Are you trying everything to help your child’s OCD… yet nothing seems to stick?

You’re not alone—and it’s not because you’re doing anything wrong.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the 7 most common mistakes parents make when trying to help OCD, and more importantly, what to do instead. These mistakes are incredibly common, even among well-meaning therapists, and understanding them is the first step to real progress.

We’ll talk about:

• Why logic and reassurance often make OCD stronger
• How accommodations quietly feed OCD’s power
• Why ERP isn’t just “facing fears”
• And the role parents must play in their child’s OCD journey

If your child has OCD, this episode will help you stop spinning your wheels and start using tools that actually work.

🧡 Want step-by-step guidance on how to help your child at home?

Register for my FREE video series Survival Tools for Parents Raising Kids with anxiety or OCD at atparentingsurvivalseries.com.

🧡 For this episode’s handout go to www.natashadaniels.com/handouts

Take my SPACE Study course at www.natashadaniels.com/space and learn about the AT Parenting Community at www.atparentingcommunity.com 

***

This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to

https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.

Parents, do you need more support?  

🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️

Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:

https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com

Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):

https://atparentingcommunity.com

Take one of my FREE webinars:

www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars

Check out my books: 

www.Natashadaniels.com/books

🌸 Other social places I hang out:

http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival 

http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When your child struggles with OCD, it’s natural to want to ease their distress, but those well-meaning “helping” moments can actually feed OCD’s control. In this episode, Natasha breaks down how to pull back accommodations safely and effectively, without creating unnecessary conflict or fear.

You’ll learn:

• What OCD accommodations really are and how they sneak into daily routines
• Why reducing them helps your child gain long-term confidence
• How to involve your child in the process
• What to do (and not do) when emotions run high
• How to stay consistent and supportive as your child builds resilience

Pulling back OCD accommodations isn’t about being tough — it’s about helping your child take their power back from OCD, one small step at a time.

Get in-depth OCD support in my FREE parenting series starting this week. You can register at www.ATparentingsurvivalseries.com

Links mentioned in the show:

Get a PDF handout of today’s episode

SPACE Treatment Study Guide Course

Eli Lebowitz’s book Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD & Alec Pollard’s book When a Love On Won’t Seek Mental Health Treatment

SPACE Treatment website, Alec Pollard’s website, YouTube video on compulsive reassurance, YouTube video on compulsive confessing, Podcast on developing effective incentive plans

***

This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional. Parents, do you need more support?  

🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️

Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD: https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com

Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD): https://atparentingcommunity.com

Take one of my FREE webinars: www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars

Check out my books: www.Natashadaniels.com/books

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When your child can’t explain their OCD, it can feel impossible to know how to help. Many kids feel embarrassed, don’t have the words, or experience OCD as a feeling instead of a clear fear. Sometimes the compulsions come first, making it even harder to put into words.

In this episode, I’ll share why kids struggle to explain their OCD and what you can do instead of pushing for answers. You’ll learn how to spot patterns, identify themes, and support your child with both compassion and strategy.

✨ Want more step-by-step guidance? Join my free series, Survival Tools for Parents Raising Kids with Anxiety or OCD starting next week at www.atparentingsurvivalseries.com.

***

This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to

https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.

Parents, do you need more support?  

🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️

Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:

https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com

Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):

https://atparentingcommunity.com

Take one of my FREE webinars:

www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars

Check out my books: 

www.Natashadaniels.com/books

🌸 Other social places I hang out:

http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival 

http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When your child is stuck in an endless cycle of reassurance, it can feel impossible to break free. Reassurance may bring temporary relief, but for kids with OCD it actually fuels the disorder and makes things worse in the long run.

In this episode, I talk about how reassurance becomes a compulsion, why it keeps your child trapped in OCD’s cycle, and what you can do differently instead. You’ll learn practical alternatives you can use right away that support your child without feeding OCD.

If you’re looking for more tools and strategies to help your child, check out my free video series, Survival Tools for Parents Raising Kids with Anxiety or OCD. You can sign up at www.atparentingsurvivalseries.com.

To get the PDF mentioned in this episode go to www.natashadaniels.com/handouts 

To watch the Reassurance YouTube video click here.

To get the OCD Themes PDF click here.

***

This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to

https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.

Parents, do you need more support?  

🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️

Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:

https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com

Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):

https://atparentingcommunity.com

Take one of my FREE webinars:

www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars

Check out my books: 

www.Natashadaniels.com/books

🌸 Other social places I hang out:

http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival 

http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parents often rely on their usual parenting strategies to help their child with OCD — but those same strategies can actually backfire. 

In this episode, I break down the most common approaches parents try and explain why they don’t work when it comes to OCD.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, repeating the same things without progress, this episode will help you understand why and what to do differently.

To get the PDF handout that supplements this episode go to www.natashadaniels.com/episode440

✨ Get 50% off all my courses and workshops until October 18, 2025 11:59pm in honor of OCD Awareness Week. Go to AT Parenting Survival School and use the coupon code OCDAWARENESS2025.

Links mentioned in podcast:

Podcast: Validation vs Accommodations in OCD

Podcast: Developing Effective Incentive Plans

Reel: Distraction vs Refocusing

***

This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to

https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.

Parents, do you need more support?  

🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️

Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:

https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com

Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):

https://atparentingcommunity.com

Take one of my FREE webinars:

www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars

Check out my books: 

www.Natashadaniels.com/books

🌸 Other social places I hang out:

http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival 

http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

OCD loves to change costumes. One week it’s germs, the next it’s harm or moral worries—and parents are left wondering, “Are we back at square one?” In this episode I explain why theme changes are common, what’s actually staying the same beneath the surface, and how to respond without chasing content.

You’ll learn:

• Why themes change (and why that doesn’t mean regression)
• 
  
• How to spot the OCD cycle across any theme
• 
  
• Practical ways to keep coaching and exposures on track when the fear looks “new”
• 
  
• Language you can use with your child when OCD suddenly pivots
• 
  

Want weekly free OCD parenting support delivered right to your inbox? Get on my newsletter by going to: www.Natashadaniels.com/newsletter.

Links Mentioned in This Episode:

Join the AT Parenting Community

Core Fear YouTube Playlist

OCD is an Octopus video

Offense and Defense video

Moral OCD YouTube Playlist

***

This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to

https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.

Parents, do you need more support?  

🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️

Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:

https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com

Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):

https://atparentingcommunity.com

Take one of my FREE webinars:

www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars

Check out my books: 

www.Natashadaniels.com/books

🌸 Other social places I hang out:

http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival 

http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this podcast episode, I sit down with Dr. Tamar Chansky to talk about the newly revised edition of her classic book, Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

Dr. Chansky has helped countless families better understand OCD and learn practical, compassionate strategies to support their children. 

In our conversation, we discuss what’s new in this updated edition, how the field’s understanding of OCD has evolved, and the tools parents need today to help their kids face intrusive thoughts and compulsions.

Whether you’re just beginning your journey with OCD or looking for fresh tools to strengthen your child’s progress, this conversation will give you both hope and direction.

Get your updated version of Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

***

This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to

https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.

Parents, do you need more support?  

🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️

Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:

https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com

Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):

https://atparentingcommunity.com

Take one of my FREE webinars:

www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars

Check out my books: 

www.Natashadaniels.com/books

🌸 Other social places I hang out:

http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival 

http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

OCD can show up much earlier than most people realize — and often in ways parents don’t immediately recognize. For younger kids, compulsions might appear before they can even describe intrusive thoughts. You might see rigidity, controlling behaviors, repetitive actions, or big meltdowns over things that don’t seem to make sense.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through how OCD can look in young children and share practical strategies for helping them. From personifying OCD as “Mr. Bossy,” to creating superheroes who fight back, to slowly reducing accommodations and even gamifying the process — I’ll give you tools to make OCD something your child can actually face.

If you’ve ever wondered how to support a younger child with OCD, this episode will give you a roadmap to start.

Also, check out my new children’s picture book to help children with OCD: Chloe and the Bossy Cloud.

***

***

This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to

https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.

Parents, do you need more support?  

🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️

Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:

https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com

Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):

https://atparentingcommunity.com

Take one of my FREE webinars:

www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars

Check out my books: 

www.Natashadaniels.com/books

🌸 Other social places I hang out:

http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival 

http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Contamination OCD can be easy to spot, but often, it runs much deeper than what you are observing.

In this episode, I break down the common mistakes parents make when trying to support a child with contamination OCD, such as:

• Assuming it’s always about germs or illness
• Focusing only on visible rituals instead of the underlying fear
• Overlooking how contamination spreads from “ground zero” to more and more things
• Missing the importance of tailoring exposures to the specific fear or feeling

Most importantly, I’ll share how to uncover the true root fear and ground zero behind OCD contamination, and why that shift changes how exposures are designed and carried out.

Resources mentioned during episode:

New Book: Chloe & The Bossy Cloud

Core Fear Series on Youtube

Core Fear Workshop

Contamination OCD videos for kids and teens

***

This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to

https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.

Parents, do you need more support?  

🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️

Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:

https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com

Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):

https://atparentingcommunity.com

Take one of my FREE webinars:

www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars

Check out my books: 

www.Natashadaniels.com/books

🌸 Other social places I hang out:

http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival 

http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Moral OCD can be tricky for parents to recognize because it often looks like strong values, deep guilt, or honest confessions. 

In this episode, I break down the most common pitfalls parents fall into when trying to support their child with Moral OCD like:

• Mistaking OCD-driven fears for good morals
• Treating compulsive “confessions” as real
• Worrying that if you don’t respond, your child will bottle everything up. 
• Confusion around if it is OCD or your child’s religious or personal beliefs and preferences.

Most importantly, I’ll share practical ways to shift your responses: how to separate OCD from true values, recognize when you’re debating with OCD instead of your child, respond in a consistent way to “confessions,” and support healthy communication without fueling compulsions. 

You’ll walk away with concrete strategies to reduce accommodation while still staying connected and compassionate.

Moral OCD Instagram Accounts:

Rev. Katie O'Dunne

Justin Hughes

***

This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to

https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.

Parents, do you need more support?  

🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️

Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:

https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com

Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):

https://atparentingcommunity.com

Take one of my FREE webinars:

www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars

Check out my books: 

www.Natashadaniels.com/books

🌸 Other social places I hang out:

http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival 

http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.