Breaking the Rules: A Clinician's Guide to Treating OCD: Recent Episodes
Dr Celin Gelgec and Dr Victoria Miller
Breaking the Rules is a show for mental health professionals designed to help you build confidence in treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Effective treatment of OCD requires commitment, creativity and the recognition that things can sometimes get a little … messy. And on the show, you’ll hear from a range of leading professionals and learn everything there is to know about OCD and other related mental health concerns. This podcast is brought to you by Melbourne Wellbeing Group, a psychology practice based in Melbourne with a special focus on treating OCD.
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? When do you bring in psychometrics? And what happens when the OCD isn't responding to ERP the way it should?
Celine and Tori cover the full assessment process — from taking a developmental history to using the Y-BOCS, working through the DSM-5 criteria, and navigating differential diagnosis. They also discuss PANDAS and PANS: the rare but important condition where OCD is triggered by an infection, why ERP alone won't work, and how asking one simple question about recent illness can completely change a treatment pathway.
Whether you're a clinician new to the OCD space, refreshing the fundamentals, or someone who's wondered how OCD gets diagnosed — this one's for you.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- Why a full developmental history is non-negotiable — even with adult clients
- The two age of onset clusters for OCD and why they matter
- How to use the Y-BOCS as an interview tool rather than a take-home questionnaire
- Why scoring the Y-BOCS isn't enough — and what you still need to check
- Jonathan Grayson's Freedom from OCD scale as an alternative for clinicians new to the space
- The DSM-5 criteria for OCD explained in plain language
- How to differentiate OCD from anxiety disorders, autism, OCPD, and other co-occurring conditions
- What the insight specifier really means — and why good insight doesn't mean mild OCD
- What PANDAS and PANS are, how to spot them, and why they require medical treatment first
- How a thorough assessment sets you up seamlessly for ERP
Also featuring: a baby learning to roll over in the background.
www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au
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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. What started as curiosity quickly became hours of researching, second-guessing herself and questioning everything she thought she knew.
Using this experience, they explore one of the most important concepts in OCD treatment: transference and countertransference. They discuss how therapists can unknowingly absorb a client's uncertainty, feel the urge to rescue, reassure or change course, and why recognising these reactions is essential for effective treatment.
This episode is a powerful reminder that clinicians are human too. The goal isn't to eliminate uncertainty or become the perfect therapist—it's to notice what's happening, stay grounded, and continue modelling the very skills we ask our clients to practise every day.
Whether you're an OCD clinician, a mental health professional, or someone living with OCD, this conversation offers valuable insight into perfectionism, uncertainty, and why learning to tolerate not knowing is at the heart of recovery.
In this episode you'll learn:
- How therapists can become caught in the same uncertainty loops as their clients.
- What transference and countertransference look like in OCD treatment.
- Why noticing your own urges to rescue, reassure or "fix" can make you a better clinician.
Learn more about Melbourne Wellbeing Group:
https://melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au
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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 orientation OCD, relationship OCD and contamination fears around intimacy, to intrusive thoughts about loved ones, children or animals, they explain why these thoughts say nothing about who you are—and everything about how OCD operates.
This episode is also a practical conversation for clinicians. Dr Tori and Dr Celine discuss how to ask the difficult questions, build enough trust for clients to disclose taboo themes, and create a therapy space where shame no longer has to be carried alone. They also explore how trauma can intersect with sexual-themed OCD, why careful assessment matters, and how Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) can be adapted to support recovery.
Whether you're living with OCD, supporting someone who is, or working as a mental health professional, this episode offers reassurance, practical guidance and a powerful reminder: intrusive thoughts are not intentions, and you are not defined by the content of your mind.
In this episode you'll learn:
- Why sexual-themed OCD is far more common than most people realise.
- How shame keeps people trapped in silence and delays treatment.
- How clinicians can confidently assess and treat taboo OCD themes using evidence-based approaches.
Learn more about Melbourne Wellbeing Group:
https://melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au
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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? What happens when OCD disguises itself as an eating disorder, or when an eating disorder hides behind OCD? And how do you know where to begin treatment when both conditions are causing significant distress?
Dr Alissa shares her unique, person-centred approach to formulation, treatment planning, and building trust with clients who have often been misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or passed between services. She also provides practical insights into working with ARFID, including how Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) can be adapted to help people gradually overcome intense fears around food.
This episode is packed with clinical wisdom for psychologists, therapists, students, families, and anyone interested in understanding the deeper relationship between OCD and eating disorders.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• Why OCD and eating disorders so commonly occur together
• How OCD can unintentionally protect and reinforce eating disorder behaviours
• The difference between OCD-driven food restriction and eating disorder pathology
• How to determine which condition to treat first
• Why collaboration and client buy-in are essential for successful treatment
• The role of trauma, autism and nervous system dysregulation in eating disorders
• Practical ways to adapt ERP for ARFID treatment
• Why rapport is often more important than any therapy model
• The biggest mistakes clinicians make when working with eating disorders
• How to help clients feel safe, understood and empowered in treatment
Dr Alissa also shares a powerful reminder for clinicians: your greatest therapeutic tool isn't a treatment manual, it's your ability to connect with another human being.
Whether you're treating OCD, ARFID, anorexia nervosa, or working with complex presentations, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on what effective and compassionate care can look like.
To learn more about Dr Alissa Knight follow this link
www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au
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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 approaches may be failing many young people.
After seeing Dr Alissa present at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference, Celine and Tori knew they had to bring her onto the podcast. What follows is an honest discussion about the realities of eating disorder treatment, the fear-based messages many clinicians receive, and why genuine connection, trust, and understanding a person's full story may be far more important than rigid treatment manuals.
Together, they explore the complex relationship between eating disorders and OCD, the role of trauma and attachment, why relapse rates remain so high, and how a more collaborative and compassionate approach can help people move towards true wellness rather than simply chasing "recovery."
In this episode, you'll learn:
• Why eating disorders are far more than food and weight
• The hidden links between OCD, trauma, anxiety and eating disorders
• How traditional treatment approaches can unintentionally damage trust
• Why rapport and connection are often the most important therapeutic tools
• The dangers of fear-based treatment and clinician burnout
• How trauma-informed care can change outcomes for young people
• Why wellness may be a more helpful goal than "recovery"
• The challenges clinicians face when balancing medical risk and compassion
This conversation challenges long-held assumptions about eating disorder treatment and offers a hopeful, human-centred perspective for clinicians, families, and anyone supporting a loved one through recovery.
If you're a clinician, parent, educator, or someone living with OCD or an eating disorder, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
To learn more about Dr Alissa Knight follow this link
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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 effortless and healthy.
But when does a healthy routine become rigidity, anxiety, or compulsive behavior?
In this conversation we unpack how trends like clean girl culture can blur the line between wellbeing and preoccupation, and how certain aspects of the aesthetic can overlap with OCD patterns, particularly around contamination, checking, perfectionism, and the need for control.
We also explore the broader question clinicians and individuals often face: how do we know when something has gone too far?
In this episode we discuss:
- What “clean girl culture” is and why it’s trending on social media
- The appeal of curated lifestyles and polished aesthetics
- When healthy habits start becoming rigid or anxiety-driven
- Parallels with orthorexia and other wellness trends
- How social media trends can reinforce perfectionism and control
- When checking, reassurance seeking, and contamination fears creep in
- How compulsive behaviours can sometimes hide behind socially rewarded habits
- The importance of flexibility, connection, and values when evaluating lifestyle choices
- Questions clinicians can ask when assessing whether a habit has become unhealthy
Ultimately, this episode isn’t about criticising trends — it’s about helping people reflect on the “why” behind their behaviours and recognizing when something that started as self-care begins to shrink a person’s life instead of expanding it.
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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 evidence that change is actually happening.
We explore what extinction bursts are, why they occur when people begin changing compulsive behaviors, and why the brain often reacts with a kind of “hissy fit” when long-standing patterns are challenged.
This episode focuses on helping both clinicians and individuals understand that the initial surge in anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or urges isn’t failure — it’s often the brain’s attempt to pull you back into familiar safety behaviors.
We also discuss practical ways clinicians can prepare clients for extinction bursts, coach them through these moments, and help them recognize these experiences as part of the change process rather than a sign that treatment is going wrong.
In this episode we discuss:
- What extinction bursts are and why they happen
- Why OCD often gets louder when compulsions start changing
- How long-standing habits create powerful neural patterns
- Why many people misinterpret extinction bursts as therapy failure
- The role of psychoeducation in preparing clients for this phase of treatment
- Coaching clients to observe and ride out the “burst”
- Using curiosity instead of self-judgment during difficult moments
- Why discomfort during treatment can actually be evidence of progress
- Helping clients track patterns without becoming trapped in distress monitoring
- Reframing extinction bursts as a sign of meaningful change
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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 powerful, but it can also be tolerated.
Through this exercise, we explore how quickly the mind and body react to discomfort, how intrusive thoughts and urges show up, and how reconnecting with meaning and values can shift our relationship with those experiences.
Experiential exercises like this are commonly used in ACT, DBT, and ERP therapy because they allow people to learn through doing, rather than just talking about the skills intellectually.
In this episode we discuss:
- What experiential exercises are and why they are powerful in therapy
- Why learning skills during calm moments is different from using them during triggers
- The Mentos (or jelly bean) exercise used to simulate urge surfing and response prevention
- What happens in the mind and body when discomfort rises
- Intrusive thoughts, urges, and the instinct to escape discomfort
- The role of meaning and values in increasing distress tolerance
- Why acceptance changes our relationship to discomfort, not the discomfort itself
- How clinicians can use this exercise with clients, families, and teen group.
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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 actually be hours of painful compulsions, paralysis, and mental exhaustion.
We unpack how OCD shows up in school, university, and the workplace — from endlessly rewriting emails and rereading textbooks, to missed deadlines, avoidance, and overwhelming fatigue. We also discuss how these patterns can sometimes be mistaken for ADHD, learning difficulties, or lack of motivation, making accurate assessment and treatment even more important.
Most importantly, we share practical strategies clinicians and individuals can use to support functioning while treating the underlying OCD.
In this episode we discuss:
- Why OCD often becomes most visible in study and work environments
- How compulsions like checking, rereading, researching, and reassurance seeking sabotage productivity
- The difference between perfectionism and OCD paralysis
- Why OCD is often misinterpreted as ADHD or executive dysfunction
- The emotional toll of feeling “ineffective” despite working incredibly hard
- Strategies for managing compulsions while studying or working
- Setting limits around checking, researching, and rewriting
- Learning the practice of “good enough”
- Rebuilding trust in your own judgement after OCD
- Using values to guide action when motivation disappears
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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 surface-level symptoms and into the underlying processes that drive rigidity, rule-following, self-criticism, and all-or-nothing thinking.
We explore perfectionism not as a simple personality trait, but as a pattern of inflexible rule-governed behaviour — one that can show up across OCD, generalized anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and beyond. The conversation dives into how values can become fused with perfectionistic rules, how therapy itself can become “a thing to perfect,” and why flexibility — not flawless performance — is the real treatment target.
💬 Key themes:
• Perfectionism as rigidity around internal rules and standards
• The overlap between perfectionism, OCD, and generalized anxiety
• Why perfectionism is often more process than diagnosis
• ACT vs CBT in the treatment of perfectionism
• Experiential work vs intellectualizing in therapy
• How values can become hijacked by perfectionism
• The “all-or-nothing” trap and treatment drop-off
• The role of context in determining helpful vs unhelpful striving
• Therapist perfectionism and projected expectations
• Letting go of the need to be liked
This conversation is especially valuable for clinicians wanting to deepen their formulations beyond symptom reduction and into process-based change.
https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au
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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 adolescence and young adulthood, and major life transitions such as starting high school, exams, relationships, parenthood, grief, and identity shifts.
Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, the discussion centres on formulation, psychoeducation, and normalisation — helping both clinicians and clients answer the critical question: why now?
💬 Key themes:
- The two most common ages of onset for OCD
- Puberty, hormones, and emotional intensity
- Individuation, identity formation, and existential anxiety
- Why OCD spikes when life becomes meaningful
- New parenthood, responsibility, and fear of harm
- How values drive OCD themes during transitions
- Understanding symptom “shape-shifting” across life stages
- Using developmental context to reduce fear and shame
- Anticipating flare-ups and planning support proactively
💡 “OCD often shows up when life matters most.”
🧠 “These thoughts tell us what we care about.”
💬 “Be alert, not alarmed.”
🔖 Chapters
00:00 Introduction: When does OCD peak?
01:30 Early onset and puberty
03:30 Adolescence, identity, and individuation
06:00 Hormones, emotions, and existential fear
08:00 Life transitions and meaning
10:00 New parenthood and responsibility
12:00 Why themes change over time
14:00 Using formulation to answer ‘why now?’
16:00 Anticipating flare-ups and building support
#OCD #MentalHealthPodcast #BreakingTheRulesPodcast #OCDRecovery #ClinicianSupport #LifeTransitions #PerinatalMentalHealth #AdolescentMentalHealth #TherapyTalk #MentalHealthAwareness
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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 routines, the impact on relationships, parenting, work, and health — and the quiet suffering that often goes unseen.
We explore both physical contamination fears (germs, illness, food safety, asbestos, chemicals) and moral contamination, where people fear being “tainted” by proximity to someone or something that conflicts with their values. The episode also tackles one of the trickiest clinical questions: how to work with ego-syntonic rules without turning therapy into another rigid rule system.
This is an essential listen for clinicians, clients, and loved ones wanting a clearer, more compassionate understanding of contamination OCD — and how ERP can be done flexibly, ethically, and effectively.
💬 Key themes:
- What contamination OCD really looks like behind closed doors
- Why it’s not about being “clean” or “house-proud”
- The physical toll: pain, skin damage, exhaustion, hunger
- Food avoidance, illness fears, and misdiagnosis with eating disorders
- Moral contamination and value-based fear
- Ego-syntonic vs ego-dystonic rules
- How to assess contamination OCD properly
- Flexibility vs rigidity in treatment
- ERP without reinforcing “right vs wrong” rules
- Helping clients choose values over compulsions
💡 “Contamination OCD holds people hostage.”
🧠 “This isn’t quirky — it’s devastating.”
💬 “There is no ‘right’ amount. Flexibility is the goal.”
🔖 Chapters
00:00 Why we avoided this topic (and why we’re doing it now)
01:00 What contamination OCD actually means
02:30 Moral contamination explained
05:00 The physical and emotional toll
08:00 Illness fears, COVID, and community safety
10:00 When contamination affects parenting and relationships
12:00 Ego-syntonic rules and client-led goals
14:00 Flexibility vs rigid hygiene rules
16:00 ERP and realistic exposure work
19:00 Messing up rituals and tolerating uncertainty
22:00 Assessment questions clinicians should be asking
25:00 Creative exposure ideas
27:30 Final reflections and encouragement
#OCD #ContaminationOCD #ERP #TherapyPodcast #MentalHealthProfessionals #OCDRecovery #ExposureTherapy #BreakingTheRulesPodcast #ClinicianSupport #MentalHealthAwareness
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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 before taking action—and how that waiting quietly reinforces avoidance. The discussion moves beyond symptom management and into the deeper work of distinguishing thoughts vs feelings, building emotional literacy, and helping clients move forward despite anxiety rather than waiting for it to disappear.
This episode is especially valuable for clinicians working with ambivalence, treatment resistance, or clients who feel “stuck” before starting ERP or making meaningful behavioural change.
💬 Key themes:
- Why “ready” is not an emotion—but a choice
- The difference between thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations
- How emotional reasoning keeps OCD in control
- The trap of waiting for certainty before acting
- Using ACT, motivational interviewing, and values-based action
- Helping clients name fear, dread, shame, and excitement accurately
- Why language matters in therapy—and how it can open or close change
- Moving clients out of intellectual insight and into embodied experience
- Supporting behaviour change without reassurance or avoidance
💡 “Ready is not a feeling—it’s a decision.”
🧠 “Certainty is the fantasy OCD keeps chasing.”
💬 “Of course you’re scared—and you can still act.”
🔖 Chapters
00:00 Introduction and the origin of the idea
03:00 What clients mean when they say “I don’t feel ready”
05:00 Readiness, certainty, and the OCD trap
07:00 Thoughts vs feelings: why we confuse them
09:30 Emotional reasoning and avoidance
11:00 Values-based action and willingness
13:00 Naming emotions vs shutting change down
15:00 Anxiety, excitement, and bodily sensations
17:00 Moving from insight to action
19:00 Why waiting for readiness keeps clients stuck
21:00 Final reflections for clinicians
#OCD #TherapyPodcast #MentalHealthProfessionals #ERP #ACT #BehaviourChange #ValuesBasedLiving #BreakingTheRulesPodcast #ClinicianSupport #AnxietyRecovery
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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 shows up across children, teens, and adults, often hiding beneath “good behaviour,” people-pleasing, over-apologising, and chronic self-monitoring. We also dive into why some clients become stuck in ERP when the underlying issue isn’t OCD at all, but rigidity, control, and ego-syntonic perfectionism associated with OCPD.
This episode is especially valuable for clinicians navigating stuckness, treatment resistance, or confusing presentations—and for anyone who has ever felt trapped by the need to be a “good person.”
💬 Key themes:
- What moral scrupulosity really looks like in OCD
- Why guilt, confessing, and reassurance-seeking are so sticky
- How moral scrupulosity differs from OCPD at a structural level
- Why ERP works for OCD—but often fails for OCPD
- The role of values, culture, religion, and social media pressure
- Common compulsions: confessing, rumination, reassurance, over-apologising
- When rigidity is fear-driven vs personality-based
- How to treat OCPD using schema, ACT, and DBT-informed approaches
- What to do when moral scrupulosity and OCPD co-occur
💡 “OCD hijacks your values and turns them against you.”
🧠 “Good people still have messy thoughts.”
💬 “Rigidity isn’t always anxiety—sometimes it’s identity.”
🔖 Chapters
00:00 Introduction and why this topic matters
02:00 What is moral scrupulosity?
05:30 Why it’s common in kids and teens
08:00 Defining OCPD and why it’s often mislabelled as OCD
11:00 Key differences between OCD and OCPD
14:00 Guilt, confessing, and moral pressure in adolescents
17:00 Social media, cancel culture, and moral anxiety
20:00 Common compulsions in moral scrupulosity
22:00 Psychoeducation vs reassurance
24:00 ERP exposures for moral scrupulosity
27:00 Treating OCPD: flexibility over exposure
30:00 When moral scrupulosity and OCPD overlap
33:00 Differential diagnosis, supervision, and formulation
36:00 Clinical honesty and naming rigidity in the room
#OCD #MoralScrupulosity #OCPD #TherapyPodcast #MentalHealthProfessionals #ERP #Perfectionism #ValuesBasedTherapy #ClinicianSupport #BreakingTheRulesPodcast
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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 the art of helping clients find flexibility between competing values—like control vs trust, safety vs freedom, and perfectionism vs growth—and how learning to hold both truths can open the door to meaningful change. They also unpack how clinicians can use values-based reflection, curiosity, and compassion to move clients beyond “sitting with uncertainty” toward truly living aligned, balanced lives.
💬 Key themes:
• What it means to be fused with thoughts and values
• Common paradoxes in OCD (purity vs imperfection, safety vs health, control vs trust)
• Using values work to build insight and reduce rigidity
• The connection between values, uncertainty, and acceptance
• Why “sit with uncertainty” isn’t enough without context
• Mapping paradoxes and value clashes in therapy
• How building self-concept helps clients reclaim life beyond OCD
🔖 Chapters
00:00 Introduction: Values and Paradox in OCD
02:00 What It Means to Be Fused with Thoughts and Values
05:00 Why Clients Get Stuck in Rigidity
08:00 Common Paradoxes in OCD
11:00 The Cost of Perfectionism and Fear of Imperfection
14:00 Exploring Value Clashes in Therapy
17:00 Building Insight and Flexibility
20:00 Beyond “Sit with Uncertainty”: Context and Meaning
22:30 Rebuilding Self and Identity Outside OCD
OCD #TherapyPodcast #AcceptanceAndCommitmentTherapy #MentalHealthMatters #ValuesBasedTherapy #ACT #BreakingTheRulesPodcast #ClinicianSupport #OCDRecovery #TherapyTalk #UncertaintyTolerance
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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 working with co-occurring trauma and OCD, emphasizing flexibility, creativity, and compassion in clinical work. From ERP integration to managing dissociation and building client insight, this conversation offers a nuanced understanding of how clinicians can hold both trauma and OCD safely in the therapy room.
💬 Key themes:
• How trauma can trigger or intensify OCD symptoms
• Compulsions as coping mechanisms for post-traumatic stress
• Why ERP and trauma therapy can complement each other
• The importance of trauma-informed care in OCD treatment
• Recognizing and managing dissociation during therapy
• Building client insight and resilience through psychoeducation
• Empowering clinicians to work confidently with trauma and OCD
🔖 Chapters
00:00 Understanding PTSD and OCD
02:55 The Interplay of Trauma and OCD
05:42 Navigating Treatment Challenges
08:53 Integrating ERP with Trauma Therapy
11:55 Building a Trauma-Informed Approach
14:54 Fluidity in Therapeutic Techniques
17:49 Empowering Clinicians to Address Trauma
23:44 Conclusion and Encouragement for Clinicians
PTSD #OCD #TraumaInformedCare #ERP #MentalHealthPodcast #TherapyTalk #ClinicianSupport #TraumaRecovery #OCDTreatment #CopingMechanisms #TherapyForTrauma
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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.
From checking, reassuring, or adapting routines “just to keep the peace,” to facing meltdowns, fear, or guilt when setting limits — this conversation goes deep into what it means to hold boundaries with compassion. You’ll hear about ERP therapy, the SPACE model, and practical ways clinicians and parents can work together to reduce accommodation and empower recovery.
💬 Key themes:
• What “parental accommodation” means and how it maintains OCD
• Why well-meaning reassurance can make symptoms stronger
• The difference between anxiety disorders and OCD
• Supporting children, teens, and adults through distress safely
• Helping parents tolerate their own emotions and model resilience
• How reducing accommodation can rebuild connection and trust in families
• Managing clinician fears around self-harm threats and safety planning
🔖 Chapters
00:00 Introducing the topic: Parental Accommodation and OCD
02:00 What it means to accommodate and why we do it
05:00 How everyday reassurance turns into OCD reinforcement
08:00 Fear, meltdowns, and why it’s hard for families to stop accommodating
11:00 Emotions, modelling, and learning to tolerate discomfort
14:00 The SPACE model and clinician guidance
17:00 Working with parental fear and client safety
21:00 Reducing accommodation step-by-step
25:00 Supporting families when clients resist change
26:40 Why it works — even if the client isn’t in therapy
OCD #ERP #ParentalAccommodation #MentalHealthPodcast #TherapyTalk #FamilyTherapy #SPACEModel #OCDRecovery #ClinicianSupport #ParentingAndMentalHealth #EmotionalRegulation
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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 navigating overwhelming thoughts and fears. We also examine the value of bringing babies into therapy, collaborative care, and the crucial reminder that intrusive thoughts do not define someone’s ability to be a loving, capable parent.
💬 Key themes:
- Why the perinatal period heightens vulnerability
- The role of OCD and intrusive thoughts in early parenting
- Using psychoeducation to normalize and reduce shame
- Building rapport so clients feel safe to share difficult thoughts
- The potential benefits of including babies in therapy sessions
- Collaborative care and supporting parents holistically
🔖 Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Perinatal Mental Health and OCD
02:50 Understanding Vulnerability in the Perinatal Period
05:47 Therapeutic Approaches for Clinicians
08:47 The Importance of Psychoeducation
11:45 Building Rapport and Trust with Clients
14:50 Managing Intrusive Thoughts in Therapy
17:49 Collaborative Care and Support Systems
20:51 Incorporating Babies in Therapy Sessions
23:45 Creating a Supportive Environment for New Parents
#PerinatalMentalHealth #OCD #IntrusiveThoughts #NewParents #MaternalHealth #TherapyTalk #ParentingSupport #MentalHealthAwareness #Psychoeducation #ClinicianSupport
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 takes to keep learning.
From the power of self-compassion to the importance of holding space and involving parents in the therapeutic process, this conversation is a valuable reminder that clinicians don’t need to be perfect to be effective—they just need to keep showing up.
💬 You’ll hear about:
- The real struggles clinicians face in ERP therapy
- Why reflecting on mistakes leads to better outcomes
- How client emotions are best met with presence, not perfection
- The impact of including parents in treatment plans
- Why being kind to yourself is not optional—it's essential
🔖 Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Clinical Learnings
02:59 The Courage to Learn ERP
05:57 Missed Opportunities in Therapy
08:57 The Importance of Holding Space
11:47 Navigating Client Emotions
15:12 Involving Parents in Therapy
17:42 Reflecting on Hard Lessons
21:01 Self-Compassion in Clinical Practice
23:47 Summary and Closing Thoughts
#ClinicalPractice #TherapyTalk #MentalHealthMatters #OCDTherapy #ERP #SelfCompassion #TherapistReflections #ClientEmotions #InvolvingParents #TherapyPodcast #MentalHealthProfessionals
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 therapy, disrupts client engagement, and challenges traditional treatment methods. From moral scrupulosity to obsessive intellectualization, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone working in mental health, or for those navigating OCD themselves.
💬 Key insights:
- What is Meta OCD and how does it differ from other forms?
- How perfectionism and compulsions manifest in subtle ways
- Why traditional OCD treatments may fall short for these clients
- The double-edged sword of reassurance in therapy
- How to foster self-worth and celebrate small wins
🔖 Chapters
00:00 Understanding Meta OCD
02:31 Defining Meta OCD and Its Implications
04:57 The Impact of Meta OCD on Treatment
07:59 Navigating Client Engagement and Reassurance
10:14 Perfectionism and Its Role in Meta OCD
12:24 The Challenge of Self-Identification
15:51 Recognizing and Addressing Meta OCD in Therapy
22:02 The Limitations of Manualized Treatments
#MetaOCD #OCDRecovery #MentalHealthPodcast #TherapyTalk #Perfectionism #MentalHealthMatters #TherapistTools #ClientEngagement #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #Scrupulosity #TherapyTechniques
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 blurred lines between health anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder
- How death anxiety often lies beneath our fear of illness
- Why reassurance-seeking can trap us in cycles of fear
- Coping strategies and evidence-based treatment approaches
- How therapists can help clients rediscover meaning beyond their mental health challenges
Whether you’re a clinician, someone living with anxiety, or simply curious about the human mind—this conversation will challenge your understanding and offer a fresh perspective on mental wellness.
🔖 Chapters
00:00 Understanding Health Anxiety and OCD
06:01 The Intersection of Health Anxiety and Death Anxiety
12:03 The Complexity of Health Anxiety and OCD
18:43 Treatment Approaches for Health Anxiety and OCD
24:22 Living Beyond Anxiety: Finding Meaning in Life
HealthAnxiety #OCD #MentalHealthMatters #TherapyTalk #AnxietyTreatment #DeathAnxiety #CopingWithAnxiety #IntrusiveThoughts #MentalWellness #PsychologicalDisorders #AnxietyAwareness #MeaningBeyondAnxiety
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 conversation asks the tough questions: How far is too far in exposure therapy? And what happens when fear is no longer the enemy, but the doorway to healing?
💬 Key themes:
- The role of informed consent in exposure therapy
- Building trust and safety in the therapeutic relationship
- Understanding OCD beyond the symptoms
- Why a collaborative approach is more effective than a prescriptive one
- Recognizing when a therapist's anxiety enters the room too
🔖 Chapters
00:00 Introduction to ERP and Client Concerns
02:46 Understanding OCD and Its Impact
05:53 The Role of Trust in Therapy
08:53 Navigating Exposure Tasks Collaboratively
11:51 Ethics of Exposure Therapy
14:54 Client Consent and Collaboration
17:38 Managing Anxiety During Exposure
20:45 The Importance of Client Agency
23:44 Conclusion and Key Takeaways
ERP #OCDTreatment #ExposureTherapy #TherapyEthics #ClientConsent #MentalHealth #TherapyPodcast #TherapeuticTrust #CollaborativeCare #AnxietySupport #OCDRecovery #EthicalTherapy
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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, and how to determine whether a person with OCD is presenting with suicidal ideation consistent with wishes to die or whether it's intrusive suicidal OCD.
This episode contains discussions about suicide. If you find this episode distressing and would like more support, please seek help from your local healthcare provider. If you're in Australia, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 at any time.
Resources and links:
- Lifeline website
- Webinars, books, and training by Melbourne Wellbeing Group
- OCD training workshops by Dr Celin Gelgec
- OCD focused supervision for healthcare professionals with Dr Celin Gelgec
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 disorder and ultimately finding recovery, explains the alarming rise of "skinny talk" on social media and how algorithms target vulnerable users within seconds, and reveals the powerful parallels between eating disorders and addiction that challenge common misconceptions about these complex mental health conditions.
Resources and links:
- Weight of the World: A High Tea for ED Healing & Hope tickets
- Webinars, books, and training by Melbourne Wellbeing Group
- OCD training workshops by Dr Celin Gelgec
- OCD focused supervision for healthcare professionals with Dr Celin Gelgec
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 up, and what the next steps are for helping clients manage it.
Resources and links:
- Webinars, books, and training by Melbourne Wellbeing Group
- OCD training workshops by Dr Celin Gelgec
- OCD focused supervision for healthcare professionals with Dr Celin Gelgec
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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, and how clinicians can support parents during the vulnerable early days of new parenthood.
Resources and links:
- ‘Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts' by Karen Kleiman
- ‘Matrescence' by Lucy Jones
- ‘The Magic Years” by Selma H. Fraiberg
- Dr Bianca Mastromanno's website
- Dr Bianca Mastromanno on Instagram
- Dr Bianca Mastromanno on LinkedIn
- Webinars, books, and training by Melbourne Wellbeing Group
- OCD training workshops by Dr Celin Gelgec
- OCD focused supervision for healthcare professionals with Dr Celin Gelgec
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 the emotional challenges of parenthood. She also reflects on what she's learnt from the parents she works with and from her own experiences as a parent.
This episode is part one of our two-part chat with Bianca. Keep an eye out for part two, where Bianca digs into how to better support parents with OCD through their pre and post-natal periods.
Resources and links:
- Dr Bianca Mastromanno's website
- Dr Bianca Mastromanno on Instagram
- Dr Bianca Mastromanno on LinkedIn
- Webinars, books, and training by Melbourne Wellbeing Group
- OCD training workshops by Dr Celin Gelgec
- OCD focused supervision for healthcare professionals with Dr Celin Gelgec
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 exposure therapy, self-awareness, and trust in the recovery process.
Resources and links:
- Presently Bracelets website
- Webinars, books, and training by Melbourne Wellbeing Group
- OCD training workshops by Dr Celin Gelgec
- OCD focused supervision for healthcare professionals with Dr Celin Gelgec
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 perspective of someone with OCD. They also share how the phrase “my thoughts are passing clouds” led to the creation of Presently.
Resources and links:
- Presently Bracelets website
- Webinars, books, and training by Melbourne Wellbeing Group
- OCD training workshops by Dr Celin Gelgec
- OCD focused supervision for healthcare professionals with Dr Celin Gelgec
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 different OCD themes on the individual and how some themes might result in more trauma and stigma than others.
Resources and links:
- Chrissie Hodges' website
- Chrissie Hodges on YouTube
- Chrissie Hodges on Instagram
- OCD Gamechangers website
- Webinars, books, and training by Melbourne Wellbeing Group
- OCD training workshops by Dr Celin Gelgec
- OCD focused supervision for healthcare professionals with Dr Celin Gelgec
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 OCD starting from age eight, describes how religious scrupulosity and emetophobia shaped her early experiences and opens up about her path from struggling in silence to becoming a prominent voice in the OCD community through peer support and advocacy work.
Resources and links:
- Chrissie Hodges' website
- Chrissie Hodges on YouTube
- Chrissie Hodges on Instagram
- OCD Gamechangers website
- Webinars, books, and training by Melbourne Wellbeing Group
- OCD training workshops by Dr Celin Gelgec
- OCD focused supervision for healthcare professionals with Dr Celin Gelgec
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 provide intervention.
Resources and links:
- Celin discussing hoarding on The Conversation Hour on ABC Radio
- Melbourne Wellbeing Group enquiry page
- Webinars, books, and training by Melbourne Wellbeing Group
- OCD training workshops by Dr Celin Gelgec
- OCD focused supervision for healthcare professionals with Dr Celin Gelgec
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 are struggling.
Resources and links:
- Nest Psychology website
- Webinars, books, and training by Melbourne Wellbeing Group
- OCD training workshops by Dr Celin Gelgec
- OCD focused supervision for healthcare professionals with Dr Celin Gelgec
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 period for mothers and opens up about her experiences after childbirth. She explores the challenges mothers encounter before and after birth and the importance of supporting mothers and building communities so mothers can care for their babies.
This episode is part one of our two-part chat with Emily. Keep an eye out for part two, where Emily shares how to help mothers experiencing mental health difficulties in the prenatal and postnatal periods.
Resources and links:
- Nest Psychology website
- Webinars, books, and training by Melbourne Wellbeing Group
- OCD training workshops by Dr Celin Gelgec
- OCD focused supervision for healthcare professionals with Dr Celin Gelgec
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 understanding how OCD plays into a patient’s identity. We also examine the role of patience and adaptability in treatment and how critical it is to address ambivalence through commitment, creativity, and curiosity.
Resources and links:
- Million Steps for OCD Awareness Walk information
- Webinars, books, and training by Melbourne Wellbeing Group
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 happens.
Resources and links:
- Webinars, books, and training by Melbourne Wellbeing Group
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 therapy.
In this episode, Natasha opens up about why she loves working with the parents of children with OCD and anxiety. She explains how she works with parents and shares her helpful tips for helping kids with OCD and anxiety while they’re at school.
Resources and links:
- AT website
- AT Parenting Survival School website
- AT Parenting Survival School on Instagram
- Natasha Daniels on YouTube
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 working with children and teens with anxiety and OCD, as well as their parents. She discusses how to adapt ERP for younger clients, the significance of building rapport, and how to incorporate playfulness and creativity into therapy.
This episode is part one of our two-part chat with Natasha. Keep an eye out for part two, where she’ll focus on one of her biggest passions: working with the parents of children with OCD and anxiety.
Resources and links:
- AT website
- AT Parenting Survival School website
- AT Parenting Survival School on Instagram
- Natasha Daniels on YouTube
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 clients with OCD.
In this episode, Brett expands on how clinicians can balance moving too quickly or too slowly in ERP. He also explains how he uses one simple and kind of gross demonstration in the classroom to teach future clinicians the importance of being bold and unafraid when working with clients.
Resources and links:
- Purchase ‘Exposure Therapy for Anxiety: Principles and Practice’ here
- Dr Brett Deacon at the University of Melbourne
- Dr Brett Deacon on LinkedIn
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 OCD treatment, highlighting the necessity of addressing deep-seated triggers. You’ll discover how a clinician’s strict adherence to protocols could influence the therapeutic journey. You’ll gain insights into how various therapeutic modalities can be integrated to effectively navigate the complexities of OCD treatment.
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 clinician accommodations can be as limiting as parental or familial accommodations.
Resources and links:
- Purchase ‘Exposure Therapy for Anxiety: Principles and Practice’ here
- Dr Brett Deacon at the University of Melbourne
- Dr Brett Deacon on LinkedIn
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 for Anxiety: Principles and Practice’.
Throughout the next three episodes, Brett explores the role of clinicians in exposure therapy and how their feelings could be holding back the client.
In today’s episode, Brett addresses safety behaviours. He digs into what they are, the safety behaviours we all engage in, and how to manage safety behaviours when treating OCD.
Resources and links:
- Purchase ‘Exposure Therapy for Anxiety: Principles and Practice’ here
- Dr Brett Deacon at the University of Melbourne
- Dr Brett Deacon on LinkedIn
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 to address these emotions if they are impacting treatment.
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 episode, Jo will explain what genetic counselling is and how it helps patients. She talks about the complexities of patient mental health histories and the implications of shame and stigma on patients. Jo also breaks down how genetic counselling can help mitigate some of the common fears for people living with mental illnesses around having children and passing on their genes.
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 shares her hopes and wishes for others with OCD who want to reclaim their happiness from their condition.
Resources and links:
- Purchase "The Joy Thief" here
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 the importance of transparent conversations, how sometimes providing a little bit of reassurance is alright, and that even we clinicians have to learn to accept uncertainty.
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 treat severe and treatment-resistant OCD. Phillip and Luca also discuss the outcomes of recent clinical trials and explain how accessible these treatments currently are for Australians.
This episode is part two of our two-part conversation with Luca and Phillip. Check out our last episode to hear more about the neuroscience behind OCD, and the use of TMS for OCD treatment.
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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-resistant OCD means and why it happens. Plus, Luca breaks down the exciting possibilities of transcranial magnetic stimulation (or TMS) for OCD.
This episode is part one of our two-part chat with Luca and Phillip. Keep an eye out for part two, where Luca and Phillip dive deeper into the treatment possibilities of TMS and DBS.
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 teach it to your clients. You'll also hear us discuss why it's important for all of us to learn to feel our feelings, and to understand the difference between noticing thoughts and dismissing them. Plus, we'll share some ways you can start to scaffold mindfulness into your client's treatment.
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 with nerves and feelings of inadequacy. She'll explain what she's found most useful for her development as an early-career psychologist, before sharing some advice for clinicians looking to get into the OCD treatment space.
Resources and links:
- 'Freedom from OCD' by Jonathan Grayson
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 and appropriate tasks for managing paedophilic intrusive thoughts. Plus, we'll share how you can take the learnings from these subtypes, and apply them to creating ERP tasks in any context.
This episode is part two of our two-part chat about how to create ERP tasks. Check out our previous episode, to hear us break down the foundations of creating ERP tasks, and the importance of collaboration and creativity in this process.
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 also share how important it is to stay collaborative, creative, and courageous — regardless of whether you're a client or clinician.
This episode is part one of our two-part chat about how to create ERP tasks. Keep an eye out for our next episode, where we'll dive even deeper into the techniques you can use to create ERP tasks.
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 health sector, developing and delivering specialist mental health and homelessness programs across Victoria.
In this episode, Penny and Rosie discuss all things family support, including what they believe family members need to know whilst supporting their loved ones through treatment. Plus, Penny and Rosie share some of their personal experiences with intrusive thoughts, and how they've changed throughout their lives.
This episode is part two of our two-part chat with Penny and Rosie. Check out our last episode to hear how and why they founded So OCD, and what they want clinicians to know about what OCD treatment is like.
Resources and links:
- So OCD website
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 sector, where she is involved in the development and delivery of specialist mental health and homelessness programs across Victoria.
In this episode, Penny and Rosie share their stories of being diagnosed with and living with OCD, and also what their personal journeys in therapy have been like. They explain the things that they have found helpful in treatment and everyday life, and what they want clinicians to know, from the perspective of someone who is in treatment for OCD.
This episode is part one of our two-part conversation with Penny and Rosie. Join us next time for part two, where they'll dive deeper into their own experiences with OCD, and in particular, how families can support their loved ones in treatment.
Resources and links:
- So OCD website
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 plans to include a client's family and friends, while still maintaining appropriate boundaries. We'll also emphasise the importance of accessing knowledge, practising self-care, communicating, and holding space for grief for those who are supporting a loved one in treatment.
Resources and links:
- International OCD Foundation website
- So OCD website
- Natasha Daniels - YouTube
- An OCD Kids Movie
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder | Made of Millions Foundation
- 'Daring to Challenge OCD' by Joan Davidson
- 'The Family Guide to Getting Over OCD' by Jonathan Abramowitz
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 knowledge to the next generation of clinical psychology students.
In today's episode, Jon explains how to integrate the inhibitory learning model into clinical practice and the importance of maintaining consistency in that process. He then shares his difficulty in knowing that the first edition of his book, "Getting Over OCD: A 10-Step Workbook for Taking Back Your Life", is still in circulation.
This episode is part two of our two-part conversation with Dr Jonathan Abramowitz. Check out our last episode, where Jon introduces us to his insights on the inhibitory learning model.
Resources and links:
- Dr Jonathan Abramowitz website
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 several books and book chapters.
In today's episode, Jon explains how he came to be involved with OCD treatment and research in the first place. He shares his insights on the evolution of the inhibitory learning model and details how it can be used to modify ERP and treat OCD.
This episode is part one of our two-part conversation with Dr Jonathan Abramowitz. Keep an eye out for our next episode, where Jon delves deeper into how to integrate the inhibitory learning model into practice.
Resources and links:
- Dr Jonathan Abramowitz website
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 explore the structure of a group therapy session, and how to manage challenges such as cost and time limitations. Plus, we'll discuss the power of group therapy, and how beneficial it can be to have group participants supporting each other.
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 Recovery Program for Living with Uncertainty.'
In this episode, Jonathan continues explaining what it's like to live in genuine uncertainty and explores the challenges both clients and clinicians can face when fully embracing uncertainty. Plus, he shares a challenging personal story and some interesting pop culture references.
This is part two of our two-part chat with Jonathan. Check out our last episode for part one, where Jonathan introduces us to the idea of uncertainty in the context of OCD.
Resources and links:
- Grayson Center website
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 uncertainty and how to get better without knowing all the answers. He then goes on to share valuable insights into how to discuss uncertainty with clients and even demonstrates how it works in treatment.
This is part one of our two-part chat with Jonathan. Stay tuned for our next episode, where we further explore how to live with uncertainty.
Resources and links:
- Grayson Center website
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 Western Australia and a mentor for allied health businesses looking to increase their impact.
In today's episode, Clair shares her perspective on what ERP is like in a group therapy setting and the ways you can get creative in this space. She also breaks down her thoughts on the difference between group and individual sessions, and how to get the most out of each format.
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 Cognitive Psychotherapies.
In today's episode, Paul explores the current research trajectory into OCD and treatment options. Paul shares his knowledge from years of working with OCD and his ideas on how betrayal functions in OCD. He finishes with an important reminder that OCD is not always what it seems.
Resources and links:
- Professor Paul Salkovskis' website
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 today's episode, Eli shares some ways clinicians can support parents if their children are diagnosed with OCD. He also details some of the reasons we might be getting it wrong in supporting families and explains how the SPACE program can help reduce family accommodation.
Resources and links:
- Breaking Free of Anxiety - A Journey Through SPACE
- SPACE Treatment website
- Eli Lebowtiz’s website
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 a mother of four young children herself.
In today's episode, Emily breaks down all things meltdowns. She shares why kids have meltdowns, what parents can do when their child is melting down, and why it's so hard for parents to keep their cool when their child is having a meltdown. Plus, she shares a fascinating insight into what it means to 'flip your lid'.
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 autism and OCD in young people and what to consider when treating OCD in neurodiverse clients. Plus, Marie details some of the things she found most useful in her practice, such as the importance of forming client connections.
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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, which she does via lectures, workshops, and online and print media in Australia and worldwide. In today's episode, Emily shares her knowledge of OCD and anxiety and how they present in clients that deal with both. She also details how to tease the two disorders apart and treat them appropriately. Plus, you'll hear about Emily's passion for advocacy and education, and she shares her experience of encouraging skill development in treatment.
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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. Tanya also breaks down how to use the SCAMP model in your practice and reminds us all how important it is to be able to 'go with the flow'.
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 OCD. She then discusses ideas for how to have fun in therapy with games like 'Spot It'.
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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?
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 and the importance of sound systems to support them in this environment. Plus, she shares an insight into the importance of setting boundaries as a practitioner to ensure you deliver the best support for your clients.
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 treatment whilst remaining evidence-based in your work.
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 with Dr Michael Levin and Dr Clarissa Ong, and The Anxious Perfectionist, co-authored with Dr Clarissa Ong.
This episode is part two of our conversation with Michael. Check out our last episode for the first part of our chat.
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 through his research on acceptance and commitment therapy and its potential uses for OCD treatment in conjunction with ERP before sharing his insight into the importance of flexibility as a healthcare practitioner.
This episode is part one of our two-part conversation with Michael. Tune in next time for part two.
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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, and how it can create confusion for clinicians and clients alike if it's misunderstood.
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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. You'll be inspired by her wisdom and her carefully developed approach to distress that makes sure not to dismiss or ignore pain. Plus, an insight into her book, all about whole-person care.
This episode is part two of our discussion with Johanna. Check out our previous episode for the first half of this enlightening conversation.
Resources and links:
- Purchase Johanna’s book here
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
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 the importance of listening in the healing process and details some of her research on using whole-person care to help create a sense of safety.
This episode is part one of our two-part conversation with Johanna; keep an eye out for the second part in the coming weeks.
Resources and links:
- Purchase Johanna’s book here
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
In today's episode, we're exploring everything you need to know about themes and subtypes of OCD, and asking the critical question: do subtypes of OCD matter?
We talk about the different kinds of subtypes and how these may change throughout someone's life. We'll also explore when it might be helpful to categorise OCD subtypes with a client and give you a handy way of conceptualising themes of OCD using the analogy of form versus function.
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
Dr Claire Cody is a Psychiatrist and the director at The Village Clinic, where she looks after infants, children and teens, alongside consulting for various hospitals around Melbourne. Claire has a passion for working holistically with young people and families and hearing their stories so they can work together towards recovery.
In this episode, Claire shares her thoughts on the role psychiatry plays in treating mental health in young people and discusses best practices in establishing a multidisciplinary team that best supports families, before getting personal by sharing some of her own intrusive thoughts.
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
Today, we dive into the all important question: How do we assess symptoms of OCD?
Assessment of OCD doesn't always happen in one session - sometimes you need to work with someone for a long time before they reveal a part of themselves that then allows you to make a diagnosis.
And so on today's episode, we discuss OCD's symptoms according to the DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria, and the various types of assessments you can use when screening for OCD. And we also explore how to determine if someone’s thoughts are egosyntonic or egodystonic (and what that even means!).
Resources and links:
- Assessment scales for obsessive-compulsive disorder
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
Dr Scott Blair-West is a consultant psychiatrist and the Co-founder and Medical Director of the OCD program at The Melbourne Clinic. Scott also works in private practice, as well as pro-bono for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. And … he also provides training on anxiety disorder management and CBT to trainees, psychologists and psychiatrists.
In this episode, you’ll hear about the role of psychiatry and medication in the treatment of OCD, the benefits of inpatient admissions and some of the interesting things Scott has learned during his career including… (wait for it!) his belief that providing reassurance to clients isn’t always a bad thing!
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
Welcome to our very first episode! We’re so excited to be kicking off our podcast today by explaining a common question we get: What is OCD? We’ll be discussing everything from what obsessions and compulsions look like, to what happens in the brain when someone has OCD.
In this episode, you’ll learn about the complexities of OCD in a way that will help you and your clients understand it better. We also dive into the mechanisms behind how compulsive behaviours occur and why Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy is so effective in helping your clients gain more certainty.
Connect:
- https://www.melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au/
- http://www.drcelingelgec.com.au/
This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.