Breaking the Rules: A Clinician's Guide to Treating OCD
Breaking the Rules is a podcast for mental health professionals who want to build confidence in treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Hosted by Dr Celin Gelgec and Dr Victoria Miller, it explores how effective OCD treatment demands commitment, creativity and a willingness to accept that the process can get messy. Episodes feature leading clinicians and researchers sharing practical knowledge about OCD and related mental health concerns. The show is produced by Melbourne Wellbeing Group, a psychology practice based in Melbourne, Australia, with a special focus on OCD treatment.
Episodes
I Think My Child Might Have OCD: What Do I Do?
This one's for the parents.In this episode of Breaking the Rules, Dr Celin Gelgec and Dr Tori Miller tackle one of the most common questions they hear from families - I think my child might have OCD. Where do I even start?The episode begins with Celin sharing a moment from a school tour with her three-year-old daughter — catching herself wondering whether her daughter's leaf-counting was a compuls
OCD or Anxiety? It's Not a Black and White Question
OCD or Anxiety? It's Not a Black and White Question The question has been coming up in supervision a lot lately. Is this OCD — or is it GAD? Specific phobia? Health anxiety? Social phobia?It sounds like a simple diagnostic question. It isn't.In this episode of Breaking the Rules, Dr Celin Gelgec and Dr Tori Miller dig into one of the most common and most confusing clinical challenges in the OCD sp
Getting Creative with OCD Therapy: When to Go Beyond ERP
ERP is the gold standard for OCD. But what happens when it's not enough on its own?In this episode of Breaking the Rules, Dr Celin Gelgec and Dr Tori Miller explore one of the most important — and least talked about — questions in OCD treatment: when and how to bring in other therapeutic modalities, and how to do it without abandoning the principles that make ERP work.Tori shares what traditional
Assessing OCD: The Complete Guide for Clinicians
Four years in, and we're going back to basics.In this episode of Breaking the Rules, Celin and Tori walk through the full OCD assessment process from the ground up - because with new listeners joining and so much focus on treatment in recent episodes, it felt like the right time to start at the beginning.How do you actually assess for OCD? What does a comprehensive clinical interview look like? Wh
The OCD Trap Even Therapists Fall Into
When Therapists Spiral Too: What OCD Taught Us About OurselvesCan therapists get caught in the same OCD traps as their clients?Absolutely.In this honest and vulnerable episode of Breaking the Rules, Dr Tori Miller and Dr Dr Celin Gelgec pull back the curtain on a real moment where a late-night social media post sent Celine into an OCD-style spiral of doubt, reassurance seeking and perfectionism. W
Sex & OCD: The Theme No One Wants to Talk About
Sex & OCD: The Theme No One Wants to Talk AboutSex is one of the most misunderstood and least talked about themes in OCD - but it's also one of the most common.In this episode of Breaking the Rules, Dr Tori Miller and Dr Celin Gelgec explore how OCD can latch onto sex, relationships, identity and intimacy, creating overwhelming shame, fear and uncertainty for people of all ages.From sexual ori
When OCD Looks Like An Eating Disorder with Dr Alissa Knight: Part 2
OCD, Eating Disorders & ARFID: Where Do You Start? | Dr Alissa Knight (Part 2)In Part 2 of our conversation with eating disorder specialist with Dr Alissa Knight, we dive deeper into one of the most complex areas of mental health treatment: the overlap between OCD, eating disorders, autism, trauma, and ARFID.How do clinicians untangle symptoms when OCD and eating disorders are working together
The Truth About Eating Disorder Treatment with Dr Alissa Knight: Part 1
Eating Disorders, OCD & The Problem With Traditional Treatment | Dr Alissa KnightFor the Season Premiere of Breaking the Rules, Dr Celin Gelgec and Dr Tori Miller are joined by eating disorder specialist Dr Alissa Knight from Calming Suite Psychology Clinic in Adelaide for a powerful and thought-provoking conversation about eating disorders, trauma, OCD, and why traditional treatment approache
Exposure Therapy in a Public Bathroom
In this episode of Breaking the Rules, we record from an unusual location — the bathroom floor of a public restroom — as we explore an increasingly popular social media trend: “clean girl culture.”Across platforms like TikTok and Instagram, the clean girl aesthetic promotes a polished, minimalist lifestyle — natural makeup, tidy wardrobes, “clean” eating, and curated routines that appear effortles
Why OCD Gets Worse Before It Gets Better (Extinction Bursts)
In this episode of Breaking the Rules, we unpack one of the most confusing and frustrating parts of OCD treatment: extinction bursts.If you’ve ever started exposure therapy and felt like your intrusive thoughts suddenly became louder, more intense, or more frequent, you’re not alone. Many people interpret this spike in discomfort as proof that therapy isn’t working — when in reality, it can be evi
What Exposure Therapy Actually Feels Like (The Mentos/Jelly Bean Exercise)
In this episode of Breaking the Rules, we do something a little different — we guide you through a live experiential exercise used in therapy to demonstrate how Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) actually feels in the moment.Using a simple jelly bean (or Mentos), we walk through an exercise that highlights one of the most important lessons in OCD treatment: the urge to escape discomfort can be
OCD and Productivity: The Struggle Behind the Scenes
In this episode of Breaking the Rules, we explore one of the most frustrating and often misunderstood impacts of OCD - how it interferes with studying, productivity, and performance at work.For many people, OCD hides behind traits that are often praised: diligence, responsibility, perfectionism, and attention to detail. But beneath the surface, what may look like hard work or conscientiousness can
Perfectionism, Process-Based Therapy & The Anxious Perfectionist
In this episode of Breaking the Rules, we’re joined by researcher and clinician Dr. Clarissa Ong to unpack the complex relationship between perfectionism, anxiety, and OCD — and to explore how process-based therapy, particularly ACT, offers a powerful lens for understanding and treating these patterns.Drawing on her research and her book The Anxious Perfectionist, Clarissa helps us move beyond sur
Developmental Patterns in OCD Onset and Flare-Ups
In this episode of Breaking the Rules, we explore when and why OCD tends to peak across the lifespan — and why symptoms often intensify during moments of growth, change, and meaning rather than out of nowhere.Drawing on clinical experience and developmental theory, this conversation looks at the predictable windows of vulnerability where OCD commonly emerges or flares: childhood and puberty, late
Contamination OCD Isn’t Quirky
In this long-awaited episode of Breaking the Rules, we finally do a deep dive into contamination-themed OCD — one of the most common, misunderstood, and physically debilitating OCD presentations.This conversation goes far beyond clichés about handwashing and cleanliness. We unpack what contamination OCD actually looks like day-to-day: the pain, the exhaustion, the food avoidance, the disrupted rou
Readiness, Uncertainty, and Behaviour Change in OCD Treatment
In this reflective and practical episode of Breaking the Rules, the hosts unpack a phrase that shows up constantly in therapy rooms: “I don’t feel ready.” What does it actually mean? Is readiness a feeling—or is it a decision we make in the presence of fear, uncertainty, and discomfort?Using OCD as the primary lens, this conversation explores how clients often wait for certainty, calm, or clarity
Moral Scrupulosity vs OCPD
In this in-depth episode of Breaking the Rules, we unpack two commonly confused but fundamentally different clinical presentations: moral scrupulosity (OCD) and Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD). While they may look similar on the surface—perfectionism, rigid values, intense guilt—the treatment implications couldn’t be more different.The conversation explores how moral scrupulosity
Values, Paradox, and OCD: Finding Flexibility in the Tension
In this thought-provoking episode of Breaking the Rules, the hosts explore how values and paradox show up in the therapy room—especially when working with clients who experience OCD. Drawing from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) principles, they discuss how being “fused” with one’s values can keep clients stuck in rigidity, perfectionism, and fear of imperfection.The conversation dives into
Understanding the Link Between PTSD and OCD
In this powerful and insightful episode, we explore the connection between PTSD and OCD, two conditions that often intersect in complex and misunderstood ways. The discussion dives into how trauma can shape obsessive-compulsive patterns, how compulsions can emerge as coping mechanisms, and why a trauma-informed approach is essential for effective treatment.The speakers unpack the challenges of wor
Understanding Parental Accommodation in OCD: Breaking the Cycle
In this insightful episode, we explore the concept of parental accommodation — the well-intentioned ways family members and loved ones may unknowingly reinforce OCD behaviours. Drawing from the research of Professor Eli Liebowitz (Yale) and real-world clinical experience, the hosts unpack how accommodation develops, why it’s so hard to stop, and how families can begin to make meaningful change.Fro
Perinatal Mental Health and OCD
The perinatal period is one of the most vulnerable—and transformative—times in a parent’s life. In this episode, we explore the challenges of perinatal mental health, with a particular focus on OCD and how intrusive thoughts can impact new parents during this stage.Our speakers discuss the role of psychoeducation, the importance of therapeutic trust, and how clinicians can best support parents nav
The Challenges of Clinical Practice
This honest and reflective episode takes listeners inside the therapy room—where clinical learnings, vulnerability, and growth unfold in real time. Ms Catherine McGrath (Clinical Team Lead and Senior Psychologist) sharea hard-earned lessons from working with OCD clients using ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention), and open up about the emotional toll, missed opportunities, and the courage it take
Unpacking Meta OCD: A Deep Dive
In this episode, we explore the often misunderstood world of Meta OCD—a subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder where the obsession becomes the diagnosis itself. Clients plagued by questions like "Do I really have OCD?" or "Is this the right treatment?" can become trapped in a mental loop that stalls progress and fuels perfectionism, self-doubt, and avoidance.We discuss how Meta OCD complicates t
Navigating the Complexities of Health Anxiety and OCD
In this insightful episode, we explore the tangled web of health anxiety, OCD, and death anxiety, unpacking how these psychological disorders often overlap and feed into each other. From obsessive thought patterns and compulsions to the deep-rooted fear of mortality, our speakers dive deep into the inner workings of anxiety disorders and what makes treatment so complex—and so crucial.💬 We discuss:
The Complexities of ERP Therapy
In this episode, we dive deep into the world of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)—the gold standard treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)—through a clinical and ethical lens.We unpack the delicate balance between challenging clients and protecting their autonomy, exploring how therapeutic trust, client consent, and collaborative exposure tasks shape the success of ERP. This conver
The dangers of suicidal OCD and how to recognise it
With suicide remaining a leading cause of death for people aged between 15-44 in Australia, clinicians in the OCD space need to ask the question: How do we differentiate between suicidal ideation and obsessive intrusive suicidal thoughts? In this episode, we discuss how to work with a client when they come to you with suicidal thoughts, why it is critical to take all mentions of suicide seriously,
How “skinny-tok” is feeding eating disorder content to teenagers
Felicity Phillips is the Founder of Weight of the World, a community-driven organisation supporting people with eating disorders and their carers through recovery. Weight of the World aims to provide peer support and education while challenging diet culture and promoting body neutrality. In this episode, Felicity shares her personal journey from pre-professional ballet to developing an eating diso
Is it ROCD or is there a real problem in the relationship?
It's normal to have doubts and questions about our relationships sometimes. Am I in love with my partner? Am I spending enough time with my parents? Are my friends mad at me? But what happens when those normal, passing concerns turn into an obsession? In this episode, we explain the difference between ordinary relationship concerns and relationship OCD (ROCD), how to identify when ROCD is showing
Supporting new parents with OCD
This is the final part of our two-part chat with Dr Bianca Mastromanno. In the last episode, Bianca discussed how she works with parents to process their childhood experiences and help them navigate parenthood themselves. In this episode, Bianca opens up about her personal experiences with parenting anxiety, digs into the challenges faced by parents with OCD, the impact of OCD on early parenthood,
Why revisiting a parent’s own childhood can help them as a new parent
Dr Bianca Mastromanno is a Clinical Psychologist who works extensively in the perinatal space. Bianca uses a trauma-informed, evidence-based approach to support parents and children living with mental health concerns. In this episode, Bianca explains how she works with parents with OCD or other mental health challenges to explore and process their own childhood experiences to help them navigate th
The value of self-awareness, trust, and non-accommodating support
This is the final part of our two-part chat with Lindsay and Emily Stetzer. In the last episode, Lindsay and Emily opened up about their early experiences with OCD and how their lived experiences led them to create Presently Bracelets. In this episode, Lindsay and Emily discuss the household dynamics of living in a family with OCD, the significance of non-accommodating support, and the role of exp
How these sisters turned their OCD into a thriving jewellery business
Lindsay and Emily Stetzer are sisters living with OCD and the Founders of Presently Bracelets. Presently Bracelets offer a range of bracelets to help you navigate intrusive thoughts and embrace the present moment. In this episode, Lindsay and Emily share their individual experiences with OCD and treatment, what helps them between sessions, and what they think therapists need to know from the
How clinicians can provide better OCD treatment (from someone with OCD)
This is the final part of our two-part chat with Chrissie Hodges. In the last episode, Chrissie shared her early experiences with OCD before embracing the challenges of OCD peer support and advocacy work. In this episode, Chrissie reflects on her experiences with OCD treatments and what clinicians can and should be doing better. She also emphasises the importance of acknowledging the impacts of di
Peer-to-peer: A frank conversation about OCD
Chrissie Hodges is an OCD Advocate, Peer Support Specialist, and Author of ‘Pure OCD: The Invisible Side of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder'. For over a decade, Chrissie has worked closely with individuals living with OCD, as well as providing training to government agencies to enable them to better support people with OCD. In this episode, Chrissie shares her powerful personal journey with OC
Helping someone with a hoarding disorder takes more than throwing away their stuff
Is tough love the right approach for people struggling with hoarding disorders, or is there another way? In this episode, we explain how to recognise hoarding disorder and how it differs from having a collection or even hoarding-themed OCD. We explore how to navigate the intense shame experienced by people with a hoarding disorder or hoarding-themed OCD and how to sensitively and responsibly provi
How to support mothers with mental health difficulties
This is the final part of our two-part chat with Emily Crawford. In the last episode, Emily highlighted the importance of building supportive networks for mothers and the challenges mothers experience before and after birth. In this episode, Emily discusses how to support mothers with mental health difficulties throughout pregnancy and after birth and how to provide interventions to mothers who ar
Why strong support networks are vital for mothers throughout and after pregnancy
Returning guest Emily Crawford is the Principal Psychologist at Nest Psychology and has more than 20 years of experience as an Educational and Developmental Psychologist supporting adults, children, adolescents, and their families with various mental health issues (including OCD). She is also a 'Tuning in to Kids' facilitator and a mother of four. In this episode, Emily discusses the postnatal per
Tackling ambivalence with commitment, creativity, and curiosity
We’re continuing our discussion about ambivalence. Ambivalence is when a client feels conflicted about treatment, either consciously or subconsciously, and can throw up stopping blocks in treatment. In the last episode, we looked at how to spot ambivalence and tackle it when you see it. In this episode, we discuss the importance of motivational interviewing in exploring patient emotions and unders
Identifying ambivalence and how to tackle it
What happens when a client wants to change but doesn’t know where to start, doesn’t want to do the work, or is in some other way conflicted? Ambivalence. Ambivalence is normal during therapy but can hinder a client’s progress if left unaddressed. In this episode, we discuss some telltale signs of ambivalence in clients, understanding where ambivalence comes from, and how to work through it when it
The crucial role of parents in treating anxiety and OCD in children
This episode is the final part of our two-part chat with Natasha Daniels. Natasha is a Therapist specialising in anxiety and OCD in children and created AT Parenting Survival to help the parents of children living with anxiety and OCD. In our last episode, Natasha shared how she got into working with children, how to adapt ERP for young people, and the importance of rapport, fun, and play in ther
Building rapport and having fun is crucial for treating children with OCD and anxiety
Natasha Daniels is a Therapist specialising in anxiety and OCD in children. Natasha is the creator of the AT Parenting Survival website to provide parents with advice for helping their children living with anxiety and OCD. Natasha has drawn on two decades of experience to create a YouTube channel and a podcast and has also written several books. In this episode, Natasha reveals what drew her to wo
Perfectly imperfect: Spotting perfectionism in OCD treatment and how to address it
Perfectionism. It’s a complicated trait that shows up a lot when working with OCD. It can present in a range of ways and can look like self-loathing, anger, people-pleasing, or even a strong sense of doubt and uncertainty in clients. In this skills episode, we dig into how perfectionism can manifest in a client, how it might present in a session, and how to address it when it does. Connect: htt
How to find the right balance in discomfort during ERP
This is the final part of our chat with Associate Professor of Psychology and convenor of the clinical psychology program at the University of Melbourne, Dr Brett Deacon. In our previous conversations with Brett, he explained safety behaviours, accommodation behaviours from family and clinicians, and how accommodating behaviours that reduce discomfort can limit the efficacy of treatment for clien
Unlocking flexibility in OCD therapy
George Habib is a Clinical Psychologist and Associate Director of Wellbeing Services at the University of Melbourne. Alongside this role, he's been working in his own clinical practice for over 25 years. His work, deeply rooted in trauma support and symptom interpretation, has shaped his leadership in health services and legal aid. In this episode, George tackles the clinician’s role in structured
The impacts of accommodating safety behaviours on OCD treatment
In our last episode, Associate Professor of Psychology and convenor of the clinical psychology program at the University of Melbourne, Dr Brett Deacon, explained the concept of safety behaviours and how to manage them in OCD treatment. In this episode, Brett dives into the data behind safety behaviours and accommodations. He expands on how making more accommodations can impact treatment and how cl
How to manage safety behaviours during exposure therapy
Dr Brett Deacon is an Associate Professor of Psychology and convenor of the clinical psychology program at the University of Melbourne. Brett has worked in the field of psychology for over 15 years with a focus on exposure therapy for anxiety and OCD. He has published many papers on therapist barriers to exposure therapy and strategies for overcoming them and is a co-author of ‘Exposure Therapy fo
Getting unstuck: How to address guilt and shame and move forward
Guilt and shame are a normal part of the human experience. Where it can become a problem is when clients are unable to overcome, or even identify, guilt and shame they may be feeling which can lead to a “stuckness” in treatment that can be frustrating and upsetting. In this skills episode, we’ll explain the difference between guilt and shame, discuss telltale signs to look for in clients, and how
How genetic counselling can impact patient care
Joanne Isbister is a Certified Genetic Counsellor at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Jo has over 15 years of experience as a genetic counsellor and has clinical experience in perinatal, paediatric, and adult genetics. After Identifying a gap in local services, Jo is developing a clinical service at the RMH to provide equitable access to psychiatric genetic medicine for those in need. In today’s epis
"The Joy Thief": A practical, personal guide to navigating OCD
Penny Moodie is a Co-founder of So OCD and the Author of "The Joy Thief". Penny is a passionate OCD advocate and her book, “The Joy Thief” is a deeply personal exploration of OCD along with practical advice from mental health professionals. In this episode, Penny describes the experience of writing "The Joy Thief", the effect it had on her own OCD, and the things she learnt along the way. She also
When does psychoeducation become reassurance?
One of the main roles of a clinician is to provide as much knowledge as possible when supporting clients in treatment. But when does knowledge and education, or psychoeducation as it's known, become a reassurance trap when treating OCD? In this skills episode, we'll explore how to detect if psychoeducation is bordering on reassurance, and how to navigate that with your client. We'll also discuss t
Using deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant OCD
Dr Luca Cocchi is a Group Leader and Associate Professor at QIMR Berghofer, who is currently working on ways to improve TMS for its usage in OCD treatment. Dr Philip Mosley is a Psychiatrist and Clinician-Scientist at QIMR Berghofer, where he is currently researching DBS for treatment-refractory OCD. In this episode, Phillip explains deep brain stimulation (or DBS) and how it's being used to trea
The neuroscience behind OCD
Dr Luca Cocchi is a Group Leader and Associate Professor at QIMR Berghofer, where he is currently working on ways to improve TMS for its usage in OCD treatment. Dr Philip Mosley is a Psychiatrist and Clinician-Scientist at QIMR Berghofer, who is currently researching DBS for treatment-refractory OCD. In this episode, Luca and Phillip explain the neuroscience behind OCD, as well as what treatment-r
How to implement mindfulness in ERP
Welcome back to another skills episode! Today, we're covering something you may have heard mentioned a few times in our previous episodes: meditation. Mindfulness-based strategies can be incredibly useful for clients and clinicians alike, and there are many ways they can be helpful when integrated with ERP. In this episode, we'll explain why mindfulness is so important, and share how you can best
Navigating nerves as an early-career psychologist
Hannah Gersh is a Psychologist and Clinical Registrar at the Melbourne Wellbeing Group. As an early-career psychologist, Hannah understands how nerve-wracking it can be to start in the industry, and is here to share her experiences to help ease the nerves of any other early-career psychologist. In this episode, Hannah shares how she found her way into working with OCD, as well as how she deals wi
Creating ERP tasks for Pure O and POCD
Welcome back to our deep dive into creating ERP tasks, where we're continuing to explore the ways you can get creative in treatment, regardless of the presentation or the subtype. In this episode, we're exploring different ways to create ERP tasks in the context of pure OCD, and paedophilic OCD. We'll share the ways to help your clients interrupt mental compulsions, as well as how to create safe a
How to create ERP tasks
Welcome back to another skills episode! This week, we're following on from our previous skills episode, "What is ERP?", with an episode on how to create ERP tasks. We'll be exploring all the ways you can break the rules and get creative with ERP, whilst still remaining evidence based in treatment. In this episode, we'll explore how to design exposure tasks for OCD, regardless of the subtype. We'll
What your family member with OCD needs from you
Penny Moodie and Rosie Frankish are the Co-founders of the So OCD website, a resource built to provide local support for Australians with OCD. Penny Moodie is an OCD advocate, with a background in media and communications, who is currently studying for a social work degree whilst writing a book about OCD. Rosie Frankish has a background in psychology and currently works in the community mental hea
What it's like to live with OCD
Penny Moodie and Rosie Frankish are the Co-founders of So OCD, a website resource built to provide local support for Australians with OCD. Penny Moodie is an OCD advocate, with a background in media and communications, who is currently writing a book about OCD whilst studying for a social work degree. Rosie Frankish has a background in psychology and currently works in the community mental health
How to support a loved one in treatment
Navigating the process of supporting loved ones in treatment can feel like walking through a minefield. It's easy to question if it's appropriate to involve yourself in the treatment process, where the boundaries lie, and how to even begin. These questions can feel overwhelming and often lead to us doing nothing at all. In this skills episode, we discuss how clinicians can expand their treatment p
How to use the inhibitory learning model in clinical practice
Dr Jonathan Abramowitz is a clinical psychologist, author, and Professor for the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina in America. With over 25 years of experience, Jon is recognised internationally as a leading authority on the treatment and study of OCD and is dedicated to researching and publishing his findings on OCD treatment and passing on his knowledg
The evolution of the inhibitory learning model
Dr Jonathan Abramowitz is a world-renowned clinical psychologist and a Professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina. Jon has over 25 years of experience working in the treatment of OCD and related disorders and has contributed to hundreds of scientific publications in that time. He also trains clinical psychology students and is the author of sever
Adapting ERP for group therapy
It's easy to get bogged down in the options that are available when deciding on treatment options for clients. Treatment for OCD can include inpatient treatment, one-on-one treatment, group therapy, and anything in between. In this episode, we're going to do a deep dive into group therapy, and how to adapt ERP to work in a group therapy setting (spoiler alert: it's easier than you think). We'll e
The challenges in embracing uncertainty
Dr Jonathan Grayson is a Licensed Psychologist, Author, and Director of the Grayson Center in LA and the Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences at the University of Southern California. Jonathan has specialised in OCD treatment for over 40 years and even authored an award-winning book on the topic, 'Freedom from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: a Personalised
Uncertainty and OCD
Dr Jonathan Grayson is the Director of the Grayson Center in LA as well as the Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California. Jonathan has over 40 years of experience in the treatment of OCD and was the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International OCD Foundation. In today's episode, Jonathan explores the concept of un
Utilising ERP in group therapy
Dr Clair Lawson is a clinical psychologist and the Director of her group private practice, Lawson Clinical Psychology, in Perth, Western Australia. She has over 21 years of experience working as a clinical psychologist in government and private practice settings and has spent much of this time treating OCD. Clair is also a training supervisor for clinical psychology students at the University of W
The trajectory of OCD research and treatment
Paul Salkovskis is a Professor from the Oxford University in the UK. Paul has worked as a clinical psychologist since 1979 and as a researcher interested in the treatment of anxiety disorders, including OCD, panic disorder, agoraphobia, and health anxiety. He's also on the editorial board for several psychology journals and is the current president of the British Association for Behavioural and Co
Familial influences on anxiety and OCD
Dr Eli Lebowitz is an Associate Professor from Yale University who studies and treats childhood and adolescent anxiety. Eli is also the Program for Anxiety Disorders Director at the Yale Child Study Centre. His research focuses on the development, neurobiology, and treatment of anxiety, but his passion lies in exploring cross-generational and family influences on anxiety and related disorders. In
How to deal with meltdowns
Emily Crawford is an Educational and Development Psychologist with over 20 years of experience supporting adults, children, adolescents, and their families with various mental health issues (including OCD). She is passionate about engaging parents in the support of their children and tailoring approaches to support her client's individual needs. Emily is also a 'Tuning in to Kids' facilitator and
Autism and OCD: Similarities, differences, and treating clients with both
Dr Marie Karakis is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist who works closely with neurodiverse young people, including those with autism, ADHD, and OCD. She is also the Director of Young Minds Psychology, a private practice that provides assessment, intervention, treatment, and school consultations. In today's episode, Marie shares her insights into the similarities and differences between
The intersection of OCD and anxiety
Dr Emily O'Leary is an experienced Clinical Psychologist passionate about treating OCD and the Managing Director of three clinical psychology practices and one psychiatry practice. She also manages a consulting business that provides training and supervision to other psychologists in her areas of interest. Emily is committed to raising awareness of the complexity of disorders like OCD and anxiety
OCD and body-focused repetitive behaviours
Tanya Arabatzoudis is a Clinical Psychologist with a special interest in body-focused repetitive behaviours (BFRBs), specifically trichotillomania. She spent her postgraduate studies exploring how emotion regulation and trichotillomania were linked and now works with patients with OCD and BFRBs. In this episode, Tanya explains BFRBs and the current limitations on research into these behaviours. T
How to include fun and families in a young person's treatment
Catherine McGrath is a Senior Psychologist at the Melbourne Wellbeing Group. She has over 15 years of experience working with young people and families who are dealing with all sorts of mental health concerns, including OCD. In today's episode, Catherine shares her tips on when to include family in the treatment of a young person before detailing her experience working with younger clients with OC
What is ERP for OCD treatment?
We've been leading up to this moment for the past few skills episodes. We have referenced ERP and talked about it, but what is it? So in this episode, we'll finally answer that question! We're also going to answer other frequently asked questions about ERP, such as do we need to do a hierarchy, aren't we just teaching distraction, and how does ERP work with the different subtypes of OCD? Conne
Mental health in schools
Brydie Huggins is a school psychologist with over 15 years of experience working with young people in school settings. She's passionate about involving parents in the treatment process and delivering programs such as Tuning in to Kids, which helps teach an emotion coaching approach to parenting. In today's episode, Brydie explains the impact that schools can have on a young person's mental health
Treatment options for OCD
OCD is a complex disorder, and it's easy to feel stuck when it comes to treatment options, no matter the client's age. So what are the treatment options, and when should we use them? In today's episode, we're talking through the various types of treatment available for OCD, from psychological therapy to deep brain stimulation. Then, we'll share our insights into how you can get messy with treatmen
The common pitfalls of treating OCD
Dr Michael Twohig is a well-renowned professor of psychology at Utah State University. His research includes exploration of acceptance and commitment therapy in OCD treatment, and he has published over 200 scholarly works and seven books. In today's episode, Michael explains the most common problems when treating OCD. He also talks us through his two most recent books, ACT in Steps, co-authored w
How to utilise acceptance and commitment therapy in treatment
Dr Michael Twohig is a professor of psychology at Utah State University, where he teaches and studies the use of acceptance and commitment therapy in OCD treatment. He co-runs the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Research Group and has published over 200 scholarly works, with funding from sources such as the National Institute of Mental Health and the I-OCD-F. In today's episode, Michael talks us
The subtype we haven't mentioned yet
Today, we're back with another Skills episode, covering the OCD subtype we haven't discussed yet: Pure O. We'll be discussing where the term came from, why we're so confused by it, and what the research tells us about this unique subtype. In this episode, you'll hear us exploring and thinking out loud about Pure O. We talk about where the idea of Pure O came from, what it looks like in session, an
What modern medicine is missing in treating the mental health crisis
Dr Johanna Lynch is a Senior Lecturer at The University of Queensland, as well as a General Practitioner. She presents to audiences internationally and across Australia, and conducts professional case consultation and coaching for GPs and multidisciplinary clinicians. In this episode, Johanna shares more about how the mind and body connection to healing is the missing link in most modern medicine.
The importance of whole-person care
Dr Johanna Lynch is a General Practitioner and Senior Lecturer at the University of Queensland. Alongside presenting to audiences across the globe, Johanna works closely with GPs and students, teaching whole-person care and mental health skills. In today's episode, Johanna shares how she came to work in the mental health industry and be a champion for whole-person care. She introduces us to
