD Memes [00:40] – How a Meme Account Became a Lifeline for OCD [02:11] – Why He Waited YEARS to Get an OCD Diagnosis [04:38] – The Dark Side of Air OCD and Pandemic Struggles [06:56] – OCD Almost Destroyed His Relationship… Here’s What Happened [08:55] – Shocking OCD Symptoms From His Childhood [10:01] – Living With OCD in Poland: The Cultural Reality [12:45] – Stigma, Misunderstandings, and Why Most People Don’t Get OCD [15:34] – How Memes Are Actually Helping People With OCD [17:13] – Bringing OCD Awareness to Thousands at Work [19:33] – Mental Health Is Not Linear: Prepare for Setbacks [21:05] – Reading the Recipe vs. Making the Apple Pie: OCD Therapy Explained [22:37] – Panic in a New City: Why Environment Matters [23:53] – Self-Compassion and Patience: The Secret Weapons for OCD [25:15] – Hidden Cultural Pressures You Didn’t Know About [26:04] – You’re Not Alone: Finding Community When Struggling [27:47] – Follow Lucas Online for Memes and OCD Resources   ✅ Free Resources & Links 🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM 📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB 🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/ ✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/   📲 Stay Connected Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults Website: www.korresults.com/   📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com   ✅ About OCD Whisperer Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.   ⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.   🔑 SEO Keywords self-compassion and OCD OCD recovery tools mindfulness for OCD CBT for OCD intrusive thoughts and self-kindness reducing OCD suffering Kimberley Quinlan OCD OCD Whisperer Podcast   © OCD Whisperer

🧠 Can self-compassion really help you recover from OCD?   In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, host Kristina Orlova speaks with Kimberley Quinlan, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, creator of CBT School, and author of The Self-Compassion Workbook for OCD. Together, they explore how learning to treat yourself with kindness can transform your relationship with OCD and emotional suffering.   Kimberley opens up about: • Why self-compassion is not weakness or self-indulgence • How criticizing yourself actually increases stress hormones • What it means to “be a safe place” for your own emotions • Simple ways to start practicing compassion without triggering compulsions   Whether you’re living with OCD or supporting someone who is, this episode offers real strategies to reduce suffering, calm your nervous system, and heal with compassion.   📲 About Kimberley Quinlan (guest): • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youranxietytoolkit/ • YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@youranxietytoolkit • CBT school: https://www.cbtschool.com/   ✂️ TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Meet Kimberley Quinlan — Therapist, Author, and OCD Expert [01:18] What “Self-Compassion for OCD” Really Means (and Why People Get It Wrong) [03:00] Why Being Kind to Yourself Isn’t Weak — It’s Actually Science [04:40] The Stress Hormone Secret: How Self-Criticism Fuels OCD Suffering [07:25] Real Compassion vs. Compulsions — The Long-Term You Strategy [08:55] Becoming a Safe Place for Yourself: Handling Guilt, Shame & Emotions [11:05] The Surprising Power of Doing Nothing With Your Emotions [13:10] Why People Struggle to Accept Themselves (Even When They “Know” How) [16:25] When OCD Tricks You Into Thinking Self-Kindness Is Dangerous [19:00] Step-by-Step: The Self-Compassion Break That Calms Intense Feelings [21:30] “You’re Not Alone” — The Humanity Behind Anxiety & Intrusive Thoughts [23:10] Gentle Self-Kindness vs. “Screw You, Anxiety!” — Finding Your Style [25:30] The Fear of Feeling Itself — Breaking the Cycle of Emotional Avoidance [28:10] The Real Goal: Becoming a Safe Space for Every Emotion [30:05] Where to Find Kimberley — “Your Anxiety Toolkit” Resources   ✅ Free Resources & Links 🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM 📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB 🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/ ✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/   📲 Stay Connected Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults Website: www.korresults.com/   📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com   ✅ About OCD Whisperer Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.   ⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.   🔑 SEO Keywords self-compassion and OCD OCD recovery tools mindfulness for OCD CBT for OCD intrusive thoughts and self-kindness reducing OCD suffering Kimberley Quinlan OCD OCD Whisperer Podcast   © OCD Whisperer

🧠 Do you ever feel like something is wrong — even when nothing happened?   In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Heather Brown, LCSW, OCD and trauma specialist. Together, they explore Just Right OCD, magical thinking, somatic anxiety, and how OCD can sometimes feel like trauma.   Heather opens up about: • Her personal experience living with Just Right OCD • Sensations-based OCD: when the fear isn’t a thought, but a feeling • Magical thinking OCD & “what if something bad happens?” spirals • ERP, ACT, Brainspotting & CPT for trauma-related OCD symptoms   Whether you're navigating OCD yourself or supporting someone, this episode offers powerful insight, tools, and hope for healing and self-trust.   📲 About Heather Brown (guest): • OCD, anxiety, trauma, & perfectionism therapy • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evoluercounseling/ • Evoluer Counseling: https://www.evoluercounseling.com/   ✂️ TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Meet Heather — The Therapist Who Actually Has OCD [00:22] “Just-Right OCD” — The Invisible OCD Nobody Talks About [01:30] When Everyday Tasks Feel Wrong — The Hidden Somatic OCD Signs [02:28] Shower Shock — When OCD Strikes Out of Nowhere [03:25] The Symptom Everyone Misses: “Nothing Happened… So WHY Do I Feel This Way?” [03:44] The OCD You Don’t See — Why So Many Cases Get Missed [04:25] It’s NOT Just Anxiety — The Quiet OCD That Hides in Your Body [04:53] When Thoughts Loop Forever — The Difference Between Worry & OCD [06:05] “If I Don’t Do This, Something Terrible Happens” — OCD’s Magic-Thinking Trap [07:00] Real Story — The Carpool Lane OCD Panic Moment [07:47] What Is Magical Thinking OCD? Explained Simply [08:52] “My Thoughts Could Cause Disaster” — Why It Feels So Real [09:21] Can OCD Cause Trauma? Shocking Truth Explained [10:10] When Trauma and OCD Join Forces — And What Actually Helps [11:04] The Brain Under Fire — How OCD Shakes Your Identity [12:20] How OCD Rewrites Your Beliefs About Yourself [13:15] Trauma Treatment + OCD Treatment — When You Need Both [14:20] ERP, ACT, Brainspotting — What REALLY Works? [15:07] The Surprising Therapy That Helps Trauma + OCD [16:35] “Is My OCD Trauma?” — How Clinicians Decide [18:27] Obsession vs Worry — How to Tell the Difference FAST [19:33] Can Treatment Work? Heather’s Recovery & Honest Answer [20:25] When OCD Comes Back — Expert Shares What She Does [21:40] OCD Explained in Kid-Language — The Monster Analogy [23:00] The Cookie Monster OCD Trick — Why Compulsions Backfire [24:06] “How Do I Even Start?” — First Step for Anyone Struggling [25:17] Where to Find Heather — Therapist Who Gets It   ✅ Free Resources & Links 🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM 📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB 🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/ ✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/   📲 Stay Connected Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults Website: www.korresults.com/   📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com   ✅ About OCD Whisperer Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.   ⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.   🔑 SEO Keywords Just Right OCD Magical Thinking OCD Somatic OCD OCD and trauma OCD in children Feeling-based OCD OCD without intrusive thoughts OCD sensations ERP therapy Brainspotting OCD ACT for OCD How to treat Just Right OCD OCD parenting support OCD recovery stories   © OCD Whisperer

🧠 Could Your Child’s Sudden OCD Be Something Else? Understanding PANS & PANDAS   In this powerful episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Angela Henry, therapist and PANS/PANDAS specialist, and Lindsay Forsyth, a mother and advocate who has navigated this journey with her own child. Together, they shed light on how sudden-onset OCD, tics, and anxiety in children may sometimes point to something deeper — an autoimmune or inflammatory disorder known as PANS or PANDAS.   Angela and Lindsay open up about: • How PANS/PANDAS can mimic OCD and anxiety — and why it’s often misdiagnosed • The emotional toll families face when doctors can’t find answers • How infection-triggered inflammation can alter behavior overnight • What every parent should know about early warning signs of PANS/PANDAS   Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or clinician, this episode offers clarity, validation, and practical tools to navigate the confusing intersection of OCD, PANS, and PANDAS.   📲 About Angela Henry (guest): • Certified EMDR Therapist • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ctr_for_collaborative_healing/ • Webpage: https://angelahenrylcsw.com/ 📲 About Lindsey Forsyth (guest): • Mom of 2 kids with PANS/PANDAS. • Pandas network: https://pandasnetwork.org/ • PANS PANDAS Advocacy, Community & Support Aspire • Neuro Immune: https://neuroimmune.org/   ✂️ TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Welcome — Meet Lindsay, Angela, and Kristina [01:05] PANS & PANDAS Revealed — How Your Child’s Brain Can Turn Against Them Overnight [01:50] The Infection Trigger — Strep, Viruses, and Environmental Factors That Can Hijack a Child’s Mind [02:57] Recognizing Abrupt Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Kids [03:24] PANS vs PANDAS — The Shocking Differences You Need to Know [03:42] “Something’s Not Right” — How Parents Can Spot the Early Warning Signs [05:05] Lindsey’s Story — From Meltdowns to Mystery Illness [07:48] The Specialists Who Saved Our Child [09:12] Lifelines for Parents [10:02] Why Your Child Can Suddenly Regress Without Warning [10:45] Tracking the Chaos — Growth Charts, OCD Scores, and Why Labs Don’t Always Show the Truth [11:06] The Hidden Diagnosis — Blood Work Says “Normal” but Your Child Isn’t [12:27] Advocacy 101 — How to Get Answers When Doctors Don’t Have Them [14:13] How to Make Sure Your Pediatrician Takes You Seriously [15:53] Therapy That Helps — How to Support Children [17:54] Not Just Bad Behavior — Why Your Child Isn’t Misbehaving [20:09] Supporting the Whole Family [22:00] Covert OCD Revealed — When Your Child’s Obsessions Don’t Look Like OCD [23:47] Why ERP Can Backfire During a Flare [25:12] Pediatric OCD Exposed — Obsessions, Separation Anxiety, and the Hidden Signs [27:44] Heavy-Hitter Symptoms — Emotional Outbursts, Bedwetting, ADHD... [29:03] Are Some Kids Genetically Predisposed? [30:26] Could Family History Play a Role? [31:17] Step-by-Step Guidance — Therapy [32:24] Get Help Now —How to Contact Lindsay and Access Real-World Resources [33:32] Therapist Support & Networks — Angela’s Consultation Groups for Families and Professionals [35:09] Closing Words — Hope, Awareness, and Why You’re Not Alone   ✅ Free Resources & Links 🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM 📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB 🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/ ✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/   📲 Stay Connected Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults Website: www.korresults.com/   📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com   ✅ About OCD Whisperer Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.   ⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.   🔑 SEO Keywords • PANS and PANDAS OCD • sudden onset OCD in children • pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders • OCD vs PANS • children’s mental health • autoimmune inflammation and OCD • OCD parenting support • anxiety in kids   © OCD Whisperer

Is everything you’ve been told about OCD wrong?   In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova sits down with Elysse Lescarbeau, writer, advocate, and author of OCD Exposed: 10 Myths and Misconceptions About Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Together, they uncover the hidden sides of OCD—from misunderstood symptoms to the powerful truth about recovery.   Elysse opens up about: • Being misdiagnosed and discovering OCD later in life • Living with mental compulsions and invisible obsessions • The breaking point that led to her diagnosis and healing • How ERP, ACT, and ICBT changed her life and mindset This honest conversation dives into: • The biggest myths and misconceptions about OCD • The hidden forms of OCD most people never see • How OCD recovery rewires your brain and restores hope • Real stories of survival, recovery, and empowerment   Whether you’re navigating OCD yourself or supporting someone you love, this episode offers hope, clarity, and practical tools for real recovery.   📲 About Elysse Lescarbaugh (guest): Certified life coach + future therapist OCD & Anxiety Survivor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ocd.or.just.me Webpage: https://www.ocdorjustme.com/   ✂️ TIMESTAMPS [00:00] “I Thought My Brain Was Broken” — Meet Elysse, Who Discovered OCD at 29 [00:57] The Childhood Moment That Changed Everything: Protecting Her Little Brother Became an Obsession [01:45] Silent Struggles: Living Decades with OCD No One Could See [02:30] The Breaking Point: When Compulsions Suddenly Stopped Working in Europe [03:15] “I Don’t Want to Live Anymore” — The Night She Finally Asked for Help [03:45] The Doctor Who Changed Her Life With One Sentence: “Have You Ever Considered OCD?” [04:30] The Power of Honesty: How One Conversation Opened the Door to Recovery [05:15] From Despair to Diagnosis — The Moment Everything Made Sense [05:50] Why OCD Isn’t About Cleaning or Order — The Biggest Myth Everyone Believes [06:45] How the Media Got OCD All Wrong (and Why It Still Hurts Real People) [07:30] The Hidden Type of OCD No One Talks About: Mental Compulsions & Rumination [08:40] The Book That’s Changing the Conversation — OCD Exposed: 10 Myths & Misconceptions [09:35] Why OCD Doesn’t Define Who You Are — And How to See It Clearly [10:14] The Human Side of OCD: Real Survivor Stories from Around the World [11:00] The Truth About OCD Recovery: It’s Not Easy, But It’s Possible [11:50] What OCD Really Feels Like — Beyond the Stereotypes and Statistics [12:40] The Science of Recovery: How ERP, ACT & ICBT Rewire the Brain [13:30] “I Still Get Intrusive Thoughts… But They Don’t Control Me Anymore.” [14:40] OCD and the Brain: Why It’s Not a Personality Flaw, But a Biological Cycle [15:55] Breaking the Cycle: What Actually Helps the Brain Heal from OCD [17:00] Freedom Over Fear: How to Live Fully Even When OCD Shows Up [18:15] Why Recovery Isn’t About Getting Rid of OCD — It’s About Taking Your Life Back [19:20] Applying OCD Tools to Everyday Life — From Therapy to Surfing in Hawaii [20:25] How OCD Recovery Teaches You to Live Stronger, Freer, and More Present [21:15] How ERP Helped Kristina Heal Her Own Grief After Losing Her Mom [22:45] The Real Secret: Empowerment Through Discomfort and Acceptance [23:30] “I’ve Never Felt More Empowered Than in My OCD Recovery.” — Elysse’s Message of Hope [24:20] Where to Find Elysse, Her Book OCD Exposed, and Why This Story Matters   ✅ Free Resources & Links 🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM 📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB 🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/ ✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/   📲 Stay Connected Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults Website: www.korresults.com/   📩 Business Inquiries: info@korresults.com   ✅ About OCD Whisperer Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.   ⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.   🔑 SEO Keywords • OCD myths and misconceptions • OCD recovery stories • Intrusive thoughts and mental compulsions • ERP and ACT therapy • ICBT for OCD • Living with OCD • How to recover from OCD • OCD Awareness Week   © OCD Whisperer

What happens when your mind turns against you — and fills you with thoughts you can’t control?   In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Maurice, creator of the Obsessless app — a powerful new tool designed to support people living with OCD. Maurice opens up about his terrifying first intrusive thoughts, years of misdiagnosis, and how ERP therapy and mindset work helped him turn pain into purpose.   Together, we explore: • The hidden side of OCD most people never see • How intrusive thoughts can completely take over your life • What it really takes to heal when therapy isn’t immediately available • The creation of Obsessless — and why tech could change OCD recovery forever   Whether you’re currently navigating OCD or supporting someone who is, this episode offers raw truth, hope, and tools for reclaiming your mind.   📲 About Mourice Schuurmans (guest): Co-founder of ObsessLess OCD Survivor & Advocate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obsessless_mourice/ ObsessLess App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/obsessless-ocd-treatment-app/id6742539895   ✂️ TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] From Suffering to Solution: Meet Maurice, Creator of Obsessless [00:57] “Something’s Not Right…” — The Childhood Clues Everyone Missed [01:45] 21 Years of Misdiagnosis: When OCD Hides Behind “General Anxiety” [02:30] The Date That Changed Everything: When Intrusive Thoughts Strike Out of Nowhere [03:20] “I Thought I’d Hurt Someone” — Living Through the Scariest OCD Theme [04:15] Waiting 8 Months for Help: What Happens When the System Fails You [06:45] Rock Bottom: Trapped on a Chair, Fighting Thoughts You Can’t Escape [07:30] How His Dad Accidentally Did Exposure Therapy in the Backyard [08:20] The Turning Point: Finding Mark Freeman & Discovering He Wasn’t Alone [09:00] “I Wouldn’t Wish This on My Worst Enemy” — The Real Pain of OCD [10:15] ERP Therapy Explained: What Actually Helped Him Heal [11:06] Why EMDR Isn’t for OCD (and What Is) [11:48] The Harsh Truth: Why OCD Recovery Takes Time (and Why That’s Okay) [13:30] How to Stop Being Afraid of Your Own Thoughts [15:42] The Secret to Living Peacefully With Intrusive Thoughts [16:40] “I Still Get the Thoughts… I Just Don’t Care Anymore.” [18:10] From Patient to Creator: How Obsessless Was Born [19:22] Inside the App: The SOS Feature That Saves People in Crisis [20:43] Meet OLLIE — The AI OCD Companion That Won’t Reassure You [22:22] “We’re Lowering the Barrier to OCD Treatment.” — Maurice’s Mission [22:55] Where to Find Maurice & The Obsessless App   ✅ Free Resources & Links 🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM 📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB 🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/ ✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/   📲 Stay Connected Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults Website: www.korresults.com/   📩 Business Inquiries: info@korresults.com   ✅ About OCD Whisperer Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.   ⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.   🔑 SEO Keywords • OCD intrusive thoughts • ERP therapy for OCD • OCD recovery story • Obsessless app • overcoming harm OCD • mindfulness for OCD • Kristina Orlova OCD Whisperer   © OCD Whisperer

Have you ever felt ashamed of a habit you couldn’t control?   In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Aneela Idnani, co-founder of HabitAware and mental health advocate. Aneela opens up about living with trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder), how shame kept her silent for decades, and how awareness and acceptance transformed her recovery journey.   Aneela shares: • Her early experiences with hair pulling and intrusive thoughts • The hidden shame and secrecy that fueled her struggle for 20+ years • How pregnancy and stress intensified her compulsions • The turning point—finally opening up to her husband and seeking help • How HabitAware’s Keen Smart Bracelet helps build awareness and break the cycle   This conversation also dives into: • Why awareness is the first step to any lasting change • The role of self-care, mindfulness, and acceptance in recovery • How shifting perspective can turn struggle into strength • The importance of removing shame and embracing your full self   Whether you’re navigating OCD, BFRBs (Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors), or supporting someone who is, this episode offers hope, tools, and strategies for healing.   📲About Aneela Idnani (guest): Co-founder of HabitAware Long-time lived experience: pulled hair since adolescence; integrated intrusive thoughts and self-soothing behaviors into her journey HabitAware: habitaware.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aneelaidnani   ✂️ TIMESTAMPS: [00:30] Aneela’s Untold Story [01:39] When Hair Pulling First Began—and Why No One Saw It [03:46] Living in Silence: The Hidden Shame No One Talks About [06:11] The Moment Everything Changed—Her Husband Finds Out [07:33] From Struggle to Solution: How HabitAware Was Born [11:01] The Game-Changer: Turning Awareness Into Freedom [14:18] ADHD, Intrusive Thoughts & The Spiral of Self-Criticism [15:55] Shutting Down the Inner Bully: Mindfulness That Works [20:47] From Self-Hate to Self-Grace: Reframing the Struggle [24:43] Losing It All, Finding Meaning: Processing Grief Differently [26:47] Want to Heal? Here’s How to Reach Aneela & HabitAware   ✅ Free Resources & Links 🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM 📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB 🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/ ✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/   📲 Stay Connected Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults Website: www.korresults.com/   📩 Business Inquiries: info@korresults.com   ✅ About OCD Whisperer Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.   ⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.   🔑 SEO Keywords • trichotillomania recovery • hair pulling disorder help • body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) • OCD and shame • awareness in OCD recovery • HabitAware Keen Smart Bracelet • living with OCD and BFRBs   © OCD Whisperer

What is Response Prevention and why is it the most important part of ERP?   In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with therapist Natalia Aiza. Together, they explore Response Prevention (the RP in ERP therapy)—why it’s the most crucial step in breaking free from OCD cycles, and how to actually apply it in daily life.   Natalia opens up about: • Why exposures without response prevention don’t work • The difference between physical vs. mental compulsions • Tools for handling rumination, avoidance, and reassurance-seeking • How “good enough” ERP (not perfection) helps real people recover   This conversation also dives into: • How to identify sneaky mental rituals disguised as “thinking” • Why delaying compulsions builds brain flexibility • The power of uncertainty, creativity, and new discoveries in recovery   Whether you’re struggling with OCD yourself or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers insight, clarity, and hope to guide your recovery journey.   📲 Natalia Aiza (guest): LPC, Founder of Kairos, specializes in OCD, anxiety, ADHD, and parent coaching for all ages. OCD Colorado: https://www.kairoswellnesscollective.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letstalk.ocd   ✂️TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] – Welcome back + today’s focus on Response Prevention [01:07] – What is response prevention in ERP? [01:45] – Mental vs. physical compulsions [03:19] – Building a response prevention “ladder” [04:17] – Identifying mental rituals as compulsions [05:50] – Why belief in compulsions makes ERP harder [07:01] – Rumination-focused ERP & breaking mental loops [08:57] – Mental distortions + using CBT to challenge analysis [10:47] – Sitting with not knowing vs. “maybe, maybe not” [13:10] – Distress tolerance + uncertainty in recovery [15:52] – Opposite action vs. “good enough” ERP [17:37] – When OCD flares up again: going back to basics [19:21] – Why response prevention matters long-term [21:29] – Designing RP: adaptive vs. compulsive behaviors [22:29] – Reality anchoring: using trusted people as baselines [23:50] – Creative RP examples & individualizing ERP   ✅ Free Resources & Links 🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM 📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB 🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/ ✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/   📲 Stay Connected Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults Website: www.korresults.com/   📩 Business Inquiries: info@korresults.com   ✅ About OCD Whisperer Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.   ⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.   🔑 SEO Keywords • response prevention OCD • ERP therapy explained • mental compulsions OCD • breaking OCD cycles • rumination and OCD • uncertainty in OCD recovery     © OCD Whisperer